JP2001042713A - Device and method for guiding recovery of equipment or system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a suitable message to be informed by an information means according to users when an abnormality occurs in single purpose equipment like a copying machine or a system connected with a network. SOLUTION: This device is provided with an ID input means for judging, by inputting ID for discriminating a user, whether or not the user identified by the ID is allowed to use the equipment or system. When an abnormality occurs in the above equipment or system, the device detects the abnormality (S11). In addition to the detected abnormality, the device selects a message to make the above information means (S13) inform based on the ID inputted by the above ID input means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device or system for returning information to a single device or a system connected via a network. And methods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an error (abnormality) such as toner empty or paper jam (jam) occurs in a copying machine, the error is eliminated and the copying machine is returned to a normal state. Conventionally, an error state is displayed on a display unit provided on an operation panel of the copying machine, and a message for returning the copying machine to a normal state is displayed. For example, when a toner empty occurs, the display indicates "Toner has run out. Please replenish the toner."

Conventionally, however, such display is performed uniformly regardless of the user. Therefore, when the user is an external person who does not belong to the management department of the copying machine, for example, in the case of toner empty, In the above display contents, the storage location of the toner may not be known, and even if the storage location of the toner is known, the toner may not be handled without permission because the person is an outsider.
As a result, the process of restoring the copier to the normal state (hereinafter, referred to as “return process”) is not smoothly performed, and the so-called downtime from when an abnormality occurs to when the copier returns to the normal state is lengthened. is there.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device or a system that can appropriately select a message to be notified by a notification unit according to a user when an abnormality occurs in a single device such as a copying machine or a system connected via a network. The present invention provides a return guide device and method.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus or system for returning information according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a device or system for returning information when an abnormality occurs in a single device or a system connected via a network. A device or system return guidance device having control means for notifying a message for returning the system to a normal state by the notification means, and inputting an ID for identifying a user,
ID input means for determining whether to permit the user specified by the ID to use the device or the system, and abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormal state when an abnormality occurs in the device or the system. The control means selects a message to be notified by the notification means based on the ID input by the ID input means, in addition to the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means.

In the apparatus or system for returning information according to the first aspect of the present invention, an ID for identifying a user is input by an ID input means to use a single device or a system connected to a network to the user specified by the ID. When an abnormality occurs in the device or the system, the abnormality state is detected by abnormality detecting means. Next, the control means selects a message to be notified by the notification means based on the ID input by the ID input means in addition to the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means. Therefore, an appropriate message according to the user is notified by the notification means in order to resolve the abnormal state and return to the normal state. As a result, the user can smoothly perform the return processing.
Therefore, downtime of the device or system is reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a return guidance apparatus for an apparatus or a system, wherein the apparatus comprises: an image input means for inputting image data of a document; One of image processing means for electrically or electromagnetically processing data, image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data, and image output means for discharging the sheet after the image formation onto a tray. It is characterized by one.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image input means, the image processing means,
When an abnormality occurs in a device including one of the image forming unit and the image output unit, an appropriate message according to the user is notified by the notification unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a return guidance apparatus for an apparatus or a system according to the first aspect, wherein the apparatus or the system includes image input means for inputting image data of a document. Image processing means for electrically or electromagnetically processing the image data, image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data, and image output means for discharging the sheet after the image formation onto a tray. It is characterized by including at least two or more of them.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image input means, the image processing means,
When an abnormality occurs in a device or system including at least two of the image forming unit and the image output unit, an appropriate message according to the user is notified by the notifying unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a return guidance apparatus for an apparatus or a system according to the first aspect, wherein the message stores consumables or replacement parts of the apparatus or the system. It is characterized by including at least one of a storage place, a jam clearing method, and a method of contacting a manager.

[0012] In the return guidance apparatus for an apparatus or system according to the fourth aspect, the message may include a storage location where consumables or replacement parts of the apparatus or system are stored, a jam clearing method, and a method of contacting a manager. Since at least one of them is included, the user can smoothly perform the return processing. Therefore, downtime of the device or system is reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a return guidance device for an apparatus or a system according to the first aspect, further comprising means for printing out the message.

The return guide device of the device or system according to the fifth aspect is provided with the means for printing out the message, so that the user can perform the return process while watching the printed out message. Processing can be performed more smoothly.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a return guidance apparatus for an apparatus or a system according to the first aspect, further comprising means for outputting the message by voice.

Since the return guidance device of the device or the system according to the sixth aspect is provided with means for outputting the above-mentioned message by voice, the user can perform the return process while listening to the voice, and perform the return process. It can be performed more smoothly.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for guiding the return of a device or a system, wherein an ID for identifying a user is input by an ID input means, and a system connected to a single device or a network to the user specified by the ID. When the device or the system is in use, when the device or the system is abnormal, the device or the system is provided with a message for returning the device or the system to a normal state by a notification unit. When an abnormality occurs in the device or the system, based on the step of detecting the abnormal state by the abnormality detecting unit and the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detecting unit, based on the ID input by the ID input unit, A step of switching a message to be notified by the notifying means. .

In the method for guiding the return of a device or a system according to the present invention, an ID for identifying a user is inputted by an ID input means, and the user specified by the ID is used by a single device or a system connected via a network. When an abnormality occurs in the device or the system, the abnormality state is detected by abnormality detecting means. Next, a message to be notified by the notification means is selected based on the ID input by the ID input means in addition to the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means. Therefore, an appropriate message according to the user is notified by the notification means in order to resolve the abnormal state and return to the normal state. As a result, the user can smoothly perform the return processing. Therefore,
Downtime of the device or system is reduced.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a main body of a copying machine 1 as a single device to which a return guide device according to an embodiment is applied. The copying machine 1 includes a reading device IR and a printer device PRT as image forming means. Further, on the upper surface of the main body of the copying machine 1, an operation panel OP for an operator to input various instructions and data is provided. A magnetic card reader 99 is attached to the main body of the copying machine 1 as an ID input unit into which a user inserts an ID card when using the copying machine 1.

The reading device IR includes a scanning system 10 as image input means for reading an original placed on a glass table 18 to obtain an image signal, and an image processing means for processing the image signal obtained by the scanning system 10. And an image signal processing unit 20. The image signal processing unit 20 performs image processing such as binarization processing, image quality correction, scaling, and image editing on the image signal output from the scanning system 10, and obtains image data as an image storage unit. Is output to the memory unit 30.

The image data after the image processing is sequentially stored in the memory unit 30 in parallel with the reading of each document.

The printer PRT includes a print processing unit 4
0, an optical system 60, and an image forming system 70.

The print processing unit 40 includes a memory unit 30
The optical system 60 is driven based on the image data from.
The optical system 60 emits laser light from the semiconductor laser element 62 based on a signal controlled by the print processing unit 40, and scans the laser light on the photosensitive drum 71 of the image forming system 70.

The image forming system 70 includes a development transfer system 70A, a transport system 70B, and a fixing system 70C. Transport system 70B
Sends out sheets of the size indicated by the operation panel OP from the paper feed cassettes 80a and 80b one by one to the transport path 81, and sends the sent sheets to the photosensitive drum 7
The sheet is conveyed through a transfer position in contact with 1. Development transfer system 70
A uniformly charges the surface of the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 71 (rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum surface by laser light from the optical system 60. To form Then, toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image.
The image is transferred to the surface of the sheet conveyed by OB. The paper on which the toner is transferred and separated from the surface of the photoreceptor drum
The sheet is conveyed to the fixing system 70C by the conveying belt 83.
The fixing system 70C heats and presses the sheet on which the toner is transferred, and fixes the toner image on the sheet. After fixing the image,
It is discharged onto a copy discharge tray 79 provided so as to protrude to the side of the main body. Note that a so-called finisher or sorter may be provided as an image output unit that discharges the sheet after the image is fixed onto the tray.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel OP includes:
A liquid crystal display (LCD) 91 as a display unit, a numeric keypad 92 for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies, a clear key 93 for clearing input numerical values and discarding image data in the image storage unit 30, Panel reset key 9 for resetting the operation mode etc.
4. A stop key 95 for giving an instruction to stop the copying operation during the copying operation and a start key 96 for giving an instruction to start the copying operation are provided. A touch panel (not shown) is mounted on the LCD 91. By the combination of the keys displayed on the LCD 91 and the touch panel, the user can perform various key inputs. Further, the operation panel OP is provided with a microphone 97 for inputting a message to be output when an error occurs in the copying machine 1 by voice and a speaker 98 for outputting a message by voice when an actual error occurs. Have been.

FIG. 3 shows a block configuration of a control unit 100 as control means of the copying machine 1. The control unit 100 includes a CPU 1 serving as a central processing unit provided in the operation panel OP, a CPU 2 provided in the image signal processing unit 20, a CPU 3 provided in the memory unit 30, and a printing process. CPU 4 provided in unit 40
A CPU 5 is provided. Each of the CPUs 1 to 5 has ROMs 111 to 11 storing respective operation programs.
5 and a RAM 12 serving as a work area for program execution
1 to 125 are provided.

The CPU 1 controls the operation panel OP, receives signals from various operation keys or buttons via an I / O (input / output interface), and controls display. The contents (I) of the ID card inserted into the magnetic card reader 99 (FIG. 1)
D), the user is specified, and it is determined whether the user is permitted to use the copier 1 or not. Further, as described above, the input and output of the audio data representing the message at the time of occurrence of the error are performed through the microphone 97 and the speaker 98 on the operation panel OP.

The CPU 2 processes an output signal from the scanning system 10. Specifically, shading correction, color discrimination,
Performs scaling processing, image quality correction, etc.

The CPU 3 controls the memory unit 30 to temporarily store the read image data. In the copy operation mode, the stored image data is read out and output to the print processing unit 40.

The CPU 4 receives a signal output from the image forming system sensor via the I / O and controls each part of the image forming system 70.

The CPU 5 performs processing for adjusting the overall timing of the control unit 100, setting the operation mode, and processing relating to the facsimile function. For this reason, the CPU 1
Between the CPUs 5, serial communication is performed by an interrupt via the serial I / O 130 to exchange commands, reports, and other data.

The CPU 5 has an E as a storage means.
An EPROM (electrically erasable / writable read-only memory) 129 is connected. This EEPROM1
29 includes an ID number table shown in FIG.
An error number table shown in FIG. 6B and a message table shown in FIG. 6C are stored.

The ID number table shown in FIG.
The department to which the user belongs, the user name, and the ID number of the user are stored in association with each other. For example, the section "XX
The ID number of the user "AAAAA" belonging to "XX" is "1".
111 ”, user“ BBB ”belonging to section“ XXXX ”
The ID number of “B” is stored as “2222”. If the user is an external person who does not have a department, his ID number is represented as "9999". The contents of the ID number table are the IDs shown in FIG. 7A displayed on the LCD 91 on the operation panel OP.
The user can register in advance using the number registration screen.

In the error number table shown in FIG. 6B, an error state indicating an abnormality relating to the copying machine 1 and an error number are stored in association with each other. For example, the error number of “paper empty” indicating that the paper cassette has run out is “E01”, and the error number of “toner empty” indicating that the toner runs out is “E01”.
The error number of "02" and "oil empty" indicating that the oil has run out is stored as "E99". The contents of the error number table are already set at the time of shipment of the copying machine 1.

The message table shown in FIG. 6C contains a message for returning the copying machine 1 to a normal state when an error occurs, an error number corresponding to the error state, and a message for outputting the message. Output conditions are stored in association with each other. This output condition is set using the ID number.

For example, “****” in the upper part of the output condition column
Indicates that there is no restriction by the user (ID number) to output the message. That is, when the error state “paper empty” corresponding to the error number “E01” occurs, the message “please use the paper on the left shelf freely” is selected regardless of the current user. You.

In the middle of the output condition column, "not999"
"9" indicates that the user is not an outsider, that is, the user must belong to any department. “9999” in the lower part of the output condition column is
The output condition for the user to output the audio data by an external person indicates that the user must be an external person. As a result, when an error state “toner empty” corresponding to the error number “E02” occurs, when the current user ID number is “not9999” such as “1111” or “2222”,
That is, if the user belongs to any department, the message "Please replenish the spare toner in the warehouse A" in the middle of the message column is selected. On the other hand, similarly, even when the error state “toner empty” corresponding to the error number “E02” occurs, when the ID number of the current user is “9999”, that is, the user is an external person. At this time, the message "Please contact me in charge of 連絡 to replenish toner." At the bottom of the message column is selected.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of a message input process for registering a message in the message table. When the user selects the message input mode through the operation panel OP (S1), a message registration screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed on the LCD 91 on the operation panel OP. When the user presses the recording start button 131, input of a message by voice is started (S2). The user utters a message to be output when an error is uttered, toward the microphone 97 on the operation panel OP (S3).
As a result, the message is input and the EEPRO
The message is registered in the message column of the message table of M129 (FIG. 6C). After uttering the message, the user presses the recording end button 132 to end the voice input (S4). Subsequently, the user inputs an error number corresponding to an error state in which the message should be output and an output condition for outputting the message through the operation panel OP (S5, S6). As a result, data for one stage of the message table is prepared. If there are a plurality of types of messages, the above-described processing S2 is performed for each message.
To S6 are repeated. Finally, when the user selects registration completion (S7), this message input mode is terminated and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 5 shows a flow of a message output process for outputting a message for returning the copying machine 1 to a normal state when an error occurs. In addition, EEPRO
It is assumed that a message table having the contents illustrated in FIG. 6C has already been stored in M129. Also,
It is assumed that the current user has inserted the ID card into the magnetic card reader 99, and as a result of referring to the ID number table shown in FIG.

When a certain error occurs in the copying machine 1 (S11), the control unit 100 functions as an abnormality detecting means.
An error state is recognized based on outputs from various sensors in the copying machine. Then, referring to the error number table shown in FIG. 6B, an error number corresponding to the error state is recognized.

Next, with reference to the message table shown in FIG. 6C, it is determined whether a message corresponding to the error number is registered (S12). Here, when only one message corresponding to the error number is registered, the ID number of the current user is checked to determine whether the ID number satisfies the output condition of the message ( S13). When a plurality of messages corresponding to the error number are registered, it is determined for each message whether the current user ID number satisfies the output condition of the message. When a message is selected in this way, FIG.
As illustrated in (c), the control unit 100 controls the LCD 91
The selected message ("toner has run out" in this example) 133 and a message playback button 134 are displayed on the screen (S14). In this way, the message selected based on the ID number of the current user in addition to the error number is displayed, so that an appropriate message according to the user is displayed. As a result, the user can smoothly perform the return processing.

At the same time, the control unit 100 controls the LCD 9
The user name 135 when the same error occurred last time is displayed on the first screen (S15). This is so that the current user can easily receive advice on the return process from the user when the same error occurred last time. By receiving the advice, the user can perform the return process more smoothly.

If the message corresponding to the error number is not registered in the message table in step S12, or if no message satisfying the output condition exists in step S13, the message 133 is output.
Only the user name 135 when the same error occurred last time is displayed without displaying the message playback button 134 (S15).

Next, the current user name is stored for the next time the same error occurs (S16).

Next, the control section 100 determines whether or not the user has pressed the message playback button 134, and when the message playback button 134 is pressed, the message being displayed is passed through the speaker 98 on the operation panel OP. Output by voice. In this case, the user can perform the return process while listening to the sound. Therefore, the return processing can be performed more smoothly.

The above message is transmitted to the printer PR.
The printout may be performed by T. In this case, the user can perform the return process while viewing the printed out. Therefore, the return processing can be performed more smoothly. Thus, downtime of the copying machine 1 is reduced.

Although the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the copying machine 1 as a single device has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 8, the present invention relates to a system 2 connected by a network 220.
00 can also be applied.

The system 200 includes a reading device (IR) 20 as image input means for inputting image data of a document.
1, a personal computer (PC) 210 serving as abnormality detecting means, control means, and image processing means; a printer 203 serving as an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data; A finisher 204 as an image output unit for discharging sheets onto a tray is connected to a network 220.

The personal computer (PC) 210 includes a keyboard 215 for the user to input a password as an ID, a microphone 211 for the user to input a message, an LCD 212 as a display unit,
A speaker 213 as a means for outputting sound is connected. The personal computer 210 is equipped with an EEPROM (not shown).
The ID number table as shown in FIG. 6A, the error number table as shown in FIG.
A message table as shown in (c) is stored. Then, under the control of the personal computer 210, the message input process shown in FIG. 4 and the message output process shown in FIG. 5 are executed.

In this case, the system 200
, An appropriate message corresponding to the user is displayed on the LCD 212. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform the return process while watching the message. Further, the user can perform the return processing while listening to the message output by voice through the speaker 213, and the return processing can be performed more smoothly. As a result, when an error occurs in the system 200, downtime can be reduced.

[0052]

As apparent from the above description, the apparatus or system for returning information according to the first aspect of the present invention is based on the ID input by the ID input means in addition to the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means. A message to be notified by the notification means is selected. Therefore, in order to eliminate the abnormal state and return to the normal state by the notification means,
An appropriate message according to the user is notified. As a result, the user can smoothly perform the return processing. Therefore, downtime of the device or system is reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in one of the image input means, the image processing means, the image forming means, and the image output means, a notification is issued. An appropriate message corresponding to the user is notified by the means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, an abnormality occurs in a device or system including at least two of the image input means, the image processing means, the image forming means, and the image output means. Then, an appropriate message corresponding to the user is notified by the notifying means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the message is one of a storage place where consumables or replacement parts of the device or system are stored, a jam clearing method, and a method of contacting a manager. Therefore, the user can smoothly perform the return process. Therefore, downtime of the device or system is reduced.

The return guide device of the device or system according to the fifth aspect is provided with a means for printing out the message, so that the user can perform the return process while viewing the printed out message. Can be performed more smoothly.

Since the return guidance device of the device or the system according to the sixth aspect is provided with a means for outputting the message by voice, the user can perform the return process while listening to the voice, and the return process can be further smoothly performed. Can be done.

In the method for guiding the return of an apparatus or system according to a seventh aspect, in the same manner as in the first aspect, an appropriate message corresponding to the user is issued by the notification means in order to eliminate the abnormal state and return to the normal state. Is done. As a result, the user can smoothly perform the return processing. Therefore,
Downtime of the device or system is reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a main body of a copying machine to which a return guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of a message input process for inputting a message to be output when an error occurs in the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of a message output process for outputting a message useful for a recovery process when an error occurs in the copying machine.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an ID number table,
(B) is a diagram illustrating an error number table, and (c) is a diagram illustrating a message table.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an ID number registration screen, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a message recording screen. (C)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a selected message, a user name when a previous error occurred, and a message play button.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system to which the return guidance device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 IR reader OP Operation panel PRT printer 1 Copier 97 Microphone 98 Speaker 99 Magnetic card reader 210 Personal computer 220 Network

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Koji Naito 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Junko Natsume, Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 2-3-13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Sugiura 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 BB10 BB15 CQ32 CQ33 CQ41 HJ10 HK11 HV13 HV14 HV19 HV32 2H027 DA50 DC18 DD02 EJ04 EJ09 EJ15 EK09 GA47 GA48 GB09 ZA07 9A001 DD11 HH34 HZ18 JJ35 KK31 LL03 LL05

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus or system provided with control means for notifying a message for returning the apparatus or system to a normal state when an abnormality occurs in a single apparatus or a system connected via a network by a notification means. An information input device for inputting an ID for identifying a user and determining whether to permit use of the device or system by the user specified by the ID; When an error occurs, the abnormality detection means for detecting the abnormal state, the control means, based on the ID input by the ID input means, in addition to the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means, A return guidance device for a device or system, wherein a message to be notified by the notification means is selected. 2. An apparatus or system according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is an image input means for inputting image data of a document, and an image processing means for electrically or electromagnetically processing said image data. An apparatus or system for returning an apparatus or a system, wherein the apparatus is one of image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data, and image output means for discharging the sheet after the image formation onto a tray. Guide device. 3. The device or system for returning information according to claim 1, wherein the device or the system is an image input means for inputting image data of a document, and an image for electrically or electromagnetically processing the image data. The image processing apparatus further includes at least two of a processing unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data, and an image output unit that discharges the sheet after the image formation onto a tray. Device or system return guidance device. 4. The device or system for returning information according to claim 1, wherein the message is a storage location where consumables or replacement parts of the device or system are stored, a jam clearing method, and a message to an administrator. A device or system return guidance device comprising at least one of a communication method. 5. The device or system return guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising means for printing out the message. 6. The device or system return guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting the message by voice. 7. When an ID for identifying a user is input by ID input means, and the user specified by the ID is allowed to use a single device or a system connected via a network, the device or the system A device or system return guidance method for notifying a message for returning the device or system to a normal state when an abnormality occurs by a notification unit, the abnormality detection unit comprising: Detecting the abnormal state by the abnormality detecting means, and switching the message to be notified by the notifying means based on the ID input by the ID input means in addition to the abnormal state detected by the abnormal detecting means. A method for guiding a return of a device or a system, comprising: