JP2003274084A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for appending information to a list stored as an image to leave the recording at every time when data influencing the state of the apparatus are updated. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus including: an image memory controller 65 for generating system information denoting a state of the image forming apparatus as image data; and an image memory 66 for storing the image data, the image memory controller attaches the image data denoting the state of the image forming apparatus produced after the image data are generated to the image data stored in the image memory 66. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus used in a multiuser environment such as a copying machine or a server printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for the purpose of maintenance and repair of an image forming apparatus, there has been used a method of printing out a list of information such as internal settings of the apparatus and usage status of the apparatus. This list only acquires the data inside the device at the time of print output, so you can obtain the necessary information even if you print the list after a lapse of time from the time when the problem occurred. There were many things I couldn't do.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and each time data that affects the device state is updated, the information is added to a list stored as an image. The purpose is to provide a means for keeping records.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first
As an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image generation unit that generates system information indicating a device state as image data; and a nonvolatile storage unit that stores the image data,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus characterized by having image editing means for adding image data indicating a state of a device generated after the image data is generated to the image data accumulated in the non-volatile accumulation means. According to the above configuration, instead of listing all the system information,
It is possible to create a list in which only the internal data that has changed over time has been stored since the device was operating normally. This means that only the necessary information can be saved as an image, which is advantageous in that the collected information can be saved efficiently in a form that can be easily printed out.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, as a second aspect of the present invention, an image generating means for generating system information indicating a state of a device as image data, a non-volatile storing means for storing the image data, An image forming apparatus having image editing means for adding image data of system information generated after generating the image data to the image data stored in the nonvolatile storage means, when the user changes the state of the device. In addition, an interface for the user to instruct to add the image data of the system information indicating the changed device state to the image data in the non-volatile storage means, and means for requesting the image editing means for an instruction from the user. An image forming apparatus having the above is provided. According to the above configuration, even when the operator (including CSS etc.) or the like unintentionally updates the data, the change can be recorded.
This is to record the history of equipment maintenance, and this information is useful for equipment maintenance management.

In order to achieve the above object, as a third aspect of the present invention, an image generating means for generating system information indicating the state of a device as image data, a non-volatile accumulating means for accumulating the image data, and a non-volatile means. An image forming apparatus having image editing means for adding image data of system information generated after generating the image data to the image data accumulated in the accumulating means, wherein specific system information is updated. When the detection means detects the update of the specific system information, the detection means issues a request to add the image data indicating the update content to the image data of the specific system information stored in the nonvolatile storage means. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a requesting means. According to the above configuration, even if the operator (including CSS, etc.) unintentionally updates the data, the change can be recorded as a record. This information is useful for equipment maintenance management.

[0007]

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. When the start key 34 provided on the operation unit 30 is pressed, the document stack placed on the document table 2 provided on the automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 with the image surface facing up is at the bottom. The original is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4 in order. After the image data of the original document on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, the original document that has been read is fed by the feeding belt 4
And discharged by the discharge roller 5. Further, when the document set detection 7 detects that there is a document next to the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 like the previous document. The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 are driven by a motor.

The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device, respectively. It is conveyed by the vertical conveying unit 14 to a position where it abuts on the photoconductor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. And
While the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyor belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred. Then, the fixing unit 17 fixes the image, and the paper discharge unit 18 discharges the image to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus.

The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 19 of the main body in the direction of the normal paper discharge roller 102 and the direction of the staple processing unit. More specifically, by switching the switching plate 101 upward, paper can be discharged to the normal paper discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Furthermore, by switching the switching plate 101 downward,
Staple table 1 via conveyance rollers 105 and 107
08 can be transported.

The transfer sheets stacked on the stapling table 108 are aligned in the end faces by the jogger 109 for aligning the sheets each time one sheet is ejected, and when a predetermined number of copies are completed, they are bound by the stapler 106. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple-completed paper discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

On the other hand, the normal paper ejection tray 104 is a paper ejection tray which can be moved back and forth. The paper discharge tray 104 moves back and forth for each original or for each predetermined number of sheets sorted by the image memory, and simply sorts the discharged copy papers.

When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, but the branching claw 1 for path switching is used.
By setting 12 on the upper side, the paper is temporarily stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again, and the branch claw 112 for path switching.
Is set to the lower side and is guided to the paper discharge tray 104. Thus, the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is used when images are formed on both surfaces of the transfer paper.

The photoconductor 15, the conveyor belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the image forming unit 27 are driven by a main motor 25, and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 1 is driven.
3 is for driving the main motor 25 respectively
Is driven by. Vertical transport unit 14
Is driven by the intermediate clutch 21 to transmit the drive of the main motor 25.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the operation unit 30. A liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, and a mode clear key 35 are arranged on the operation unit 30, and the liquid crystal touch panel 3 is provided.
1, a function key 37, a number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like are displayed.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 31. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is highlighted in black. Further, when the details of the function have to be specified (for example, in the case of scaling, a scaling value, etc.), a detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching a key.
As described above, since the liquid crystal touch panel 31 uses the dot display, it is possible to graphically perform the optimum display at that time.

In FIG. 3, a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "please wait" is displayed on the upper left, a copy number display section for displaying the set number is on the right side, and the image density is below that. An automatic density key that automatically adjusts, an automatic paper selection key that automatically selects transfer paper, a sort key that specifies the process of aligning copies in page order, and a stack key that specifies the process of sorting copies by page. A staple key that specifies the process of binding the sorted items one by one, an equal size key that sets the magnification to the same size, a scaling key that sets the enlargement / reduction ratio, a duplex key that sets the duplex mode, and a binding margin mode. An erase / move key for setting, etc., and a print key for setting printing of stamps, dates, pages, etc. Note that the selected key is shaded.

The operation of the image reading means and the operation of forming an image on the recording surface according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The latent image is a potential distribution generated on the surface of the photoconductor by converting the image into light information and irradiating it. The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, and a CCD 5.
Have 4. The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).
The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electric signal and processed. The image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, the left and right positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 are set for the designated magnification.

The writing unit 57 comprises a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59 and a mirror 60,
Inside the laser output unit 58, there is provided a laser diode which is a laser light source and a rotary polygon mirror (polygon mirror) which rotates at a constant speed at a high speed by a motor.

Laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is deflected by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, is reflected by a mirror 60, and is condensed and imaged on the surface of the photoconductor.

The deflected laser light is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photosensitive member rotates, and line-by-line recording of the image signal output from the selector 64 of the image processing unit described later is performed. To do. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and recording density of the photoconductor.

As described above, the laser light output from the writing unit is applied to the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system. Although not shown, a beam sensor that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is arranged near one end of the photoconductor 15 at a position where the laser beam is emitted. Based on this main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting / outputting an image signal described later are performed.

The configuration of the image processing unit (image reading unit and image writing unit) in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 illuminates the document surface, and the reflected light from the document surface is imaged by the imaging lens (not shown) by the CCD sensor 54, received, and photoelectrically converted, and by the A / D converter 61. Convert to digital signal. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction 62 and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like in the image processing unit 63. In the selector 64, the destination of the image signal is switched to the scaling unit 71 or the image memory controller 65. Variable magnification section 7
The image signal passing through 1 is scaled according to the scaling ratio and sent to the writing unit 57. An image signal can be input / output bidirectionally between the image memory controller 65 and the selector 64.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the image processing unit (I
In addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50, the PU (PU) can also process image data supplied from the outside (for example, data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer) so as to process a plurality of data. It has a function to select input / output. The settings for the image memory controller 65, the reading unit 50, and the writing unit 57
A CPU 68 for controlling the above, a ROM 69 and a RAM 70 for storing the programs and data thereof are provided. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65.

The image signal for one page in the selector 64 will be described with reference to FIG. / FGA
TE represents the effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. / LSYNC is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. The signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is / LGATE. These signals are synchronized with the image clock VCLK,
Data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK. The image processing unit (IPU) 49 has separate / FGATE, / LSYNC, / L for image input and output.
Since it has a GATE and VCLK generation mechanism, various image input / output combinations can be realized.

The memory controller of FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The memory controller 65 includes an input data selector 201, an image synthesis 202, a primary compression /
It includes a decompression block 203, an output data selector 204, and a secondary compression / decompression block 205. The control data is set in each block by the CPU 68. The addresses and data in FIG. 5 represent image data,
Data and addresses connected to the CPU 68 are not shown.

The image memory 66 comprises primary and secondary storage devices (206, 207). The primary storage device 206 is, for example, a high-speed accessible memory such as a DRAM so that data writing to the memory or data reading from the memory at the time of image output can be performed at high speed substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of input image data. use. Further, the primary storage device 206 has a configuration (interface unit with a memory controller) capable of simultaneously performing input / output of image data by dividing the primary storage device 206 into a plurality of areas according to the size of an image to be processed. Two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing are connected to the interface with the memory controller so that image data can be input and output in parallel in each divided area. Area 1
It is possible to perform an operation of outputting (reading) the image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to.

The secondary storage device 207 is a large-capacity memory for storing data in order to combine and sort input images. If high-speed accessible elements are used in both the primary and secondary storage devices, data processing can be performed without distinction between primary and secondary storage, and control is relatively simple.
Since an element such as a RAM is expensive, a secondary storage device is configured to use a large-capacity recording medium which is inexpensive but is not so fast and which processes input / output data through the primary storage device. ing.

By adopting the above-mentioned image memory structure, an image forming apparatus capable of inputting / outputting, storing, and processing a large amount of image data can be realized at a low cost and with a relatively simple structure. Is possible.

Next, an outline of the operation of the memory controller 65 will be described. <1> Image Input (Saving in Image Memory) The input data selector 201 selects image data to be written in the image memory (primary storage device 206) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 201 is input to the image combining 202 and combined with the data already stored in the image memory.

The image data processed by the image synthesis 202 is compressed by the primary compression / expansion 103, and the compressed data is written in the primary storage device 206.
The data written in the primary storage device 206 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression 205 if necessary, and then stored in the second storage device.
It is stored in the next storage device 207.

<2> Image Output (Read from Image Memory) At the time of image output, the image data stored in the primary storage device 206 is read. If the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 206, the primary compression /
The decompression 203 decompresses the image data in the primary storage device 206, and the decompressed data or the data after the image composition of the decompressed data and the input data is selected by the output data selector 204 and output. To do. Image composition 202
Is a combination of the data in the primary storage device 206 and the input data (having a phase adjustment function for image data), selection of a data output destination after the combination (image output, write back to the primary storage device 206, both Output to the output destination at the same time is also possible).

The image to be output is the primary storage device 206.
If it is not stored in the secondary storage device 207, the output target image data stored in the secondary storage device 207 is subjected to the secondary compression / decompression 20.
5 decompresses and decompresses the decompressed data into the primary storage device 206.
After writing to, the above-described image output operation is performed.

The operation reservation described in this embodiment is
In this case, the copying operation cannot be started during heating of the fixing in the copying machine, but the copying operation is automatically performed when the copying operation becomes possible after the fixing heating is completed by ending the mode setting and document setting. Is the function to start. In this embodiment, the operation reserving target is set during the fixing heating, but other than this, those which become operable with time are qualified. For example, the LCT tray rise time, the polygon motor rotation stabilization time, the toner replenishing operation, etc. may be considered.

In the hardware configuration diagram of FIG. 4, the system includes an image reading unit, an image writing unit, a system controller,
It is composed of a memory unit, user restricted device, human body detection sensor, remote diagnostic device (CSS), and clock, but the memory unit is necessary only to realize the memory function, and to realize the normal copy function. Not necessary if you consider only. Furthermore, the clock is only needed to implement a weekly timer function such as booting or shutting down the machine at a certain time. Further, human body detection is necessary in order to realize a function of automatically canceling the preheating mode when the user approaches the machine in the preheating mode. CSS is a remote diagnosis, that is, a machine error occurs. In such a case, the function is to automatically notify the service center or monitor the running / usage status of the machine from a remote location. Therefore, such a function may be installed only when necessary.

The DRAM block in the memory unit in FIG. 4 is for storing the image signal read from the image reading section, and the image data stored in the image writing section in response to a request from the system controller. Can be transferred. The compressed block is MH,
It has a compression function such as an MR or MMR method, and can compress an image that has been read once to improve the efficiency of use of the memory (DRAM). Further, the rotation of the image is realized by changing the address read from the image writing unit and its direction.

In the hardware configuration example 1 shown in FIG. 4A, the image reading unit, the image writing unit, the memory unit, and the CSS are controlled by only one CPU of the system controller. On the other hand, in the hardware configuration example 2 shown in FIG. 4B, each of the image reading unit, the image writing unit, and the memory unit has a CPU, and the command from the system controller to each controller is transmitted by the control signal line. Thus, the system hardware can be freely configured.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a network copy system when the present invention is implemented. Although eight digital computers are networked in the figure, the number of copies to be connected need not be limited. For network communication means, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) is used as physical means, and OS is used for data communication.
TCP / IP of I (Open System Interface) reference model
Means such as using communication are conceivable. By applying such a configuration, the in-machine state notification of each machine existing on the network, accounting management of the device, control commands such as remote output commands, and transfer of setting commands are also performed.

The terms will be explained and defined below. [Image Reading Device] [Image Reading Unit] An image reading device used in a digital PPC irradiates a document with a light source and reflects the reflected light on a CC which is an individual image forming element.
An apparatus having a function of converting into an electric signal at D and performing necessary image processing is used. The required function here is quantization: converting analog data converted into an electric signal by the CCD into binary or multi-valued data. Shading correction: Correction of irradiation unevenness of a light source for irradiating an original and variations in CCD sensitivity. MTF correction: Correction of blur due to the optical system. Magnification processing: The reading density of the image is changed, and the data is interpolated using the read image data. Indicates processing such as.

[Image Forming Apparatus] [Image Writing Section] The image forming apparatus or the image writing section used in the digital PPC converts an image image sent by an electric signal into a plain paper by means of electrophotography, heat, thermal transfer, ink jet, or the like. , A device for forming on thermal paper.

[Video signal] [Image data] Electric signal of the image converted by the above-mentioned image reading device,
The electric signal of the image input to the image forming apparatus and the signal for synchronizing with the electric signal of the image are collectively expressed as a video signal or image data.

[Control Signal] [Command] In order to exchange the video signal among the image reading device, the image forming device and the application, it is necessary to transfer information between the transfer devices. This means is expressed as control signal or command issue.

[Extended function] [Application (application)] [Memory function] [Memory unit] A major feature of digital PPC is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by an image forming apparatus. By providing a means for changing and transmitting the read electrical signal in various ways, it can be applied to fields other than the conventional analog PPC. In addition to realizing functions such as FAX, page printer, scanner, and file system, recently, even when the PPC function is executed, the read image data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a DRAM and the image data is stored as needed. By reading out, a function (= memory function) of executing a plurality of prints in one scan at the time of a plurality of copies or printing a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet is realized. Functions that can be realized by these digital PPC systems are expressed as extended functions or applications. The memory unit is also used as a buffer for transferring image data between machines on the network.

[System Controller] [System] In carrying out the copy mode, in order to form an image in the image writing section, a paper carrying process, an electrophotographic process process, an abnormal state and a state of a paper feeding cassette (presence or absence of paper, etc.) ) And the like, and controllers that control the scanner operation and ON / OFF of the light source for reading an image by the image reading unit are collectively referred to as a system controller. Furthermore, recent digital PPCs are not only equipped with one extension function, but are also equipped with a plurality of applications simultaneously. In this way, the digital PPC that shares one resource may be expressed as a system, and the controller that controls this system may be expressed as a system controller.

[Resource] [Resource] A functional unit unit shared by a plurality of applications is expressed as [resource] or [resource]. The aforementioned system controller controls the system in units of this resource. The resources managed by the digital PPC in this case include an image reading device, an image forming device, an operation unit, a memory, a peripheral device (= ADF, sorter, automatic duplex unit, etc.).

[User Restriction] Especially, the PPC that uses the electrophotographic process consumes a large amount of money, and therefore it may not be desired to permit unlimited use. At this time, in order to identify, limit, and manage the user, a user-restricted device such as a coin rack, a key counter, a key card, a prepaid card, or a personal identification code is used.

[User Setting] When the system becomes complicated,
Individual support is required for each user. Since it is impossible to satisfy all of these measures at the time of factory shipment, it is essential to take measures in the market. Therefore, it is usually equipped with a non-volatile RAM to enable system setting according to the customer's request. This function is referred to as user setting.

[Idle State] A state in which no user operation is performed for a certain period is referred to as an idle state, and other states are referred to as a busy state. The time from the busy state to the idle state can be set by the user. For example, not only during the copying operation, but also after the copying operation is completed, if the user does not continue the non-operation state for a certain period, the state does not shift to the idle state.

[Weekly timer] A function for turning on / off the power supply in accordance with the ON / OFF time set for each day of the week. This function requires an operation for setting the time of the clock module and an operation for setting ON / OFF for each day of the week.

[Preheating] The fixing temperature is set to a constant temperature (for example, 1
(0 ℃) to control and turn off the display on the operation panel,
This mode saves power consumption. The setting of this mode is automatically set after a fixed time after the operation and the operation are lost depending on the key input on the operation unit or the machine setting. This mode is released when the human body sensor detects that a person stands in front of the machine by key input on the operation unit or machine setting.

[Reload] A state in which the fixing temperature reaches the fixing possible temperature and copying is possible is called reloading.

[Interrupt Mode] This is a mode for temporarily interrupting the copying operation to perform copying during execution and operation of the copying operation. By setting this mode, the previous copy mode and, if copying is in progress, the progress information is stored in the nonvolatile RAM, the mode is shifted to the interrupt mode, and the mode is initialized. When the interrupt mode is released after the copy operation is executed, the mode and information stored in the non-volatile RAM are read out to restore the state before the interrupt mode is set, and the mode before the interrupt can be continued by restarting. The setting / cancellation of this mode can be performed using the keys of the operation unit.

[CSS] (or [remote diagnosis system], [image forming apparatus management system]) FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus management system. A management device installed at the service base and a device such as a PPC installed under the user are connected via a public line. On the user side, a communication control device for controlling communication with the management device is installed,
The user's original PPC is connected to this communication control device. A telephone or a facsimile can be connected to the communication control device, and the communication control device can be installed by being inserted into an existing line of the user. A plurality of PP13 / 26Cs can be connected to the communication control device, but of course, there may be a single case. These P
The PCs do not have to be of the same type, may be different models, and may be devices other than the PPC. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a maximum of five PPCs can be connected to one communication control device. The communication control device and the plurality of PPCs are multi-drop connected according to the RS-485 standard. Communication control device and each P
Communication control between PCs is performed by a basic data transmission control procedure. By establishing a data link by the polling / selecting method of centralized control using the communication control device as a control station, an arbitrary PPC can be obtained.
It is possible to communicate with. A unique value can be set for each PPC by an address setting switch, and the polling address and selecting address of each PPC are determined by this.

[0053]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An operation example of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described. An image (for example, FIG. 10) stored in the memory unit is taken out, and necessary information is pasted as image data to the first column of the blank column in the list to edit the image. The edited image is stored again in the memory unit as a stored image. FIG. 11 shows the flow of this operation. First, the system controller acquires the accumulated image of the system information list accumulated in the memory unit (step S12). Next, the system controller calculates a position to add information on the system information list (step S12). Then, the system controller adds the image re-editing information to the system information list (step S13). After that, the system controller stores the system information list in the memory unit again (step S14).

Another operation example of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described. When the user uses the user interface on the operation panel or the CSS remotely operates to update important data in the system state transition, the user or the CSS uses a specific interface to edit the system information list image. After instructing the request, the same operation as the flow of FIG. 11 is executed. FIG. 12 shows the flow of this operation. The operator operates through the user interface on the operation panel (step S21),
The system controller is instructed to add information to the system information list (step S22). After that, the same operation as that shown in FIG. 11 (steps S23 to S26) is performed.

Another operation example of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described. When the user updates the preset specific data by using the user interface on the operation panel or the CSS by remote control,
It is automatically detected and the same operation as the flow of FIG. 11 is executed. FIG. 13 shows the flow of this operation. The system controller monitors whether or not the specific information is updated (step S31). If the specific information is updated (step S31 / Yes), the system controller notifies the system information list of the information. After requesting addition (step S32), the same operation as that shown in FIG. 11 is executed (steps S33 to S36). After storing the image of the system information list in the memory unit again,
Returning to step S31, it is monitored again whether or not the specific information has been updated.

[0056]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, each time the data that affects the device state is updated, the information is additionally recorded in the list stored as image data. be able to. Since this list serves as a clue as to how the state of the equipment has changed, it is extremely useful for maintenance and management of the equipment, so that the quality of equipment maintenance management can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a preferred embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a liquid crystal touch panel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an image signal for one page.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a memory controller and an image memory.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of network copy.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus management system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a system information list.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the system controller.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another operation example of the system controller.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing still another operation example of the system controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 2 Platen 3 feeding rollers 4 feeding belt 5 discharge roller 6 Contact glass 7 Original set detection 8 First tray 9 Second tray 10 Third tray 11 First Paper Feeding Device 12 Second paper feeding device 13 Third Paper Feeder 14 Vertical transport unit 15 photoconductor 16 conveyor belt 17 Fixing unit 18 Paper output unit 19 Paper ejection roller 21 Intermediate clutch 22, 23, 24 Paper feed clutch 25 Main motor 27 Development unit 30 Operation part 31 LCD touch panel 32 numeric keypad 33 Clear / Stop key 34 Print key 35 mode clear key 37 Function keys 49 Image Processing Unit (IPU) 50 reading unit 51 exposure lamp 52 First Mirror 53 lenses 54 CCD image sensor 55 Second mirror 56 Third Mirror 57 Writing unit 58 Laser output unit 59 Imaging lens 60 mirror 61 A / D converter 62 Shading correction 63 Image processing unit 64 selector 65 Image memory controller 66 image memory 68 CPU 69 ROM 70 RAM 71 Variable magnification section 100 finisher 101 switching board 102 normal paper ejection roller 103, 105, 107 transport rollers 104 output tray 106 stapler 108 stapler 111 double-sided paper feeding unit 112 forked claw 201 Input data selector 202 image composition 203 Primary compression / decompression 204 Output data selector 205 Secondary compression / expansion 206 Primary storage device 207 Secondary storage device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image generating unit that generates system information indicating a state of a device as image data; and a non-volatile accumulating unit that accumulates the image data. For image data,
An image forming apparatus comprising image editing means for adding image data indicating a state of the device generated after the image data is generated. 2. An image generation unit that generates system information indicating device status as image data, a non-volatile storage unit that stores the image data, and an image for the image data stored in the non-volatile storage unit. An image forming apparatus having image editing means for adding image data of the system information generated after data is generated, the system information indicating a changed state of the device when a user changes the state of the device. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an interface for a user to give an instruction to add the image data of the above to the image data in the non-volatile storage means; and a means for requesting the image editing means to give an instruction from the user. . 3. An image generation unit that generates system information indicating a state of a device as image data, a non-volatile storage unit that stores the image data, and the image data stored in the non-volatile storage unit. An image forming apparatus having an image editing unit for adding image data of the system information generated after data is generated, wherein the detecting unit detects that specific system information has been updated, and the detecting unit is a specific unit. An image characterized by having a requesting means for issuing a request for adding image data showing the content of the update to the image data of the specific system information stored in the nonvolatile storage means when the update of the system information is detected. Forming equipment.