JP2005305969A - Imager, control panel unit and control method of imager - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imager and a control panel unit which are capable of performing the communication between an external unit such as a control panel and a control section provided in the mainframe of the imager without contacting, and a control method of the imager. <P>SOLUTION: The communication of a control code between the control panel 101 and a compound machine 201 is performed by transmitting and receiving serial signals through control-code communicating coils 107 and 202. Power supply to the control panel 101 is performed by transmitting electricity from a power transmission coil 208 to a power supply coil 108, thereby the control panel 101 is made possible to work with the compound machine 201 without contacting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control panel apparatus, and an image forming apparatus control method, and in particular, performs non-contact communication between an external unit apparatus such as a control panel apparatus and a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus body. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control panel apparatus, and a control method for the image forming apparatus, in which an external unit device can be detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body.

  Generally, in an image forming apparatus, a control panel, various optional devices, and the like are configured to be directly connected to the image forming apparatus main body.

  Therefore, for example, when changing the control panel to one customized by the user, the control panel incorporated in the image forming apparatus must be replaced, and power supply to and from the replaced control panel can be performed. Data transmission cables also need to be reconnected, which is very time consuming. The same can be said when various optional devices are changed.

  By the way, conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, “printing apparatus” described in Patent Document 1 is disclosed as a technique for eliminating a power feeding and data transmission cable.

  The invention of this patent document 1 is a printing apparatus in which a print head is mounted on a carriage guided by a shaft, and printing is performed on an object to be printed by the print head. The print data is transmitted in a non-contact state to the print head. The electric power required on the carriage side is supplied through the shaft, thereby eliminating the power supply and data transmission cables.

  In addition, as an art relating to an image forming apparatus and an optional apparatus that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, “Image forming apparatus and apparatus unit thereof” disclosed in Patent Document 2 is disclosed.

The invention of Patent Document 2 includes an image forming apparatus main body and an apparatus unit (for example, a developer cartridge, a process cartridge, an intermediate transfer device, and a fixing device) that can be attached to and detached from the main body. Data is transmitted and received by radio signals. Further, when the capacitor of the apparatus unit deteriorates, the stored power changes and the operation time changes. Therefore, the transmission time of the radio signal transmitted from the apparatus unit to the image forming apparatus main body is changed according to the power storage capacity of the capacitor. In this way, information can be sent and received stably.
JP 05-318877 A JP2001-201997

  However, in the inventions of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, it is described that processing related to control and power feeding can be realized in a non-contact manner as in the present invention. In addition, power feeding is not performed in a non-contact manner.

  In particular, with respect to the invention of the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, a wireless signal can be appropriately transmitted and received even when the capacitor of the device unit deteriorates and the power storage capacity changes, as in the present invention. It is not applicable to control and power supply for control panels.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus and a control for improving user convenience by configuring the control panel of the image forming apparatus as an external unit apparatus so that the external unit apparatus can be mounted only when necessary. It is an object to provide a method for controlling a panel device and an image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 has an external unit device, and executes a forming process of a desired image by control of a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body by communication with the external unit device. In the image forming apparatus, the external unit device is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and between the control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus main body. A communication means for performing contactless communication is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus main body supplies power to the external unit device in a non-contact manner in a state where the external unit device is mounted. Is provided with power supply means for stopping the supply of power to the external unit device by being removed, and the external unit device is supplied with power by the power supply means in a state of being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. A power supply circuit for forming a power supply for the external unit device is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the external unit device is attached to a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. It is a control panel device that gives instructions.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control panel device that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body that executes a desired image forming process under the control of the control unit and communicates with the control unit, wherein the user instruction is received. An operation means for inputting and a communication means for performing non-contact communication with a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body while being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply circuit according to the fourth aspect of the invention, wherein the power supply circuit forms a power source by receiving non-contact power supply from the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Furthermore, it is characterized by comprising.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that includes an external unit device and executes a desired image forming process under the control of a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body through communication with the external unit device. In the control method, the external unit device is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus body, and the external unit device is provided in the image forming apparatus body in a state where the external unit device is attached to the image forming apparatus body. It is characterized by performing non-contact communication with a given control unit.

  According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus and a control panel installed in the image forming apparatus can be configured as an external unit device so that the image forming apparatus can be attached and detached. The operability can be improved.

  That is, the control panel is generally installed on the upper part of the openable cover of the image forming apparatus, and the connecting cable or the like has to be passed through the hinge portion. This eliminates the need for connecting cables, thus reducing the size and improving the assembly. Further, since the image forming apparatus and the control panel can be manufactured separately, the assemblability can be improved in that respect.

  Further, when it is difficult for the user to freely change the setting of the image forming apparatus, the user's arbitrary operation can be suppressed by removing the control panel from the image forming apparatus, so that the security can be improved. Similarly, by detaching the control panel, power supply to the control panel is also cut off, which is effective for power saving.

  Further, the control panel can be replaced for each user, and the image forming apparatus can be operated by a control panel adapted to each user from beginner users to advanced users, so that operability can be improved.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus, a control panel apparatus, and an image forming apparatus control method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a control panel 101 and a multifunction peripheral 201 configured by applying the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the figure, a control panel 101 and a multifunction machine 201 are shown.

  The control panel 101 corresponds to a user interface that connects the multifunction device 201 and the user. Conventionally, the control panel 101 is fixedly installed on the body of the multifunction device 201 and cannot be removed. The multifunction device 201 can send and receive control codes and supply power without contact, and the control panel 101 can be freely removed.

  The control panel 101 includes a display unit 102 that displays the operation status of the multifunction device 201 and an operation unit 103 that inputs user instructions and the like to the multifunction device 201.

  The multifunction machine 201 is configured by applying the image forming method according to the present invention, and has functions such as a scanner, a FAX, and a copy.

  In general, the multifunction device 201 is provided with an openable / closable cover (not shown) so as to deal with a paper jam and the like, and the place where the control panel 101 is installed corresponds to the cover portion of the openable cover. . Conventionally, a cable or the like for connecting the control panel 101 and the main body of the multifunction device 201 has to be passed through a hinge portion. However, the present invention is configured so that communication between the control panel 101 and the multifunction device 201 can be performed without contact. As a result, the structural constraints caused by the connection cable can be eliminated, and the assembly can be improved and the apparatus can be downsized. In addition, the assemblability can be improved in that the control panel 101 and the MFP 201 can be manufactured separately.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the configuration in which the control unit 101 includes the display unit 102 and the operation unit 103 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display unit 102 is included in the multifunction device 201. The operation unit 103 may be arranged and configured on the control panel 101.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control panel 101 and the multifunction machine 201 shown in FIG. 1 for each function.

  The figure includes the control panel 101 and the multifunction machine 201 shown in FIG.

  Here, the control panel 101 includes a display unit 102, an operation unit 103, a control panel control unit 104, a modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 105, an AC-DC conversion unit 106, a control code communication coil 107, and a power feeding coil 108. It is provided and configured.

  The display unit 102 shows a screen that displays information such as the operation status of the multifunction machine 201 and the setting status during printing.

  The operation unit 103 shows operation buttons for the user (user) of the multifunction machine 201 to perform operations such as changing print settings.

  The control panel control unit 104 is a control unit that controls the entire control panel 101. For example, a user instruction input from the operation unit 102 will be described in detail later with a modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 105 and a control code communication coil 107. Is transmitted as a control code to the MFP 201 main body via the.

  The modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 105 converts the control code from the control panel control unit 104 into a serial signal. Further, the control code of the serial signal transferred from the MFP 201 main body is converted into a parallel signal.

  The control code communication coil 107 transfers the control code converted into a serial signal by the modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 105 to the multi-function peripheral 201. Further, the parallel signal from the multifunction device 201 is transmitted to the modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 105. Examples of the transfer method include electromagnetic induction (transformer coupling), light, radio wave, and the like, but are not limited to this as long as the control code can be transferred.

  The AC-DC converter 106 is for converting an alternating current fed from the main body of the multifunction machine 201 through the feeding coil 108 into a direct current and supplying power to the entire control panel 101.

  The power supply coil 108 receives power supplied by an alternating current from the main body of the multifunction machine 201. This transfer method includes electromagnetic induction (transformer coupling), but is not limited to this as long as it can provide power.

  Next, the MFP 201 includes a modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 202, a switching processing unit 203, a control unit 204, a power supply unit 205, a printing unit 206, a control code communication coil 207, and a power transmission coil 208. Is done.

  The modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 202 performs substantially the same processing as the modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 105 in the control panel 101. For details, the control code of the parallel signal from the control unit 204 described later is converted into a serial signal. Further, the control code of the serial signal transferred from the control panel 101 is converted into a parallel signal.

  The control code communication coil 207 also performs substantially the same processing as the control code communication coil 107 in the control panel 101. The control code converted into a serial signal by the modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 202 is transferred to the control panel 101. The parallel signal from the control panel 101 is transmitted to the modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 202.

  The switching processing unit 203 converts a direct current supplied from the power supply unit 205 into an alternating current, and transfers the alternating current to the control panel 101 via the power transmission coil 208.

  The power transmission coil 208 transmits power to the control panel 101 with an alternating current.

  The control unit 204 is a control unit that controls the entire multifunction peripheral 201. For example, when FAX reception occurs, the control panel 101 is connected via the modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 202 and the control code communication coil 207. The control code is transmitted to the display unit 102, and the display unit 102 displays that the fax has been received and notifies the user.

  The power supply unit 205 is a part that receives power from the outside, such as an outlet, and supplies power to the multifunction machine 201, and performs general power control.

  The printing unit 206 is a processing unit that forms an image on paper (medium) or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 204 during FAX reception, scanner reading, copying processing, and the like.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a layout diagram of the control panel 101.

  The figure shows a control panel 101-A that can perform various setting change operations of the multifunction device 201, a control panel 101-B that can perform basic operations of the multifunction device 201, and a control that takes into account users who are not good at handling the machine. A panel 101-C is shown. In the present invention, a control panel 101 suitable for various applications as shown in the figure can be selected and used for each user.

  A control panel 101-A shown in FIG. 6A has a function for setting operation change in the multifunction machine 201, and is a multifunctional control panel.

  The control panel 101-B shown in FIG. 5B cannot perform any operation change setting in the multifunction device 201, but performs processing such as FAX, scanner, and copy using the general multifunction device 201 as usual. It is a control panel that can.

  The control panel 101-C shown in FIG. 5C is also designed for elderly people who are unfamiliar with the operation of the machine, etc., and the font size of the display unit is displayed larger than usual, and the button size The control panel is larger than usual and has a universal design.

  The above is the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the control and power supply between the control panel 101 and the multifunction machine 201 can be performed in a non-contact manner. Therefore, the control panel 101 suitable for the user is selected each time, Image forming processing in the multifunction machine 201 can be performed.

  For example, the control panel 101-A shown in FIG. 3 is a control panel dedicated to the administrator, and the control panel 101-B can be used only for the general user who cannot change the operation of the multifunction machine 201 at all. By properly using these, the security of the multifunction device 201 can be enhanced.

  In addition, since the control panel 101 can be selectively used according to the user as described above, the operability is also improved.

  Further, when the multifunction device 201 is not used, the control panel 101 is detached from the multifunction device 201, and the control panel 101 is attached / detached only when the multifunction device 201 is used, so that power saving and security can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, both control and power supply between the control panel 101 and the multifunction machine 201 can be performed without contact. However, only communication related to control between the control panel 101 and the multifunction machine 201 can be performed without contact. However, the power for operating the control panel 101 may be configured by a battery, a rechargeable battery, or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured to be performed by the multifunction device 201. However, the control method of the image forming device is not limited to the multifunction device 201. It can also be applied to scanners, copiers, printers, and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the control panel 101 is described as an example of the external unit device according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and control and power supply are performed in the same manner as the control panel 101. Anything that works in For example, the present invention can also be applied to a charging apparatus that counts the number of copies each time it is installed and copied in the multifunction machine 201 or the like.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  The image forming apparatus, the control panel apparatus, and the image forming apparatus control method of the present invention can be applied to all image forming apparatuses having a control panel (various optional devices) and the like, and in particular, downsizing, assembling, security, and power saving. It can be effectively used to improve performance and operability.

2 shows a control panel 101 and a multi-function peripheral 201 configured by applying the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The control panel 101 and the multifunction peripheral 201 shown in FIG. 1 are shown as a block diagram for each function. An example of a layout diagram of the control panel 101 is shown.

Explanation of symbols

101, 101-A, 101-B, 101-C Control panel 102 Display unit 103 Operation unit 104 Control panel control unit 105 Modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication unit 106 AC-DC conversion unit 107 Control code communication coil 108 Power supply coil DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Multifunction machine 202 Modulation / demodulation circuit serial communication part 203 Switching processing part 204 Control part 205 Power supply part 206 Printing part 207 Control code communication coil 208 Power transmission coil

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that has an external unit device and executes a forming process of a desired image by control of a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body by communication with the external unit device.
The external unit device is
Removably attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a communication unit configured to perform contactless communication with a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes:
Power supply means for supplying electric power to the external unit device in a contactless manner with the external unit device mounted, and for stopping power supply to the external unit device when the external unit device is removed;
The external unit device is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a power supply circuit configured to receive power supplied from the power supply unit and to form a power supply for the external unit device in a state of being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The external unit device is
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a control panel device that gives a user instruction to a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body while being attached to the image forming apparatus main body. A control panel device that is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body that executes a desired image forming process under the control of a control unit, and communicates with the control unit,
Operating means for inputting the user instructions;
A control panel device comprising: a communication unit configured to perform non-contact communication with a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. The control panel device according to claim 4, further comprising: a power supply circuit configured to receive a non-contact power supply from the image forming apparatus main body to form a power source while being attached to the image forming apparatus main body. . In a control method of an image forming apparatus, which has an external unit device and executes a forming process of a desired image by control of a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body by communication with the external unit device.
The external unit device is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the external unit device communicates in a non-contact manner with a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body while the external unit apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. Control method.

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