JP2006015608A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the waste of articles of consumption and the like in the checking of attachment/detachment of option equipment (unit). <P>SOLUTION: Device information is stored in a device information storage area 3-1 of a unit of a flash memory 3; a present-state-of-device sensing means 10-1 detects the present state of the device of the unit; a device change sensing means 10-2 compares the device information with the present state of the device, so as to detect a different point between the two; a message display means 10-3 displays the result of the sensing of the means 10-2 on an operation panel part 4; and a device information updating means 10-4 updates the device information, stored in the flash memory 3, in the present state of the device, sensed by the means 10-1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which a unit used for image formation is detachable.

  After the image forming apparatus is placed at a predetermined position, so-called optional devices (units) such as a memory, a duplex unit, and a paper feed tray are often attached and detached due to changes in the network environment. In such a case, in the conventional technique, it is necessary to print out the system configuration information from the corresponding image forming apparatus even for merely confirming that the attachment / detachment has been correctly performed (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

Therefore, in order to print out the system configuration information, the operator has to execute at least one cycle of the printing process every time the optional device is attached or detached. As a result, time and power for starting up the print engine unit to a predetermined print standby state, consumables, and the like are wasted.
JP 2000-263985 A

  The problem to be solved is that each time an optional device is attached or detached, the system configuration information is printed out, and the time and power for starting up the print engine unit to a predetermined print standby state, and consumables, etc. This is a point that is wasted.

  In the present invention, the unit device information stored in a predetermined storage unit is compared with the actual state of the unit device actually detected after the optional device is attached / detached immediately before the optional device (unit) is attached / detached. The location is displayed on a predetermined display unit, the attachment / detachment of an optional device (unit) can be confirmed, and the unit device information stored in the storage unit is updated with the actual device current state of the detected unit, The most important feature is to prepare for the subsequent attachment / detachment of optional equipment (units).

  Confirmation of optional device (unit) attachment / detachment is displayed on a predetermined display instead of printing the system configuration information in the prior art, so it is consumed each time the optional device is attached / detached. Thus, it is possible to save time, power, consumables, and the like for starting up the print engine unit to a predetermined print standby state.

  Device current state detecting means for actually detecting the device current state of the unit after the optional device (unit) is attached / detached, and a unit device stored in a predetermined storage unit immediately before attaching / detaching the device current state and the optional device (unit) A device change detection means for comparing information and detecting a difference between the two, a message display means for displaying the difference on a predetermined display unit, and enabling confirmation of attachment / detachment of an optional device (unit), The device information update means for updating the unit device information stored in the storage unit as a current state of the actually detected unit device is realized only by changing the control program of the conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1, a program ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a flash memory 3, an operation panel unit 4, and a panel I / F unit. 5, a print engine unit 6, an additional unit unit (A) 7, an engine I / F unit 8, an additional unit unit (B) 9, a control unit 10, and a common bus 11.

  The RAM 1 is a memory in which data can be written and read, and is a memory that becomes a working area when the control unit 10 executes a predetermined program stored in the program ROM 2. A device current temporary storage area 1-1 is secured in the device. The apparatus current state temporary storage area 1-1 is an area for temporarily storing a state (apparatus current state) in which the unit actually detected by the apparatus current state detection unit 10-1 is attached after the unit is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus 100. is there.

  The program ROM 2 is a read-only memory that stores a control program executed by the control unit 10 in advance. In addition to the normal control program for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 100, the control program executed by the control unit 10 includes, in this embodiment, the apparatus current state detection means 10-1, the apparatus change detection means 10-2, and a message display. Control programs constituting the means 10-3, the apparatus information update means 10-4, and the unit addition / removal confirmation means 10-5 are added.

  The flash memory 3 is an electrically writable / erasable ROM in which information necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus 100 is stored. An apparatus information storage area 3-1 is secured in the apparatus for storing apparatus information indicating the mounting state of the unit before the unit is attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100.

The operation panel unit 4 is a part that shares the role of a man-machine interface between the operator and the image forming apparatus 100, and includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 4-1 and an LED (Light Emitting Element) 4. -2, operation keys 4-3, and the like are arranged.
The panel I / F unit 5 is an interface circuit that connects the operation panel unit 4 and the common bus 11.

The print engine unit 6 is a printer engine mechanism that receives image data and control signals and prints them out.
The additional unit part (A) 7 is a connection part for attaching / detaching the unit to / from the print engine part 6. A paper feed tray 7-1, a duplex unit 7-2, and the like can be attached to and detached from this additional unit (A) 7.
The engine I / F unit 8 is an interface circuit that connects the print engine unit 6 and the common bus 11.

  The additional unit portion (B) 9 is a connection portion for attaching / detaching the unit to / from the image forming apparatus 100. An optional memory 9-1, a hard disk 9-2, and the like can be attached to and detached from the additional unit section (B) 9.

  The control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100 by executing a normal control program stored in the program ROM 2. Further, in this embodiment, a predetermined control program stored in the program ROM 2 is executed to detect the apparatus current state detection means 10-1, the apparatus change detection means 10-2, the message display means 10-3, and the apparatus information update means 10. -4, a part constituting the unit addition / deletion confirmation means 10-5.

  The apparatus current state detection unit 10-1 is a unit that detects the current state of the unit apparatus of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, it is means for actually detecting the current state of the unit after the unit (optional device) is attached and detached. As an example, the token signal can be sequentially circulated from the control unit 10 to each component, and the device status of the unit can be easily detected based on the expansion / decommissioning information included in the returned token signal. The detected device current state is temporarily stored in the device current state temporary storage area 1-1.

  The device change detection means 10-2 is a means for comparing the device information stored in the device information storage area 3-1 with the current device status and detecting a difference between the two. That is, the device current state detected by the device current state detection means 10-1 after the unit is attached / detached is compared with the device information of the unit stored in the device information storage area 3-1 immediately before the unit is attached / detached. It is a means for detecting the difference between the two.

  The message display unit 10-3 is a unit that displays the detection result of the device change detection unit 10-2 on a predetermined display unit. That is, it is a means for displaying the difference between the device information and the current state of the device on the LCD 4-1 so that the operator can confirm the attachment / detachment of the unit.

  The device information update unit 10-4 is a unit that updates the device information stored in the device information storage area 3-1, based on the device current state detected by the device current state detection unit 10-2. That is, it is a means for updating the device information of the unit stored in the device information storage area 3-1, and preparing for the subsequent attachment / detachment of the unit device as it is actually detected.

The unit addition / removal confirmation unit 10-5 includes the apparatus current state detection unit 10-1, the apparatus change detection unit 10-2, the message display unit 10-3, This is a means for enabling the device information update means 10-4. As the predetermined timing, one of when the apparatus power is turned on and when the document cover is opened / closed is normally selected.
The common bus 11 is a signal path that interconnects the above-described components.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment.
As an example, the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) is standardly mounted (only one paper feed tray is available, only single-sided printing is possible, and no additional memory or hard disk is installed). A case where 2 (FIG. 1) is added will be described. The operation of the first embodiment will be described in the order of steps from step S1-1 to step S1-9.
FIG. 3 shows a message display screen (part 1).
This figure is an example of a message displayed in the operation flowchart of the first embodiment.

Step S1-1
When the power is off, the duplex unit 7-2 (FIG. 1) is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1) by the operator.
Step S1-2
When the operator turns on the power of the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 1), the unit addition / removal confirmation unit 10-5 (FIG. 1) is operated, and the apparatus current state detection unit 10-1 (FIG. 1), The apparatus change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 1), the message display means 10-3 (FIG. 1), and the apparatus information update means 10-4 (FIG. 1) can be operated.

Step S1-3
When the control unit 10 (FIG. 1) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 1), the unit addition / removal installation confirmation means 10-5 (FIG. 1) is activated, and the current state of the apparatus is detected. The means 10-1 (FIG. 1) sequentially circulates the token signal in each component, detects the current state of the unit on the basis of the expansion / decommissioning information included in the returned token signal, and the detection result Is temporarily stored in the device current temporary storage area 1-1 (FIG. 1). Here, from the precondition, the present state of the apparatus is that the duplex unit 7-2 (FIG. 1) is added to the standard installation.

Step S1-4
If device information before the unit is attached / detached is stored in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 1), the process proceeds to step S1-5, and if not stored, the process jumps to step S1-9. From the precondition, since the standard mounting state is stored as device information in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 1), the process proceeds to step S1-5.

Step S1-5
The control unit 10 (FIG. 1) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 1), so that the device change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 1) operates. The device change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 1) includes device information before the unit stored in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 1) is attached and detached, and the device current temporary storage area 1-1 (FIG. 1). Compared with the current state of the apparatus in which the unit temporarily stored in 1) is attached and detached. Here, the standard mounting state (device information) is compared with the mounting state in which the double-sided unit is added to the standard mounting state (device current state) based on the preconditions.

Step S1-6
If there is a difference in the detection result of the apparatus change detection unit 10-2 (FIG. 1), the process proceeds to step S1-7, and if there is no difference, the flow ends. Here, since there is a difference from the precondition, the process proceeds to step S1-7.

Step S1-7
The message display means 10-3 (FIG. 1) operates when the control unit 10 (FIG. 1) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 1). The message display means 10-3 (FIG. 1) displays the difference part of the comparison result on the LCD 4-1 (FIG. 1). Here, from the precondition, “Double-sided printing is possible with the duplex unit attached” (FIG. 3) is displayed on the LCD 4-1 (FIG. 1). This wording is stored in advance in the flash memory 3 (FIG. 1) in correspondence with a possible comparison result.

Step S1-8
The operator waits for an intention display indicating that the difference part of the comparison result has been confirmed using the operation key 4-3 (FIG. 1), and after the intention display, the process proceeds to step S1-9.

Step S1-9
The control unit 10 (FIG. 1) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 1), so that the device information update unit 10-4 (FIG. 1) operates. The device information update unit 10-4 (FIG. 1) updates the device information stored in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 1) with the device current state detected by the device current state detection unit 10-1 (FIG. 1). To do. Here, from the preconditions, the device information in the standard mounting state stored in the device information storage area 3-1 in the current state of the device in which the duplex unit is added in the standard mounting state is updated, and the flow ends. Thereafter, even if the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off, the apparatus information in which the duplex unit is added in the standard attachment state is held in the apparatus information storage area 3-1.

In the above description, the description is limited to the case where the duplex unit 7-2 (FIG. 1) is added, but the paper feed tray 7-1 (FIG. 1), the option memory 9-1 (FIG. 1), and the hard disk 9-2. The same operation is performed when adding (FIG. 1), etc. Further, in the above flow, the same can be explained when the duplex unit 7-2 (FIG. 1) is abolished next time.
In the above description, when the apparatus is turned on, the unit addition / removal confirmation unit 10-5 (FIG. 1) operates to start the flow. However, instead of turning on the power, the document cover The flow may start when opening and closing.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the apparatus current state detection means 10-1 (FIG. 1), the apparatus change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 1), the message display means 10-3 (FIG. 1), and the apparatus information update means 10-4 (FIG. 1) 1) All of the unit addition / removal confirmation means 10-5 (FIG. 1) are configured by the control unit 10 (FIG. 1) executing a predetermined program stored in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 1) in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, apparatus current state detection means 10-1 (FIG. 1), apparatus change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 1), message display means 10-3 (FIG. 1), apparatus information update means 10-4 (FIG. 1), unit All or part of the addition / removal confirmation unit 10-5 (FIG. 1) may be configured by a dedicated electronic circuit.

  As described above, apparatus current state detection means 10-1 (FIG. 1), apparatus change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 1), message display means 10-3 (FIG. 1), apparatus information update means 10-4 (FIG. 1). 1) A unit addition / removal confirmation means 10-5 (FIG. 1) is provided, and a predetermined display unit is used in place of confirmation of attachment / detachment of an optional device (unit) instead of printing out system configuration information in the prior art. This eliminates the time and power required to bring the print engine unit up to a predetermined print standby state and waste of consumables, etc., which are consumed each time an optional device (unit) is attached or detached. The effect that it can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes a RAM 1, a program ROM 2, a flash memory 3, an operation panel unit 4, a panel I / F unit 5, a print engine unit 6, and an additional unit unit. (A) 7, engine I / F unit 8, additional unit unit (B) 9, common bus 11, control unit 20, and network I / F unit 21. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 20 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire image forming apparatus 200 by executing a normal control program stored in the program ROM 2. Further, in this embodiment, a predetermined control program stored in the program ROM 2 is executed to detect the apparatus current state detection means 10-1, the apparatus change detection means 10-2, the message display means 10-3, and the apparatus information update means 10. -4, unit addition / removal confirmation unit 10-5, and network communication unit 20-1.

The network communication unit 20-1 communicates with an external device (host computer 22) via a network I / F unit 21 via a predetermined network, USB, or directly (peer-to-peer), and operates the external device. This is means for notifying the user of the current state of the unit mounted on the image forming apparatus 200.
The network I / F unit 21 is an interface circuit that communicatively connects the image forming apparatus 200 and a network. This network includes USB or direct connection (peer-to-peer).
All other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment.
As an example, the image forming apparatus 200 (FIG. 4) is standard-installed (only one paper feed tray is available, only single-sided printing is possible, and no additional memory or hard disk is installed). A case where 1 (FIG. 4) is added will be described. The operation of the second embodiment will be described in the order of steps from Step S2-1 to Step S2-11.
FIG. 6 shows a message display screen (No. 2).
This figure is an example of a message displayed in the operation flowchart of the second embodiment.

Step S2-1
The option memory 9-1 (FIG. 4) is attached to the image forming apparatus 200 (FIG. 4) by the operator with the power off.
Step S2-2
When the operator turns on the power supply of the image forming apparatus 200 (FIG. 4), the unit addition / removal installation confirmation unit 10-5 (FIG. 4) is operated, and the apparatus current state detection unit 10-1 (FIG. 4), Device change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 4), message display means 10-3 (FIG. 4), apparatus information update means 10-4 (FIG. 4), and network communication means 20-1 (FIG. 4) can operate. become.

Step S2-3
When the control unit 20 (FIG. 4) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 4), the unit addition / removal installation confirmation means 10-5 (FIG. 4) is operated, and the current state of the apparatus is detected. The means 10-1 (FIG. 4) sequentially circulates the token signal in each component, detects the current state of the unit based on the expansion / decommissioning information included in the returned token signal, and the detection result Is temporarily stored in the device current temporary storage area 1-1 (FIG. 4). Here, from the precondition, an optional memory (64 MB) 9-1 (FIG. 4) is added to the standard installation in the current state of the apparatus.

Step S2-4
If the device information before the unit is attached / detached is stored in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S2-6. If not stored, the process jumps to step S2-10. From the precondition, since the standard mounting state is stored as device information in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S2-5.

Step S2-5
The control unit 20 (FIG. 4) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 4), so that the device change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 4) operates. The device change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 4) includes device information before the unit stored in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 4) is attached and detached, and the device current state temporary storage area 1-1 (FIG. 4). 4) Compare the current state of the apparatus in which the unit temporarily stored is attached and detached. Here, based on the precondition, the standard mounting state (device information) is compared with the mounting state (device current state) in which the optional memory (64 MB) 9-1 (FIG. 4) is added to the standard mounting state.

Step S2-6
If there is a difference in the detection result of the apparatus change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S2-7, and if there is no difference, the flow ends. Here, since there is a difference from the precondition, the process proceeds to step S2-7.

Step S2-7
The network communication means 20-1 (FIG. 4) operates when the control unit 20 (FIG. 4) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 4). The network communication unit 20-1 (FIG. 4) is connected to the host computer 22 (FIG. 4) via the network I / F unit 21 (FIG. 4).

Step S2-8
The message display means 10-3 (FIG. 4) operates when the control unit 20 (FIG. 4) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 4). The message display means 10-3 (FIG. 3) displays the difference part of the comparison result on the display of the host computer 22 (FIG. 4). Here, “64 MB of optional memory has been added. A total of 128 MB of memory can be used” (FIG. 6) is displayed on the display of the host computer 22 (FIG. 4).

Step S2-9
Step S2 after the operator waits for an intention display indicating that the difference part of the comparison result has been confirmed using the display OK (FIG. 6) on the display of the host computer 22 (FIG. 4). Proceed to -10.

Step S2-10
The control unit 20 (FIG. 4) executes a predetermined program stored in advance in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 4), so that the device information update unit 10-4 (FIG. 4) is operated. The device information update unit 10-4 (FIG. 4) updates the device information stored in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 4) with the device current state detected by the device current state detection unit 10-1 (FIG. 4). To do. Here, from the preconditions, the standard installation state in which the optional memory (64 MB) 9-1 (FIG. 4) is added to the standard installation state is stored in the device information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 4). The device information in the state is updated. Thereafter, even when the power of the image forming apparatus 200 is turned off, the apparatus information in which the option memory (64 MB) 9-1 (FIG. 4) is added in the standard mounted state is stored in the apparatus information storage area 3-1 (FIG. 4). Will be retained.

Step S2-11
The message display means 10-3 (FIG. 4) erases the display on the display of the host computer 22 (FIG. 4) and ends the flow.

  In the above description, the apparatus current state detection means 10-1 (FIG. 4), the apparatus change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 4), the message display means 10-3 (FIG. 4), and the apparatus information update means 10-4 (FIG. 4). The unit addition / removal confirmation means 10-5 (FIG. 4) and the network communication means 20-1 (FIG. 4) are all stored in the program ROM 2 (FIG. 4) in advance by the control unit 20 (FIG. 4). Although described as a control means of the control unit 20 (FIG. 4) configured by executing a predetermined program, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, apparatus current state detection means 10-1 (FIG. 4), apparatus change detection means 10-2 (FIG. 4), message display means 10-3 (FIG. 4), apparatus information update means 10-4 (FIG. 4), unit All or part of the addition / removal confirmation unit 10-5 (FIG. 4) and the network communication unit 20-1 (FIG. 4) may be configured by a dedicated electronic circuit.

  As described above, the network I / F unit 21 and the network communication unit 20-1 are further added to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. There is an effect that necessary device information can be obtained also from an external device (host computer 22).

  Although the case where the present invention is adapted to a printing apparatus such as a printer has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, it can be adapted to a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and the like.

1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart according to the first embodiment. It is a message display screen (part 1). 6 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment. It is a message display screen (the 2).

Explanation of symbols

1 RAM
2 Program ROM
3 Flash memory 3-1 Device information storage area 4 Operation panel section 4-1 LCD
4-2 LED
4-3 Operation keys 5 Panel I / F section 6 Print engine section 7 Additional unit section (A)
7-1 Paper Tray 7-2 Duplex Unit 8 Engine I / F 9 Additional Unit (B)
9-1 Option Memory 9-2 Hard Disk 10 Control Unit 10-1 Device Current Status Detection Unit 10-2 Device Change Detection Unit 10-3 Message Display Unit 10-4 Device Information Update Unit 10-5 Unit Addition / Deletion Installation Check Unit 11 Common Bus 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus in which a unit can be detached from the apparatus main body,
A storage unit for storing first device configuration information indicating a device configuration before detaching the unit;
Device configuration acquisition means for acquiring second device configuration information indicating the device configuration after the unit is attached and detached;
Configuration information change extraction means for comparing the first device configuration information with the second device configuration information and extracting a difference between the two,
Display means for displaying the extraction result extracted by the configuration information change extraction means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an updating unit that updates the storage content of the storage unit using the second apparatus configuration information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A unit attachment / confirmation unit that enables the device configuration acquisition unit, the configuration information change extraction unit, the display unit, and the update unit to operate at a predetermined timing each time the unit is attached or detached. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The predetermined timing is
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the apparatus is one of when the apparatus is turned on and when the document cover is opened and closed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The unit is
An image forming apparatus comprising at least one of a memory, a hard disk, a duplex printing unit, a paper feed tray, a sorter, and a finisher. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
A network I / F unit for communication-connecting the image forming apparatus to a predetermined network;
An image forming apparatus, further comprising a network communication unit that enables the display unit to display a message on an external device via the predetermined network.

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