JP2006201460A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display counter information and consumable parts information on a display unit, so that a service person needs to be supplied with power from the main body to the display unit in order to check count values, totals, consumable parts information and history information When the power is turned off, it is necessary to collect information by operating the display unit after turning on the power and starting up the display unit.
An auxiliary operation unit using electronic paper is provided in addition to a conventional operation unit, and counter information, JAM history, and component counter information are displayed on the auxiliary operation unit.
Since electronic paper has a memory property, it is necessary to supply a minimum amount of power to save power. In addition, since the display is maintained even when the power is turned off, the service person can operate even when the power of the main unit is turned off. Counter information can be confirmed.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions related to image formation, and a display screen changing method and a storage medium used therefor.

  As an image forming apparatus, for example, there is a digital copying machine composed of a scanner and a laser beam printer. This digital copying machine uses a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD line sensor to convert an image of a document pixel by line. The image on the original is read by sending the original to the photoelectric conversion element in the sub scanning direction while reading in the main scanning direction, and the image read by the photoelectric conversion element is formed on the paper by the electrophotographic forming process. It is configured as follows.

  Such a digital copying machine is provided with a plurality of functions relating to image formation. In setting of each function, setting of each function and setting values related to the function to be set are instructed by the operation input means, and the setting is instructed. The function set by displaying the function, its set value, etc. on the display means, and the method of allowing the user to confirm the set value are used.

Further, not only the setting information but also operation information of the image forming apparatus, a warning to the operator, and error information of the image forming apparatus can be displayed. Furthermore, by switching the display on the display unit, the information in the internal memory that stores the counter information for the number of sheets output is acquired and displayed for use in acquiring billing information, or for consumable information for service personnel maintenance. By storing the data in the internal memory and displaying the data, it is possible to use it as replacement information for consumables, and to display the JAM history, error history, and the like. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-10-198236

  However, since these counter information and consumable part information are displayed on the display unit, power is supplied from the main unit to the display unit so that the service person can check the count value, the total, consumable part information, and history information. When it is necessary and the power is turned off, it is necessary to collect information by operating the display unit after turning on the power and starting up the display unit.

  In view of the above points, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems are solved by taking the following measures.

  That is, a function setting unit having an input unit for setting a function, a display unit for displaying contents set by the function setting unit, operation information of the image forming apparatus, and warning information on a display unit, and the display The problem is solved by having an auxiliary display unit for displaying independently of the unit.

  As described above, in addition to the normal display unit as the display unit of the image forming apparatus, it has an auxiliary display unit that employs a lightweight and lightweight electrophoretic display, and the auxiliary display unit includes Counter information, consumable parts information, JAM, and error history information are displayed. Since this information remains even after power and image signal supply is stopped, it is possible to obtain necessary information at any time. In addition to being able to efficiently perform the operation, it is necessary to supply power only when information is updated, so power consumption is reduced, and because it is lightweight, there is little space such as behind the front door of the aircraft. If there is, a display portion can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, a digital color copying machine will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the digital color copying machine has a scanner 309 capable of reading a color original image, and a printout for reproducing an image read by the scanner 309 by an electrophotographic formation process and forming it on a sheet. A main display composed of a printer 310 for performing image processing, an operation unit 311 for setting each function relating to image forming processing using hard keys and soft keys, and a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the functions set by the operation unit 311 and their contents And an auxiliary display unit 313 that employs a lightweight and thin electrophoretic display 24.

  The controller 321 controls the scanner 309, the printer 310, the operation unit 311, the main display unit 312, and the auxiliary display unit 313.

  In this embodiment, the display unit 312 is configured integrally with the operation unit 311, and a touch panel (not shown) is provided on the screen of the 312 to form soft keys.

  The controller 321 includes a CPU 301 that performs system control according to the program stored in the program ROM 303 and the data stored in the data ROM 304 and executes control related to each function. The results of computation and processing by the CPU 301 are temporarily stored in the RAM 302. The RAM 302 is also used as a backup RAM having a backup function for storing count values, JAM and service error history information, consumable part information, and the like. The CPU 301 includes a scanner I / F (input unit interface) 305, a printer I / F (print unit interface) 306, and an operation input unit I / F (operation unit interface) together with the above-described program ROM 303, data ROM 304, and RAM 302. Reference numeral 307, a display controller 308, and a lanyard display controller 314 are connected via the system bus 320.

  The above-mentioned scanner 309 is connected to the scanner I / F 305, and the scanner I / F 305 controls data transfer between the controller 321 and the scanner 309. The above-described printer 310 is connected to the printer I / F 306, and the printer I / F 306 controls data transfer between the controller 321 and the printer 310. The operation unit 311 is connected to the operation input unit I / F 307, and the scanner I / F 305 receives a key signal generated in response to pressing of a hard key or a soft key of the operation unit 311, and via the system bus 320. Send to CPU 301. The above display unit 312 is connected to the display unit controller 308, and the display unit controller 308 performs display control on the display unit 312 based on an instruction from the CPU 301. The auxiliary display controller 314 is a circuit that drives the auxiliary display unit 313, generates display data based on the data on the RAM 302, and drives the display unit to display the display data.

  The auxiliary display unit 313 performs a display operation by forming a predetermined electric field on the nonvolatile display 24 and physically moving (migrating) particles constituting the display medium. For this reason, even when the driving of the auxiliary display controller 314 is stopped, the moved (migrated) particles can maintain the state for a certain period, and as a result, the display contents are retained for a certain period. Yes. The period for holding the display content (hereinafter referred to as the display holding period) depends on the size and type of the particles constituting the display medium 24. For example, a display holding period of several days to several tens of days can be secured. It is. On the other hand, since the time for driving the auxiliary display controller 314 to perform display once is about several tens of microseconds, the auxiliary display controller 314 only needs to be driven for a short time, so that the power consumption can be suppressed to a minute. It is. For example, when the current required for display is 50 μA and the driving time is 0.1 mSec, the display can be performed at 0.5 mW.

  Furthermore, the display of this auxiliary display unit is very thin with a thickness of about 0.5 mm, has high visibility and does not require a light source such as a backlight. Is possible.

  Next, the configuration of the digital color copying machine will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital color copying machine integrally includes a scanner 309 and a printer 310. The scanner 309 has a platen glass 228 on which an original 227 to be read is placed. The original 227 placed on the platen glass 228 is exposed and scanned by an exposure lamp 229, and a reflected light image from the original by irradiation of the exposure lamp 229. Is imaged on the imaging surface of a full-color sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 231 via a lens 230. The optical image formed on the CCD 231 is converted into a color color separation image signal by photoelectric conversion and output. The color-separated image signal output from the CCD 231 is output to the printer 310 after being subjected to predetermined processing by a video processing unit or the like.

  The printer 310 drives a laser driver (not shown) based on the color separation image signal from the scanner 309 to emit laser light E, and irradiates the laser light E while scanning the photosensitive drum 201. An exposure optical system 203 is included. The laser exposure optical system 203 is configured to scan the laser beam E emitted from the polygon mirror 203a and guide the laser beam E to the photosensitive drum 201 through the lens 203b and the mirror 203c. An electrostatic latent image of a corresponding color is formed by the irradiated laser beam E.

  Around the photosensitive drum 201, four color developers corresponding to the photosensitive drum 210 are supplied to make the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 201 visible as a corresponding color developer image. Developing units 204Y, 204C, 204M, and 204BK (Y: yellow, C; cyan, M; magenta, BK; black developing units), a pre-exposure lamp 211 that neutralizes the photosensitive drum 210, and a photosensitive drum 210 A corona charger 202 for charging the toner to a predetermined potential; a drum light quantity detecting means 213; a cleaning device 206 for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 201; and a transfer device 205. Yes. When developing with each developing device 204Y, 204C, 204M, 204BK, each developing device 204Y, 204C, 204M, 204BK is alternatively set to the photosensitive drum 201 by the corresponding eccentric cam 224Y, 224C, 224M, 224BK. It is configured to approach. The transfer device 205 includes a transfer drum 205a, a transfer charger 205b, an adsorption charger 205 for electrostatically adsorbing paper to the transfer drum 205a, an adsorption roller 205g facing the adsorption charger 205, an inner charger 205d, and an outer charger. A sheet carrying sheet 205f made of a dielectric material such as a polycarbonate film is integrally stretched in a cylindrical shape in a peripheral surface opening area of a transfer drum 205a that has a charger 205e and is driven to rotate.

  Further, a sheet is fed from any one of the cassettes 207a, 207b, and 207c by sheet feeding rollers 232 and 233 respectively provided, and the leading position of the sheet is the head of forming the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 201. The sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 201 and the transfer device 205 by the registration roller at a timing that coincides with the position. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 201 is transferred by the transfer device 205 onto the recording paper conveyed between the photosensitive drum 201 and the transfer device 205. Specifically, the conveyed paper is electrostatically attracted to the transfer roller 205a by the adsorption charger 205 and the adsorption roller 205g, and is carried on the paper carrying sheet 205f. With the rotation of the transfer drum 205a, the developer image on the photosensitive drum 201 is transferred to the sheet by the transfer charger 205b. As described above, the corresponding color image is transferred to the sheet sucked and conveyed by the sheet carrying sheet 205f, and a full-color image is formed and output to the outside of the apparatus.

  At this time, the counter information stored in the RAM 302 is updated according to the paper size and color / monochrome information of the discharged paper.

  After the transfer, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 201 is removed by the cleaning device 206, and the image forming process is performed again. Further, in order to prevent the developer scattered from the transfer drum 205a from adhering to the paper carrying sheet 205f, the oil from adhering to the paper, and the like, a backup facing the brush 214 via the fur brush 214 and the paper carrying sheet 205f. Cleaning is performed by the action of a backup brush 217 facing the roller 216 via a brush 215, an oil removing roller 216, and a sheet carrying sheet 205f. Such cleaning is performed before or after image formation, and is performed whenever jamming (paper jam) occurs.

  In the case of full-color image formation, when the transfer of the four color toner images is completed as described above, the sheet is separated from the transfer drum 205a from the transfer drum 205a by the action of the separation claw 208a, separation push-up roller 208b, and separation charger 205h. The separated paper is sent to the heat roller fixing device 209. The heat roller fixing device 209 fixes the developer image transferred onto the paper on the paper by hot-pressing the paper. The sheet that has passed through the heat roller fixing device 209 is sent to the switching flapper 219, and the switching flapper 219 performs a switching operation so as to guide the sheet into the transport path according to the mode. Specifically, in the single-sided recording mode, the paper is guided into the paper discharge path by the switching flapper 219, and the paper guided into the paper discharge path is discharged to the tray 210. In the double-sided recording mode, the paper is once guided by the switching flapper 219 through the conveyance vertical path 220 to the reverse path 221a, and fed in with the trailing edge as the leading edge when the paper is fed by reverse rotation of the reverse roller 221b. It is retracted in the opposite direction and is accommodated in the intermediate tray 222. The paper stored in the intermediate tray 222 is sent again to the above-described image forming process, and the developer image is transferred to the other surface of the paper.

  In this example, the gap between the sheet carrying sheet 205f and the photosensitive drum 201 can be arbitrarily set by operating the eccentric cam 225 at a desired timing and operating the cam follower 205i integrated with the transfer drum 205a. It has a simple structure. For example, an interval is provided between the transfer drum 205a and the photosensitive drum 201 during standby or when the power is turned off.

  The RAM 302 has a count of consumable parts such as a transfer drum and various rollers, and a usage counter is incremented each time a sheet of paper is output for the parts used in the series of copying operations. .

  Further, when a JAM or a service call occurs during the copy output process, information such as the occurrence time, occurrence location, occurrence factor, etc. is stored in the RAM 302 as a history.

  Next, the configuration of the operation unit 311 in which the display unit 312 is integrally provided will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the operation unit 311 includes a plurality of mode setting keys 101 to 115 for setting various modes, ten key groups 120 to 131 including “#” and “*”, a start key 117, a stop key 118, Each of the mode setting keys 101 to 115 has an LED (not shown) for indicating that the corresponding operation mode is set by pressing the reset key 119. As described above, the operation unit 311 is integrally provided with the display unit 312, and the display unit 312 has the soft key display unit 116 to which a touch panel is attached so that soft keys can be displayed.

  A program stored in the program ROM 303 is a display system that displays on the display unit 312 the contents set based on the key input operations of the hard keys including the plurality of mode setting keys 101 to 115 and the soft keys of the soft key display unit 116. Built by running Further, the display unit 312 displays not only the setting information but also device information such as “Can be copied”, and a JAM processing method during JAM.

  Next, the auxiliary display unit 313 will be described with reference to the display flowchart of the auxiliary operation unit in FIG. Steps S801 to S807 in this flowchart indicate each step.

  First, display information from the auxiliary display unit will be described. FIG. 7 shows a display example of information displayed on the auxiliary display unit.

  The auxiliary display unit 313 displays counter information such as paper size, count value for each color mode (701), JAM generation date and time, time, generation location, generation factor, paper feed stage, paper feed stage count value, and paper size. A JAM history display (702) and an error occurrence date / time, time, and an error code history (703) are displayed. These displays can also be displayed on the display unit 312 according to the setting of the operation unit 311. Further, since the auxiliary display unit 313 is often arranged in a portion that is not normally visible, such as the back side of the front door inside the main body, the display unit 312 displays count information, history information, etc. when the power is normally turned on. When the power is turned off or maintenance is performed by the service person, the display is confirmed on the auxiliary display unit 313.

  Further, information that can be displayed on the auxiliary display unit 313 can be arbitrarily set by the operation unit 311, and the auxiliary display unit 313 displays only necessary information according to the set display content.

  The auxiliary display unit always monitors whether the power is cut off (S801), the mode is shifted to the power saving mode (S802), or the front door is opened (S803). When these are detected, counter information and history information are read from the RAM 302. The consumable part information is read out (S804). Next, display information is created from information necessary for display, the auxiliary display controller 314 is driven (S805), and display data is drawn on the auxiliary display unit (S806). When the information is drawn, the driving of the auxiliary display controller 314 is stopped. However, since the auxiliary display unit 313 is a non-volatile display, the display content is held even when no power is supplied (S807).

  Next, details of the auxiliary display unit 313 will be described.

FIG. 2 shows an EPD (display utilizing electrophoretic phenomenon) type display unit. This encloses a charged toner between two plastic films and electrically changes the in-plane distribution of the toner to form an image. The display unit 20 includes a TFT unit 22, an adhesive layer 23, an encapsulated display medium 24, and a resin material 26. When the TFT unit 22 applies an electric field to the display medium 24, the charged toner in the display medium 24 is electrostatically adsorbed on one of the electrodes according to the polarity and covers the surface thereof. Here, one electrode is black with a small area and the other is white with a large area, thereby generating a contrast and forming an image. Note that after the image is formed, the toner adsorbed on the electrode surface maintains its state even when the power is turned off, so the display image is non-volatile. (Details of electrophoresis will be described with reference to FIG. 4.)
FIG. 3 shows a method for realizing the TFT unit 22, and is a matrix type in which a switching element is added to each picture element arranged in the display area described in “Special Registration 0547314 Liquid Crystal Display Device Driving Circuit”. The present invention relates to a driving circuit of a display device.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are a circuit configuration diagram showing a basic block circuit of a matrix type display device and timing waveform diagrams showing an example of signal waveforms applied to the row / column electrodes. Reference numeral 11 denotes a display panel, in which a switching transistor 11-c is formed at each intersection of a row electrode 11-a and a column electrode 11-b arranged in a plurality in orthogonal directions, and the gate electrode of the switching transistor 11-c is a row electrode. 11-a, the source electrode is connected to the column electrode 11-b, and the drain electrode is connected to a display pixel electrode arranged in a matrix. A row electrode driving circuit 12 outputs a scanning pulse such as Ps shown in FIG. 3B to each row electrode. A column electrode drive circuit 13 outputs a data waveform corresponding to display contents such as PD to each column electrode. Reference numeral 14 denotes a control circuit for operating the row and column electrode drive circuits.

  In such a display device, when a row having a display area is selected by the scanning pulse Ps and the switching transistor 11-c is turned on, a voltage corresponding to that row of the data waveform PD is displayed via the switching transistor 11-c. A voltage is applied to the pixel electrode, and a voltage is applied to the electronic display medium 11-d located between the display pixel electrode and the counter electrode facing it. Next, when this row is not selected, the switching transistor is turned off, and the display picture element electrode and the column electrode are separated, so that the voltage applied to the electronic display medium 11-d remains as it is without being affected by the data waveform. This is sequentially repeated in the row direction to obtain a clear display pattern without crosstalk.

  The series of diagrams in FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanism of the display medium 24.

  FIG. 4 a shows an electrophoretic display 130. The binder 132 includes at least one capsule 134 filled with a plurality of particles 136 and a dye suspending fluid 138. In one embodiment, particles 136 are titania particles. When a suitable polarity DC electric field is applied to the capsule 134, the particles 136 move to the visual plane of the display and scatter light. When the applied electric field is reversed, the particles 136 move to the back of the display and the visual surface of the display appears dark.

  FIG. 4 b shows another electrophoretic display 140. The display includes a first set of particles 142 and a second set of particles 144 within a capsule 141. The first set of particles 142 and the second set of particles 144 have contrasting optical properties. For example, the first set of particles 142 and the second set of particles 144 may have different electrophoretic mobilities. In addition, the first set of particles 142 and the second set of particles 144 may have a contrasting color. For example, the first set of particles 142 can be white and the second set of particles 144 can be black. The capsule 141 further includes a substantially transparent fluid. Capsule 141 has electrodes 146 and 146 'deposited adjacent to capsule 141. Electrodes 146, 146 'are connected to voltage source 48 and may provide an alternating current (AC) electric field or a direct current (DC) electric field to capsule 441. In applying an electric field to the electrodes 146, 146 ′, the first set of particles 142 moves toward the electrode 146 ′, while the second set of particles 144 moves toward the electrode 146.

  FIG. 4 c shows a suspended particle display 150. Suspended particle display 150 includes acicular particles 152 in a permeable fluid 154. The particles 152 change direction when an AC electric field is applied to the electrodes 156, 156 '. When an AC electric field is applied, the particles 152 are oriented perpendicular to the display surface and the display appears transparent. When the AC field is removed, the particles 152 are randomly oriented and the display 150 appears opaque.

  The electrophoretic displays provided in FIGS. 4a-4c are merely examples, and other electrophoretic displays can be used in accordance with the present invention. Other examples of electrophoretic displays are described in co-pending US patent application serial numbers 08 / 935,800 and 09 / 140,792, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  In another detailed embodiment, the display medium may include a plurality of heavy chromium spheres as shown in FIG. 4d. The heavy chromium sphere 160 typically includes a first color positively charged hemisphere 162 and a second color negatively charged hemisphere 164 in the liquid medium 166. When applying an electric field in the sphere 160 through the pair of electrodes 168, 168 ', the sphere 160 rotates to display one color of the two hemispheres 162,164.

It is a figure which shows the schematic cross section of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the cross section of an electronic display. The matrix type display device which added the switching transistor by the realization method of a TFT part is shown, (A) is a block diagram, (B) is a drive waveform diagram. a is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic display medium. b is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic display medium. c is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic display medium. d is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic display medium. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a general-view figure which shows the structure of an operation part. It is an example of a display of an auxiliary | assistant display part. It is a display flowchart of an auxiliary operation part.

Claims (13)

  Function setting means having input means for setting functions, display means for displaying the contents set by the function setting means, operation information of the image forming apparatus, and warning information on a display section, and the display section Has an auxiliary display unit for independent display.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit maintains display in any case during operation, stop, power-off, and power saving mode of the image forming apparatus.   The auxiliary display unit detects opening / closing of the door of the image forming apparatus, detection of power-off, or transition to a power saving mode, and updates display content at the timing. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit according to claim 1 displays an operation mode of a copying machine, billing counter information, maintenance information, alarm information, and service information.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is a particle movement type display device, and has a non-volatility that maintains the display state even after the electrical drive signal is cut off.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is an electrophoretic display device and has non-volatility that maintains a display state even after the supply of electrical drive signals is cut off.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is a liquid crystal display device.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is a reflective liquid crystal display device.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is a transmissive liquid crystal display device.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is a transflective liquid crystal display device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is a cholesteric liquid crystal display device.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is a dry toner display device.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary display unit is an organic EL display device.

Images