JP2007232988A - Display controller, image forming apparatus and image forming system using the display controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display controller, enabling a user to select function which cannot be executed and reserve image forming processing to be performed by using the selected function which is infeasible performed. <P>SOLUTION: A touch panel displays a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 101 to designate an optional function out of them. A judging part 3a decides whether each of the plurality of functions can be performed. A screen information generation part 3b allows the touch panel to display the function which cannot be executed and the function which can be performed so as to be discriminable. A reservation part 3c reserves the image forming processing to be executed, by using the designated function, when the function which cannot be executed is designated out of the functions displayed on the touch panel. A monitoring part 3d monitors whether the function used in the reserved image forming processing is shifted, to a state where it can be performed. A processing control part 3e instructs to start performing the reserved image forming processing, when the function used in the reserved image forming processing becomes the state where it can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is connected to a display control device, in particular, a display unit that displays a plurality of functions of an image forming apparatus, and a designation unit that specifies an arbitrary function from among the plurality of functions displayed by the display unit. The present invention relates to a display control apparatus.

  Recent image forming apparatuses have many image forming functions. Examples of the image forming function include a zoom copy function for performing reduced copy and enlarged copy, and a double-sided copy function for copying an original on both sides.

  In order to realize such a function, the image forming apparatus has many components and units. Since the number of functions that can be realized increases as the number of components and units mounted on the image forming apparatus increases, in Patent Document 1, functions that can be realized according to the combination of mounted components and units are provided. An image forming apparatus for displaying is disclosed.

Further, as a related art other than Patent Document 1, for example, in a function that cannot be set in combination among many functions provided in an image forming apparatus, if one function is set, the other function cannot be selected. There have already been proposed (Patent Documents 2 to 5) or to reserve an image forming process that cannot be executed immediately because other image forming processes are currently being performed (Patent Documents 3 to 5).
No. 2605305 No. 2518032 JP 2002-44336 A JP 2004-101572 A JP 2004-109935 A

  By the way, when a failure such as a failure occurs in a component or unit that is essential for realizing an arbitrary function among the components and unit mounted on the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus uses the function to perform an image. It becomes impossible to form.

  In such a case, when the user sets the image forming process, the function that cannot be executed due to the malfunction of the component and unit is displayed on the screen, for example, by coloring, so that the function can be distinguished from the function that can be executed. If the function that cannot be executed cannot be selected or the function that cannot be executed when the function that cannot be executed is selected and the function that cannot be executed is selected, the user cannot use this function. For example, a warning screen for prompting the user is displayed and the selection of this function is automatically canceled.

  However, in any of the methods described above, the displayed non-executable function cannot be set. Therefore, when the function desired by the user cannot be executed, the user cannot cause the image forming apparatus to perform an image forming process executed using this function.

  In view of this, the present invention displays a non-executable function so that it can be selected, and when a non-executable function is selected by the user, a display that can reserve an image forming process executed using this function. An object is to provide a control device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention 1 includes a display unit that displays a plurality of functions of an image forming apparatus, and a designation unit that designates an arbitrary function among the plurality of functions displayed by the display unit. Provided is a display control apparatus which is connected and has the following means.
◎ Determining means for determining whether or not each of a plurality of functions can be executed ◎ A feasible function determined by the determining means, and a non-executable function obtained by removing the executable function from the plurality of functions The screen information generating means for generating the screen information to be displayed on the display means in an identifiable manner and outputting the screen information to the display means. Among the infeasible functions displayed by the display means based on the screen information Reserving means for reserving an image forming process to be executed using the designated inexecutable function when at least one is designated by the designating means. Used in the image forming process reserved by the reserving means. Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the function has shifted to an executable state ◎ Functions used in the image forming process reserved by the reservation means can be executed If a state, the processing control means for instructing start of execution of the reserved image forming process.

  For example, if a problem has occurred in the reversing unit, the display control device determines that the duplex printing function cannot be performed because the reversing unit cannot be used, and the duplex printing function cannot be performed. Display that there is. When the double-sided printing function is designated in this state, the display control apparatus automatically reserves an image forming process to be executed using the double-sided printing function, and when the problem of the reversing unit is resolved, the image forming apparatus The image forming process is executed at. As a result, the user does not have to give an instruction to execute double-sided printing again when the problem of the reversing unit is resolved and the double-sided printing function can be executed. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  A second aspect of the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores, as the reservation processing information, information on an image forming process that is executed using the designated non-executable function in the first aspect. Provided is a display control device for storing the reservation processing information in the storage means.

  As the storage means, for example, a storage device such as an HDD is applied. This display control apparatus can reserve an image forming process to be executed using a function that cannot be executed unless a problem occurs in the storage unit. Therefore, even if the function used in the reserved image forming process cannot be executed for a long time, the reserved image forming process is surely executed after the function becomes executable.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention 3 provides an image forming apparatus that can execute a plurality of functions and includes the following.
The display control device according to the invention 1 or 2, the display means for displaying the executable function and the non-executable function in an identifiable manner based on the screen information generated by the display control device. Designating means for designating an arbitrary function from the executable function and the non-executable function displayed by the display means. Designated by the designation means based on an instruction to start execution of the image forming process. An image forming unit that executes the image formation using a function.

  Examples of the image forming apparatus include a multi-function machine having functions such as a copying machine, a scanner function, a printer, and a facsimile machine. Thus, the image forming apparatus can achieve the same effect as that of Invention 1 or 2 by adopting the display control device of Invention 1 or 2.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention 4 provides an image forming system including the following.
The display control device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, and display means for displaying the executable function and the non-executable function in an identifiable manner based on the screen information generated by the display control device One or more terminals including the executable function displayed by the display means and the designation means for designating an arbitrary function from the non-executable functions. The one or more terminals and a communication network. Are connected to each other and perform image formation based on image data output from the one or more terminals, and a function designated by the designation means in response to an instruction to start execution of the image formation processing from the one or more terminals. An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that performs the image formation using a computer.

  The terminal used in this image forming system is a computer such as a personal computer, for example, and the image forming apparatus is a printer connected to the computer. As described above, in the image forming system, by adopting the display control device of the invention 1 or 2 in the terminal, the same effect as that of the invention 1 or 2 can be obtained.

  According to the display control apparatus of the present invention, the image forming process executed using the inexecutable function is automatically reserved, and the function of the image forming apparatus used in the reserved image forming process can be executed. In this case, this image forming process is executed. Therefore, the user only needs to set the image forming process once. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 101 in which the display control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is employed. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described below.

(1) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIGS. 2 to 3 are an external view and a longitudinal sectional view of the image forming apparatus 101, respectively. The image forming apparatus 101 is a model of a multifunction machine having functions as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a scanner apparatus, and executes image forming processing based on acquired image data. The image forming apparatus 101 includes a document cover 103, a main body unit 104, an operation panel 105, a manual feed tray 106, a paper feed cassette 107, and a paper discharge tray 108.

  A document placing table 102 is installed in a portion of the main body 104 facing the document cover 103. The document cover 103 holds the document placed on the document placement table 102 and is attached to the main body 104 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placement table 102.

  The main body 104 includes a conveyance path 111, an image forming unit 112, a transfer unit 115, a fixing unit 116, a discharge unit 117, a reversing unit 118, sensors 114a to 116a and 118a, a control unit 3, and a document reading unit (not shown). Including. The document reading unit is for acquiring image data by reading image information recorded on the document, and has an optical system (not shown). Image data acquired by the document reading unit is temporarily stored in the storage unit 2 (described later).

  The transport path 111 is a path through which the recording paper is transported, and a roller and its driving unit are disposed at appropriate places.

  The image forming unit 112 is for forming an image on a recording sheet conveyed on the conveyance path 111. The photosensitive drum 113 on which a toner image is formed on the surface, a charger disposed around the photosensitive drum 113, It has an exposure device (both not shown) and a developing device 114.

  The transfer unit 115 is a position facing the photoconductive drum 113 across the conveyance path 111, and sends a toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 113 from the paper feed cassette 107, the manual feed tray 106 or the reversing unit 118. Transfer to the recording paper.

  The fixing unit 116 is disposed such that two heating rollers sandwich the conveyance path 111. The fixing unit 116 melts and fixes the toner image transferred to the recording paper at a predetermined fixing temperature.

  The discharge unit 117 is for discharging the recording paper and the document on which the toner image is fixed to the outside, and is connected to the external discharge tray 108.

  The reversing unit 118 is for reversing the recording paper when duplex printing is performed, and is connected to the transport path 111 and the discharge unit 117.

  The sensors 114a to 116a, 118a are arranged in the vicinity of the developing device 114, the transfer unit 115, the fixing unit 116, and the reversing unit 118, and detect a malfunction such as a failure of each component or unit. Note that “component” refers to, for example, a CCD sensor or lamp used in the scanner unit, and “unit” refers to the developing device 114, the reversing unit 118, or the like.

  The control unit 3 includes a computer including a CPU. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 3 includes an operation panel 105, a developing unit 114, a transfer unit 115, a fixing unit 116, a reversing unit 118, sensors 114a to 116a, 118a, and other components. Connected to the input / output unit, controls the operation of the input / output unit such as the image forming unit 112, performs image processing, and controls the display control device 1 (described later). Other input / output units include a paper feed cassette 6 and a discharge unit 7. Various programs to be executed by the CPU are stored in the storage unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 105 is provided on the front side of the document placement table 102 in the main body 104, and has operation keys 151 and a touch panel 152 (corresponding to a designation unit and a display unit). The operation key 151 includes a start key for instructing start of image forming processing such as printing, a setting key for various settings, a numeric keypad, and the like. The touch panel 152 includes a liquid crystal display, and the user can set various conditions by touching the touch panel 152. The touch panel 152 performs display based on the screen information output from the display control device 1. FIG. 4 is an example of a function list displayed on one screen by the touch panel 152 so that a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 101 can be selected based on the screen information output from the display control apparatus 1. In FIG. 4, the buttons of these two functions are displayed in different colors from the buttons of the other functions in order to indicate that the “double-sided” and “aggregate” functions are currently not executable.

  The manual feed tray 106 is a plate-like member that is provided on the upstream side of the conveyance path 111 so as to protrude laterally from the side of the main body 104 and can be freely opened and closed.

  The paper feed cassette 107 can store recording paper and is provided in two stages below the main body 104.

  The paper discharge tray 108 is a plate-like member provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 101 facing the manual feed tray 106 so as to protrude laterally, and the recording paper and the original discharged by the discharge unit 117 are stacked thereon.

(2) Configuration of Display Control Device Next, the configuration of the display control device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The display control device 1 includes a storage unit 2 and a control unit 3.

  The storage unit 2 includes a storage device such as an HDD, ROM, or RAM semiconductor memory, and is connected to the control unit 3. The semiconductor memory stores a program for the control unit 3 to control the operation of the input / output unit such as the image forming unit 112, image processing, and the like, and the HDD stores image data acquired by the document reading unit by the user. A reservation processing list 2a including information (corresponding to reservation processing information) of image forming processing executed using an inexecutable function designated via the touch panel 152 is stored. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the reservation processing list 2a stored in the HDD which is the storage unit 2. In the reservation processing list 2a of FIG. 5, the processing code, the contents of the image forming process, and the image data used in the image forming process are stored as one record.

  The control unit 3 determines a function that can be executed and a function that cannot be executed from the detection results of the sensors 114a to 116a and 118a, and causes the touch panel 152 to display these functions in an identifiable manner. When a non-executable function is designated, the control unit 3 automatically reserves an image forming process executed using this function, and an image forming process executed using this function after the recovery of this function. Is executed by the image forming unit 112. In order to perform the above control, the control unit 3 functions as a determination unit 3a, a screen information generation unit 3b, a reservation unit 3c, a monitoring unit 3d, and a process control unit 3e. Hereinafter, each function of the control unit 3 will be described.

(2-1) Determination Unit The determination unit 3a determines whether each of a plurality of functions installed in the image forming apparatus 101 can be executed based on the results detected by the sensors 114a to 116a and 118a. For example, when the sensor 118a detects a malfunction of the reversing unit 118, the determination unit 3a determines that the function “double-sided printing” executed using the reversing unit 118 is an unexecutable function.

(2-2) Screen Information Generation Unit The screen information generation unit 3 b generates screen information to be displayed on the touch panel 152 and outputs the screen information to the touch panel 152. Specifically, the image information generation unit 3b identifies the executable function determined by the determination unit 3a and the non-executable function excluding the executable function from the plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 101. Screen information to be displayed on the touch panel 152 as possible is generated and output to the touch panel 152. In addition, as a method of displaying in an identifiable manner, for example, display with different colors or patterns, presence / absence of sound combined with these displays, and the like can be given.

  In addition, when the image forming process is reserved by the reservation unit 3c (described later), the screen information generation unit 3b generates and outputs screen information for notifying the user of this.

(2-3) Reservation part After the functions that can be executed and the functions that cannot be executed are displayed on the touch panel 152 so as to be identifiable based on the screen information output from the screen information generation part 3b, the reservation part cannot be executed via the touch panel 152. When a possible function is designated, the reservation unit 3c makes a reservation by storing an image forming process executed using the designated inexecutable function in the reservation processing list 2a of the storage unit 2.

(2-4) Monitoring unit The monitoring unit 3d is in a state in which the function used in each image forming process stored in the reservation processing list 2a can be executed by replacing or repairing a failed part or unit. Monitor whether it has been migrated. For example, when the output of the sensor 118a for detecting the failure of the “reversing unit 118” used in the “double-sided printing process” in the reservation processing list 2a changes from a signal indicating a failure to a signal indicating that there is no failure, the monitoring unit In step 3d, it is determined that the “double-sided printing function” has been executed.

(2-5) Processing Control Unit When the monitoring unit 3d determines that the function used in the image forming processing stored in the reservation processing list 2a has entered an executable state, the processing control unit 3e A signal indicating the start of processing and image data used in the image forming process are output to the image forming unit 112.

(3) Operation of Display Control Device Next, the operation of the display control device 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Steps S1 to S3: When a function list screen is designated via the touch panel 152, the sensors 114a to 116a and 118a detect whether or not a failure has occurred in each component and unit of the image forming apparatus 101. The determination unit 3a determines whether or not each of a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus 101 can be executed from the detection result of each sensor.

  Step S4: The screen information generation unit 3b generates screen information for displaying the executable function and the non-executable function on the touch panel 152 in an identifiable manner, and outputs the screen information to the touch panel 152. The touch panel 152 displays a function list screen that can identify an executable function and an unexecutable function based on the screen information.

  Steps S5 to S7: When one or more functions including an inexecutable function are selected from the function list screen displayed on the touch panel 152 and the start key is pressed, the reservation unit 3c displays the selected function. The image forming process to be executed is stored in the reservation processing list 2a of the storage unit 2 in association with the image data used in the image forming process. Then, the screen information generation unit 3b generates screen information as shown in FIG. 7 and outputs it to the touch panel 152 in order to notify the user that the image forming process to be executed using the designated function is reserved. The touch panel 152 displays this. In step S5, when only an executable function is selected and the start key is pressed, the image forming apparatus 101 performs image forming processing using that function without performing a reservation operation.

  Step S8: Based on the detection results of the sensors 114a to 116a and 118a, the monitoring unit 3d eliminates the problems of components and units that are essential for realizing the functions used in the image forming process in the reservation processing list 2a. Monitor whether or not. When the failure of the corresponding component and unit is resolved, the monitoring unit 3d determines that the function executed using the component and unit has shifted to an executable state, and the processing control unit 3e The image forming process start instruction executed and the image data in the reservation process list 2 a are output to the image forming unit 112 of the image forming apparatus 101. After the output, the process control unit 3e deletes the output process code relating to the image forming process, the contents of the image forming process, and the image data from the reservation process list 2a.

  Step S10: The image forming unit 112 of the image forming apparatus 101 performs an image forming operation based on the start instruction of the image forming process and the image data.

(4) Effect When the display control device 1 detects a malfunction of each component and unit in the image forming apparatus 101, the display control device 1 determines that the function realized by the component and unit is not executable, and the function is not executed. Display so that it can be seen. When a function that cannot be executed is selected by the user, the display control apparatus 1 automatically stores the image forming process executed using this function in the storage unit 2, thereby eliminating the problems of the parts and the unit. Then, the image forming process is executed by the image forming apparatus 101 in order to determine that the function realized with the components and units as essential becomes executable. Thus, an image forming process that is executed using a function that cannot be executed unless a problem occurs in the storage unit 2 is reserved. Further, the user may not perform the function setting and the image forming processing start instruction again when the malfunction of the component and the unit is resolved and the function can be executed. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

<Other embodiments>
(A) The frequency with which the monitoring unit monitors the sensor in step S8 in FIG. 6 is not particularly limited. For example, the monitoring unit can monitor the sensor every predetermined time.

  (B) In the embodiment described above, the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the touch panel in order to notify the user that the image forming process has been reserved, but this is not essential and may not be displayed.

  (C) The display control device according to the above embodiment determines that the function cannot be performed when a failure occurs in the parts and units that are essential for executing the function. It may be determined that execution is impossible. For example, if a sensor for detecting the amount of color toner is provided in the developing device, the display control device can determine that color printing cannot be performed when there is no color toner.

  (D) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the display control apparatus is employed in the copying machine is described. However, the display control apparatus is one or more computers such as PCs (corresponding to terminals) connected to the printer via a network. Etc. may be adopted.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the image system 201. The image system 201 in FIG. 8 includes two PCs 202 a and 202 b and one printer 203, which are connected via a communication network 204.

  Each of the PCs 202a and 202b includes a display control device according to the above embodiment, a display device such as a monitor, and a designation device such as a mouse and a keyboard. FIG. 9 is an example of a screen in which the display devices of the PCs 202a and 202b display executable functions and non-executable functions in an identifiable manner based on screen information generated by the display control device. A colored function “double-sided / binding” indicates a function that cannot be executed. Each function on this screen is designated by the designation unit.

  The printer 203 includes an image forming unit that performs image forming processing based on image data acquired from the PCs 202a and 202b and an instruction to start execution of the image forming processing.

  The operation of the image system 201 will be briefly described below. When the PC 202a, 202b generates the screen information of FIG. 9 and displays it on the display device, when the user designates a function “double-sided / binding” that cannot be executed via the designated device and presses the “OK” button, the PC 202a , 202b store the image forming process executed using “both sides / bookbinding” and start monitoring whether or not the “both sides / bookbinding” function has become executable. When the PCs 202a and 202b determine that the “double-sided / bookbinding” function has been executed, the PCs 202a and 202b transmit to the printer 203 an instruction to start execution of an image forming process executed using this function. When the printer 203 receives an instruction to start execution of image forming processing and image data, the printer 203 performs an image forming operation using a “double-sided / binding” function.

  The display control apparatus according to the present invention can distinguish between functions that cannot be executed and functions that can be executed in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines, and multifunction devices having these functions. When a function that is displayed and cannot be executed is selected, it can be applied as an apparatus that reserves an image forming process to be executed using this function.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 2. A screen example of a function list displayed on the touch panel. The conceptual diagram of the reservation process list which the memory | storage part has memorize | stored. The operation | movement flowchart of a display control part apparatus. Screen example when reservation is completed. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system. The example of a screen which PC of FIG. 7 displays.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display control apparatus 101 Image forming apparatus 104 Main body part 112 Image forming part 118 Inversion unit

Claims (4)

A display control device connected to a display means for displaying a plurality of functions of the image forming apparatus, and a specifying means for designating an arbitrary function among the plurality of functions displayed by the display means,
Determining means for determining whether or not each of the plurality of functions can be executed;
Generate screen information for causing the display unit to display the executable function determined by the determination unit and the non-executable function obtained by removing the executable function from the plurality of functions. Screen information generating means for outputting to the display means;
Image formation executed using the designated non-executable function when at least one of the non-executable functions displayed by the display unit based on the screen information is designated by the designation unit Reservation means for reserving processing,
Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not a function used in the image forming process reserved by the reservation means has shifted to an executable state;
A process control means for instructing execution start of the reserved image forming process when a function used in the image forming process reserved by the reservation means becomes executable;
Including a display control device. A storage unit that stores, as reservation processing information, information on an image forming process that is executed using the designated non-executable function;
The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reservation unit stores the reservation processing information in the storage unit. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
A display control device according to claim 1 or 2,
Display means for displaying the executable function and the non-executable function in an identifiable manner based on the screen information generated by the display control device;
Designating means for designating an arbitrary function from the executable function and the non-executable function displayed by the display means;
An image forming unit that executes the image formation using a function specified by the specifying unit based on an instruction to start execution of the image forming process;
An image forming apparatus. The display control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, and a display unit that displays the executable function and the non-executable function in an identifiable manner based on the screen information generated by the display control apparatus. One or more terminals including: designation means for designating an arbitrary function from the executable function and the non-executable function displayed by the display means;
An instruction to start execution of the image forming process from the one or more terminals while performing image formation based on image data output from the one or more terminals connected to the one or more terminals via a communication network An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that executes the image formation using the function designated by the designation unit;
An image forming system comprising:

Images