JP2008236484A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of making effectively using its functions at the occurrence of disasters. <P>SOLUTION: A combiner 1 can send an inquiry message concerning a damage situation to another communication device via a communication part 11 at the outbreak of an disaster, can transfer a reply to this message to still another communications device, or can display the message checking the damage situation on a display part 14 for transmitting the input contents of a user into this message to another communications device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can contribute to collection of information about a damage situation at the time of a disaster.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus that interrupts energization of an apparatus or energization of a fixing unit to prevent a secondary disaster such as a fire.

For example, Patent Document 1 includes an emergency broadcast receiver that receives an emergency warning broadcast that is transmitted when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs. An image forming apparatus adapted to stop the operation is described.
JP 10-143029 A (published May 29, 1998)

  However, in the conventional technology, all functions of the image forming apparatus are simply lost when a disaster occurs, and the image forming apparatus has not been effectively used.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can effectively use its function when a disaster occurs.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus including a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external communication device via a network. A message prompting the user to input information is transmitted to a certain communication device on the network, the information input by the user in response to the message is received from the certain communication device, and the information is transmitted to the network. The data is transmitted to the other communication device above.

  In this way, the image forming apparatus can acquire information on the damage situation around an external communication apparatus that can communicate via a network and inform the user of another communication apparatus. In this way, by notifying the users of other communication devices about the damage situation around a certain communication device, the image forming apparatus can effectively use its communication function when a disaster occurs.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect further includes at least one of a seismometer and a thermometer, and the communication unit detects when the seismometer detects the occurrence of an earthquake or a temperature sensor. The above message may be transmitted when an abnormal temperature rise is detected.

  The image forming apparatus detects an abnormal change in the environment due to a disaster such as an earthquake or a fire with its seismometer or thermometer and transmits the message. Messages can be quickly delivered to the communication device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect stores the electric power while electric power is supplied from the outside, and at least the electric power stored when the supply of electric power from the outside is stopped. You may further provide the electrical storage part supplied to the said communication part.

  By providing the power storage unit, the image forming apparatus can transmit / receive information to / from the other communication apparatus even when the external power supply is stopped in the event of a disaster.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit that displays a message that prompts the user to input information about the damage situation when a disaster occurs, and the information input by the user in response to the message via a network. And a communication unit for transmitting to an external communication device.

  In this way, the image forming apparatus prompts the user to input information about the damage situation in the vicinity of the user, and further transmits the information to the external communication apparatus. The user can be informed of the damage situation around him / her. As described above, the image forming apparatus can effectively use its own communication function when a disaster occurs.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect further includes at least one of a seismometer and a thermometer, and the display unit detects when the seismometer detects the occurrence of an earthquake, or a temperature sensor. The above message may be displayed when an abnormal temperature rise is detected.

  Since the image forming apparatus detects an abnormal change in the environment due to a disaster such as an earthquake or a fire by the seismometer or thermometer provided by the image forming apparatus and displays the message, the information can be quickly transmitted to the user. You can ask for input.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect stores power while electric power is supplied from the outside, and stores at least the stored electric power when supply of electric power from the outside is stopped. You may further provide the electrical storage part supplied to the said communication part and a display part.

  By providing the power storage unit, the image forming apparatus can display the message and transmit information to an external communication device even when power supply from outside stops in the event of a disaster.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the third or sixth aspect includes a light source for irradiating the original with light, and reads an image on the original by detecting reflected light from the original. You may further provide the reading part and the photovoltaic device which produces electric power using the light from the said light source, and sends the obtained electric power to the said electrical storage part.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 6 further includes an image forming unit that forms an image made of a developer on a sheet based on image data. Includes a fixing unit that fixes a developer onto a sheet by thermocompression bonding, generates power using heat from the fixing unit, and sends the obtained electric power to the power storage unit May be further provided.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external communication device via a network, wherein the communication unit includes the image forming unit according to claim 4. An image forming apparatus configured to receive the information from the apparatus and transmit the information to another communication apparatus on the network is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  When a disaster occurs, the image forming apparatus of the present invention communicates with an external communication device by a communication unit, so that information about the damage situation around the external communication device or the damage situation around itself can be obtained. Can be transmitted to other communication devices. As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can contribute to the collection of information and the provision of information to the user by utilizing its own communication function even when a disaster occurs. An image forming apparatus that cooperates with such an image forming apparatus is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  A multi-function machine 1 that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

I. First Embodiment [I-1] Overview of Multifunction Device 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the multifunction device 1. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 1 includes an external communication device (communication function) via an input receiving unit 10 and a communication network 200 that are configured by hard keys and soft keys displayed on the display unit 14 described below. A communication unit 11 that communicates with a PC (including a personal computer (PC), a multi-function peripheral, etc.), a reading unit 12 that includes an optical system to read an image from a document, the reading unit 12 or the communication unit 11 and the like. An image forming unit 13 to be printed on, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, a display unit 14 that presents information by displaying various images to the user, a seismometer 15 that detects the occurrence of an earthquake, and a temperature outside the multifunction device 1 , A power supply unit 17 that sends power supplied from the external power supply 100 or the following power storage unit 18 to each part in the multifunction device 1, a power storage unit 18 that stores the power generated by the power generation unit 19, and a multifunction device Light in 1 Power generation unit 19 for generating electric power by utilizing the control unit 20 that controls each unit of the multifunction peripheral 1, a memory 30 for storing various types of information.

  As the seismometer 15, an accelerometer or a seismic intensity meter is used.

  Further, the thermometer 16 is not limited to the one that detects the temperature outside the multi-function device 1, and may detect the internal temperature. The multifunction device 1 may include a combination of a thermometer that detects an external temperature and a thermometer that detects an internal temperature.

  The communication network 200 is not particularly limited, and for example, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, an ISDN, a VAN, a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like can be used.

  The control device 20 determines whether or not a disaster has occurred based on the detection results of the communication control unit 21 that controls the communication unit 11, the display control unit 22 that controls the display unit 14, the seismometer 15 and / or the thermometer 16. A disaster occurrence determination unit 23 and the like are provided.

  The control device 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes program instructions for realizing various processing operations described later, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, and a random access memory (RAM) that expands the program. ), A recording medium such as a memory for storing the program and various data. Processing operations to be described later can be achieved by the CPU reading and executing the program code of the control program, which is software stored in the recording medium.

[I-2] Communication System FIG. 2 shows an outline of the communication system 201 of this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the communication system 201 includes a multifunction device 1, PCs 300 to 302, multifunction devices 400 and 401, and the like.

  The PCs 300 to 302 include a display unit D and input receiving units such as a communication unit (not shown), hard keys, and soft keys.

  The MFPs 400 and 401 have substantially the same configuration as the MFP 1 described above, but do not need to include the seismometer 15, the thermometer 16, the disaster occurrence determination unit 23, and the like.

[I-3] Information Collection Operation The processing operation performed by the multifunction device 1 when a disaster occurs in the communication system described in [I-2] above, that is, the information collection operation will be described below. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of this processing operation.

  The disaster occurrence determination unit 23 reads the detection result of the seismometer 15 or the thermometer 16, and determines that a disaster has occurred when the magnitude or temperature of the vibration exceeds a predetermined value (Yes in S1). In response to this determination, the communication control unit 21 sends a status confirmation message that prompts the user to input to the PCs 300 and 301 and the multifunction peripherals 400 and 401 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “PC 300 etc.”). The communication unit 11 is controlled (S2, dotted arrow in FIG. 2).

  Upon receiving this status confirmation message, the PC 300 or the like presents the status confirmation screen 40 to the user through the display unit. The status confirmation screen 40 is a screen that prompts the user to input information about the damage status caused by the disaster. An example of the status confirmation screen 40 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the status confirmation screen 40 includes a message area 40a and a transmission key 40b. In the message area 40a, a message prompting the user to input such as “Enter current status and press the send key”, and items to be input by the user, for example, whether there is damage and specific damage status, etc. A question about is displayed.

  The PC 300 or the like receives information about the damage status from the user via the input receiving unit (not shown), and further transmits the received information to the multi function device 1 when the transmission key 40b is pressed (FIG. 2). Solid line arrow).

  When the multifunction device 1 receives this information, the communication control unit 21 controls the communication unit 11 to transfer this information to a predetermined communication device, that is, the PC 302 in this embodiment (S4, in FIG. 2). (Extract arrow). Note that the control device 20 can temporarily store the reply message in the memory 30 or perform appropriate editing or the like before proceeding from step S3 to S4.

  When this information is received from the multifunction device 1, the PC 302 displays a notification screen 41 for allowing the user to visually recognize this information on the display unit D. An example of the notification screen 41 is shown in FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the notification screen 41 may be a screen in which the writing of each user such as the PC 300 on the status confirmation screen 40 is added to the status confirmation screen 40, or from these communication devices. It may be a list in which the information is summarized.

  On the other hand, when the input receiving unit 10 receives an instruction from the user to end the collection operation, the control device 20 interrupts and ends the series of operations (Yes in S5).

  In this way, the multifunction device 1 obtains information about the damage situation around the communication device from the user of a certain communication device, and transmits the information to the other communication device, so that the user of the other communication device It is possible to inform the safety of the user of the certain communication device.

  In this embodiment, the multi-function device 1 transmits a message asking the user to input information about the damage status to each communication device as a message that prompts the user to input information about the damage status. Instead of such a specific question, a message that prompts the user for simple input may be transmitted. For example, it is also possible to confirm the safety of the user by sending a message that prompts the user to input a password for user authentication and confirming that the password has been input.

  Further, the “message” may be an e-mail, or may be a message that causes other communication devices to perform pop-up display or the like.

  That is, the multifunction device 1 sends a message to the PC 300 to cause the display unit 300D of the PC 300 to display a pop-up display 43 “Please enter password” as shown in FIG. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 1 sends all the information received from the PC 300 or the like to the PC 302, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the multifunction device 1 may be configured to send information on the damage status obtained from different communication devices to different communication devices.

  Specifically, the multifunction device 1 can store the emergency contact information of the user of each communication device (such as the PC 300) in the memory 30, for example, at home. A specific form of the communication system in this case is shown as a communication system 202 in FIG. In the communication system 202, the communication control unit 21 of the multifunction device 1 receives information about the damage status received from the PC 300 and the multifunction device 400 to the PC 302 as an emergency contact, information received from the PC 301 to the PC 303, and the multifunction device. Information received from 401 may be transmitted to the multifunction device 402. If the home of the user of each communication device is set as the emergency contact, it becomes possible to remove the anxiety of each user's family.

  On the other hand, it is preferable to send information from each communication device (such as the PC 300) to one PC 302 as in the communication system 201, for example, when it is desired to collectively grasp the damage status of a base such as a business office. In some cases.

  In the present embodiment, the multifunction device 1 starts the collection operation based on the detection result of the seismometer 15 or the thermometer 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the multifunction device 1 includes only one of the seismometer 15 and the thermometer 16, and the disaster determination unit 23 determines whether or not a disaster has occurred based on the detection result of the one. Good. The multi-function device 1 may be configured not to include the seismometer 15 and the thermometer 16, and may perform a series of information collecting operations when the communication unit 11 receives information on the occurrence of a disaster. .

[I-4] Power supply unit 17
Normally, when the power supply from the external power source 100 is stopped, the power supply unit 17 can switch the power source from the external power source 100 to the power storage unit 18. At this time, power from the power storage unit 18 is sent to the communication unit 11 and the control device 20, and power supply to the reading unit 12, the image forming unit 13, and the like is stopped. That is, the power supply unit 17 switches the power source and shifts to the power saving mode. By doing so, the power supply unit 17 can secure the power necessary for communication, so that communication can be performed even when the supply of commercial power is stopped due to an earthquake or the like.

  In particular, the multifunction device 1 can perform the above-described information collecting operation even when the power supply from the external power supply 100 is stopped, and the power supply to the power supply company is stopped via the communication unit 11. Can also be reported.

  Further, the power supply unit 17 receives the determination that the disaster has occurred by the disaster occurrence determination unit 23, and even if the power supply from the external power supply 100 is normal, the power supply unit 17 supplies the reading unit 12, the image forming unit 13, and the like. The power supply is stopped and the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.

[I-5] Power generation unit 19
a) Power Generation from Light In the present embodiment, the power generation unit 19 converts light energy in the multifunction machine 1 into electrical energy.

  When generating power from light, the power generation unit 19 can use the light source of the reading unit 12. The main configuration of the reading unit 12 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reading unit 12 includes a light source 12a, a mirror 12b, a CCD 12c, and the like. The reading unit 12 irradiates the original M on the contact glass 31 included in the multifunction machine 1 with light from the light source 12a, guides the reflected light to the CCD 12c by the mirror 12b or the like, and reads an image on the original M. ing.

  When generating power from light, the power generation unit 19 includes a photoelectric conversion element such as a so-called photodiode configured by a semiconductor pn junction, and converts light energy into electrical energy.

  Not all of the light emitted from the light source 12a is absorbed by the original M or received by the CCD 12c, and a part of the light deviates from the above-described optical path due to irregular reflection on the contact glass 31 or the like. The power generation unit 19 converts the light thus deviating from the optical path into electricity and sends it to the power storage unit 18.

b) Power Generation from Heat The multifunction device 1 may include a power generator 119 that generates power from heat instead of the power generation unit 19. In this case, the heat of the image forming unit 13 is preferably used. The main configuration of the image forming unit 13 is shown in FIG.

  The image forming unit 13 irradiates light on the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 13a and a charger 13b that uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 13a along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 13a that is rotatably provided. The image forming apparatus includes an exposure device 13c that draws an electrostatic latent image according to image data, a developing device 13d that develops the electrostatic latent image with a developer, a transfer unit 13e that transfers the developed image onto the paper P, and the like. The other members such as a cleaning device for the photosensitive drum 13a are not shown.

  The image forming unit 13 further includes a paper storage unit 13f that stores the paper P, a paper transport unit 13g that feeds the paper from the paper storage unit 13f to the transfer unit 13e, and a fixing unit 13h described below, and a heat roller. Is provided with a fixing unit 13h for fixing the image on the sheet P after the image is transferred by thermocompression bonding.

  In the case of generating power from heat, the power generator 119 can use the fixing unit 13h as a heat source. The generator 119 is a power generation module in which an n-type thermoelectric material 119n having a high potential on the high temperature side (side close to the fixing unit 13h) and a p-type thermoelectric material 119p having a low potential on the high temperature side are alternately connected.

c) Omission of the power generation unit 19 The power generation unit 19 may be omitted. In this case, the power storage unit 18 only needs to receive a part of the power from the external power supply 100 directly from the power supply unit 17 and store it in a normal state.

II. Second Embodiment A communication system 203 according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication system 203 includes multifunction devices 500 to 502, a multifunction device 403 that can communicate with these multifunction devices, a multifunction device 402 that can communicate with the multifunction device 403, and PCs 302 and 303. .

  Each multifunction device and PC includes a communication unit, a display unit, an input reception unit, and the like, like the PC and multifunction device shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the following description may be made with reference to the same drawing as the first embodiment, and description of members having the same functions as those already described in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  In particular, the MFPs 500 to 502 include the members shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the multi-function devices 500 to 502 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “multi-function device 500 etc.”) perform the information transmission operation shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In this information transmission operation, when the disaster occurrence determination unit 23 detects that the magnitude or temperature of the vibration has exceeded a predetermined value (Yes in S21), the multifunction device 500 or the like displays the display control unit 22 on the display unit 14. The status confirmation screen 40 is displayed (S22, FIG. 4). When the user makes an input in response to the status confirmation screen 40 and presses the send key 40b (Yes in S23), the communication control unit 21 causes the damage input by the user to a predetermined communication device (in this embodiment, the multifunction device 403). The communication unit 11 is controlled to transmit information about the situation (S24, solid line arrow in FIG. 10). On the other hand, when the end of the information transmission operation is instructed by the user via the input receiving unit 10, the multi-function device 500 or the like interrupts and ends the series of operations (S25).

  As described above, the multifunction machine 403 includes substantially the same configuration as the multifunction machine 1, that is, the control device 20, the communication unit 11, and the like. However, it is not necessary to provide the seismometer 15, the thermometer 16, and the disaster occurrence determination unit 23. The multifunction device 403 transmits information about the damage status from the multifunction device 500 to the PC 302, information from the multifunction device 501 to the PC 303, and information from the multifunction device 502 to the multifunction device 402 (respectively omitted in FIG. 10). Arrow). Upon receiving this information, the PCs 302 and 303 and the multifunction device 402 display the notification screen 41 shown in FIG. 5 to inform the user of the damage situation around the multifunction devices 500, 501, and 502, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the power supply unit 17 such as the multi-function device 500 shifts to the power saving mode as described in the section [I-4] when the answer is Yes in step S21. At this time, the display unit 14 The power supply to is maintained without stopping.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the multi-function device 500 or the like spontaneously obtains information about the damage status from the user and transmits it to the multi-function device 403. The multifunction device 403 plays substantially the same role as the multifunction device 1 in the first embodiment, and transmits information received from the multifunction device 500 or the like to other communication devices (PCs 302 and 303, the multifunction device 402).

  Note that destinations (PCs 302 and 303, multifunction device 402) to which the multifunction device 403 sends information are emergency contact addresses registered for the multifunction device 500 and the like as described for the multifunction device 1 in [1-3] above. It is.

  In addition to the configuration described above, the multi-function device 403 may transmit information transmitted from the multi-function device 500 or the like to the same communication device, for example, the PC 302.

  Further, the multi-function device 403 may present information to the user via its display unit. Further, the MFP 500 or the like may directly transmit information obtained from the user to the PC 302 or the like without using the MFP 403.

  This embodiment is particularly effective when a disaster occurs only in the vicinity of the multifunction device 500 or the like, that is, when no disaster occurs in the vicinity of the multifunction devices 402 and 403, the multifunction devices 302 and 303, or the like. To do. In such a case, it is more effective to inform the other communication device of the safety of the user of the multifunction device 1 rather than confirming the safety of the user of the other communication device.

III. Others And II. Embodiments combining the forms described in the columns are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  That is, in the communication system 201 of FIG. As described in the column, the status confirmation screen 40 is displayed on the display unit 14 to obtain information on the surrounding damage status, and the above I.D. As described in the column, information on the damage status may be obtained from the PC 300 or the like.

  In this case, the multi-function device 1 only needs to transmit information about its own surroundings and information from the PC 300 or the like to the PC 302.

  Further, as in the communication system 202 of FIG. 6, the multi-function device 1 may transmit information about its own and information from the PC 300 or the like to different communication devices.

  In addition, I.I. ~ III. In the technology in the column, all the multifunction peripherals may include an emergency power supply system including the power storage unit 18 and the like.

1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure showing the outline of an example of a communication system. The flowchart of the information collection operation | movement at the time of disaster occurrence. The top view which shows an example of a condition confirmation screen. The top view which shows an example of an alerting | reporting screen. The front view which shows PC in the popup display for a situation confirmation. The figure which shows the other example of a communication system. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a main part configuration of a reading unit 12. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a main configuration of the image forming unit 13. The figure which shows the further another example of a communication system. The flowchart which shows an example of information transmission operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 400-403, 500-502 MFP 300-303 MFP 200 Communication network 201-203 Communication system 10 Input reception part 11 Communication part 12 Reading part 13 Image formation part 14 Display part 15 Seismometer 16 Thermometer 17 Electric power supply Unit 18 power storage unit 19 power generation unit 20 control device 21 communication control unit 22 display control unit 23 disaster occurrence determination unit 30 memory 40 status confirmation screen 41 notification screen

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus including a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external communication device via a network,
When a disaster occurs, the communication unit transmits a message prompting the user to input damage status information to a certain communication device on the network, and the information input by the user in response to the message And an image forming apparatus configured to transmit the information to another communication apparatus on the network. It further comprises at least one of a seismometer or a thermometer,
2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the message when the seismometer detects an occurrence of an earthquake or when a temperature sensor detects an abnormal rise in temperature. apparatus.   The battery further includes a power storage unit configured to perform power storage while power is supplied from outside and to supply at least the stored power to the communication unit when supply of power from the outside is stopped. The image forming apparatus described in 1. A display that displays a message prompting the user to enter information about the damage situation in the event of a disaster;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a communication unit that transmits the information input by the user to the message to an external communication device via a network. It further comprises at least one of a seismometer or a thermometer,
5. The image formation according to claim 4, wherein the display unit displays the message when the seismometer detects the occurrence of an earthquake or when the temperature sensor detects an abnormal temperature rise. apparatus.   The battery further includes a power storage unit configured to store power while power is supplied from outside and to supply at least the stored power to the communication unit and the display unit when power supply from the outside is stopped. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to Item 4 or 5. A reading unit that includes a light source for irradiating light on the document, and that reads an image on the document by detecting reflected light from the document;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a photovoltaic power generation device configured to generate power using light from the light source and send the obtained power to the power storage unit. An image forming unit that forms an image of a developer on a sheet based on the image data;
The image forming unit includes a fixing unit that fixes the developer on the paper by thermocompression bonding.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a thermoelectric generator configured to generate electric power using heat from the fixing unit and send the obtained electric power to the power storage unit. An image forming apparatus including a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external communication device via a network,
5. The image forming apparatus, wherein the communication unit receives the information from the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 and transmits the information to another communication apparatus on the network.

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