JP2009196307A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of reporting an error at the right time. <P>SOLUTION: When job data are transmitted from a PC, as a printing job, a printer apparatus executes an image forming action on a paper on every page based on the received data. In addition, during executing the job, occurrence of an error is determined, and if the error really occurs, an error print execution controlling processing is executed. Namely, an error occurrence history (record) is registered on an error occurrence history table (S210), and based on a group of records registered in the table, it is determined whether or not a prohibiting condition of an error print is satisfied (S230-S250). Then, when it is determined that the prohibiting condition is satisfied (S250: Yes), the error print is not executed. On the other hand, it is determined that the prohibiting condition is not satisfied (S230, S240 and S250: No), as the error print, a processing for printing a message indicating a method for coping with the error is executed (S260). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a function of notifying an error.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic device that notifies an error that has occurred in its own device to a user is known. For example, there is known an electronic device that notifies the user of the occurrence of an error and the type of error by turning on an LED with a pattern corresponding to the error. Also, an electronic device that notifies an error by outputting a sound is known.

In addition, in the field of printer devices, a message indicating an error avoidance method is printed on paper to notify the user of the error avoidance method (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-172033

  However, the conventional apparatus has the following problems. That is, in the conventional apparatus, every time an error occurs, the error is notified. Therefore, there is a problem that the same error is notified to the user any number of times.

Such repeated operation of error notification may be unnecessary for some users or may be dissatisfied with the user because an error notification operation with low importance is performed.
In particular, in the case of adopting the conventional method of notifying an error by printing a message on a sheet, the same message is repeated many times even though the user can confirm the occurrence of the error or the like through a message printed in the past. Since the paper is printed and the paper is consumed wastefully, there is a high possibility that the user will be dissatisfied.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of notifying errors at an appropriate frequency.

  The electronic device according to claim 1, which has been made to achieve the above object, is based on an error notification unit that notifies the generated error through an output unit when an error occurs in the device, and an error occurrence history. And a notification control unit that prohibits the notification of the error by the error notification unit when a predetermined prohibition condition is satisfied, and cancels the notification prohibition operation when the predetermined release condition is satisfied. .

  If the electronic device is configured to temporarily prohibit error notification based on the error occurrence history, it is not necessary for the user to repeatedly execute error notification under a situation where errors repeatedly occur. By repeatedly performing error notification, it is possible to suppress dissatisfaction for the user.

  Specifically, the prohibition condition can be defined by at least one of the number of occurrences of the error and the occurrence interval (claim 2). That is, the notification control unit determines whether the prohibition condition is satisfied based on at least one of the number of occurrences and the generation interval of the error, and prohibits the error notification by the error notification unit when the prohibition condition is satisfied. Can be configured.

  If the electronic device is configured in this manner, it is not necessary to notify the error every time the error occurs, and the error can be notified to the user at an appropriate frequency. .

  Examples of the error notification pattern include a pattern for notifying only the occurrence of an error, a pattern for notifying the type of error, and a pattern for notifying an error handling method (error avoiding method).

  In addition, the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet as an output unit, and when the error notification unit generates an error in its own apparatus, a message regarding the generated error is displayed on the recording sheet. It is preferable that the present invention is applied to an electronic device configured to notify an error.

  By forming an error-related message on the recording sheet, the error notification operation remains in the form of the message formed on the recording sheet in the electronic device that notifies the error, so after the message is formed on the recording sheet However, by confirming the message, the user can know the occurrence of the error and its contents. That is, in this electronic device, the error notification operation to the user can be continued indirectly using the message formed on the recording sheet as a medium.

  Therefore, every time the same error occurs, if a message is formed and output on a recording sheet, an error notification unnecessary for the user is performed, and further, the message output to the recording sheet is performed by the resource (recording sheet). This may be a wasteful use and may cause dissatisfaction to the user.

  On the other hand, in this type of electronic device, if the error notification is temporarily prohibited based on the error occurrence history, it is not necessary to notify the error unnecessary for the user. An error can be notified at a frequency.

In addition, when a message indicating a method for dealing with an error is formed on a recording sheet and an error is notified, there are more situations where a repeated operation of notification is unnecessary.
Therefore, the above-described invention is applied to an electronic apparatus configured such that the error notification unit causes the image forming unit to form a message on the recording sheet indicating how to deal with the generated error as a message regarding the generated error. Then, the effect is further exhibited (claim 4).

  In addition, the above-described invention is applied to an electronic apparatus having a recording unit that causes an image forming unit to form an image based on the specified data on a recording sheet when data to be printed is specified by a user. (Claim 5). Examples of the electronic apparatus provided with the recording means include a printer device and a digital multifunction machine. In this type of electronic apparatus, conventionally, a message representing a method for dealing with an error is output to a recording sheet through an image forming unit.

  Therefore, if the present invention is applied to this type of electronic apparatus, error notification can be performed at an appropriate frequency, and a recording sheet is used wastefully and a message indicating how to deal with the error is repeatedly recorded on the recording sheet. No need to form.

  In the electronic device, the release condition can be defined by at least one of the number of occurrences and the occurrence interval of errors. That is, the notification control means determines whether the cancellation condition is satisfied based on at least one of the number of occurrences of the error and the generation interval, and cancels the notification prohibition operation when the cancellation condition is satisfied. (Claim 6).

  Further, the release condition may be defined by the operating amount of the recording means (claim 7). For example, the notification control means can be configured to cancel the notification prohibition operation, assuming that the release condition is satisfied after the recording means has completed image formation on the recording sheet for one job.

  In addition, in the case where an electronic device is configured so as to notify an error that occurs in the own apparatus in association with an image forming operation by the recording unit, data to be printed that is image-formed by the recording unit on the electronic device. Judgment means for judging whether or not the user who designated the data to be printed that is image-formed by the recording means this time is different from the user who designated the data to be printed that was image-formed by the recording means last time It is good to provide.

  In addition, the notification control unit determines that the user who specified the data to be printed this time by the recording unit is different from the user who previously specified the data to be printed formed by the recording unit by the determination unit. If it is determined, it is preferable that the notification prohibiting operation is canceled because the cancellation condition is satisfied (claim 8).

  If the electronic device is configured in this way, it is possible to suppress the prohibition operation by the notification control means even for a user who is not notified of the error, and the error notification is not repeatedly executed for the same user. In addition, an error can be appropriately notified to different users.

  In addition to this, when an error occurs in the electronic apparatus in association with the image forming operation by the recording unit, the electronic device has the user who specified the data to be printed provided for the image forming operation causing the error to occur. In association with the identification information, a writing means for writing the error occurrence history in a data rewritable storage medium built in the electronic device can be provided.

  In addition, when an error occurs in the own apparatus in association with the image forming operation by the recording unit, the notification control unit detects the error from the error occurrence history written in the storage medium in association with the identification information of each user. Using the error occurrence history written to the storage medium in association with the identification information of the user who specified the data to be printed provided for the image forming operation that caused the error, It can be configured to determine whether the prohibition condition is satisfied.

If the electronic device is configured as described above, when the electronic device is used by a plurality of users, an error can be notified to each user at an appropriate frequency.
In addition, when each of the prohibition condition and the cancellation condition is defined by at least one of the number of occurrences of the error and the occurrence interval, the notification control unit prints the data to be printed that has been subjected to the image forming operation that has caused the error. The error occurrence history written in the storage medium in association with the identification information of the user who specified is selectively used to determine whether the prohibition condition and the cancellation condition for the error that occurred are satisfied. It may be configured (claim 10).

  In addition to this, in addition to the image forming means, the electronic device is provided with a simple output means for outputting information in the form of sound or light, and a simple notification means for notifying an error through the simple output means. Good. Further, the simple notification means is configured to notify the generated error through the simple output means regardless of whether or not the error notification operation is prohibited by the notification control means when an error occurs in the own apparatus. (Claim 11).

  When error notification is performed in the form of sound or light, resources (recording sheets) are not consumed as compared to error notification by the image forming means, so even if error notification is performed frequently, the user is dissatisfied. Less likely. In addition, if no error is reported despite the occurrence of an error, the user will not be able to grasp the status of the device, which may cause dissatisfaction to the user. There is also.

  Therefore, error notification through the simple notification means is performed every time an error occurs, and error notification through the image forming means is prohibited as necessary. Thus, it is possible to solve each of the problem that occurs due to the error and the problem that occurs due to error notification without harming. Therefore, according to this electronic device, an error can be more appropriately notified to the user.

  In addition, when a notification command is input to the above-described electronic device through the user interface, a sub notification that realizes a notification operation prohibited by the notification control unit through the output unit during a period until the notification command is input. Means may be provided (claim 12).

  In this way, if an electronic device is configured to notify an error that has not been notified by the prohibition operation in accordance with an instruction from the user, what kind of situation the device is in by prohibiting error notification. Therefore, it is not possible for the user to grasp the situation, and it is possible to prevent the user from being dissatisfied, and it is possible to appropriately notify the error to each user.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this invention is not limited to the Example demonstrated below, A various aspect can be taken.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 10 that performs overall control of the entire apparatus, a printing unit 20, a display unit 30, a sound output unit 40, an operation unit 50, and a communication unit. 60.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 11 that executes various programs, a RAM 13 that is used as a work area when the CPU 11 executes the programs, and an NVRAM 15 that is a data rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and various setting information ( A flash memory).

  Further, the printing unit 20 is controlled by the control unit 10 and forms an image based on print target data designated from the outside on a sheet fed from a tray by a method similar to a known laser printer. Specifically, based on the print target data, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to the paper, whereby the print target is printed on the paper. Form an image based on the data.

  Moreover, the display part 30 is controlled by the control part 10, and displays various information toward a user. Note that the display unit 30 of this embodiment is configured by a display that has only the capability of displaying about several tens of katakana characters. The display unit 30 is used to perform simple error display, for example.

  In addition, the sound output unit 40 is configured to be able to output several types of beep sound from the speaker, and is controlled by the control unit 10 to output the beep sound through the speaker. This beep sound is used to notify the user of the occurrence of an error or the completion of processing.

The operation unit 50 is configured as a user interface including various operation keys that can be operated by the user, and inputs operation key pressing information to the control unit 10.
The communication unit 60 is an interface for communicating with a personal computer (PC) 100 connected to a LAN (local area network), and is configured by a well-known LAN interface. The communication unit 60 inputs data addressed to the own device received from the PC 100 via the LAN to the control unit 10.

Next, processing executed by the CPU 11 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main control process repeatedly executed by the CPU 11 after the printer apparatus 1 is activated.
When starting the main control process, the CPU 11 waits until print job data is transmitted from the external PC 100 via the communication unit 60 (S110). The print job data includes a header including information such as a job name and the ID of the user who has instructed transmission of the print job data, and print target data that the user desires to print. In S110, the header is received and printed. When the minimum amount of data necessary for starting the print job (for example, data for one page of paper) is received among the target data, it is determined that the print job data has been transmitted (Yes in S110), and the process proceeds to S120. . The print job data received by the communication unit 60 is sequentially stored in the received data storage area of the RAM 13.

  In step S120, the CPU 11 starts a print job corresponding to the transmitted print job data. Specifically, the CPU 11 obtains unreceived print target data as a print job from the PC 100 and writes the data in a received data storage area of the RAM 13.

  In parallel with this process, one page of received print target data (hereinafter, one page of data is referred to as “page data”) is extracted from the RAM 13, and the printing unit 20 is controlled. A process of causing the printing unit 20 to form an image based on the extracted page data on a sheet is performed for each page data until the image forming operation for the final page is completed. The CPU 11 executes such processing as a print job.

  Since the print target data transmitted from the PC 100 to the printer apparatus 1 is PDL data, when the printing unit 20 prints an image based on the print target data, the PDL data is temporarily converted into intermediate data. . Further, while converting the intermediate data into bitmap data, a process of forming an electrostatic latent image through the printing unit 20 using the converted bitmap data is performed.

  Further, during the execution of the print job, it is repeatedly determined whether an error accompanying the execution of the print job has occurred in parallel with the print job (S130). If it is determined that no error has occurred (No in S130), the process proceeds to S180. If it is determined that an error has occurred (Yes in S130), the process proceeds to S140.

  After shifting to S140, the CPU 11 displays a character string representing the type of error that has occurred on the display unit 30, thereby easily notifying the user of the occurrence of the error in the form of light. At the same time, by causing the sound output unit 40 to output a beep sound for notifying the occurrence of an error, the occurrence of the error is simply notified to the user in the form of a sound.

Here, an error that occurs during execution of a print job in the printer apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be specifically described.
In the printer device 1 of this embodiment, a storage area that can store a large number of page data in the RAM 13 is not ensured in the RAM 13 due to cost. Further, the RAM 13 is used as an area for storing fonts. Therefore, under a situation where a large number of fonts are stored in the RAM 13, the area for storing the page data received from the PC 100 becomes narrow.

  In the printer device 1 according to the present embodiment, when page data with a large amount of information is transmitted in a situation where the storage area of the page data in the RAM 13 is small for this reason, the page data is stored in the RAM 13. For this reason, it is not possible to secure an area for this purpose, and it becomes impossible to form an image based on page data on a sheet.

  In the printer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when such a situation occurs, a character string indicating that the memory is full is displayed on the display unit 30 as shown in FIG. An error is reported. Hereinafter, this error is expressed as “memory full error”.

  In addition, when printing data having a complicated pattern is printed on the printing unit 20, it takes time to convert the intermediate data into bitmap data. Therefore, the intermediate data is used for the electrostatic latent image forming operation. At the same time, it cannot be converted into bitmap data, the electrostatic latent image forming operation is interrupted, and the subsequent development processing or transfer processing is performed.

  In this embodiment, when such a situation occurs, a character string indicating print overrun is displayed on the display unit 30 (not shown) to notify the user of the print overrun. Hereinafter, this error is expressed as a “print overrun error”.

  In this embodiment, when such a memory full error or print overrun error occurs, an error is simply notified in S140 as described above. Further, when such an error occurs, the printer apparatus 1 discharges the paper being conveyed at that time and temporarily interrupts the print job.

  When the process in S140 is completed, the CPU 11 proceeds to S160 and starts the error print execution control process shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an error print execution control process executed by the CPU 11.

  When the error print execution control process is started, the CPU 11 edits the error occurrence history table read to the RAM 13 when the printer apparatus 1 is started up, and records a record indicating the occurrence history of the error that has occurred this time. Is additionally registered (S210).

  The printer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment stores an error occurrence history table in the NVRAM 15 and is configured to read the error occurrence history table to the RAM 13 at startup. The printer apparatus 1 is configured to periodically write an error occurrence history table read into the RAM 13 and edited by the CPU 11 into the NVRAM 15 to update the error occurrence history table in the NVRAM 15.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of this error occurrence history table. As shown in FIG. 5, the error occurrence history table includes an error occurrence time, an error code indicating the type of error that has occurred, and the print job data corresponding to the job that was being executed when the error occurred. It consists of a group of records in which the ID and the total number of jobs processed representing the total number of jobs processed up to the time of job execution are described.

  That is, in S210, the CPU 11 causes the occurrence time of the error that has occurred, an error code indicating the type of the error that has occurred, and the ID of the user who has transmitted the print job data corresponding to the job that was being executed when the error occurred. The error occurrence history table stored in the RAM 13 is updated by registering in the error occurrence history table a record consisting of the total number of jobs processed NJ representing the total number of jobs processed up to the time of job execution. Hereinafter, a user who has transmitted job data is expressed as a user of the job.

  When this processing is completed, the CPU 11 extracts a record in which the ID of the user who is the cause of the current error and the ID of the same user is described from the error occurrence history table stored in the RAM 13 and extracts it. The recorded record group is set as a record group to be referred to (S220).

  Then, the following determination process is performed based on the record group to be referred to. Specifically, out of the record groups registered in the error occurrence history table, only the reference target record group set in S220 is used as a judgment material, and the same error as the current error (that is, the error of the same error code) ) Has occurred within the predetermined time in the past (S230).

  In this way, in S230, the error occurrence history that occurred during the execution of the job of the same user as the user of the job in which the current error has occurred is selectively used, and the same error as the current error occurs in the past predetermined time. It is determined whether or not it has occurred.

  If it is determined that the same error as the current error has occurred within the past predetermined time (for example, within 6 hours) (Yes in S230), the process proceeds to S240, and the same error as the current error occurs. If it is determined that it has not occurred in the past predetermined time (No in S230), the process proceeds to S260.

  In S240, the CPU 11 calculates the printing operation amount QP from the time when the same error as the current error occurred last time to the present time using only the reference target record group set in S220 as the determination material. Then, it is determined whether or not the printing operation amount QP is equal to or less than a preset threshold value.

  Specifically, in S240, as the print operation amount QP, the number of jobs executed up to the present time from the time when the same error as the current error occurred last time is added up to the total time until the occurrence of the current error occurrence. This is obtained by subtracting the total number of processed jobs indicated by the record of the same error that occurred last time from the number of processed jobs NJ.

  If it is determined that the calculated printing operation amount QP is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (for example, 5 or less) (Yes in S240), the process proceeds to S250, and the printing operation amount QP exceeds the threshold. If it judges (No in S240), it will transfer to S260.

  In addition, when the process proceeds to S250, the CPU 11 refers to only the record group to be referred to, and this time occurrence from the time when the error print (see S260) for the same error as the current error is last executed. The number of occurrences of the same error as the generated error is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the number of occurrences is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that the number of error occurrences exceeds the threshold (No in S250), the process proceeds to S260. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of error occurrences is equal to or less than the threshold (Yes in S250), the error print execution control process is terminated without proceeding to S260.

  In step S260, the CPU 11 executes error printing for the error that has occurred this time. Specifically, in step S260, the printing unit 20 is controlled to cause the printing unit 20 to feed a new sheet from the tray and to print a message indicating how to deal with the error that has occurred this time on the sheet. Execute error printing.

  For example, when executing error printing for a memory full error, the printing unit 20 is caused to form a message having the content shown in FIG. In this way, the memory full error is notified using paper as a medium, and the user is notified of a method for dealing with the memory full error. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message indicating how to deal with an error.

  Although not shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a message indicating an error coping method to be printed when an error corresponding to the error code occurs in NVRAM 15 is displayed in advance for each error code. Is remembered. That is, in S260, the CPU 11 causes the printing unit 20 to print a message associated with the error code of the generated error according to the correspondence between the error code and the message indicated by the NVRAM 15, and thereby to handle the generated error. The coping method is notified to the user using paper as a medium.

  When printing a message, a flag (not shown) indicating that error printing has been executed is added to the record additionally registered in S210 this time in order to realize the determination processing in S250. In other words, in S250 described above, based on the presence / absence of this flag, the time point at which error printing for the same error as the current error is last executed is grasped, and the above-described determination is realized.

  In addition, after printing the message indicating how to deal with the error, the printing unit 20 causes the paper on which the message is printed to be discharged to the paper discharge tray, and the process in S260 ends. Thereafter, the error print execution control process ends.

  In this way, in the printer device 1 of this embodiment, when all of the conditions determined as Yes in S230, the conditions determined as Yes in S240, and the conditions determined as Yes in S250 are satisfied, Assuming that the error printing prohibition condition is satisfied, error printing for the error that has occurred this time is prohibited.

  On the other hand, when any of the conditions determined as No in S230, the conditions determined as No in S240, and the conditions determined as No in S250 is satisfied, the error print prohibition cancellation condition is satisfied. Then, error printing for the error that has occurred this time is executed, and the occurrence of the error and a method for coping with the error are notified (S260).

  When the error print execution control process is completed, the CPU 11 proceeds to S170 and resumes the execution of the temporarily suspended job. For example, when a memory full error or a print overrun error occurs, the page data printing process (image forming operation) for the next page is skipped by skipping the page data printing process that caused the error. Start.

  After the restart, it is determined whether or not the print job has ended (S180). If it is determined that the print job has not ended (No in S180), the process proceeds to S130. In this way, in this embodiment, the processes of S130 to S170 are repeatedly executed during the execution of the job.

  On the other hand, when the job is finished (Yes in S180), the total processing job number NJ is updated to a value obtained by adding 1 (S190). The total processing job number NJ is stored in the NVRAM 15 and is read out to the RAM 13 when the printer apparatus 1 is activated. Further, the total processing job number NJ updated in the process of S190 in the RAM 13 is periodically overwritten in the NVRAM 15 and is stored and held in the printer apparatus 1 regardless of power on / off.

  When the process in S190 is completed, the CPU 11 once ends the main control process. Then, the processing is started again from S110, and the processing of S120 to S190 is executed every time print job data is received.

  Next, an instruction output process that the CPU 11 repeatedly executes in parallel with the main control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an instruction output process repeatedly executed by the CPU 11 after the printer apparatus 1 is activated.

  When the instruction output process is started, the CPU 11 stands by until an error print instruction is input from the user through the operation unit 50 (S310). When an error print instruction is input (Yes in S310), the process proceeds to S320, and it is determined whether a print job is currently being executed. If it is determined that the print job is being executed (Yes in S320), the process proceeds to S310. If it is determined that the print job is not being executed (No in S320), the process proceeds to S330.

  In S330, an error print is executed for the last error that occurred in the printer apparatus 1. That is, based on the latest record registered in the error occurrence history table, the printing unit 20 is caused to form a message indicating a method for dealing with an error corresponding to the error code indicated by this record on a new sheet. Further, after printing the message, the printing unit 20 causes the paper on which the message is printed to be discharged to the paper discharge tray, and the instruction output process is terminated.

  The operation of the printer apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. In this embodiment, each error occurrence history is stored in the error occurrence history table, and the error occurrence history indicated by this error occurrence history table is used. In the period when the same error frequently occurs, execution of error printing for the error is prohibited. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress dissatisfaction for the user by repeatedly performing error notification unnecessary for the user.

  For example, under a situation where a memory full error occurs, page data with a large amount of information cannot be stored in the RAM 13, so that an error occurs every time a page with a large amount of information occurs. For this reason, if error printing is performed every time an error occurs, paper may be wasted and the user may be dissatisfied. However, according to the printer device 1 of the present embodiment, such dissatisfaction may occur. Error printing can be executed at an appropriate frequency.

  In particular, in the printer apparatus 1 of this embodiment, it is determined whether to prohibit error printing for an error that has occurred by selectively using an error occurrence history corresponding to the user of the job (S220 to S250). Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the printer device 1 is used by a plurality of users, errors can be notified to each user at an appropriate frequency.

  Further, if no error is reported even though an error has occurred, the user cannot grasp the status of the printer apparatus 1, which causes dissatisfaction to the user. Although there is a possibility, in the printer device 1 of this embodiment, simple error notification through the display unit 30 and the sound output unit 40 is executed regardless of whether error printing is prohibited.

  When error notification is performed in the form of sound or light, paper resources are not consumed as compared with error notification by error printing, so even if error notification is performed frequently, the user is less likely to be dissatisfied. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to solve each of the problem that occurs when the error is notified and the problem that occurs when the error is not notified while achieving harmony.

  In this embodiment, when an error print instruction (corresponding to the notification instruction of the present invention) is input through the operation unit 50, an error print is executed for the last error that occurred before the error print instruction is input. (S330). As described above, in this embodiment, since the printer apparatus 1 is configured so that error printing can be executed in response to a user request, a method for handling an error is not printed when the user needs it. Thus, dissatisfaction with the user can be suppressed.

  Subsequently, a second embodiment will be described. The printer device 1 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the printer device 1 of the first embodiment except that the contents of the main control process executed by the CPU 11 are different. Therefore, in the following, as a description of the second embodiment, a configuration of the printer device 1 of the second embodiment different from the printer device 1 of the first embodiment will be selectively described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main control processing executed by the CPU 11 after the printer apparatus 1 of the second embodiment is activated.
When the main control process shown in FIG. 7 is started, the CPU 11 first generates a management table for managing the execution of error printing in the RAM 13 and initializes the management table (S410).

  In this embodiment, error printing for errors registered in the management table is executed, but error printing is controlled so as not to execute error printing for errors not registered in the management table. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and update mode of the management table used for such control.

  More specifically, in S410, all errors that can be executed in the error printing set in the design stage are registered in the management table, and the management table is initialized. For example, the above-described memory full error or print overrun error is registered in the management table.

  The upper part of FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the management table that is initialized in a state where Error 1 to Error 5 are determined at the design stage as errors that can be error printed. In this case, by the initialization, all errors that can execute error printing from Error 1 to Error 5 are registered in the management table.

  When the process in S410 is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the power button of the printer apparatus 1 is turned off (S420). If the CPU 11 determines that the power button is turned off (Yes in S420), the CPU 11 performs the main control process. finish.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the power button has not been turned off (No in S420), it is determined whether or not the print job data has been transmitted from the external PC 100 through the communication unit 60 using the same method as in S110 (S430). .

  If it is determined that the print job data has not been transmitted from the external PC 100 (No in S430), the CPU 11 transmits the print job data from the external PC 100 through the communication unit 60 or the power button is turned off. It waits until it is received (S420, S430).

  If it is determined that the print job data has been transmitted (Yes in S430), the CPU 11 starts a print job corresponding to the transmitted print job data, similar to S120 (S440). Further, during the execution of the job, in parallel with the job, the processes of S450 to S470 described below are repeatedly executed until the print job is completed.

  Specifically, when the print job is started, the CPU 11 determines in S450 whether or not a predetermined error print prohibition cancel condition (described later in detail) is satisfied, and determines that the prohibit cancel condition is satisfied. (Yes in S450), the management table stored in the RAM 13 is initialized to cancel the error print prohibition state (S455).

  That is, by registering all the errors that can be executed in the error-printing determined at the design stage in the management table, the error-printing prohibition state is canceled (S455). In S455, the number of occurrences NE of each error registered in the management table is reset to zero. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S460.

  On the other hand, when determining that the prohibition cancellation condition is not satisfied (No in S450), the CPU 11 proceeds to S460 without executing the process of S455. In step S460, it is determined whether an error associated with the execution of the print job has occurred.

If it is determined that no error has occurred (No in S460), the process proceeds to S480. If it is determined that an error has occurred (Yes in S460), the process proceeds to S461.
In step S461, the CPU 11 causes the display unit 30 to display a character string representing the type of error that has occurred, and causes the sound output unit 40 to output a beep sound for notifying the occurrence of the error. The occurrence is simply notified to the user.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 clears the value NT of the time measurement counter included in the control unit 10 to zero and starts the time measurement counter (S462). By this operation, the elapsed time NT from the error occurrence time is caused to be measured by the time measurement counter.

  When the process in S462 is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the error that has occurred this time is registered in the management table (S463). If it is determined that the error that has occurred this time is registered in the management table (Yes in S463), error printing for the error that has occurred this time is executed (S465).

That is, the printing unit 20 is controlled to cause the printing unit 20 to feed a new sheet from the tray and to print a message indicating how to deal with the error that has occurred this time.
After this processing, the process proceeds to S466, and the number of finished jobs FJ is reset to zero. Further, by adding 1 to the number of occurrences NE of the error that has occurred this time, the number NE of occurrence of the error that has occurred this time is updated (S467).

  In the printer device 1 of this embodiment, the error occurrence number NE for each error is stored in the RAM 13, and in S467, the error occurrence number NE generated this time stored in the RAM 13 is updated. The number NE of occurrence of each error is stored in the RAM 13 while being reset to zero when the printer apparatus 1 is activated.

When the processing in S467 is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the number of occurrences NE of the error that has occurred this time is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (for example, 1 or more) (S468).
If it is determined that the number NE of errors that have occurred this time is greater than or equal to the threshold (Yes in S468), the registration of the errors that have occurred this time is deleted from the management table (S469), and the process proceeds to S470. For example, when Error 3 shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 satisfies the error printing prohibition condition and it is determined Yes in S468, Error 3 is deleted from the management table, as shown in the lower part of FIG. In this way, in this embodiment, until Error 3 occurs, it is always determined No in S463 until the management table is initialized.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of occurrences NE of the error that has occurred this time is less than the threshold (No in S468), the CPU 11 proceeds to S470 without executing the process of S469.
In addition, if it is determined in S463 that the error that has occurred this time is not registered in the management table (No in S463), the CPU 11 proceeds to S470 without executing the processing of S465 to S469. That is, for errors that are not registered in the management table, the process proceeds to S470 without executing error printing.

  In step S470, the CPU 11 resumes execution of the temporarily suspended job in the same manner as in step S170. After the restart, it is determined whether or not the job has ended (S480). If it is determined that the job has not ended (No in S480), the process proceeds to S450. In this way, in this embodiment, the processes of S450 to S470 are repeatedly executed during job execution.

  On the other hand, when determining in S480 that the job has ended, the CPU 11 proceeds to S490 and updates the number of completed jobs FJ. That is, the number of end jobs FJ is updated to a value obtained by adding 1 (S490). Note that the number of completed jobs FJ is stored in the RAM 13 in a state of being reset to zero when the printer apparatus 1 is activated. When the process in S490 is completed, the process proceeds to S420, and waits until new print job data is transmitted or the power button is turned off. If it is determined that the power button has been turned off (Yes in S420), the main control process is terminated.

  The contents of the main control process of the present embodiment have been described above. However, the printer apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to switch and set a plurality of conditions as prohibition release conditions. Specifically, when the prohibition cancellation condition A is set by a command from the user, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the prohibition cancellation condition is satisfied based on the elapsed time NT since the last error occurred.

  That is, when the prohibition cancellation condition A is set, as shown in FIG. 9A, the CPU 11 determines the elapsed time since the last occurrence of an error in S450 based on the value NT of the time measurement counter. It is determined whether NT is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 5 minutes or more). If it is determined that the elapsed time NT is equal to or greater than the threshold (Yes in S450), the process proceeds to S455, the management table is initialized, and then the process proceeds to S460. On the other hand, if it is determined that the elapsed time NT is less than the threshold (No in S450), the process proceeds to S460 without executing the process of S455.

  On the other hand, under the situation where the prohibition cancellation condition B is set by a command from the user, it is determined whether or not the prohibition cancellation condition is satisfied based on the number of completed jobs FJ since the last error print was executed.

  That is, when the prohibition cancellation condition B is set, as shown in FIG. 9B, the CPU 11 determines in S450 whether the number of finished jobs FJ is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 1 or more). Judge whether or not. If it is determined that the number of completed jobs FJ is greater than or equal to the threshold (Yes in S450), the process proceeds to S455, the management table is initialized, and then the process proceeds to S460. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of finished jobs FJ is less than the threshold (No in S450), the process proceeds to S460 without executing the process in S455.

  The configuration of the printer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has been described above. However, the printer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment also causes error notifications unnecessary for the user to be repeatedly executed as in the first embodiment. It is possible to suppress dissatisfaction for the user and to notify the error at an appropriate frequency.

  The printer device 1 of the present embodiment does not individually record an error occurrence history for each of a plurality of users. Therefore, the printer device 1 of the first embodiment that records the error occurrence history of each user is as follows. Although it is not possible to suppress user dissatisfaction due to unnecessary error notification, it is possible to suppress notification of unnecessary errors and to notify errors at an appropriate frequency (timing), at least compared to conventional devices. Can do. Further, according to the present embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, an area for storing an error occurrence history is unnecessary, and thus the printer apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied is configured at low cost. Can do.

  Although not described above, also in the second embodiment, the printer apparatus 1 can be configured to execute the instruction output process shown in FIG. However, since the printer apparatus 1 of this embodiment does not have an error occurrence history table, in S330, when an error occurs (when it is determined Yes in S460) to execute error printing for the error that has occurred last. The error code of the generated error is stored in the RAM 13 or the like.

  In addition, the main control process in the printer apparatus 1 of the second embodiment may be modified as follows (third embodiment).

  Subsequently, a third embodiment will be described. The printer apparatus 1 of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the printer apparatus 1 of the second embodiment except that the contents of the main control processing executed by the CPU 11 are different. Therefore, hereinafter, as an explanation of the third embodiment, a configuration of the printer device 1 of the third embodiment different from the printer device 1 of the second embodiment will be selectively described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main control processing executed by the CPU 11 in the printer apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment.
When the main control process is started, the CPU 11 executes the processes of S410 to S430 as in the second embodiment. If it is determined that the print job data has been transmitted (Yes in S430), the process proceeds to S431, and whether the user ID indicated by the print job data transmitted this time is different from the user ID of the previously executed job. Whether or not is determined based on the user ID information stored in the RAM 13 in the previous S435. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the user of the job has switched to the previous time.

  However, in this embodiment, since the user ID of the job is stored in the RAM 13, the information is lost when the printer apparatus 1 is powered off. Accordingly, in S431 executed for the first time after the printer device 1 is started, it is formally determined that the user ID indicated by the print job data transmitted this time is different from the user ID of the job executed last time.

  If it is determined that the user ID indicated by the print job data transmitted this time is different from the user ID of the previously executed job (Yes in S431), the CPU 11 determines that the error print prohibition cancellation condition is satisfied. The process proceeds to S433, and the management table is initialized in the same manner as the process in S455. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S435. On the other hand, if it is determined in S431 that the user ID indicated by the print job data transmitted this time is the same as the user ID of the previously executed job (No in S431), the CPU 11 executes the process in S433. Instead, the process proceeds to S435.

  In S435, the user ID indicated by the print job data transmitted this time is stored in the RAM 13 as the user ID of the job to be executed this time. Thereafter, the processing after S440 is executed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the processing of S450, S455, S462, S466, and S490 executed after S440 in the second embodiment is skipped without being executed.

  Although the printer apparatus 1 of the third embodiment has been described above, according to the printer apparatus 1, since the error print prohibition operation is once canceled every time the user is switched, even the user who has not performed the error print is required. The error printing prohibition operation can be suppressed, and it is not necessary to repeatedly execute error printing for the same user, and error printing is performed for different users to cope with the error. Can be communicated to the user.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to execute error printing at an appropriate timing for each user without recording an error occurrence history for each user, and the user can install the printer apparatus 1 that is highly convenient at low cost. Can be provided.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer apparatus 1. FIG. It is a flowchart showing the main control processing which CPU11 performs. It is explanatory drawing showing the alerting | reporting aspect of an error. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an error print execution control process executed by a CPU. It is explanatory drawing showing the structure of an error occurrence log | history table. It is a flowchart showing the instruction | indication output process which CPU11 performs. It is a flowchart showing the main control processing of a 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing showing the structure of a management table, and the aspect of an update. It is explanatory drawing showing the judgment method of whether the cancellation | release conditions were satisfied. It is a flowchart showing the main control processing of a 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer apparatus, 10 ... Control part, 11 ... CPU, 13 ... RAM, 15 ... NVRAM, 20 ... Printing part, 30 ... Display part, 40 ... Sound output part, 50 ... Operation part, 60 ... Communication part, 100 ... Personal computer

Claims (12)

An output means for outputting information;
When an error occurs in its own device, error notification means for notifying the generated error through the output means;
Based on the error occurrence history, when the predetermined prohibition condition is satisfied, the error notification means prohibits the error notification, and when the predetermined release condition is satisfied, the notification cancels the notification prohibition operation. Control means;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the prohibition condition is defined by at least one of an error occurrence frequency and an occurrence interval. As the output means, provided with an image forming means for forming an image on a recording sheet,
The error notification unit is configured to notify the generated error by causing the image forming unit to form a message on the generated error on a recording sheet when an error occurs in the apparatus. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein   The error notifying unit is configured to cause the image forming unit to form a message on the recording sheet indicating how to deal with the generated error as a message related to the generated error. 3. The electronic device according to 3.   The electronic device includes a recording unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image based on the specified data on a recording sheet when data to be printed is specified by a user. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the electronic apparatus is characterized.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the release condition is defined by at least one of an error occurrence count and an occurrence interval.   6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the release condition is defined by an operation amount of the recording unit. The error notification means is configured to notify an error that occurs in the apparatus in association with an image forming operation by the recording means,
In the electronic device, every time the data to be printed formed by the recording unit is switched, the user who has designated the data to be printed formed by the recording unit this time is the last time the image is printed by the recording unit. A determination means for determining whether the formed data to be printed is different from a specified user;
In the notification control unit, the user who specified the data to be printed that is imaged by the recording unit this time by the determining unit specified the data to be printed that was imaged by the recording unit last time. 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when it is determined that the user is different from the user, the notification prohibiting operation is canceled, assuming that the cancellation condition is satisfied. The error notification means is configured to notify an error that occurs in the apparatus in association with an image forming operation by the recording means,
When an error occurs in the electronic apparatus during the image forming operation by the recording unit, the electronic device identifies the user who specified the data to be printed that was used in the image forming operation that caused the error. A writing means for writing the error occurrence history in a data rewritable storage medium built in the electronic device in association with the information;
When an error occurs in the apparatus in association with an image forming operation by the recording unit, the notification control unit includes the error occurrence history written in the storage medium in association with the identification information of each user. Selectively using the error occurrence history written in the storage medium in association with the identification information of the user who specified the data to be printed provided for the image forming operation that caused the occurrence of the error. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is configured to determine whether or not the prohibition condition for an error is satisfied. Each of the prohibition condition and the cancellation condition is defined by at least one of the number of occurrences of the error and the occurrence interval,
When an error occurs in the own apparatus in association with the image forming operation by the recording unit, the notification control unit is configured by the user who has designated the data to be printed supplied to the image forming operation that caused the error to occur. It is determined whether each of the prohibition condition and the cancellation condition for the generated error is satisfied by selectively using the occurrence history of the error written in the storage medium in association with the identification information. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device is configured. In addition to the image forming means, the output means includes a simple output means for outputting information in the form of sound or light,
When an error occurs in its own device, it comprises simple notification means for notifying the generated error through the simple output means, regardless of whether or not an error notification operation is prohibited by the notification control means. The electronic device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 and claims 7 to 10. Sub-notification means for realizing, through the output means, a notification operation prohibited by the notification control means during a period until the notification command is input through the user interface. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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