JP2009303103A - Image processing system and method of controlling image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system that lets a user know what to actually do to remove an error. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing system in which an image forming apparatus and a copying machine cooperate with each other through a communication means includes a reporting means for reporting states of the image forming apparatus and copying machine through the communication means, a determining means for determining whether the states need to be reported, a display means for displaying information that the reporting means obtains, and a display control means for making the copying machine display the states when the determining means determines that the states need to be reported. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a plurality of copying apparatuses are connected via a network and operate in cooperation.

  In recent years, a system has been proposed in which image data is exchanged between a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a plurality of copying apparatuses on a network to perform a cooperative operation.

In such a system, when an image forming apparatus on the network stops due to some error, an invention has been proposed in which an error is notified to a display device of another image forming apparatus or a copying apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-17870

  However, in the invention proposed in Patent Document 1, since the device causing the error is specified and only a simple sentence showing the error content can be displayed, what kind of countermeasure the user actually takes can cancel the error. There is a problem that it is difficult to convey.

  Further, since the display is performed regardless of the type of error, there is a problem that it is troublesome to display when there is no need to display.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system that can tell what action a user can actually take to cancel an error.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing system that can prevent a user operation from being hindered by an unnecessary display.

The present invention relates to an image processing system in which an image forming apparatus and a copying apparatus operate in cooperation via a communication means, and a notification for notifying the status of the image forming apparatus and the copying apparatus via a communication means. A means for judging whether it is necessary to notify the state, a display means for displaying information obtained by the notifying means, and when the judging means judges that notification is necessary, An image processing system having display control means for displaying a state on the copying apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the error handling procedure is displayed on the display device of another image forming apparatus or copying apparatus using illustrations and texts, so that the user can know what action the error can be taken to cancel. There is an effect that can be.

In addition, since the present invention determines whether or not to display depending on the type of error, it is possible to prevent the user operation from being hindered by an unnecessary display.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 used in an image processing system 20 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, an I / F 14, a panel operation unit 15, a nonvolatile memory 16, and a printing unit 17.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The RAM 12 is a work area for the CPU 11 and a temporary storage area for data. The ROM 13 is written with a firmware program for driving the image forming apparatus 10 and a boot program for controlling the firmware program, and is used by the CPU 11.

  The I / F 14 is connected to an external computer terminal device or the like, through which image data and error information are transferred. The panel operation unit 15 is used by the user to make various settings for the image forming apparatus 10 and confirm the settings. The nonvolatile memory 16 stores the various settings.

  The printing unit 17 records an image on a recording material. The system bus 18 connects the CPU 11 and other elements.

  The CPU 11 and the I / F 14 are examples of notification means for notifying the state of the image forming apparatus and the copying apparatus via the communication means. The CPU 11 is an example of a determination unit that determines whether it is necessary to notify the state.

  A display device 31 to be described later is an example of a display unit that displays information obtained by the notification unit.

  The CPU 11 is an example of a display control unit that causes the copying apparatus to display the state when the determination unit determines that notification is necessary.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing system 20 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The image processing system 20 includes copying apparatuses 21 and 22, image forming apparatuses 10 and 10 a, host computers 25 and 26, and a network 27. That is, the image processing system 20 is an image processing system in which the image forming apparatus and the copying apparatus operate in cooperation via a communication unit.

  The copying apparatuses 21 and 22, the image forming apparatuses 10 and 10 a, and the host computers 25 and 26 are connected by a network 27.

  The copying apparatuses 21 and 22 have a general configuration, and include communication means with the image forming apparatuses 10 and 10a and display means.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10a is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the display device 31 provided in the image forming apparatuses 10 and 10a.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display device 41 provided in the copying apparatuses 21 and 22.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system 20 will be described. Although the image forming apparatus 10 will be described, the same applies to the image forming apparatus 10a.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the error table ET1.

  If an error occurs in the image forming apparatus 10 in the image processing system in which the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 and the image forming apparatus 10 operate in cooperation via the communication unit (S1), the image forming apparatus 10 first displays Refer to error table ET1 shown in FIG.

  The level of the generated error and the coping procedure (coping sentence and coping illustration) are searched from the error table ET1 (S2). It is determined whether an error is to be notified to the copiers 21 and 22 depending on which of the following levels the error that has occurred.

  Level 1: An error that frequently occurs and the user can easily determine the coping procedure. This is the case when a piece of paper is out or the desired paper is not set.

  Level 2: An error with a moderate occurrence frequency, the user is unfamiliar with the countermeasure, and needs to indicate the countermeasure procedure. This applies to the replacement of consumables such as ink and toner.

  Level 3: An error that occurs infrequently and the user cannot return the device to a usable state. The case where a part that cannot be replaced by the user fails corresponds to level 3.

  If the error that has occurred is level 1 (S3), the error is displayed only on the display device of the image forming apparatus 10 without notifying the copiers 21 and 22 of the cooperation destination (S4). .

  The error table ET1 is an example of a table that classifies errors.

  The determination means is a means for determining, based on the table, whether or not an error needs to be notified to the copying apparatus when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus.

  The image processing system 20 is an example of an image processing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses cooperate with each other via communication means.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The user checks the error displayed on the display device of the image forming apparatus 10 and takes measures such as replacing paper. If the error that has occurred is level 2 (S5), the error is displayed on the display device of the image forming apparatus 10 and at the same time, the error is notified to the copiers 21 and 22 that are linked, and the display device of the copy devices 21 and 22 is displayed. The coping procedure is displayed (S6).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a handling procedure display example 1 of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22.

  In coping procedure display example 1, coping text 51 and coping illustration 52 are displayed. The coping procedure display method may be a one-screen configuration in which sentences and illustrations are combined as in the present embodiment, or a plurality of screens may be sequentially displayed. The user cancels the error of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the coping procedure displayed on the display devices of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22.

  If the generated error is level 3, the error is displayed only on the display device of the image forming apparatus 10 without being notified to the copiers 21 and 22 as the cooperation destination (S7). The user visually recognizes the error displayed on the display device of the image forming apparatus 10 and takes measures such as restarting the image forming apparatus 10.

According to the image processing system 20 of the first embodiment, for the error that has occurred in the image forming apparatus 10, the display of the handling procedure displays only the necessary error on the display devices of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 that are the cooperation destinations. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the user's original operation is not hindered by unnecessary display.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  When an error occurs in the first image forming apparatus 10 in the image processing system in which the plurality of copying apparatuses 21 and 22 and the image forming apparatus 10 are connected via the communication means (S11), the image forming apparatus 10 first refers to the error table ET1 (FIG. 6).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the group table GT1.

  The level of the error generated from the error table ET1 and the coping procedure (coping sentence and coping illustration) are searched (S12), and then the image forming apparatus 10 refers to the group table GT1 registered in advance.

  From the image forming apparatus 10a and the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 registered in the same group as the image forming apparatus 10 in which the error has occurred, an apparatus that can notify the error is searched (S13). If there is an apparatus in a state where an error can be notified, the error is displayed on the display apparatus of the image forming apparatus in which the error has occurred and the display apparatus of the corresponding image forming apparatus 10 and the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 (S14). ). If there is no apparatus in a state where an error can be notified, the error is displayed only on the display device of the image forming apparatus 10 in which the error has occurred (S15).

  The group table GT1 is an example of a registration unit that registers a plurality of image forming apparatuses as a group. The CPU 11 and the I / F 14 are examples of a notification unit that notifies the state of the image forming apparatus via a communication unit.

  The display device 31 or the display device 41 is an example of a display unit that displays information obtained by the notification unit.

  The means for controlling the display device 31 or the display device 41 is an example of display control means for displaying the above state on the display means of the image forming apparatus registered by the registration means.

  Next, the display method of the coping procedure of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example 2 when the coping procedure is displayed on the display devices (touch panel type) of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example 3 when the coping procedure is displayed on the display devices (touch panel type) of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22.

  First, a display notifying which device an error has occurred is displayed in the device name display area 61 where the error has occurred in the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 (FIG. 11). Next, when the selection button area 62 for displaying the coping procedure is touched, the coping procedure is displayed in the coping procedure display area 63 (FIG. 12). When the selection button area 62 for displaying the handling procedure is touched again, the handling procedure is hidden. The display device may not be a touch panel type.

  As described above, according to the image processing system of the second embodiment, either the image forming apparatus 10 registered in the same group or the display apparatus of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 is necessary for displaying the error handling procedure. If so, the error handling procedure can be shown to the user.

Therefore, it is not always necessary for all the display devices to have the size necessary for displaying the error handling procedure, so that the component cost of the display device can be suppressed.

  As in the second embodiment, the third embodiment of the present invention is registered in the same subnet in an image processing system in which a plurality of copying apparatuses 21 and 22 and the image forming apparatus 10 are connected via communication means. The image forming apparatus 10 and the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 are regarded as the same group. As a result, it is possible to save time and effort for group registration in advance as compared with the second embodiment.

In other words, if the image forming apparatus 10 and the copying apparatuses 21 and 22 registered in the same subnet are regarded as the same group, the image forming apparatuses in which the same subnet is set are registered in the same group. It is an example that is considered to be.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 used in an image processing system 20 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system 20 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display device 31 provided in the image forming apparatuses 10 and 10a. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display device 41 provided in the copying apparatuses 21 and 22. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows error table ET1. 3 is a diagram illustrating an error display example of the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a handling procedure display example 1 of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22; It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows group table GT1. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example 2 when a coping procedure is displayed on the display device (touch panel type) of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example 3 when a coping procedure is displayed on the display devices (touch panel type) of the copying apparatuses 21 and 22;

Explanation of symbols

11 ... CPU,
12 ... RAM,
13 ... ROM,
14 ... I / F,
15 ... Panel operation unit,
16: Non-volatile memory,
17 ... printing section,
18 ... system bus,
21, 22 ... Copier,
10, 10a ... Image forming apparatus,
25, 26 ... Host computer,
27 ... Network,
31 ... display device,
41 ... display device,
51 ... Example of coping text,
52 ... Example of coping illustration,
61 ... Display area of the name of the device in which the error occurred,
62 ... Selection button area for displaying the coping procedure,
63: Display area for coping procedure.

Claims (5)

An image processing system in which an image forming apparatus and a copying apparatus operate in cooperation via a communication unit,
Notification means for notifying the status of the image forming apparatus and the copying apparatus via a communication means;
A judging means for judging whether it is necessary to notify the state;
Display means for displaying information obtained by the notification means;
Display control means for displaying the state on the copying apparatus when the determination means determines that notification is necessary;
An image processing system comprising: In claim 1,
It has a table that classifies errors,
The determination unit is a unit that determines whether or not an error needs to be notified to the copying apparatus based on the table when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus. . An image processing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses operate in cooperation with each other via communication means,
Registration means for registering a plurality of the image forming apparatuses as a group;
Notification means for notifying the state of the image forming apparatus via a communication means;
Display means for displaying information obtained by the notification means;
Display control means for displaying the state on the display means of the image forming apparatus registered by the registration means;
An image processing system comprising: In claim 3,
An image processing system characterized in that the image forming apparatuses in which the same subnet is set are regarded as being registered in the same group. A control method for an image processing system in which an image forming apparatus and a copying apparatus operate in cooperation via a communication means,
A notification step of notifying the statuses of the image forming apparatus and the copying apparatus via communication means;
A determination step for determining whether it is necessary to notify the state;
A display step for displaying the information obtained in the notification step;
A display control step of causing the copying apparatus to display the state when it is determined in the determination step that notification is necessary;
A control method for an image processing system, comprising:

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