JP2010094920A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to appropriately select an image forming apparatus suitable for the user's situation. <P>SOLUTION: A control section 2 has (a) a function of specifying the attribute of a print job, (b) a function of determining whether an error or a fault that may occur during the execution of the print job exists in relation to the specified attribute of the print job when the execution of the print job is possible, (c) a function of transmitting a warning notice indicating the possibility of occurrence of the error or fault when there is the error or fault that may occur during the execution of the print job, and (d) a function of executing the print job only when receiving an execution start command of the print job in the case of transmitting the warning notice. The user can be provided with information on a substitutable image forming apparatus together with the warning notice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  A printing system can be constructed by a terminal device and an image forming apparatus connected to a network. In such a printing system, the terminal device supplies a print job to the image forming apparatus via the network, and the image forming apparatus executes the print job.

Normally, when an image forming apparatus cannot execute a print job due to an internal error, the image forming apparatus transmits an error notification to the terminal apparatus that supplied the print job (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .
JP 2005-88474 A

  In the above technique, an error is notified only when the job cannot be executed. Therefore, if the job can be executed, the job is executed. For this reason, there is a possibility that a problem may occur in the printing result or an error may occur during printing.

  When printing is not done in a hurry or when printing is not important, even if a problem or error occurs, there is little impact on the user, but when printing is rushed or important printing is performed For example, if a problem or an error occurs, the user is greatly affected.

  However, the user does not know what kind of trouble or error each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the LAN (Local Area Network) is likely to cause. It may not have been done.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that allows a user to appropriately select an image forming apparatus that matches a user's situation.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a job analysis unit that specifies an attribute of a print job and a print job being executed in relation to the attribute specified by the job analysis unit when the print job can be executed. If there is an error or defect that may occur during execution of a print job, and a determination means that determines whether there is an error or defect that may occur in the print job, the error or defect may occur And a control unit that executes a print job only when a print job execution start command is received when the warning notification is transmitted.

  This allows the user to know any errors or defects that may occur during the execution of the print job before executing the print job, cancel the execution of the print job, and create another image if necessary. A forming device can be used. For this reason, the user can appropriately select an image forming apparatus suitable for the user's situation.

  In addition to the image forming apparatus described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the image forming apparatus includes a data storage unit that stores at least one of state data indicating the internal state of the apparatus and counter data indicating the type and number of past errors or defects. The determination unit determines whether there is an error or a malfunction that may occur during execution of the print job based on at least one of the status data and the counter data.

  As a result, errors or malfunctions that may occur during execution of the print job are detected based on the past operation history and / or current state of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows in addition to any of the image forming apparatuses described above. In this case, the status data includes at least one of the remaining toner amount and the remaining paper amount.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows in addition to any of the image forming apparatuses described above. In this case, the image forming apparatus includes a data storage unit that stores relevance data that defines relevance between the attribute of the print job and the error or defect item. The determination unit identifies an error or defect item related to the print job based on the relevance data, and whether there is an error or defect that may occur during execution of the print job for the specified item. Determine whether or not.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows in addition to any of the image forming apparatuses described above. In this case, the image forming apparatus includes relevance data generation means for generating relevance data by associating attributes of the print job with the error items when an error occurs during execution of the print job.

  As a result, even if the error or malfunction differs from device to device, a warning can be given to the user about the error or malfunction unique to that device.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be configured as follows in addition to any of the image forming apparatuses described above. In this case, if there is an error or malfunction that may occur during execution of the print job, the image forming apparatus can execute the print job, and the error or malfunction is being executed. There is a search means for searching for another image forming apparatus that is predicted not to occur. The notifying unit notifies the destination of the warning notification of the other image forming apparatus discovered by the searching unit.

  Accordingly, the user can execute the print job with an alternative image forming apparatus appropriate for the print job.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that allows a user to appropriately select an image forming apparatus that suits the user's situation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This image forming apparatus is an apparatus having a printing function, such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine.

  In FIG. 1, a print engine 1 is a device that performs printing according to a print job. In the case of an ink jet printer, the print engine 1 forms an image on a recording medium (for example, printing paper) by ejecting ink from an ink head. In the case of a laser printer, the print engine 1 performs toner development, transfers it onto a recording medium, and fixes it to form an image on the recording medium.

  The control unit 2 is a processing unit that controls the print engine 1 and monitors the state of the print engine 1. The control unit 2 operates the print engine 1 according to the print job. Further, the control unit 2 counts the number of occurrences of events for each event type such as an error, updates the counter data 32, and updates the state data 33 according to the internal state obtained from the sensor in the print engine 1. .

  In addition, the control unit 2 performs (a) a function for specifying a print job attribute, and (b) when the print job can be executed, during execution of the print job in relation to the specified print job attribute. A function for determining whether there is an error or defect that may occur; (c) if there is an error or defect that may occur during execution of a print job, the error or defect may occur. And (d) a function for executing a print job only when a print job execution start command is received when a warning notification is transmitted.

  The control unit 2 is realized, for example, by executing a program on a computer.

  The RAM 3 is a memory that temporarily stores a print job. The RAM 3 also stores a program for controlling the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is operating, data read from the data storage unit 5, and the like.

  The communication unit 4 is a communication device that receives print data from a user terminal device such as a personal computer. For example, print data is transmitted as a print job from a printer driver in a personal computer. As the communication unit 4, a peripheral device interface, a network interface, or the like is used.

  The data storage unit 5 is a device that stores various data. As the data storage unit 5, a nonvolatile rewritable memory, a hard disk drive, or the like is used. The data storage unit 5 stores, for example, relevance data 31, counter data 32, status data 33, warning message data 34, and the like.

  The relevance data 31 is data that defines the relevance between the attributes of a print job and an error or defect item.

  For example, print job attributes include items such as color setting (color or monochrome), number of prints, paper size, and duplex printing.

  Further, for example, errors or malfunctions include items such as out of toner, out of paper, paper jam, and printing time (required time is long).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the relevance data 31 in FIG. In the relevance data 31 shown in FIG. 2, a combination of attribute values of a print job, the type of error that has occurred in the print job, the number of occurrences of the error, and the last occurrence date of the error are associated with each other. Note that the number of occurrences of print jobs having the same attribute value and the number of occurrences of errors may be counted, and the occurrence ratio (= number of occurrences of errors / number of occurrences of print jobs) may be used instead of the number of occurrences.

  The warning message data 34 is graphic and / or text data included in the warning notification. There is figure and / or text data for each type of warning notification.

  The operation panel 6 is installed on the apparatus housing and includes a display device and an input device. As the display device of the operation panel 6, for example, a liquid crystal display is used. As an input device of the operation panel 6, a touch panel, a key switch, or the like disposed on a liquid crystal display is used.

  Next, the operation of the above apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  For example, when receiving a print job from the user terminal device via the network and the communication unit 4, the control unit 2 stores the print job in the RAM 3 (step S1).

  Then, the control unit 2 refers to the print job in the RAM 3 and specifies the attribute of the print job (step S2).

  Next, the control unit 2 refers to the status data 33 and confirms that the print job can be executed, and then refers to the relevance data 31 to cause occurrence of the attribute of the print job. It is determined whether or not an error / fault exists (step S3).

  At this time, the control unit 2 refers to the counter data 32 and / or the status data 33 if necessary according to the error / failure item, and prints in consideration of the counter data 32 and / or the status data 33. It is determined whether there is an error / fault that can be executed but may occur.

  For example, in the relevance data 31, when toner out, paper out, and paper jam are associated with the number of prints, the control unit 2 determines the remaining amount of toner and the remaining amount of paper in the status data 33 and the print job. By comparing with the number of printed sheets, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility of occurrence of toner out and paper out.

  Note that it is not easy to calculate the number of sheets that can be printed from the remaining amount of toner because the printing rate is not constant. Also, it is difficult to accurately detect the remaining number of printable sheets. For this reason, the control unit 2 compares the value of the remaining amount of toner and the value of the remaining amount of paper detected by the sensor with the number of printed sheets of the print job, and identifies the high possibility of occurrence. For example, the high possibility that the toner will run out is specified as one of a plurality of levels based on the remaining toner value and the number of print jobs. Further, the high possibility of the occurrence of paper out is specified as one of a plurality of levels based on the remaining paper value and the number of print jobs.

  For example, if a paper jam has occurred in the past during color printing, the control unit 2 associates the paper jam with the color setting in the relevance data 31. Therefore, in this case, if the color setting of the print job is color, the control unit 2 determines that there is a possibility of paper jam at a level corresponding to the occurrence frequency.

  Further, when it is determined from the plurality of attributes in the print job that there is a possibility of occurrence of the same error / defect, the control unit 2 determines that there is a possibility of occurrence of the error / defect based on one attribute. It is determined that the possibility of occurrence of the error / defect is higher.

  Alternatively, the control unit 2 extracts only the error types that match all the attribute values that are set as shown in FIG. 2, and identifies the possibility of occurrence as one of a plurality of levels from the number of occurrences. Also good.

  In this way, the presence / absence and level of the possibility of occurrence of an error / fault is determined.

  If there is at least one error / fault, the control unit 2 transmits a warning notification to the transmission source of the print job (step S4). At this time, the control unit 2 may transmit a warning notification only when there is an error / fault with a possibility of occurrence being a predetermined level or higher.

  The warning notification at this time includes (a) a diagram and / or text indicating an error / fault that may occur, (b) print job attribute information, and (c) image forming apparatus identification information (for example, name and Device type ID) and the like. For example, when the user terminal device receives a warning notification, a warning screen is displayed based on the warning notification.

  The error / faulty diagram and / or text data is stored as warning message data 34 in the data storage unit 5 in advance. The figure and / or text included in the warning notification is selected from the warning message data 34 according to the attribute of the print job and the high possibility of occurrence specified based on the data 32 and 33.

  For example, for each of a plurality of levels, a figure and / or text included in the warning notification is stored in the data storage unit 5 in advance. Then, according to the level specified in step S3, a figure and / or text to be included in the warning notification is selected.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed based on the warning notification in the first embodiment. In the warning screen shown in FIG. 4, (a) the text “This printer may cause a paper jam during color printing”, (b) print job attribute information “100 color printing”, (c) Identification information “printer PRN001” of the image forming apparatus is displayed. In addition to the information included in the warning notification, an operation unit for permitting or canceling the execution of the print job (an OK button and a cancel button in FIG. 4) is displayed on the warning screen.

  When a user operation on the operation unit is detected in the user terminal device, the user terminal device transmits the operation information to the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the control unit 2 receives the operation information via the communication unit 4. Then, the control unit 2 determines whether or not execution of the print job is permitted based on the operation information (step S5).

  When determining that the execution of the print job is not permitted, the control unit 2 cancels the execution of the print job stored in the RAM 3 and deletes the print job from the RAM 3 (step S6). On the other hand, when determining that the execution of the print job is permitted, the control unit 2 controls the print engine 1 according to the print job stored in the RAM 3 to execute the printing (step S7).

  If it is determined in step S3 that there is no error / fault that is likely to occur, the control unit 2 controls the print engine 1 according to the print job stored in the RAM 3 to perform printing without giving a warning notification. (Step S7).

  Since a print job is also generated in the case of a copy job, the same processing as described above is performed. In this case, the warning screen is displayed on the display device of the operation panel 6 based on the warning notification from the control unit 2, the user operation is detected by the input device of the operation panel 6, and the operation information is supplied to the control unit 2. Is done.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the control unit 2 (a) specifies a print job attribute, and (b) the print job can be executed when the print job can be executed. A function for determining whether there is an error or defect that may occur during execution of the print job in relation to the attribute; and (c) an error or defect that may occur during execution of the print job. A function to send a warning notification indicating the possibility of the occurrence of an error or a malfunction, and (d) when a warning notification is sent, a print job is executed only when a print job execution start command is received. It has a function to make it.

  This allows the user to know any errors or defects that may occur during the execution of the print job before executing the print job, cancel the execution of the print job, and create another image if necessary. A forming device can be used. For this reason, the user can appropriately select an image forming apparatus suitable for the user's situation. In addition, since only related errors and defects are displayed to the user, the user does not have to see information unrelated to the print job.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the control unit 2 has an error or malfunction that may occur during execution of a print job based on at least one of the status data 33 and the counter data 32. It is determined whether or not.

  As a result, errors or malfunctions that may occur during execution of the print job are detected based on the past operation history and / or current state of the image forming apparatus.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, when an error occurs during execution of a print job, the control unit 2 generates the association data 31 by associating the attribute of the print job with the error item.

  As a result, even if the error or malfunction differs from device to device, a warning can be given to the user about the error or malfunction unique to that device.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention searches for an alternative device when notifying a warning, and notifies the found alternative device together.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the control unit 2 operates as follows.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, when it is determined in step S3 that at least one error / failure exists, the control unit 2 searches for another apparatus that can substitute for the image forming apparatus (step S11).

  At this time, the control unit 2 receives the network address (for example, IP address, machine nickname, etc.) and device information (for example, device type ID) of the device from one or more other image forming devices connected to the same LAN. Obtain an image and select a replaceable apparatus from the image forming apparatuses. For example, the control unit 2 selects the same apparatus as the image forming apparatus, its higher model, and the like. Further, at this time, the control unit 2 acquires the relevance data 31 of the apparatus from another image forming apparatus, and selects an apparatus with which no error is associated with the attribute value of the received print job.

  Note that the control unit 2 periodically acquires the network address, device information, and relevance data 31 of the device from one or more other image forming devices connected to the same LAN in advance. Also good.

  Then, after performing the search process for the alternative device, the control unit 2 transmits a warning notification to the transmission source of the print job (step S4). At this time, if an alternative device is found, information on the alternative device (network address, device information, etc.) is included in the warning notification. When an alternative device is not found, the warning notification is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed based on the warning notification in the second embodiment. When an alternative device is found, information on the alternative device is included in the warning notification, and information on the alternative device “substitute printer candidate printer PRN004” is displayed on the warning screen as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can switch the device to be used from the image forming device to the displayed alternative device by operating a printing utility or a printer driver of the user terminal device, for example.

  Since the processing after step S5 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the control unit 2 can execute a print job when there is an error or malfunction that may occur during execution of the print job, and Search for another image forming apparatus in which an error or malfunction is predicted not to occur during execution of the print job. Then, the control unit 2 notifies the detected image forming apparatus to the transmission destination of the warning notification.

  Accordingly, the user can execute the print job with an alternative image forming apparatus appropriate for the print job.

  Each embodiment described above is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the relevance data 31 may be editable by the user.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 2 may execute a search for an alternative device after receiving a search execution instruction for the alternative device as a response to the warning notification.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 2 may automatically transfer the print job to the found alternative device.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, a multifunction machine.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the relevance data in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. In Embodiment 1, it is a figure which shows an example of the warning screen displayed based on warning notification. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. In Embodiment 2, it is a figure which shows an example of the warning screen displayed based on warning notification.

Explanation of symbols

2 Control unit (example of job analysis means, example of determination means, example of notification means, example of control means, example of relevance data generation means, example of search means)
5 Data storage unit 31 Relevance data 32 Counter data 33 Status data

Claims (6)

Job analysis means for identifying print job attributes;
When the print job can be executed, it is determined whether there is an error or a defect that may occur during the execution of the print job in relation to the attribute specified by the job analysis unit. Determination means to perform,
A notification means for transmitting a warning notification indicating the possibility of occurrence of the error or malfunction when there is an error or malfunction that may occur during execution of the print job;
Control means for executing the print job only when the print job execution start command is received when the warning notification is transmitted;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A data storage unit for storing at least one of the state data indicating the internal state of the apparatus and the counter data indicating the type and number of past errors or defects;
The determination unit determines whether there is an error or a defect that may occur during execution of the print job based on at least one of the status data and the counter data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the status data includes at least one of a remaining toner amount and a remaining paper amount. A data storage unit that stores relevance data that defines the relevance between attributes of print jobs and items of errors or defects,
The determination unit identifies an error or defect item related to the print job based on the relevance data, and there is an error or defect that may occur during execution of the print job for the specified item. Determining whether or not
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   5. The image according to claim 4, further comprising association data generation means for generating the association data by associating an attribute of the print job with an item of the error when an error occurs during execution of the print job. Forming equipment. If there is an error or defect that may occur during execution of the print job, the print job can be executed and the error or defect cannot occur during execution of the print job. Search means for searching for other image forming apparatuses predicted to be
The notification means notifies the destination of the warning notification of the other image forming apparatus discovered by the search means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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