JP2011248070A - Printing system and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system and a printer capable of printing information on an emergency event without an operation error or failure when arrival prediction notice for the emergency event is received.SOLUTION: When receiving an emergency earthquake advance report, a compound apparatus determines whether emergency print for printing prescribed evacuation information is possible to be performed by the arrival time of the earthquake (principal motion arrival prediction time), and performs the emergency print when possible. It allows the emergency print to be done before the time when the earthquake actually arrives, and an operation error or failure caused by the print operation (emergency print) performed by the compound apparatus when the earthquake arrives is avoided. Also, users can obtain evacuation information (printed matter) before the earthquake actually arrives so as to act more quickly than before.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus for receiving information on an emergency event such as an earthquake and printing information related to the emergency event.

  When employees working in the office encounter a major earthquake, appropriate measures and evacuation are required. In response to such a request, for example, when emergency information about an earthquake or tsunami is received, the employee uses the evacuation information by causing the printing device to print evacuation information indicating how to handle the emergency event and the evacuation route. Thus, a system has been devised that enables appropriate countermeasures and evacuation (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-272688 A

  For printers that start printing after warm-up, it takes time to start printing after warm-up is received after receiving emergency information such as earthquake early warning, so evacuate before the earthquake arrives It may happen that the printing of information cannot be completed. For example, if printing is performed while being shaken by an earthquake, evacuation information may not be printed out due to an operation error or failure.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above problem, and a printing system capable of printing information relating to an emergency event without causing an operation error or failure when receiving an emergency event arrival notification and The object is to provide a printing device.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a printing section;
An acquisition unit for acquiring emergency information for notifying the time at which a predetermined emergency event arrives at the installation location of the printing unit before the arrival;
When the emergency information is acquired by the acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether emergency printing for printing information on the emergency event is possible by the arrival time;
A print control unit that causes the printing unit to perform the emergency printing when the determination result of the determination unit is printable;
Printing system equipped with.

  In the above invention, when emergency information (emergency event arrival prediction notification) for notifying the time at which a predetermined emergency event arrives at the installation location of the printing unit is acquired, emergency printing for printing information related to the emergency event It is determined whether or not is possible by the arrival time of the emergency event. When the determination result is printable, the emergency printing can be completed before the emergency event actually arrives by causing the printing unit to perform the emergency printing. If the determination result is not printable, immediate / automatic emergency printing is not performed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to avoid an operation error or a failure that occurs due to the printing unit performing a printing operation (emergency printing) when an emergency event arrives. If it is determined that emergency printing is possible and executed, a person near the printing unit may obtain information (printed matter) about the emergency event before the emergency event actually arrives. it can.

[2] The printing system according to [1], wherein the emergency printing performs simpler control than normal printing for performing predetermined control.

  In the above invention, in emergency printing, the time required for printing (including the time until the start of printing) is shortened and printing can be performed quickly by performing simpler control than normal printing in which predetermined control is performed. This increases the possibility that the emergency printing can be completed before a predetermined emergency event arrives, and increases the possibility that a person near the printing unit can acquire information on the emergency event before the emergency event arrives.

[3] The printing system according to [1] or [2], wherein when the determination result is printable, the emergency printing is preferentially performed if the printing unit is printing.

  In the above invention, if the printing unit is printing, the printing is immediately stopped, and emergency printing is preferentially started. Thereby, a person near the printing unit can quickly obtain information on the emergency event.

[4] The printing system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein when the determination result is unprintable, the execution of the emergency printing is received manually.

  In the above invention, when it is determined that emergency printing is not possible, execution of emergency printing is accepted manually. For example, if it is determined that a person near the printing unit may perform printing, emergency printing can be executed manually.

[5] When the determination result indicates that printing is not possible, the printing unit is turned off, and when the printing unit is turned on from the power off, the execution of the emergency printing is received manually. The printing system according to [4], which is characterized.

  In the above invention, when it is determined that emergency printing is impossible, the printing unit is automatically turned off. For example, if the printing unit is in a power-on state when an emergency event arrives, the risk of causing a secondary disaster or the like increases, but the risk can be reduced by turning off the printing unit. When the printing unit is turned on from its power-off state, an emergency printing is manually accepted, for example, when a person near the printing unit turns on the printing unit after an emergency event occurs. However, if it is determined that there is no problem, the printing unit can be turned on and emergency printing can be executed manually. If there is no necessity, emergency printing can be prevented from being executed. For example, when the printing unit is turned on after handling an emergency event, it is not necessary to perform emergency printing, so that unnecessary printing is not required.

[6] The printing system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the emergency information is a second report of an earthquake early warning.

  In the above invention, the first emergency earthquake warning may be a false alarm due to noise or the like, or the accuracy of information may be low. Therefore, whether or not emergency printing is possible is determined based on the second report. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not emergency printing is possible.

[7] The printing system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein when performing the emergency printing, a notification that the emergency printing is performed is given.

  In the above-described invention, it is possible to notify a person around the printing unit (printing system) by informing that emergency printing is performed. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a person around the printing unit from forgetting to take information (printed matter) on the emergency event from the printing unit.

[8] In the normal printing, temperature increase control is performed to raise the temperature of a heat fixing unit that heats and fixes the printing agent to the recording paper that is conveyed by transferring the printing agent to a predetermined temperature,
In the emergency printing, control to omit the temperature rise control is performed,
The printing system according to [2], wherein when the emergency printing is performed, a notification that the cleaning of the recording paper conveyance path in the printing unit is urged is issued.

  In the above invention, by omitting the temperature rise control for raising the temperature of the heat fixing unit to a predetermined temperature, rapid printing (emergency printing) is possible. However, the printing agent transferred to the recording paper is insufficient for the fixing temperature. There is a possibility that the recording paper adheres to the conveyance path of the recording paper, and the conveyance path is soiled by the printing agent. When urgent printing is performed, the fact that the cleaning is urged is notified, and the user actually performs cleaning, whereby the contamination on the conveyance path is removed. Thereby, the stain | pollution | contamination of the printed matter (recording paper) which arises by conveying the conveyance path | route soiled with the printing agent can be prevented.

[9] The determination unit determines whether or not the emergency printing is possible by the arrival time by comparing the remaining time until the arrival time and the time required for the emergency printing stored in advance. The printing system according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein:

  In the above invention, whether or not emergency printing is possible by the arrival time by comparing the remaining time until the time when the predetermined emergency event arrives (arrival time) with the time required for emergency printing stored in advance. Can be determined quickly and accurately.

[10] a printing section;
An acquisition unit for acquiring emergency information for notifying the time at which a predetermined emergency event arrives at the installation location of the printing apparatus before the arrival;
When the emergency information is acquired by the acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether emergency printing for printing information on the emergency event is possible by the arrival time;
A print control unit that causes the printing unit to perform the emergency printing when the determination result of the determination unit is printable;
Printing device with

  In the above invention, when the printing apparatus acquires emergency information that notifies the time at which a predetermined emergency event arrives at the installation location of the apparatus before the arrival, emergency printing that prints information related to the emergency event is an emergency event. It is determined whether it is possible by the arrival time. When this determination result is printable, emergency printing can be completed before the emergency event actually arrives by performing emergency printing.

  According to the printing system and the printing apparatus of the present invention, when an emergency event arrival prediction notification is received, information related to the emergency event can be printed without causing an operation error or a failure. As a result, a person near the printing system and the printing apparatus can carry out appropriate countermeasures, evacuation, etc. for the emergency event with information on the printed emergency event.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the emergency print setting screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the evacuation route setting screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the emergency information processing part which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the emergency printing selection screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the emergency printing control part which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the emergency printing alerting | reporting screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by a print control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the display process of the cleaning recommendation screen by CPU (display control part) which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the emergency information processing part which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the starting process by CPU which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a printing system 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 5 is configured by connecting a multifunction machine 10 as a printing device, a terminal device 30, and a server device 40 to a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) provided in an office.

  When the printing system 5 detects that a large earthquake has arrived at the installation location (office) of the system, the multifunction device 10 urgently prints predetermined evacuation information, and an employee or the like working in the office sends the evacuation information. It is equipped with functions that allow it to be used for appropriate evacuation and coping. For example, when an earthquake occurs, information required for evacuation and safety confirmation such as evacuation route and call list is not remembered or prepared in advance, or a normal office location such as a conference room Evacuation route and call list (safety confirmation list / evacuee list) to prevent people from being in different locations and not knowing the evacuation route during evacuation or making it difficult to confirm safety at the evacuation site Emergency printing of evacuation information. In this embodiment, the arrival of an earthquake at the place where the printing system 5 is installed is detected using an emergency earthquake bulletin.

  Earthquake early warning is earthquake information distributed and provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Immediately after the earthquake occurs, the seismic wave (initial tremor: P wave) captured by the seismometer at the observation point near the epicenter is analyzed and This is a prediction and warning of earthquake motion that immediately estimates the position and magnitude (magnitude) of the earthquake, estimates the arrival time and seismic intensity of the main motion (S wave) in each region based on this, and informs it as quickly as possible. The earthquake early warning is distributed via TV, radio, disaster prevention administrative radio, in-house broadcasting, mobile phones, dedicated terminals, and the Internet. There are two types of earthquake early warnings: “for general users” and “for advanced users”. The following information is provided in the earthquake early warning for advanced users.

[Contents of Earthquake Early Warning for Advanced Users]
・ Earthquake occurrence time ・ Estimated location (seismic source) ・ Earthquake magnitude (magnitude) ・ Estimated maximum seismic intensity is less than 3 Seismic intensity)
・ When the predicted maximum seismic intensity is seismic intensity 4 or higher, in addition to the area name, the predicted seismic intensity of the area predicted to be seismic intensity 5 or lower (predicted seismic intensity) and the arrival time of the main motion in that area Predicted value (predicted arrival time of main motion)

  The Japan Meteorological Agency sends emergency earthquake warnings (forecasts) for advanced users several times (about 5 to 10 times) within a few seconds to a minute after detecting an earthquake. In the first report, priority is given to speediness, and analysis is performed using data from only one observation point. In the second and subsequent reports, the accuracy of information is gradually increased by performing analysis using data from a plurality of observation points. When the accuracy of the information is considered to be almost stable, the final report is sent, and the emergency earthquake bulletin for advanced users for that earthquake ends. In addition, after sending the first report by data analysis of only one observation point, if no seismic wave is observed at two or more observation points even after a predetermined time has passed, it is judged as a false report due to noise, etc. A cancellation report is sent within a few seconds to a few dozen seconds after sending one report. Such misinformation occurs due to accidents, lightning strikes, equipment failures, and the like.

  In this embodiment, the arrival of an earthquake at the place where the printing system 5 is installed is detected by using an emergency earthquake warning for advanced users. In the following, the earthquake early warning for advanced users is simply called “Earthquake Early Warning”.

  In the printing system 5 according to the present embodiment, the terminal device 30 is configured by a personal computer (PC) or the like, and has a function of transmitting a job to the multifunction machine 10. The server device 40 has a function of acquiring the earthquake early warning via the Internet and transmitting it to the multifunction machine 10. The multifunction device 10 determines whether or not emergency printing for printing evacuation information is possible by the arrival time of the earthquake when receiving the earthquake early warning from the server device 40 and the function of processing the job received from the terminal device 30. And a function of automatically performing emergency printing when it is determined that printing is possible.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 10. The multifunction device 10 optically reads an image of a document, prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet, and outputs it. The multifunction device 10 stores the image data of the read document as a file or transmits it to the terminal device 30. A scanning function, a printer function for printing an image based on print data received from the terminal device 30 and an image based on image data stored in the multifunction machine 10 on a recording sheet, and a facsimile function are provided.

  The multifunction machine 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 as a control unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a hard disk device 15, a display unit 16, and the like. The operation unit 17, the facsimile communication unit 18, the network communication unit 19, the scanner unit 20, the image processing unit 21, the printer unit 22, and the audio output unit 23 are connected.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of the multifunction machine 10 according to a program stored in the ROM 12. The ROM 12 stores various programs executed by the CPU 11 and various fixed data. The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, and is also used for an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The nonvolatile memory 14 is a rewritable memory that retains memory even when the power is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 14 stores device-specific information and various setting information. The hard disk device 15 stores various types of stored data, and also stores various types of input image data.

  The display unit 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various screens such as an operation screen and a setting screen. The operation unit 17 includes various buttons such as a start button, a stop button, and a numeric keypad, and a touch panel that is provided on the surface of the liquid crystal display and detects a pressed coordinate position. Accepts various operations to be performed.

  The facsimile communication unit 18 transmits / receives image data to / from an external apparatus having a facsimile function through a public line. The network communication unit 19 communicates with the terminal device 30 and the server device 40 through the network 2.

  The scanner unit 20 optically reads an image of a document and acquires image data. The scanner unit 20 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. An optical system composed of a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with.

  The image processing unit 21 performs various kinds of image processing such as image correction, rotation, enlargement / reduction, compression / expansion on the image data.

  The printer unit 22 forms and outputs an image based on the image data on a recording sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 22 includes, for example, a recording paper conveyance device (including a paper conveyance path), a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an LD (Laser Diode) whose lighting is controlled according to input image data, an LD It is configured as a so-called laser printer having a scanning unit that scans the laser beam emitted from the photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. Instead of an LED printer that irradiates a photosensitive drum with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) instead of a laser beam, other types of printers may be used.

  The fixing device in the printer unit 22 has a heating and pressurizing configuration in which toner (printing agent) transferred to the recording paper is heated and pressed to fix it, and is heated while nipping and transporting the recording paper conveyed through the paper conveyance path. And a pair of rollers for pressing. One is a fixing roller (heating roller) incorporating a heater for heating, and the other is a pressure roller in pressure contact with the fixing roller.

  When performing printing, the multifunction device 10 performs warm-up (temperature increase control) that energizes the heater to raise the temperature of the fixing roller to a predetermined temperature (fixing temperature), and starts printing after the warm-up is completed. To do. Further, when the multifunction device 10 transitions to a standby state or a power saving state (sleep state), the power supply to the heater is stopped. However, even when transitioning to these states, the temperature of the fixing roller does not rapidly decrease, and the temperature is gradually decreased while maintaining a constant temperature for a while.

  The audio output unit 23 is configured by a speaker or the like and outputs audio.

  FIG. 2 also shows main functional blocks provided in the CPU 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 11 includes a print control unit 11 a that controls printing operations by the printer unit 22, an emergency information processing unit 11 b that performs processing related to emergency earthquake warning (emergency information), and control related to emergency printing. An emergency printing control unit 11c that performs display, a display control unit 11d that controls display by the display unit 16, a voice control unit 11e that controls voice output by the voice output unit 23, and job management and job processing A job control unit 11f that performs control and a power control unit 11g that performs power control (power on / off control) of the multifunction machine 10 are provided. In addition to these, a storage control unit, an operation control unit, a scanner control unit, a facsimile control unit, a network control unit, etc. (not shown) are also provided.

  FIG. 3 shows an emergency print setting screen 50 for performing settings related to emergency printing. The multifunction machine 10 stores various types of information related to emergency printing in advance. This information includes an address of the installation location of the multifunction device 10, evacuation information for emergency printing, and time required for emergency printing (time required for emergency printing). In this embodiment, the evacuation information is an evacuation list for an evacuation route, a call, and a safety confirmation from the installation location of the multifunction machine 10. The storage destination of various types of information related to emergency printing is the nonvolatile memory 14 or the hard disk device 15. Here, the case where it memorize | stores in the non-volatile memory 14 is demonstrated to an example.

  The user or administrator operates the multifunction device 10 to display the emergency print setting screen 50 on the display unit 16, and inputs the address of the installation location of the multifunction device 10, the evacuation route, and the refugee list through this screen. And set.

  For example, for the installation location address, when the installation location setting button 51 (“Set”) displayed on the emergency print setting screen 50 is pressed, the multifunction machine 10 displays the installation location setting screen (not shown). Then, the input of the address of the installation location is accepted through the screen. The multifunction machine 10 temporarily stores data indicating the input address of the installation location in the RAM 13.

  For the evacuation route, when the evacuation route setting button 51 displayed on the emergency print setting screen 50 is pressed, the multifunction machine 10 displays the evacuation route setting screen 60 shown in FIG. When a document on which an evacuation route is described is set on the scanner unit 20 of the multifunction device 10 and the read button 61 displayed on the evacuation route setting screen 60 is pressed, the multifunction device 10 reads the document on the scanner unit 20 and the evacuation route is read. Are acquired and temporarily stored in the RAM 13. When the return button 62 is pressed, the multifunction machine 10 displays the previous emergency print setting screen 50 (see FIG. 3). In response to the same operation on the refugee list, the multifunction machine 10 reads a document on which the refugee list is written, and temporarily stores image data of the refugee list in the RAM 13.

  When the installation location address, the evacuation route, and the refugee list are entered and the close button 52 displayed on the emergency print setting screen 50 is pressed, the multifunction machine 10 stores the data temporarily stored in the RAM 13 (the installation location address). , Evacuation route image data, refugee list image data) are stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 and the data in the RAM 13 is erased.

  The image data of the evacuation route and the refugee list is input to the multi-function device 10 through the setting screen described above, or by connecting an external storage device such as a USB memory to the multi-function device 10, or the terminal device 30 or the like. It may be transmitted from the server device 40 and input.

  The multifunction device 10 calculates the time required to print the image data from the total number of printed image data of the evacuation route and the image data of the refugee list and the printing speed (sheet / minute) of the multifunction device 10. The calculated value is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 as the time required for emergency printing. The printing speed may be a printing speed in normal printing that performs predetermined control, or may be a printing speed in emergency printing that performs simpler control than normal printing (details will be described later). However, since the latter can calculate a more accurate emergency printing time, it is preferable to use the latter (printing speed in emergency printing). Alternatively, the user may input and set the emergency printing time that is appropriately determined based on the total number of printed sheets.

  The settings relating to emergency printing are thus completed, and various types of information relating to emergency printing are stored in the multifunction machine 10.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 10 will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing by the emergency information processing unit 11b. When the server device 40 acquires the earthquake early warning via the Internet or the like, the server device 40 transmits the earthquake early warning to the multifunction machine 10 via the network 2. When the multifunction machine 10 receives the earthquake early warning from the server device 40 by the network communication unit 19, the emergency information processing unit 11b starts this processing (Start).

  The emergency information processing unit 11b analyzes the received earthquake early warning and determines whether or not to perform emergency printing. As mentioned above, the emergency earthquake bulletin (emergency earthquake warning for advanced users) includes the area name and the predicted value of the seismic intensity of the area that is predicted to be less than 5 if the maximum seismic intensity is 4 or more. (Predicted seismic intensity) and the predicted value of the arrival time of the main motion to the area (main motion predicted arrival time) are included.

  The emergency information processing unit 11b includes the address of the installation location stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 (the location of the multifunction device 10) in the area name indicating the predicted arrival time of the main motion included in the emergency earthquake bulletin. Whether or not is true (step S101).

  If not applicable (step S101; No), this process is terminated (End). If applicable (step S101; Yes), it is determined whether or not emergency printing is possible before the earthquake arrives (step S102). Here, the emergency information processing unit 11b acquires the current time (T0) from a clock unit (not shown), and subtracts the current time (t0) from the predicted main motion arrival time (t1), and the remaining time until the predicted main motion arrival time. The time (TB) is compared with the emergency printing time (TA) stored in the nonvolatile memory 14. If the time required for emergency printing is less than the remaining time (TA ≦ TB), it is determined that emergency printing is possible. If the time required for emergency printing is longer than the remaining time (TA> TB), it is determined that emergency printing is impossible.

  Also, the predicted main movement arrival time (t1) is compared with the time (t2) obtained by adding the urgent printing required time (TA) to the current time (t0), and if the time is earlier than the predicted main movement arrival time (T2 ≦ t1), it is determined that emergency printing is possible, and when the time is later than the main motion arrival predicted time (t2> t1), it may be determined that emergency printing is impossible.

  If the emergency information processing unit 11b determines that emergency printing is possible (step S102; Yes), the emergency information processing unit 11b requests the emergency printing control unit 11c to execute emergency printing (step S103), and ends this processing (End). If it is determined that urgent printing is not possible (step S102; No), the display control unit 11d is requested to display an urgent print selection screen (step S104), and this process ends (End).

  When the display control unit 11d receives a request to display the emergency print selection screen from the emergency information processing unit 11b, the display control unit 11d displays the emergency print selection screen 70 illustrated in FIG. The emergency print selection screen 70 displays a selection button 71 (“Yes”) for accepting a selection for executing emergency printing and a selection button 72 (“No”) for accepting a selection for not performing emergency printing. When the selection button 71 is pressed, the print control unit 11a executes emergency printing (details will be described later). When the selection button 72 is pressed, the print control unit 11a does not execute emergency printing, and the display control unit 11d displays a normal screen on the display unit 16.

  As described above, when the multifunction device 10 determines that emergency printing is not possible before the earthquake occurs, the emergency printing selection screen 70 is displayed. The refugee performs emergency printing of the evacuation information on the multifunction machine 10 with a simple operation by simply pressing the selection button 71 displayed on the emergency printing selection screen 70 after, for example, the earthquake has struck and the shaking has subsided. And evacuate with the printed evacuation information.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of processing by the emergency printing control unit 11c. Upon receiving an emergency print execution request from the emergency information processing unit 11b, the emergency print control unit 11c starts this processing (Start).

  The emergency printing control unit 11c checks with the job control unit 11f whether there is a job currently being processed (step S201). The job control unit 11f responds to the emergency print control unit 11c whether there is a job currently being processed.

  If there is no job currently being processed (step S201; No), the process proceeds to step S203. If there is a job currently being processed (step S201; Yes), the emergency printing control unit 11c sets the emergency printing as the highest priority job and requests the job control unit 11f to delete another job (step S202). The process proceeds to step S203. It should be noted that the handling of other jobs may be saved without being deleted and executed later.

  Subsequently, the emergency printing control unit 11c acquires image data of emergency printing evacuation information (evacuation route, refugee list) stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S203). Further, in order to notify that emergency printing of evacuation information is to be performed, the display control unit 11d is instructed to display a notification screen, and the voice control unit 11e is instructed to output a notification sound (step S204). Then, the printing control unit 11a is requested to print in the emergency mode (step S205), and this processing is ended (End).

  When the display control unit 11d receives a notification screen display instruction from the emergency print control unit 11c, the display control unit 11d displays an emergency print notification screen 80 indicating a message for printing emergency evacuation information as shown in FIG. To display. When the voice control unit 11e receives a notification voice output instruction from the emergency print control unit 11c, the voice control unit 11e outputs a voice to the effect that the evacuation information is printed in an emergency from the voice output unit 23. A person in the vicinity of the multifunction device 10 receives these notifications and grasps that the multifunction device 10 prints evacuation information in an emergency. When the return button 81 displayed on the emergency print notification screen 80 is pressed, the display control unit 11 d displays the screen that was displayed immediately before on the display unit 16.

  FIG. 9 shows the flow of processing by the print control unit 11a. The print control unit 11a starts this processing when a print request is received from the job control unit 11f and when a print request in the emergency mode is received from the emergency print control unit 11c (Start).

  When the print control unit 11a receives a print request from the job control unit 11f (step S301; No), the print control unit 11a performs predetermined control to perform printing (normal printing). Here, warming up of the fixing roller in the fixing device of the printer unit 22 is started (step S302), and image quality improvement processing such as image correction is performed on the image data to be printed by the image processing unit 21 (step S303). When the warm-up of the fixing roller is completed (step S304; No → Yes), the printer unit 22 prints an image based on the image data to be printed that has been subjected to the image quality enhancement processing (step S305). Is terminated (End).

  In this case, the multifunction machine 10 outputs a printed matter in which an image having a predetermined image quality (high image quality) formed with toner is normally fixed on the recording paper.

  On the other hand, when a printing request in the emergency mode is received from the emergency printing control unit 11c (step S301; Yes), printing is executed by performing simpler control than predetermined control (emergency printing). In emergency mode, it is important that the evacuation information can be confirmed. Prioritizing printing faster (shorter) and more safely than image quality, the fixing roller warms up and the image data to be printed ( The image quality improvement processing such as image correction for evacuation information) is omitted. Also, the execution history of emergency printing is saved. Here, in order to save the execution history of emergency printing, an emergency printing execution flag is set in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S306), and an image (evacuation information) based on the image data to be printed is immediately recorded on the recording paper by the printer unit 22. (Step S307), and the process ends (End).

  When priority is given to emergency printing during processing of other jobs, the fixing roller is warmed, so even if the multifunction machine 10 omits the warm-up, the image formed with toner is fixed to the recording paper almost normally. The printed matter can be output. When performing emergency printing while omitting warm-up from the standby state or the power saving state, the toner fixing state changes according to the temperature of the fixing roller and the number of printed sheets. If the fixing roller is not so much lowered from the predetermined fixing temperature, the image formed with the toner does not become normal, but if it is about several sheets, it is possible to output a printed matter well fixed on the recording paper. . Even when the temperature of the fixing roller is lowered, it is possible to output a printed matter fixed on the recording paper to such an extent that an image formed with toner can be confirmed.

  However, when the fixing state of the toner is not good due to insufficient fixing temperature, there is a possibility that the toner peeled off from the recording paper adheres to the paper transport path on the downstream side of the fixing device, and the paper transport path becomes dirty. Therefore, when executing emergency printing, the emergency printing execution flag is set in the nonvolatile memory 14 to save the emergency printing execution history, and the return button 81 on the emergency printing notification screen 80 in FIG. In the case of returning to, or assuming that the power of the multifunction machine 10 is turned off as it is at the time of evacuation, a display for prompting cleaning is performed at the next start-up when the power is turned on.

  FIG. 10 shows the flow of the cleaning recommendation screen display process by the CPU 11 (display control unit 11d). The CPU 11 starts this processing when the return button 81 on the emergency print notification screen 80 in FIG. 8 is pressed to display the normal screen, or when the multifunction device 10 is turned on (Start).

  If the emergency print execution flag is set in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S401; Yes), the CPU 11 resets the emergency print execution flag (step S402) and displays a message for prompting cleaning by dummy copy or the like. The indicated cleaning recommendation screen is displayed on the display unit 16 (step S403). When the confirmation operation of the recommended cleaning screen is received or when the recommended cleaning screen is displayed for a certain period of time, the multifunction machine 10 is operated in the normal mode (step S404), and this processing is ended (End).

  If the emergency printing execution flag is not set in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S401; No), the multifunction machine 10 is operated in the normal mode (step S404), and this process is terminated (End).

  When the cleaning recommendation screen is displayed, the user grasps that it is desirable to perform cleaning by dummy copying or the like, and performs cleaning as necessary.

  As described above, in the printing system 5 according to the present embodiment, when the multifunction peripheral 10 acquires the earthquake early warning via the server device 40, the emergency printing for printing the predetermined evacuation information is the earthquake arrival time (main motion arrival). It is determined whether it is possible by the predicted time). By performing emergency printing when the determination result is printable, emergency printing can be completed before the earthquake actually arrives. In addition, when the determination result is not printable, immediate / automatic emergency printing is not performed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to avoid an operation error or a failure that occurs when the multifunction machine 10 performs a printing operation (emergency printing) when an earthquake occurs. In addition, when it is determined that emergency printing is possible and executed, a person near the multifunction machine 10 can obtain a printed material of evacuation information before the earthquake actually arrives. Is possible. In addition, it is possible to evacuate quickly and appropriately while checking the evacuation route by holding the printed material of the evacuation information, and it is possible to make a quick call (safety confirmation) while checking the evacuation list at the evacuation site.

  Further, in this embodiment, by comparing the remaining time until the time when the earthquake arrives and the time required for emergency printing stored in advance, it is possible to quickly determine whether or not emergency printing is possible by the arrival time of the earthquake. Can be judged accurately.

  In urgent printing, the time required for printing (including the time until the start of printing) is shortened and printing can be performed quickly by performing simpler control than normal printing that performs predetermined control. This increases the possibility that the emergency printing can be completed before the earthquake arrives, and the possibility that a person near the multifunction machine 10 can obtain the printed material of the evacuation information before the earthquake arrives. In addition, if another job is being processed, the job is immediately stopped and emergency printing is preferentially started, so that a person near the multifunction machine 10 can quickly obtain a printed material of evacuation information.

  Further, when performing emergency printing, the fact that the emergency printing is to be performed is notified to the people around the multifunction machine 10 by notifying the fact by screen display and sound output (see FIG. 8). Thereby, it is possible to avoid a person around the multifunction machine 10 from forgetting to take a printed matter of the evacuation information.

  If the multifunction device 10 determines that urgent printing is not possible, the multifunction device 10 displays the urgent print selection screen 70 and accepts the execution of urgent printing by manual operation. For example, a person in the vicinity of the multifunction peripheral 10 can execute emergency printing by manual operation when it is determined that the shaking of the earthquake has subsided and printing can be performed.

  In emergency printing, it is possible to perform quick printing (emergency printing) by omitting the warm-up that raises the fixing roller to a predetermined temperature. However, the toner transferred to the recording paper is insufficient for the fixing temperature. There is a possibility of adhering to the conveyance path and smearing the paper conveyance path with toner. Therefore, when urgent printing is performed, a cleaning recommendation screen is displayed to notify that the cleaning is urged. When the user actually performs cleaning, the dirt on the paper transport path is removed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the printed matter (recording paper) from being soiled by being transported through the paper transport path soiled by the toner.

[Second Embodiment]
The first report of the Earthquake Early Warning gives priority to promptness, and is transmitted by data analysis of only one observation point. Therefore, it is a false report due to noise, etc., and the accuracy of information (predicted time of arrival of major motion, area name, etc.) May be low. The second report transmitted after seismic waves are observed at two or more observation points is less likely to be misreported than the first report, and the accuracy of information is increased. Considering this point, in the second embodiment, whether or not emergency printing is possible is determined based on the second report of the earthquake early warning. In addition, when it is detected that an earthquake has arrived, safety is more emphasized, and the MFP 10 is also controlled to turn off the power.

  The emergency earthquake bulletin (emergency earthquake warning for advanced users) includes a report number (serial number in earthquake units). Here, the multifunction machine 10 confirms whether or not the earthquake early warning is the second report from the report number included in the earthquake early warning received from the server device 40.

  FIG. 11 shows the flow of processing by the emergency information processing unit 11b according to the second embodiment. When the multifunction machine 10 receives the earthquake early warning from the server device 40, the emergency information processing unit 11b starts this processing (Start).

  The emergency information processing unit 11b confirms the report number included in the received earthquake early warning, and if it is the first report (step S501; No), the process ends (End). In the case of the second report (step S501; Yes), the address of the installation location stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 in the area name indicating the predicted arrival time of the main motion included in the emergency earthquake bulletin ( It is confirmed whether or not the location of the MFP 10 is applicable (step S502).

  If not applicable (step S502; No), this process is terminated (End). If applicable (step S502; Yes), it is determined whether or not emergency printing is possible before the earthquake arrives (step S503). This determination is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S102 in FIG. 5).

  If the emergency information processing unit 11b determines that emergency printing is possible (step S503; Yes), the emergency information processing unit 11b requests the emergency printing control unit 11c to execute emergency printing (step S504). When the execution of the emergency printing is completed, the power supply control unit 11g is instructed to turn off the multifunction machine 10 (step S506), and this process ends (End).

  If it is determined that emergency printing is not possible (step S503; No), an emergency printing unexecutable history indicating that emergency printing could not be executed before the earthquake arrived is stored. Here, this is done by setting a flag (emergency print selection screen display flag) in the nonvolatile memory 14. The emergency information processing unit 11b sets an emergency print selection screen display flag in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S505), instructs the power supply control unit 11g to turn off the multifunction machine 10 (step S506), and ends this processing. (End).

  Upon receiving a power off instruction from the emergency information processing unit 11b, the power control unit 11g turns off the power of the multifunction machine 10.

  FIG. 12 shows a flow of activation processing by the CPU 11 according to the second embodiment. When the power of the multifunction machine 10 is turned on, the CPU 11 starts this processing (Start).

  If the emergency print selection screen display flag is not set in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S601; No), the CPU 11 starts the multifunction machine 10 in the normal mode (step S606), and ends this process (End). If the emergency print selection screen display flag is set in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S601; Yes), the emergency print selection screen display flag is reset (step S602), and the emergency print selection screen (see FIG. 6) is displayed. It is displayed on the unit 16 (step S603), and it is monitored whether or not a button on the screen is pressed (step S604; No).

  When the “No” selection button on the screen is pressed (Step S604; Yes → Step S605; No button), the CPU 11 activates the multi-function device 10 in the normal mode (Step S606), and ends this processing. (End). When the “Yes” selection button on the screen is pressed (Step S604; Yes → Step S605; Yes button), the CPU 11 executes emergency printing (Step S607) and ends this processing (End).

  Note that after the emergency printing is performed, the power of the multifunction device 10 may be turned off again, or the multifunction device 10 may be operated in the normal mode. When the MFP 10 is operated in the normal mode (when the power is turned on), when taking out the evacuation information printed matter from the MFP 10 and starting evacuation, the MFP 10 is manually combined in consideration of safety against aftershocks. It is also possible to evacuate after the machine 10 is turned off.

  In addition, when emergency printing is executed, the cleaning recommendation screen described in the first embodiment may be displayed. For example, when the emergency printing execution flag described in the first embodiment is used after the emergency printing is performed and the MFP 10 is operated in the normal mode, the cleaning recommendation screen is displayed immediately after the emergency printing is performed. Also good. When the power of the multifunction machine 10 is automatically turned off after the emergency printing is performed, a cleaning recommendation screen may be displayed after the next power-on startup.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first report of the emergency earthquake warning may be a false report due to noise or the like, or the accuracy of the information may be low. Therefore, whether or not emergency printing is possible is determined based on the second report. I do. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not emergency printing is possible.

  Further, when it is determined that emergency printing is possible before the arrival of the earthquake, the multifunction device 10 executes emergency printing and automatically turns off the power after completion of the execution (before the arrival of the earthquake). If it is determined that emergency printing is not possible before the earthquake, the power is automatically turned off without executing emergency printing. For example, if the power is on when an earthquake occurs, the risk of causing a secondary disaster or the like increases, but the risk can be reduced by turning off the power.

  When it is determined that urgent printing is impossible and the power is turned off, the multifunction device 10 displays the urgent print notification screen 80 when the power is turned on after the power is turned off, and accepts the execution of urgent printing by manual operation. Thus, for example, when a person near the multifunction device 10 determines that the multifunction device 10 can be turned on after the earthquake, the multifunction device 10 is turned on and emergency printing is performed manually. Can be executed. If there is no necessity, emergency printing can be prevented from being executed. For example, when evacuation is not performed or when the MFP 10 is turned on after returning to the office after evacuation, there is no need to perform emergency printing of evacuation information.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and the present invention can be changed or added without departing from the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention.

  For example, emergency information is not limited to emergency earthquake bulletins. Other earthquake information (forecast / warning) including the predicted arrival time of the earthquake and the area name may be used. The predetermined emergency event is not limited to an earthquake. For example, another emergency event (natural phenomenon) that may cause a disaster such as a tsunami or thunderstorm may be targeted. Information on emergency events is not limited to evacuation information. For example, it may be a disaster response manual or an emergency message.

  In the emergency printing described in the embodiment, as control that is simpler than normal printing that performs predetermined control, control that omits the warm-up of the fixing roller and the image quality enhancement processing is performed. You may make it perform the control which abbreviate | omitted only. Further, the same predetermined control as in normal printing may be performed.

  In the embodiment, the evacuation information is set by the user, but it may not be the information set by the user. For example, in the case of an office in which an entrance / exit management system for managing the entrance / exit of people is introduced, it is possible for the MFP to obtain a list of names of people in the office from the management server when obtaining emergency information. . Thus, it is good also as a structure which uses the information acquired from the server etc. for refuge information (refugee name list).

  In the second embodiment, if it is determined that emergency printing is not possible before the arrival of an emergency event (earthquake), the multifunction device 10 is turned off without executing emergency printing, and the multifunction device 10 is turned off. Although the case where the execution of emergency printing is manually received when the power is turned on has been described, a configuration may be adopted in which emergency printing is automatically executed when the multifunction machine 10 is turned on.

  Further, the configuration of the printing system is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment. For example, the server device 40 may determine whether or not emergency printing is possible, and may control execution / non-execution of emergency printing by the multifunction machine 10 based on the determination result. Alternatively, the server device 40 may notify the MFP 10 of the emergency printing determination result, and the MFP 10 may control execution / non-execution of the emergency printing based on the determination result. Further, the MFP 10 may directly acquire emergency information without using the server device 40.

  Further, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the multi-function apparatus described in the embodiment, and can also be a copying machine or a facsimile machine.

2 ... Network 5 ... Printing system 10 ... Multifunction machine 11 ... CPU
11a ... Print control unit 11b ... Emergency information processing unit 11c ... Emergency print control unit 11d ... Display control unit 11e ... Audio control unit 11f ... Job control unit 11g ... Power supply control unit 12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Non-volatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Display part 17 ... Operation part 18 ... Facsimile communication part 19 ... Network communication part 20 ... Scanner part 21 ... Image processing part 22 ... Printer part 23 ... Audio | voice output part 30 ... Terminal device 40 ... Server device 50 ... Emergency print setting screen 51 ... Setting button 52 ... Close button 60 ... Evacuation route setting screen 61 ... Read button 62 ... Return button 70 ... Emergency print selection screen 71 ... Select button 72 ... Select button 80 ... Emergency print notification screen 81 ... Back button

Claims (10)

A printing section;
An acquisition unit for acquiring emergency information for notifying the time at which a predetermined emergency event arrives at the installation location of the printing unit before the arrival;
When the emergency information is acquired by the acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether emergency printing for printing information on the emergency event is possible by the arrival time;
A print control unit that causes the printing unit to perform the emergency printing when the determination result of the determination unit is printable;
Printing system equipped with. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the emergency printing performs simpler control than normal printing that performs predetermined control. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein when the determination result is printable, the emergency printing is performed with priority if the printing unit is printing. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the determination result is unprintable, execution of the emergency printing is received by a manual operation. When the determination result indicates that printing is not possible, the printing unit is turned off, and when the printing unit is turned on from the power off, execution of the emergency printing is received manually. The printing system according to claim 4. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the emergency information is a second report of an earthquake early warning. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the emergency printing is performed, notification that the emergency printing is performed is provided. In the normal printing, temperature increase control is performed to raise the temperature of a heat fixing unit that heats and fixes the printing agent to the recording paper transferred and conveyed to a predetermined temperature,
In the emergency printing, control to omit the temperature rise control is performed,
3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein when the emergency printing is performed, a notification that the cleaning of the recording paper conveyance path in the printing unit is urged is issued. The determination unit determines whether or not the emergency printing is possible by the arrival time by comparing a remaining time until the arrival time and a time required for the emergency printing stored in advance. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A printing section;
An acquisition unit for acquiring emergency information for notifying the time at which a predetermined emergency event arrives at the installation location of the printing apparatus before the arrival;
When the emergency information is acquired by the acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether emergency printing for printing information on the emergency event is possible by the arrival time;
A print control unit that causes the printing unit to perform the emergency printing when the determination result of the determination unit is printable;
Printing device with

Images