JP2012051205A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a device again without calling a serviceman even when the device failure is detected.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, a control means restarts the device when the device failure is detected and confirms whether the device normally operates after restarting. When the device does not operate normally, the control means disconnects communication with the device, while when the device normally operates, the control means does not disconnect the communication with the device.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multifunction peripherals are equipped with a main body device and optional devices such as a DP (Document Processor: Automatic Document Feeder) and a DF (Document Finisher: Paper Discharge Processing Device). It is connected so that it can communicate. When power is turned on to the main unit, a signal is transmitted from the main body control unit that performs overall control of the main unit to the option control unit that performs overall control of the option device, and initial communication is started. Then, when a failure is notified from the optional device, the main unit prompts the user to call a serviceman using a display or the like, disconnects communication with the optional device, and thereafter recovers the optional device. Only operations (image formation, etc.) that can be executed only by the main device are performed. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an image forming apparatus that notifies a user to call a service person when a failure occurs.

JP 2004-93896 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, when the main device and the device are separated from each other, even if the device is repaired by the user, the device cannot be used unless the separated state is released by the service person. For this reason, there is a problem that even if the failure part is automatically repaired or the failure is a false detection, the separated optional device cannot be used again unless a service person is called.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to use a device again without calling a service person even if a failure of the device is detected.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a first solving means relating to an image forming apparatus, a control means for connecting to a device by communication and transmitting a control signal using the communication to control the device is provided. In the image forming apparatus, the control unit restarts the device upon detecting a failure of the device, checks whether the device operates normally after the restart, and the device does not operate normally. In such a case, a means is adopted in which communication with the device is disconnected, and when the device operates normally, communication with the device is not disconnected.

  In the present invention, as the second solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, means in the first solving means that the device is an optional device is adopted.

  According to the present invention, as a third solving means relating to the image forming apparatus, in the first or second solving means, when the control means detects a failure of the device, information relating to the failure of the device is used as a service call. A means of memorizing is adopted.

  According to the present invention, when the control unit detects a failure of the device, the control unit restarts the device, checks whether the device operates normally after the restart, and if the device operates normally, communicates with the device. Do not cut off. In this way, in the present invention, even if a device failure is detected, it is not immediately disconnected, but the operation of the device is confirmed after restart, and if it operates normally, it is not disconnected, so a device failure is detected. However, if the failure part is automatically repaired or if the failure is a false detection, the service person can be called and the device can be used again after restarting. In this way, by making it possible to use the device again without calling the service person, it is possible to reduce the burden on the service person.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral A according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the multifunction peripheral A according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) A according to the present embodiment has a copy function, a print function, a scan function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and an e-mail transmission function. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function peripheral A includes a main body device A1 that executes image forming processing and a finisher (optional device) A2 that executes paper discharge processing after image formation.
The main body apparatus executes image forming processing as main processing. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation display unit 1, the image reading unit 2, the image data storage unit 3, the image processing unit 4, paper conveyance / image A forming unit 5, a communication unit 6, a main body side communication I / F unit 7 and a main control unit (control means) 8 are provided.

The operation display unit 1 includes operation keys and a touch panel, and functions as a man-machine interface that associates the user with the multifunction device A. The operation display unit 1 outputs an operation instruction for each pressed operation key to the main control unit 8 and displays various screens on the touch panel based on a control signal from the main control unit 8.
The image reading unit 2 is a document automatically fed by a DP (Document Processor: automatic document feeder) based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8 or an image of a document placed on a platen glass (original document). The image) is read by the line sensor and converted into document image data, and the document image data is output to the image data storage unit 3.

  The image data storage unit 3 is a semiconductor memory, a hard disk device, or the like, and receives document image data, print image data, and facsimile image data (received by the communication unit 6 from the outside) based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8. The image data is stored and read out and output to the image processing unit 4.

  The image processing unit 4 performs various types of image processing (for example, image processing corresponding to enlargement / reduction copying) on the image data input from the image data storage unit 3 based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8. At the same time, the image data is converted into image data in an image forming format and output to the paper transport / image forming unit 5. When the image reading unit 2 reads a color original, the image data input from the image data storage unit 3 to the image processing unit 4 is RGB image data (color image data) corresponding to the three primary colors of light. Reference numeral 4 denotes image data corresponding to the image forming format using such RGB image data, for example, YMCK image data, that is, an image using Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) as reference colors. The data is converted and output to the paper transport / image forming unit 5.

 The paper transport / image forming unit 5 includes a print engine (photosensitive drum, charger, developing device, fixing roller, and the like), a paper feed roller, a paper discharge roller, and the like. The paper transport / image forming unit 5 transports recording paper from a paper feed cassette (not shown) by a paper feed roller based on a control signal of the main control unit 8, and an image based on image data input from the image processing unit 4. Is transferred and fixed on the recording paper, and the recording paper is conveyed to the finisher A2 by the paper discharge roller.

  The communication unit 6 communicates with an external multifunction device, a facsimile machine, a client computer, or the like using a LAN (Local Area Network) or a telephone line based on a control signal from the main control unit 8. That is, the communication unit 6 has both a communication function conforming to a LAN standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and a communication function conforming to a facsimile standard such as G3. The communication unit 6 can perform e-mail transmission or facsimile transmission / reception, for example.

The main body side communication I / F unit 7 is an interface that performs communication with the finisher A2 based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8, and is connected to the finisher A2 by a serial cable.
The main control unit 8 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), the operation display unit 1, an image reading unit 2, an image data storage unit 3, an image processing unit 4, and paper. An interface circuit for inputting / outputting signals to / from the conveyance / image forming unit 5, the communication unit 6, and the main body side communication I / F unit 7, and the like. From the control program stored in the ROM and the operation display unit 1 Based on the input operation instruction, the overall operation of the multifunction device A is controlled. The control program stored in the ROM includes a failure handling program, and the main control unit 8 executes processing based on the failure handling program when a failure of the finisher A2 or the like is detected. The details of the processing executed by the main control unit 8 will be described as the operation of the multifunction device A below.

The finisher A2 is a detachable optional device that performs a paper discharge process on the recording paper conveyed from the paper conveyance / image forming unit 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the finisher A <b> 2 includes a paper discharge processing unit 21, a device-side communication I / F unit 22, and a finisher control unit 23.
The paper discharge processing unit 21 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, and mechanically reverses the recording paper from the front to the back based on a control signal from the finisher control unit 23, and sorts the recording paper by the sort function to discharge each recording paper. Output to the tray

The device side communication I / F unit 22 is an interface that communicates with the main body device A1 based on a control signal input from the finisher control unit 23, and the main body side communication I / F of the main body device A1 by a serial cable. It is connected to the F section 7.
The finisher control unit 23 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an interface circuit for inputting / outputting signals to / from the paper discharge processing unit 21 and the device-side communication I / F unit 22, and the like, and a control stored in the ROM The overall operation of the finisher A2 is controlled based on a control signal input from the main control unit 8 via the program and the device-side communication I / F unit 22.

Next, the operation of the multifunction peripheral A according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
First, a user who wants to copy a document using the multifunction device A sets the document on the image reading unit 2 and presses the start key of the operation display unit 1 to cause the multifunction device A to start copying.

  In the main unit A1, the main control unit 8 executes a copy process when the start key of the operation display unit 1 is pressed (step S1). In other words, the main control unit 8 causes the image reading unit 2 to read a document, causes the image processing unit 4 to perform various image processing on the document image data generated by the image reading unit 2, and performs the image processing. Based on the data, the paper transport / image forming unit 5 forms an image on the recording paper, and the finisher A2 performs the paper discharge process. In the finisher A2, the finisher control unit 23 causes the paper discharge processing unit 21 to execute the recording paper discharge processing based on the control signal of the main control unit 8.

  When the finisher control unit 23 detects a failure of the paper discharge processing unit 21 during the paper discharge process, the finisher control unit 23 sends a failure signal indicating the occurrence of the failure and including detailed failure information to the device side communication I / F unit 22. Transmit to A1. When the main control unit 8 receives a failure signal from the finisher A2 via the main body side communication I / F unit 7, the main control unit 8 detects a failure of the finisher A2 (step S2).

  When detecting the failure of the finisher A2, the main control unit 8 stores detailed failure information of the finisher A2 as a service call based on the failure signal (step S3), sets a failure flag (step S4), and A system call that prompts the user to restart is displayed on the touch panel of the operation display unit 1 (step S5). The service person identifies the failure of the finisher A2 based on the detailed failure information stored as the service call and repairs it.

  When the power is turned OFF and ON by the user pressing the power button on the operation display unit 1, the main control unit 8 starts restarting the main device A1 and the finisher A2 (step S6). At this time, it is determined whether or not a failure flag is set (step S7). When determining “NO” in step S7, that is, when the failure flag is not set, the main control unit 8 executes normal restart (step S8). If the main control unit 8 determines “YES” in step S7, that is, if the failure flag is set, the main control unit 8 energizes the finisher A2 together with the main unit A1, and whether or not the finisher A2 operates normally. Confirm (step S9). That is, the main control unit 8 causes the main body side communication I / F unit 7 to transmit the normal operation confirmation signal toward the finisher A2.

  When the finisher control unit 23 receives a normal operation confirmation signal via the device-side communication I / F unit 22, the finisher control unit 23 operates the paper discharge processing unit 21 to check whether the paper discharge processing unit 21 operates normally, When the paper processing unit 21 does not operate normally, a failure signal is transmitted to the main body side communication I / F unit 7 toward the main unit A1, and when the paper discharge processing unit 21 operates normally, a normal operation signal is sent. The main body side communication I / F unit 7 is transmitted to the main body device A1.

  When the main control unit 8 receives a failure signal from the finisher A2 via the device-side communication I / F unit 22 as a result of the operation check of the finisher A2 (in the case of “NO” in step S9), that is, the finisher A2 Is not normally operated, the communication with the finisher A2 is disconnected (step S10), and a content indicating that the communication with the finisher A2 is disconnected is displayed on the touch panel of the operation display unit 1 (step S10). Step S11). In such a case, the user must call a service person. The called service person repairs the failure of the finisher A2 based on the failure detailed information of the service call, and releases the disconnection between the main apparatus and the finisher A2 after the repair.

  Further, as a result of confirming the operation of the finisher A2, the main control unit 8 receives a normal operation signal from the finisher A2 via the device-side communication I / F unit 22 (in the case of “YES” in step S9), That is, when the finisher A2 operates normally, communication with the finisher A2 is not disconnected (step S12).

  As described above, in the multifunction peripheral A according to the present embodiment, when detecting the failure of the finisher A2, the main control unit 8 restarts the main body device A1 and the finisher A2 based on the user's operation, and finishes after the restart. It is checked whether A2 operates normally. If it operates normally, communication with the finisher A2 is not disconnected. As described above, the multifunction device A does not immediately disconnect even if a failure of the finisher A2 is detected, but checks the operation of the finisher A2 after restart and does not disconnect when the normal operation is performed. Even if a failure is detected, if the failure location is automatically repaired or if the failure is a false detection, the finisher A2 can be used again after restarting without calling a serviceman.

  In this way, by making it possible to use the device again without calling the service person, it is possible to reduce the burden on the service person. Further, the main control unit 8 can store the detailed failure information as a service call, and can provide detailed service failure information to the service man when the service man is called.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following modifications can be considered.
(1) In the above embodiment, a failure of the finisher A2, which is an optional device, is detected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, not an optional device (such as an automatic document feeder) other than the finisher A2, a storage medium such as a USB memory or an external hard disk, or a removable external device such as an optional device or a storage medium, but built in the main unit A1. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 may be executed when a failure of a device such as a paper feed cassette is detected.

(2) In the above embodiment, the main control unit 8 prompts the user to restart the multifunction peripheral A using the display and executes the restart based on the user's operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main control unit 8 may automatically restart the main body device A1 and the finisher A2 when a failure is detected.

A ... multifunction device, A1 ... main unit, A2 ... finisher, 1 ... operation display unit, 2 ... image reading unit, 3 ... image data storage unit, 4 ... image processing unit, 5 ... paper transport / image forming unit, 6 ... Communication unit, 7 ... Main body side communication I / F unit, 8 ... Main control unit (control means), 21 ... Paper discharge processing unit, 22 ... Device side communication I / F unit, 23 ... Finisher control unit

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit that is connected to a device by communication, transmits a control signal using the communication, and controls the device,
When the control unit detects a failure of the device, it restarts the device, checks whether the device operates normally after restarting, and if the device does not operate normally, communicates with the device. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the communication with the device is not disconnected when the device operates normally.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is an optional device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when detecting a failure of the device, the control unit stores information regarding the failure of the device as a service call. 4.

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