JP2014213593A - Image forming apparatus, printing instruction device and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, a printing instruction device and an image formation system for improving convenience and an energy-saving property of the entire image formation system with a plurality of image forming apparatuses from a viewpoint of temperature of a fixation part.SOLUTION: In the case that a printing scheduled device which is an MFP scheduled to execute printing instructed by portable equipment among a plurality of MFPs including the MFP itself is the MFP itself, the MFP waits for the execution of the printing (S165) when the temperature of a fixation part of the MFP itself exceeds a specific temperature (NO in S169), and the distance between the MFP itself and the portable equipment exceeds a specific distance (NO in S170), and while the MFP is waiting for the execution of the printing, when the temperature of the fixation part of an MFP which is distant from the portable equipment by the specific distance or less among the plurality of MFPs exceeds the specific temperature (YES in S168), switches the printing scheduled device to the MFP (S171), and instructs the printing to the printing scheduled device after the switching (S173).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a print instruction apparatus, and an image forming system that improve convenience and energy saving from the viewpoint of the temperature of a fixing unit.

  An image forming apparatus including a fixing unit fixes toner on a recording medium by heating the toner on the recording medium by the fixing unit. Therefore, when performing printing, the temperature of the fixing unit is increased to a temperature necessary for fixing. Need to be.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus increases the temperature of the fixing unit when receiving a printing instruction when the temperature of the fixing unit is high compared to when receiving a printing instruction when the temperature of the fixing unit is low. Therefore, since the heating time of the fixing unit is short, the time required for the entire printing can be short. That is, the image forming apparatus is more convenient when receiving a printing instruction when the temperature of the fixing unit is high than when receiving a printing instruction when the temperature of the fixing unit is low.

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus does not immediately execute printing, if the fixing unit is continuously heated to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit at a temperature necessary for fixing, the heating energy for maintaining the temperature of the fixing unit is wasted. is there. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can improve energy saving by lowering the temperature of the fixing unit below the temperature required for fixing when printing is not immediately executed.

  Conventionally, a method for improving the convenience and energy saving of an image forming apparatus from the viewpoint of the temperature of a fixing unit of the image forming apparatus is known (see Patent Documents 1-3).

  The method described in Patent Document 1 saves energy even when the printing instruction to the image forming apparatus is not given for a certain period of time and the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus is heated to lower the temperature of the fixing unit than the temperature required for fixing. It is a method of maintaining the temperature for the purpose. The method described in Patent Document 1 maintains the temperature of the fixing unit at a temperature for energy saving when there is no printing instruction for the image forming apparatus for a certain period of time, and therefore when there is no printing instruction for the image forming apparatus for a certain period of time. Compared with a method in which the fixing unit is not heated at all, when the printing instruction to the image forming apparatus is not longer than a certain time and the printing instruction to the image forming apparatus is given, the temperature of the fixing unit is fixed. The heating time of the fixing unit for raising the temperature to the necessary temperature is short, and as a result, the convenience of the image forming apparatus can be improved. In addition, the method described in Patent Document 1 is compared with a method in which the fixing unit is heated to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit at a temperature necessary for fixing even when there is no printing instruction to the image forming apparatus for a certain period of time. As a result, less heat energy is required to maintain the temperature of the fixing unit, so that the energy saving performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved. In addition, the method described in Patent Document 1 assigns a priority to a print instruction to the image forming apparatus, and executes printing collectively for a plurality of print instructions with the same priority. Since the state where there is no printing instruction for the image forming apparatus for a certain period of time is actively created and the temperature of the fixing unit is lowered to the temperature for energy saving, the energy saving performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  In the method described in Patent Document 2, the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus is heated to adjust the temperature of the fixing unit even when there is no print instruction to the image forming apparatus after the image forming apparatus is turned on. This is a method of maintaining the temperature for energy saving lower than the temperature required for fixing. The method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 is a printing method for an image forming apparatus as compared with a method in which the fixing unit is not heated at all when there is no printing instruction for the image forming apparatus after the image forming apparatus is turned on. When the instruction is given, the heating time of the fixing unit for raising the temperature of the fixing unit to a temperature necessary for fixing can be shortened, so that the convenience of the image forming apparatus can be improved. Further, the method described in Patent Document 2 heats the fixing unit to fix the temperature of the fixing unit even when there is no printing instruction to the image forming apparatus after the image forming apparatus is turned on. Compared with the method of maintaining the required temperature, since the heating energy for maintaining the temperature of the fixing unit is small, the energy saving property of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

  The method described in Patent Document 3 is a method of controlling the standby temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus when there is no print instruction to the image forming apparatus, depending on the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user. In the method described in Patent Document 3, when the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user is short, the standby temperature of the fixing unit is higher than when the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user is long. Therefore, when there is an instruction for printing to the image forming apparatus during standby, the heating time of the fixing unit for raising the temperature of the fixing unit to a temperature necessary for fixing can be shortened. As a result, the image forming apparatus Convenience can be improved. In addition, the method described in Patent Document 3 is such that when the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user is long, the standby temperature of the fixing unit is larger than when the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user is short. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the heating energy for maintaining the temperature of the fixing unit. As a result, the energy saving performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved.

JP 2001-26163 A JP 2003-66782 A JP 2012-45773 A

  However, in the methods described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the convenience and energy saving of one image forming apparatus can be improved from the viewpoint of the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus. It is not considered to improve the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system including the above from the viewpoint of the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a print instruction apparatus, and an image forming system that can improve the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses from the viewpoint of the temperature of the fixing unit. The purpose is to do.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that includes a fixing unit and a print control unit that controls printing in accordance with a print instruction from the print instruction apparatus, and the print control unit includes the image forming apparatus itself. Of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus itself when the image forming apparatus itself is the image forming apparatus that is scheduled to execute the printing instructed by the print instruction apparatus. When the temperature exceeds a specific temperature and the distance between the image forming apparatus itself and the print instruction device exceeds a specific distance, the print control unit waits for execution of the print, and the print control unit executes the print. When waiting, when the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus whose distance from the print instruction apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is equal to or less than the specific distance exceeds the specific temperature, The printing schedule Switching the device to the image forming apparatus, characterized in that an instruction to print to the printing schedule device after the switching.

  With this configuration, when the image forming apparatus itself is a printing scheduled apparatus, the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus itself exceeds a specific temperature, and the image forming apparatus itself and the printing instruction When the distance to the apparatus exceeds a specific distance, the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds the specific temperature until the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus itself falls below a specific temperature. When an image forming apparatus whose distance is equal to or less than a specific distance appears, the printing scheduled apparatus is switched to this image forming apparatus, and printing is instructed to the printing scheduled apparatus after switching. The apparatus, that is, the image forming apparatus in which the user who is using the print instruction apparatus can easily obtain the printed matter can execute printing, and as a result, the image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be executed. It is possible to improve the overall usability Temu. Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus itself is a printing scheduled apparatus, the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus itself exceeds a specific temperature, and the image forming apparatus itself, the print instruction apparatus, If the distance of the fixing unit exceeds the specified distance, the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds the specified temperature until the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus itself falls below the specified temperature. When an image forming apparatus having a distance of less than a specific distance appears, the printing scheduled apparatus is switched to this image forming apparatus, and the printing scheduled apparatus after the switching is instructed to print. Compared with a configuration in which a printing scheduled apparatus is switched to a certain image forming apparatus, less heating energy is required to raise the temperature of the fixing unit to a temperature necessary for fixing, and as a result, an image having a plurality of image forming apparatuses. It is possible to improve the energy efficiency of the whole formation system. That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can improve the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses from the viewpoint of the temperature of the fixing unit.

  The print instruction apparatus according to the present invention is a print instruction apparatus that instructs the above-described image forming apparatus to perform printing, and includes a display device, a print instruction unit that instructs the print schedule apparatus to perform printing, and the fixing of the image forming apparatus. Information display means for displaying information related to the temperature of the section on a display device, and a print schedule apparatus accepting means for accepting designation of the print schedule apparatus among the image forming apparatuses on which the temperature information is displayed by the temperature information display means It is characterized by providing.

  With this configuration, the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention allows the user to designate a print scheduled apparatus from a plurality of image forming apparatuses with reference to information regarding the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus displayed on the display device. Therefore, it is possible to reflect the user's intention regarding the printing scheduled apparatus.

  The print instruction apparatus according to the present invention further includes an imaging device, and the temperature information display unit converts information on the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus into an image captured by the imaging device. A composite image synthesized in association with the position of the image forming apparatus on the captured image corresponding to the relationship between the position in space and the position in the real space of the print instruction apparatus itself may be displayed on the display device. good.

  With this configuration, the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention synthesizes information on the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus on the position of the image forming apparatus displayed on the display device. The image forming apparatus can make the user perceive information regarding the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus.

  A print instruction apparatus according to the present invention is a print instruction apparatus that instructs the image forming apparatus to perform printing, a print instruction means that instructs the print schedule apparatus to print, and an energy saving mode designation receiving means that receives designation of an energy saving mode. The image forming unit in which the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds the specific temperature when the printing instruction unit instructs printing in a state where the energy saving mode is received by the energy saving mode designation receiving unit. When the apparatus exists, the image forming apparatus having the closest distance to the print instruction apparatus itself among the image forming apparatuses in which the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds the specific temperature is determined as the scheduled printing apparatus. Features.

  With this configuration, the print instruction apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds a specific temperature and is the closest to the print instruction apparatus itself, that is, the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system. Since the image forming apparatus with the highest image quality is automatically determined as the printing scheduled apparatus, the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be improved.

  The image forming system of the present invention includes the above-described plurality of image forming apparatuses and the above-described print instruction apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus, the print instruction apparatus, and the image forming system of the present invention can improve the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses from the viewpoint of the temperature of the fixing unit.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of one floor of a building in which the MFP and the mobile device shown in FIG. 1 are arranged. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of the management server shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the portable apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the mobile device shown in FIG. 1 when instructing the MFP to print. FIG. 7 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 6. It is a figure which shows an example of the synthesized image produced | generated in the process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the synthesized image produced | generated in the process shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when executing printing.

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

  First, the configuration of the image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 10 manages a plurality of MFPs including MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) 20A, 20B, and 20C as image forming apparatuses, and a plurality of MFPs including MFPs 20A, 20B, and 20C, for example, a PC A management server 30 such as (Personal Computer) and a portable device 40 such as a smartphone as a print instruction device that instructs the MFP to print are provided. A plurality of MFPs including the MFPs 20A, 20B, and 20C, the management server 30, and the portable device 40 are connected to be communicable with each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a top view of one floor of the building 90 in which the MFPs 20A, 20B, 20C and the portable device 40 are arranged.

  In the state shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 20A is the MFP farthest from the portable device 40 among the MFPs 20A, 20B, and 20C. The MFP 20C is the MFP closest to the portable device 40 among the MFPs 20A, 20B, and 20C.

  A circle 40a illustrated in FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a circle that is a set of positions whose distance from the mobile device 40 is a specific distance described later.

  A large number of infrared transmitters (not shown) that transmit signals indicating the position in the real space by infrared rays are installed inside the building 90.

  The configuration of each of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as that of the MFP 20A. Therefore, the MFP 20A will be described below as a representative of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the MFP 20A.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 20 </ b> A is a display device such as an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations by the user and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A display unit 22, a scanner 23 that is a reading device that reads an image from a document, a printer 24 that is a printing device that executes printing on a recording medium such as paper, an external facsimile apparatus (not shown), a public telephone line, and the like A fax communication unit 25 that is a fax device that performs fax communication via a communication line, a network communication unit 26 that is a network communication device that communicates with an external device via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), and a real space of the MFP 20A. Building 90 (Figure) to detect the current position at 2). A position detection unit 27 that is a position detection device such as an infrared receiver that receives a signal transmitted by infrared rays from an infrared transmitter installed in the device, and an EEPROM (Electrically) that stores various data. A storage unit 28 that is a nonvolatile storage device such as an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (HDD) or a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a control unit 29 that controls the entire MFP 20A are provided.

  The operation unit 21 may include an input device that forms a touch panel together with the display unit 22.

  The printer 24 includes a fixing unit 24a that fixes toner on the recording medium by heating the toner on the recording medium, and a temperature sensor 24b that detects the temperature of the fixing unit 24a.

  The storage unit 28 stores a print control program 28 a that controls printing by the printer 24.

  The storage unit 28 stores apparatus position data 28b indicating the position of the MFP 20A in the real space, and apparatus information 28c of the MFP 20A such as the model name, performance, and current state of the MFP 20A. The device information 28c includes the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 24b.

  The control unit 29 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. ing. The CPU is configured to execute a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 28.

  The control unit 29 functions as a print control unit 29a that controls printing in accordance with a print instruction from the portable device 40 (see FIG. 1) by executing the print control program 28a stored in the storage unit 28. To do.

  The control unit 29 detects the current position by the position detection unit 27 when a specific operation is input to the operation unit 21 or periodically, and stores it in the storage unit 28 as device position data 28b. It has become.

  Further, the control unit 29 periodically detects the temperature of the fixing unit 24a by the temperature sensor 24b, and stores it in the storage unit 28 as a part of the device information 28c.

  In addition, the control unit 29 can change the device position data 28b and the device information 28c stored in the storage unit 28 when a certain operation is input to the operation unit 21 when there is any change in the device position data 28b and the device information 28c. When the request is received from the management server 30 (see FIG. 1) via H.26, or periodically, the request is transmitted to the management server 30 via the network communication unit 26.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the management server 30.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the management server 30 includes an operation unit 31 that is an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard for inputting various operations, and a display unit 32 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information. A network communication unit 33 that is a network communication device that communicates with an external device via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), and a storage that is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD that stores programs and various data. And a control unit 35 that controls the entire management server 30.

  The storage unit 34 can store, for each MFP, apparatus position data 34a indicating the position of the MFP in the real space and apparatus information 34b of the MFP such as the model name, performance, and current state of the MFP.

  The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 34.

  The control unit 35 receives the device position data and device information transmitted from the MFP via the network communication unit 33, and stores them in the storage unit 34 as device position data 34a and device information 34b, respectively. Yes.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the mobile device 40.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile device 40 includes an operation unit 41 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, a display unit 42 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, Infrared from an imaging unit 43 that is an imaging device that captures a picture or video and an infrared transmitter installed in a building 90 (see FIG. 2) in order to detect the current position of the mobile device 40 in the real space. A position detection unit 44 that is a position detection device such as an infrared receiver that receives a signal transmitted from the mobile phone 40, and a direction detection unit that is a direction detection device such as an acceleration sensor that detects the current direction of the mobile device 40 in the real space. 45, a network communication unit 46 that is a network communication device that communicates with an external device via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), a program, and various types A storage unit 47 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a HDD which stores data, and a control unit 48 which controls the portable device 40 overall.

  The operation unit 41 may include an input device that forms a touch panel together with the display unit 42.

  The storage unit 47 stores a print instruction program 47 a executed by the control unit 48.

  The storage unit 47 can store specific temperature information 47b indicating a specific temperature that is a threshold of operation by the mobile device 40 and specific distance information 47c indicating a specific distance that is a threshold of operation by the mobile device 40. It is like that.

  The storage unit 47 includes automatic selection setting information 47d that is information for setting whether or not to automatically select a printing scheduled apparatus that is an MFP that is scheduled to execute printing among a plurality of MFPs, and energy saving mode setting information. Some energy saving mode setting information 47e can be stored.

  The control unit 48 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 47.

  The control unit 48 executes the print instruction program 47a stored in the storage unit 47, thereby displaying on the display unit 42 information related to the temperature of the fixing unit of the MFP, the print instruction unit 48a for instructing printing to the printing scheduled apparatus. The temperature information display means 48b, the print schedule apparatus accepting means 48c for accepting designation of the print scheduled apparatus among the MFPs whose temperature information is displayed by the temperature information display means 48b, and the energy saving mode designation acceptance for accepting the designation of the energy saving mode. It functions as the means 48d.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the mobile device 40 when storing various types of information will be described.

  When the control unit 48 of the portable device 40 is instructed to start an operation when receiving the designation of a specific temperature via the operation unit 41, and the temperature is input via the operation unit 41, the input temperature Is stored in the storage unit 47.

  In addition, the control unit 48 indicates the input distance when a distance is input through the operation unit 41 after an instruction to start an operation in the case of accepting designation of a specific distance is input through the operation unit 41. The specific distance information 47c is stored in the storage unit 47.

  In addition, when the control unit 48 is instructed to start the operation when accepting the specification of the automatic selection setting via the operation unit 41 and then the automatic selection setting ON or OFF is input via the operation unit 41, The automatic selection setting information 47d indicating ON or OFF of the input automatic selection setting is stored in the storage unit 47.

  In addition, when the controller 48 is instructed to start the operation when receiving the designation of the energy saving mode setting via the operation unit 41 and then the energy saving mode setting ON or OFF is input via the operation unit 41, Energy storage mode setting information 47e indicating ON or OFF of the input energy saving mode setting is stored in the storage unit 47.

  Next, the operation of the portable device 40 when instructing the MFP to print will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the portable device 40 when the MFP is instructed to print. FIG. 7 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG.

  When the user of the portable device 40 instructs the portable device 40 via the operation unit 41 to start the operation when instructing the MFP to print, the control unit 48 of the portable device 40 performs the operations shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Start.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the print instruction unit 48a of the control unit 48 determines whether or not the energy saving mode is set based on the energy saving mode setting information 47e in the storage unit 47 (S101). Here, the print instruction unit 48a determines that the energy saving mode is set when the energy saving mode setting information 47e indicates that the energy saving mode setting is ON. On the other hand, when the energy saving mode setting information 47e indicates that the energy saving mode setting is off, the print instruction unit 48a determines that the energy saving mode is not set.

  When the print instruction unit 48a determines in S101 that the energy saving mode is not set, the print instruction unit 48a determines whether or not the automatic selection setting is ON (S102).

  If the print instruction unit 48a determines in S102 that the automatic selection setting is ON, the print instruction unit 48a acquires the device position data of each of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 from the management server 30 via the network communication unit 46, and acquires Based on the current position in the real space of the MFP indicated by the apparatus position data and the current position in the real space of the mobile device 40 detected by the position detection unit 44, a plurality of image forming systems 10 The distance between each MFP and the portable device 40 is acquired (S103).

  Next, the print instructing unit 48a extracts the MFP closest to the portable device 40 from the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 based on the distance acquired in S103, and determines the extracted MFP as a printing scheduled apparatus ( S104).

  Next, the print instructing unit 48a notifies the scheduled printing apparatus determined in S104 via the display unit 42 (S105). Therefore, the user can check the print schedule device displayed on the display unit 42 and, for example, instruct the print schedule device to print, and then go to the print schedule device to get the printed material.

  Next, the print instructing unit 48a instructs the printing scheduled apparatus to perform printing in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 41 (S106), and ends the operations shown in FIGS.

  Note that the mobile device 40 can display on the display unit 42 by using an AR (Augmented Reality) technology which MFP has executed printing. As a result, the user of the portable device 40 can sensuously recognize which MFP has executed printing.

  When the print instruction unit 48a determines in S102 that the automatic selection setting is not on, the current position of the mobile device 40 in the real space detected by the position detection unit 44 and the mobile device detected by the direction detection unit 45 are detected. By transmitting the current direction in the real space 40 to the management server 30 via the network communication unit 46, the angle range of shooting by the imaging unit 43 and the range of the predetermined distance from the portable device 40 Are acquired from the management server 30 via the network communication unit 46 (S107).

  Next, the print instruction unit 48a adds the additional information based on the apparatus information of the MFP acquired in S107 to the captured image by the imaging unit 43, the position of the MFP in the real space, and the position of the mobile device 40 in the real space. A composite image synthesized in association with the position of this MFP on the captured image corresponding to the relationship is generated (S108).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the composite image generated in S108.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the composite image 50 is an image obtained by adding additional information 52 to the captured image 51. The additional information 52 includes a button 52a for designating the corresponding MFP as a printing scheduled apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the print instruction unit 48a generates a composite image in S108, the print instruction unit 48a displays the composite image generated in S108 on the display unit 42 (S109). In other words, the portable device 40 causes the display unit 42 to display additional information based on the device information of the MFP using the AR technology.

  Next, the scheduled printing device accepting unit 48c of the control unit 48 determines whether or not the MFP displayed in the composite image displayed on the display unit 42 in S109 is designated as the scheduled printing device (S110). For example, the print schedule apparatus accepting unit 48c determines that the MFP for which the composite image button 52a (see FIG. 8) is pressed is designated as the print schedule apparatus.

  If it is determined in S110 that the MFP is not designated as a printing scheduled apparatus, the print instruction unit 48a returns to the process of S107 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S110 that the MFP has been designated as the printing scheduled apparatus, the printing instruction unit 48a determines the designated MFP as the printing scheduled apparatus (S111), and executes the process of S106.

  If the print instruction unit 48a determines in S101 that the energy saving mode is set, the print instruction unit 48a determines whether or not the automatic selection setting is ON (S131).

  If the print instruction unit 48a determines in step S131 that the automatic selection setting is ON, the print instruction unit 48a acquires the distance between each of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 and the portable device 40 in the same manner as in step S103 (S132). .

  Next, the print instruction unit 48a acquires device information of each of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 from the management server 30 via the network communication unit 46, and the temperature included in the acquired device information, that is, an image. The temperature of the fixing unit detected by the temperature sensor of each of the plurality of MFPs of the forming system 10 is acquired (S133).

  Next, the print instructing unit 48 a determines whether or not there are MFPs in the image forming system 10 in which the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds the specific temperature indicated in the specific temperature information 47 b on the storage unit 47. Is determined (S134).

  If the print instructing unit 48a determines in S134 that there is an MFP whose fixing unit temperature exceeds the specific temperature, among the MFPs whose fixing unit temperature exceeds the specific temperature, the MFP closest to the portable device 40 Are extracted based on the distance acquired in S132, and the extracted MFP is determined as a printing scheduled apparatus (S135).

  If the print instructing unit 48a determines in S134 that there is no MFP whose fixing unit temperature exceeds the specific temperature, the print instructing unit 48a extracts and extracts the MFP closest to the portable device 40 based on the distance acquired in S132. The MFP thus determined is determined as a printing scheduled apparatus (S136).

  After the process of S135 or S136, the print instruction unit 48a notifies the printing scheduled apparatus determined in S135 or S136 via the display unit 42 (S137). Therefore, the user can check the print schedule device displayed on the display unit 42 and, for example, instruct the print schedule device to print, and then go to the print schedule device to get the printed material.

  Next, in response to an instruction from the user via the operation unit 41, the print instruction unit 48a, together with a print instruction, energy saving mode information indicating the energy saving mode, specific temperature information 47b, and specific distance information 47c Is transmitted to the printing scheduled apparatus (S138), and the operations shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are terminated.

  When it is determined in S131 that the automatic selection setting is not on, the temperature information display means 48b of the control unit 48 determines the angle range of shooting by the imaging unit 43 and the predetermined range from the portable device 40 in the same manner as the process of S107. The device position data and device information of the MFP included in the specified distance range are acquired from the management server 30 via the network communication unit 46 (S139).

  Next, the temperature information display means 48b adds the additional information based on the apparatus information of the MFP acquired in S139 to the captured image by the imaging unit 43, the position of the MFP in the real space, and the position of the mobile device 40 in the real space. A combined image is generated by combining with the position of this MFP on the photographed image corresponding to the relationship with (S140).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the composite image generated in S140.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the composite image 60 is an image obtained by adding additional information 62 to the captured image 61. In addition to the button 62a, the additional information 62 includes information 62b regarding the temperature of the fixing unit of each MFP. In the information 62b, “high” indicates that the temperature of the fixing unit of each MFP exceeds the specific temperature indicated in the specific temperature information 47b on the storage unit 47, and “low” It indicates that the temperature of the fixing portion of the MFP is equal to or lower than this specific temperature.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the temperature information display unit 48b generates a composite image in S140, the temperature information display unit 48b displays the composite image generated in S140 on the display unit 42 (S141). In other words, the portable device 40 causes the display unit 42 to display additional information based on the device information of the MFP using the AR technology.

  Next, the scheduled printing device accepting unit 48c of the control unit 48 determines whether or not the MFP displayed in the composite image displayed on the display unit 42 in S141 is designated as the scheduled printing device (S142). For example, the print schedule apparatus accepting unit 48c determines that the MFP for which the composite image button 62a (see FIG. 9) is pressed is designated as the print schedule apparatus.

  If the temperature information display unit 48b determines in S142 that the MFP is not designated as a printing scheduled apparatus, the temperature information display unit 48b returns to the process of S139 again.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S142 that the MFP has been designated as the printing scheduled apparatus, the printing instruction unit 48a determines the designated MFP as the printing scheduled apparatus (S143), and executes the process of S138.

  Next, the operation of the MFP when executing printing will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP when executing printing.

  When receiving a print instruction via the network communication unit 26, the control unit 29 of the MFP that is the printing scheduled apparatus starts the operation illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the print control unit 29a of the control unit 29 determines whether or not it is in the energy saving mode (S161). Here, the printing control unit 29a determines that the mode is the energy saving mode when the energy saving mode information is transmitted together with the printing instruction.

  If the print control unit 29a determines in S161 that the mode is the energy saving mode, whether or not the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself exceeds the specific temperature indicated in the specific temperature information transmitted together with the print instruction. Is determined (S162).

  If the print control unit 29a determines in S162 that the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself exceeds the specific temperature, the current position of the MFP itself in the real space detected by the position detection unit 27, and the portable device The distance between the MFP itself and the mobile device 40 is acquired based on the current position in the real space of the mobile device 40 received from the mobile device 40 (S163).

  Next, the print control unit 29a determines whether or not the distance acquired in S163 is equal to or less than the specific distance indicated in the specific distance information transmitted together with the print instruction (S164).

  The print control unit 29a determines in S161 that it is not in the energy saving mode, determines in S162 that the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself does not exceed a specific temperature, or the distance between the MFP itself and the portable device 40 is If it is determined in S164 that the distance is equal to or less than the specific distance, printing is executed in accordance with a printing instruction (S165), and the operation shown in FIG.

  When the print control unit 29a determines in S164 that the distance between the MFP itself and the portable device 40 is not equal to or less than the specific distance, the print control unit 29a transmits the apparatus position data of each of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 via the network communication unit 46. Based on the current position in the real space of the MFP that is acquired from the management server 30 and indicated by the acquired device position data, and the current position in the real space of the mobile device 40 received from the mobile device 40, The distance between each of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 and the portable device 40 is acquired (S166).

  Next, the print control unit 29a acquires device information of each of the plurality of MFPs of the image forming system 10 from the management server 30 via the network communication unit 26, and the temperature included in the acquired device information, that is, an image. The temperature of the fixing unit detected by each temperature sensor of the plurality of MFPs of the forming system 10 is acquired (S167).

  Next, the print control unit 29a determines that the distance acquired in S166 is equal to or less than the specific distance indicated in the specific distance information transmitted together with the print instruction, and the temperature acquired in S167 is the print instruction. It is determined whether there is an MFP that exceeds a specific temperature indicated in the transmitted specific temperature information (S168). For example, an MFP whose distance from the mobile device 40 is equal to or less than a specific distance causes the temperature of the fixing unit to execute printing by being instructed to print by a person other than the user who is using the mobile device 40. When the temperature is raised to a temperature required for fixing, the temperature of the fixing portion may exceed a specific temperature.

  When the print control unit 29a determines in S168 that there is no MFP in which the distance acquired in S166 is equal to or less than the specific distance and the temperature acquired in S167 exceeds the specific temperature, the fixing unit of the MFP itself It is determined whether the temperature of 24a has become equal to or lower than the specific temperature indicated in the specific temperature information transmitted together with the print instruction (S169).

  When the print control unit 29a determines in S169 that the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself is not equal to or lower than the specific temperature, the distance between the MFP itself that is the printing scheduled device and the portable device 40 is transmitted together with the print instruction. Based on the distance acquired in S166, it is determined whether or not the distance is equal to or less than the specific distance indicated in the specific distance information (S170). For example, the distance between the printing schedule device and the portable device 40 is a specific distance as a result of the user approaching the printing schedule device while carrying the portable device 40 for the purpose of, for example, going to the printing schedule device to pick up printed matter. May be:

  If the print control unit 29a determines in S170 that the distance between the MFP itself and the portable device 40 is not equal to or less than the specific distance, it executes the process of S166 again.

  In step S169, the print control unit 29a determines that the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself is equal to or lower than the specific temperature, or if the distance between the MFP itself and the portable device 40 is equal to or lower than the specific distance, S170. If YES, printing is executed according to the printing instruction (S165), and the operation shown in FIG.

  That is, when the MFP itself is a printing scheduled apparatus, the print control unit 29a determines that the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself exceeds a specific temperature (NO in S169), and the distance between the MFP itself and the portable device 40. Is over a specific distance (NO in S170), the MFP waits for execution of printing (S165).

  When the print control unit 29a determines in S168 that there is an MFP in which the distance acquired in S166 is equal to or less than the specific distance and the temperature acquired in S167 exceeds the specific temperature, the print control unit 29a selects the MFP to be printed. (S171).

  Next, the control unit 48 notifies the user of the scheduled printing apparatus switched in S171 by e-mail or the like (S172). Therefore, the user can check the print schedule apparatus indicated in the e-mail and can go to the print schedule apparatus to get the printed material.

  Next, the print control unit 29a transmits the energy-saving mode information indicating that it is the energy-saving mode, the specific temperature information, and the specific distance information to the printing scheduled apparatus together with the printing instruction (S173), and the operation illustrated in FIG. Exit.

  As described above, when the MFP itself is a printing scheduled apparatus, the MFP specifies the temperature of the fixing unit until the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself is equal to or lower than a specific temperature (YES in S169). When an MFP that exceeds the temperature of the printer and the distance from the portable device 40 is equal to or less than a specific distance appears (YES in S168), the printing scheduled apparatus is switched to this MFP (S171), and the printing scheduled apparatus after switching is displayed. (S173), the MFP close to the portable device 40, that is, the MFP in which the user using the portable device 40 can easily get the printed matter can be caused to execute the printing. As a result, the convenience of the entire image forming system 10 can be improved.

  In addition, when the MFP itself is a printing scheduled apparatus, the MFP exceeds the specific temperature of the fixing unit until the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself is equal to or lower than the specific temperature (YES in S169). When an MFP whose distance from the portable device 40 is equal to or less than a specific distance appears (YES in S168), the printing scheduled apparatus is switched to this MFP (S171), and printing is instructed to the printing scheduled apparatus after switching (S171). S173), the temperature of the fixing unit of the scheduled printing apparatus after switching is increased to a temperature necessary for fixing as compared with the configuration in which the scheduled printing apparatus is switched to the MFP whose fixing unit temperature is equal to or lower than the specific temperature. Heating energy can be reduced, and as a result, the energy saving performance of the entire image forming system 10 can be improved.

  As described above, the MFP can improve the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system 10 from the viewpoint of the temperature of the fixing unit 24a.

  The MFP specifies the distance between the MFP itself and the portable device 40 even when the temperature of the fixing unit 24a of the MFP itself is not lower than a specific temperature (NO in S169) when the MFP itself is a printing scheduled apparatus. When the distance is equal to or smaller than the distance (YES in S170), the MFP itself performs printing (S165). Therefore, the image forming system 10 can cause the MFP that is close to the portable device 40, that is, the MFP that allows the user who is using the portable device 40 to easily obtain the printed material to execute printing, and as a result, The convenience of the entire image forming system 10 can be improved.

  Since the image forming system 10 accepts designation of a specific temperature and a specific distance, which are thresholds for operation by the MFP and the portable device 40, the user can adjust the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system 10. .

  In the image forming system 10, the scheduled printing device is determined based on the distance between the MFP and the portable device 40, so the direction in which the MFP is present with respect to the portable device 40 also affects the determination of the scheduled printing device. Therefore, the threshold value can be easily set, and convenience can be improved.

  Since the portable device 40 allows the user to designate a printing scheduled apparatus from a plurality of MFPs with reference to the information 62b regarding the temperature of the fixing unit of the MFP displayed on the display unit 42 as shown in FIG. It is possible to reflect the user's intention regarding the printing scheduled apparatus.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the portable device 40 synthesizes information 62b regarding the temperature of the fixing unit of the MFP with the position of the MFP on the captured image 61 displayed on the display unit 42. This makes it possible for the user to sensuously recognize the information 62b regarding the temperature of the fixing unit of the MFP.

  When the portable device 40 instructs printing in a state where the energy saving mode is accepted (YES in S101), when there is an MFP in which the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds a specific temperature (YES in S134), Of the MFPs whose fixing unit temperature exceeds a specific temperature, the MFP having the closest distance to the portable device 40 is determined as a printing scheduled apparatus (S135). With this configuration, the portable device 40 is an MFP in which the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds a specific temperature and is the closest to the portable device 40, that is, the MFP that provides the highest convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system 10. Is automatically determined as the printing scheduled apparatus, so that the convenience and energy saving of the entire image forming system 10 can be improved.

  In the image forming system 10, the MFP closest to the portable device 40 is not always determined as the printing scheduled device, and therefore, compared with the configuration in which the same MFP is always determined as the printing scheduled device, the consumption of this MFP is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  When the energy saving mode is on and the MFP whose fixing unit temperature exceeds a specific temperature is determined as the printing scheduled apparatus, the image forming system 10 does not start up the sleeping MFP and has already started up. Since printing is executed by the existing MFP, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption due to startup of the sleeping MFP.

  Although the image forming system 10 includes the management server 30 in the present embodiment, the MFP itself may function as the management server 30. That is, the portable device 40 may be configured to directly receive the MFP device position data and device information from the MFP.

  The image forming system 10 includes an MFP as the image forming apparatus of the present invention in the present embodiment. However, an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, or a FAX dedicated machine, may be used. It may be provided as an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming system 10 includes a portable device as the print instruction apparatus of the present invention in the present embodiment, but may include a computer other than the portable device as the print instruction apparatus of the present invention. For example, the print instruction apparatus of the present invention may be a PC that does not support AR technology.

20A, 20B, 20C MFP (image forming apparatus)
24a fixing unit 29a printing control means 40 portable device (printing instruction device)
42 Display unit (display device)
43 Imaging unit (imaging device)
48a Print instruction means 48b Temperature information display means 48c Print scheduled apparatus reception means 48d Energy saving mode designation reception means 60 Composite image 61 Captured image 62b Information (information on the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus)

Claims (5)

A fixing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print control unit that controls printing according to a print instruction from a print instruction device;
The print control unit is configured such that, when a printing scheduled apparatus that is scheduled to execute printing instructed by the printing instruction apparatus among a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus itself is the image forming apparatus itself. When the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus itself exceeds a specific temperature, and the distance between the image forming apparatus itself and the print instruction device exceeds a specific distance, waiting for execution of printing,
When the print control unit waits for execution of printing, the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus in which the distance from the print instruction apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is equal to or less than the specific distance is An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when a specific temperature is exceeded, the printing scheduled apparatus is switched to the image forming apparatus, and printing is instructed to the printing scheduled apparatus after switching. A print instruction apparatus for instructing printing to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A display device;
Print instruction means for instructing printing to the printing scheduled apparatus;
Temperature information display means for displaying information on the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus on a display device;
A printing instruction apparatus comprising: a printing schedule apparatus receiving unit that receives designation of the printing schedule apparatus among the image forming apparatuses on which the temperature information is displayed by the temperature information display unit. With an imaging device,
The temperature information display means converts the information related to the temperature of the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus into an image captured by the imaging device, the position in the real space of the image forming apparatus, and the real space of the print instruction apparatus itself. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a composite image synthesized in association with the position of the image forming apparatus on the photographed image corresponding to the relationship with the position is displayed on the display device. A print instruction apparatus for instructing printing to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
Print instruction means for instructing printing to the printing scheduled apparatus;
Energy saving mode designation accepting means for accepting designation of energy saving mode,
When the print instructing unit instructs printing in a state where the energy saving mode is accepted by the energy saving mode designation accepting unit, the image forming apparatus in which the temperature of the fixing unit exceeds the specific temperature exists. Sometimes, the image forming apparatus having the closest distance to the print instruction apparatus itself among the image forming apparatuses having a temperature of the fixing unit exceeding the specific temperature is determined as the printing scheduled apparatus. Pointing device.   An image forming system comprising: the plurality of image forming apparatuses according to claim 1; and the print instruction apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

Images