JP2016159613A - Image formation apparatus, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus such that a state of the apparatus can be easily grasped.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 100 includes a notification device 1 giving notice of a state of the image formation apparatus 100, and the notification device 1 can be separated from the image formation apparatus 100, and includes detection means 101 of detecting whether the notification device 1 is separated from the image formation apparatus 100, and control means 102 of performing control, corresponding to detection results of the detection means 101, over the notification device 1. The control means 102 performs the control differently according to whether the notification device 1 is separated from the image formation apparatus 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  As a method for notifying the user who is away from the image forming apparatus of the operating state or abnormal state of the image forming apparatus, there is a method of notifying the user by e-mail.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-167842), when an abnormality occurs during printing, the fact that an abnormality has occurred is notified by e-mail to the print data transmission source where printing has been interrupted. ing.

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the user does not notice the mail, the abnormality of the image forming apparatus is overlooked.

  An object of the present invention is to easily grasp the state of an image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
An image forming apparatus having a notification device for notifying a state of the image forming apparatus,
The notification device can be separated from the image forming device,
Detection means for detecting whether the notification device is separated from the image forming device;
Control means for controlling the notification device according to the detection result of the detection means;
It is characterized by having.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the state of the image forming apparatus can be easily grasped.

1 is a first diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a 2nd figure which shows the structural example of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the usage example of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of an image forming apparatus and an alerting | reporting apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an image forming apparatus and an alerting | reporting apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an alerting | reporting apparatus. FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating an example of processing operation of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of processing operation of the image forming apparatus. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating 2nd Embodiment. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating 2nd Embodiment.

(Outline of Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus According to One Aspect of the Present Invention)
First, an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the image forming apparatus and the notification apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 100 according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus 100 having a notification device 1 that notifies the state of the image forming device 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the notification device 1 can be separated from the image forming apparatus 100. For this reason, the notification device 1 can be moved and used each time within a range that the user can reach.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 according to an aspect of the present invention includes a detection unit and a control unit. The detection means corresponds to the detection sensor 101. The control means corresponds to the control unit 102.

  The detecting unit detects whether the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit controls the notification device 1 according to the detection result of the detection unit. For example, when the notification device 1 is not separated from the image forming apparatus 100 and is connected via a signal line, the notification device 1 is controlled via the signal line. When the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, the notification device 1 is controlled by wireless communication. Thereby, when it is detected that the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to perform control different from the case where the notification device 1 is not separated from the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to one aspect of the present invention, the notification device 1 that notifies the state of the image forming device 100 can be separated from the image forming device 100, and control according to the detection result of the detection unit. To the notification device 1. In the image forming apparatus 100 according to one aspect of the present invention, since the notification device 1 can be separated from the image forming device 100, the notification device 1 is moved to a range that can be reached by the user each time. Can be used. As a result, the state of the image forming apparatus 100 can be easily grasped. Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
<Configuration Example of Image Forming Apparatus 100>
First, a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the notification device 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2 shows a state where the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a notification device 1, and the notification device 1 can be separated from the image forming device 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The notification device 1 is a device that notifies the state of the image forming apparatus 100, and includes, for example, a patrol light that can be notified visually by light or the like. Note that the notification device 1 may be a device that can notify the state of the image forming apparatus 100 by sound or information display. That is, any apparatus that can notify the state of the image forming apparatus 100 is applicable. For example, a device that generates a buzzer sound, a device that displays information, and the like can be used as a notification device. However, since the notification device 1 can be separated from the image forming apparatus 100, a function capable of wirelessly communicating with the image forming apparatus 100 is installed.

  When using the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the notification apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, and the notification apparatus 1 is installed within the reach of the user's eyes. use.

  When an abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits a notification to that effect to the notification apparatus 1 and notifies the notification apparatus 1 that an abnormality has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 detects that there is no paper, the information is transmitted to the notification device 1 and notified from the notification device 1. Further, when a paper jam is detected by the image forming apparatus 100, a notification to that effect is transmitted to the notification device 1 and notified from the notification device 1.

  Since the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can separate the notification device 1, the notification device 1 can be moved and used each time within a range that the user can reach. For this reason, the user can always check the state of the notification device 1.

  Since the notification apparatus 1 can be separated from the image forming apparatus 100, when the notification apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, information is exchanged by wireless communication. However, if the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, wireless communication cannot be performed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, when the notification device 1 exists in the warning area, the notification device 1 notifies the warning. Further, when the notification device 1 exists in the communication disabled area, the notification device 1 is turned on in a communication disabled state. The communicable area is an area in which the notification device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 can perform wireless communication. The communication disabled area is an area in which the notification device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 cannot wirelessly communicate. The warning area is an area between the communicable area and the incommunicable area, and is an area where the notification apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 can perform wireless communication.

  When the notification device 1 exists in a communicable area and a warning area where the notification device 1 and the image forming device 100 can communicate wirelessly, the notification device 1 is controlled by wireless communication from the image forming device 100. Then, when the notification device 1 exists in the warning area, control is performed so as to notify the warning from the notification device 1 through wireless communication from the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, when the notification device 1 exists in an area where communication between the notification device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 is impossible, the notification device 1 itself controls to turn on the communication disabled state. Note that the warning notification control in the notification device 1 according to the position of the notification device 1 is performed independently of the notification control for reporting the state of the image forming apparatus 1.

<Configuration Example of Image Forming Apparatus 100>
Next, a functional configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a detection sensor 101, a control unit 102, a storage unit 103, a communication unit 104, an image forming unit 105, and a notification unit 106.

  The detection sensor 101 detects whether the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit 102 controls the image forming apparatus 100 and the notification apparatus 1. The storage unit 103 stores various information. For example, identification information for identifying the notification device 1 attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is stored. Any information can be applied as the identification information as long as the information can uniquely identify the notification device 1. For example, a serial number can be given. The communication unit 104 performs wireless communication. When the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, the communication unit 104 performs wireless communication with the separated notification device 1. The image forming unit 105 performs image formation. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performs printing by the image forming unit 105 when a print request is received from, for example, a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The notification unit 106 performs various notifications. For example, an error notification is performed when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the error notification is displayed on the operation panel.

  The notification device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and a notification unit 14.

  The control unit 11 controls the notification device 1. The storage unit 12 stores various information. For example, identification information for identifying the notification device 1 is stored. The communication unit 13 performs wireless communication. The communication unit 13 performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 100 when the notification apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100. The notification unit 14 performs a notification operation. When the notification device 1 of the present embodiment receives a notification request from the image forming apparatus 100, the notification unit 14 performs a notification operation corresponding to the notification request.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the notification device 1 of the present embodiment has a magnet 2 on the bottom surface of the notification device 1. When the notification device 1 is placed on the metal table 20, the notification device 1 is fixed to the metal table 20 by the magnetism of the magnet 2. Thereby, the alerting | reporting apparatus 1 can be installed stably. Further, the notification device 1 can be easily detached from the metal stand 20. Further, the notification device 1 of the present embodiment can be fixed to the image forming apparatus 100 by the magnetism of the magnet 2 even when attached to the image forming apparatus 100. When the notification apparatus 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the notification apparatus 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a signal line, and information is exchanged with the image forming apparatus 100 via the signal line. If the image forming apparatus 100 is separated, information is exchanged with the image forming apparatus 100 through wireless communication from the communication unit 13 of the notification device 1.

<Example of Processing Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 100>
Next, an example of processing operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of processing operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  First, the control unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the notification apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100 based on the detection result of the detection sensor 101 (step S1). The detection sensor 101 detects whether the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100.

  When the notification apparatus 1 is not separated from the image forming apparatus 100 and the notification apparatus 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 through a signal line (step S1 / not separated), the control unit 102 is configured to use the signal line. The alarm device 1 is controlled via (step S2). Since the notification device 1 is physically connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a signal line, the notification device 1 is controlled via the signal line.

  In addition, when the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100 (step S1 / separated), the control unit 102 performs wireless communication from the communication unit 104 and wirelessly communicates with the separated notification device 1. Communication is started (step S3).

  The control unit 102 determines whether or not there is a response from the notification device 1 (step S4). If there is no response (step S4 / no response), the control unit 102 determines whether or not the print operation interruption setting is valid (step S4). Step S5). The printing operation interruption setting is for setting whether or not to stop printing performed in the image forming apparatus 100 when there is no response from the notification device 1. The print interruption setting is preset in the image forming apparatus 100. If the print operation interruption setting is set to be valid (step S5 / valid), printing that is being executed by the image forming unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 100 is interrupted (step S7). If the print operation interruption setting is set to invalid (step S5 / invalid), the printing being executed by the image forming unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 100 is continued (step S6).

  When there is a response from the notification device 1 in step S4 (step S4 / response is present), the control unit 102 establishes wireless communication between the notification device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 (step S8). In this case, information can be exchanged between the notification device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100.

  When wireless communication between the notification device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 is established, the control unit 102 confirms the current position of the notification device 1 (step S9). For example, the GPS function is mounted on the notification device 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 acquires the position information of the notification device 1 acquired by the GPS function by wireless communication. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a GPS function, and the position information of the image forming apparatus 100 is acquired by the GPS function. The control unit 102 confirms the current position of the notification device 1 based on the position information of the notification device 1 and the position information of the image forming device 100.

  When the notification device 1 is present in the communicable area (step S9 / communication available area), the control unit 102 controls the notification device 1 by wireless communication from the communication unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S10).

  When the notification device 1 is present in the warning area (step S9 / warning area), it is determined whether the warning setting is valid (step S11). The warning setting is for setting whether or not to notify a warning from the notification device 1 when the notification device 1 exists in the warning area. The warning setting is preset in the image forming apparatus 100. If the warning setting is set to invalid (step S11 / invalid), the process proceeds to the flow A shown in FIG. The flow of FIG. 8 will be described later.

  When the warning setting is set to be valid (step S11 / valid), a warning request is transmitted to the notification device 1 by wireless communication from the communication unit 104, the notification unit 14 of the notification device 1 is operated, and the notification is performed. Control is performed so as to notify the warning from the unit 14 (step S12). For example, the LED is turned on or a buzzer is emitted.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed after confirming the current position of the notification device 1, the current position of the notification device 1 is confirmed again (step S12). When the notification device 1 exists in the warning area (step S13 / warning area), control is performed so as to continuously issue a warning from the notification device 1 through wireless communication (step S12). When the notification device 1 exists in the communicable area (step S13 / warning area), a warning stop request is transmitted to the notification device 1 by wireless communication from the communication unit 104, and the operation of the notification unit 14 of the notification device 1 is performed. Is controlled to stop the warning (step S14). Thereafter, the operation of the notification device 1 is controlled by wireless communication from the communication unit 104 (step S10).

  If wireless communication with the notification device 1 is interrupted and the current position of the notification device 1 cannot be confirmed, it is determined that the communication device is present in the communication disabled area (step S13 / communication disabled area). In this case, it is determined whether the print operation interruption setting is valid (step S15). If the print operation interruption setting is set to invalid (step S15 / invalid), the printing being executed by the image forming unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 100 is continued (step S16). If the print operation interruption setting is set to be valid (step S15 / valid), printing that is being executed by the image forming unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 100 is interrupted (step S17).

<Operation / Effect of Image Forming Apparatus 100 of Present Embodiment>
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a notification device 1 that notifies the state of the image forming device 100, and the notification device 1 can be separated from the image forming device 100. Since the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can separate the notification device 1, the notification device 1 can be moved and used each time within a range that the user can reach.

  The control unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 controls the notification apparatus 1 according to the detection result of the detection sensor 101 that detects whether the notification apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when the notification device 1 is not separated from the image forming apparatus 100 and is connected via a signal line, the notification device 1 is controlled via the signal line. Further, when the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, the notification device 1 is controlled by wireless communication from the communication unit 104. Thereby, when it is detected that the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to perform control different from the case where the notification device 1 is not separated from the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when communication with the notification device 1 becomes impossible after the notification device 1 is separated from the image forming device 100, the operation being performed by the image formation device 100 can be interrupted. As an operation being executed, the printing operation is exemplified in the above-described embodiment, but an operation such as a scan can be interrupted. In addition, after the notification apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100, the notification apparatus 1 is notified when the distance between the notification apparatus 1 and the image forming apparatus 100 exceeds a predetermined value and the notification apparatus 1 exists in the warning area. It can be controlled to notify.

In the above-described embodiment, the distance between the image forming apparatus 100 and the notification apparatus 1 is specified using the GPS function. However, the distance between the image forming apparatus 100 and the notification apparatus 1 can be specified by the following method.
First Method Based on a response time from when the image forming apparatus 100 transmits a wireless signal to the notification apparatus 1 until the image forming apparatus 100 receives a response signal of the wireless signal, the image forming apparatus 100 and the notification apparatus 1 How to measure the distance between. If the response time is short, it can be determined that the notification device 1 exists at a position near the image forming apparatus 100. If the response time is long, it can be determined that the notification device 1 exists at a position far from the image forming apparatus 100.

Second Method A method of measuring the received signal strength of a signal received by the image forming apparatus 100 from the notification device 1 and measuring the distance between the image forming device 100 and the notification device 1 based on the strength of the received signal strength. If the received signal strength is strong, it can be determined that the notification device 1 exists at a position near the image forming apparatus 100. If the received signal strength is weak, it can be determined that the notification device 1 exists at a position far from the image forming apparatus 100.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the processing operation example after the notification apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming apparatus 100 has been described.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the notification device 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the notification device 1 is separable. For this reason, the case where the notification apparatus of the model different from the regular notification apparatus 1 is attached accidentally is also considered.

  Therefore, when the notification device 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 102 identifies the notification information of the notification device 1 attached to the image forming apparatus 100 and the notification device 1 stored in the storage unit 103. Are compared with the identification information. When the identification information is different, the notification unit 106 notifies that the identification information is different. Accordingly, when a notification device different from the original notification device 1 is attached to the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to notify the user that it is different. As a result, it is possible to prevent an erroneous notification device from being attached to the image forming apparatus 100.

  For example, assume that there are an image forming apparatus A and an image forming apparatus B as shown in FIG. In this case, the identification information of the notification device A is stored in advance in the storage unit 103 of the image forming apparatus A. Further, the identification information of the notification device B is stored in advance in the storage unit 103 of the image forming apparatus B. As shown in FIG. 10, when the notification device B is attached to the image forming apparatus A, the detection sensor 101 detects that the notification device B is connected to the image forming apparatus A. When the detection sensor 101 detects that the notification device B is connected to the image forming device A, the control unit 102 of the image forming device A acquires identification information from the storage unit 12 of the notification device B via the signal line. To do. The control unit 102 of the image forming apparatus A collates the identification information acquired from the notification device B with the identification information of the notification device A stored in the storage unit 103. In this case, since both identification information is different, the notification unit 106 notifies the fact that they are different. For example, a different message is displayed on the operation panel 110. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the user from attaching an erroneous notification device to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  For example, the control operation of each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment described above can be executed using hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  In the case of executing processing using software, it is possible to install and execute a program in which a processing sequence is recorded in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Alternatively, it can be installed in a memory in a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processes and executed.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program can be recorded temporarily or permanently on a removable recording medium. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software. Examples of the removable recording medium include various recording media such as a magnetic disk and a semiconductor memory.

  The program is installed in the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. In addition, it is wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer. In addition, it is transferred to a computer via a network by wire.

  The program can be used from a server on the network such as in the cloud. There may be a form in which only a part of the program is transferred to the computer.

  In addition, each unit configuring the image forming apparatus 100 of the above embodiment is not limited to performing the processing in time series according to the processing operation described in the above embodiment. For example, it is possible to construct the processing capability of a device that executes processing, or to execute processing in parallel or individually as necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Detection sensor 102 Control part 103 Storage part 104 Communication part 105 Image formation part 106 Notification part 1 Notification apparatus 11 Control part 12 Storage part 13 Communication part 14 Notification part

JP 2004-167842 A

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus having a notification device for notifying a state of the image forming apparatus,
The notification device can be separated from the image forming device,
Detection means for detecting whether the notification device is separated from the image forming device;
Control means for controlling the notification device according to the detection result of the detection means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein different control is performed when the notification device is not separated from the image forming device and when the notification device is separated from the image forming device. . The control means includes
The operation being performed in the image forming apparatus is interrupted when communication with the notification apparatus becomes impossible after the notification apparatus is separated from the image forming apparatus. Or the image forming apparatus according to 2; The control means includes
After the notification device is separated from the image forming device, control is performed so that the notification device is notified when the distance between the notification device and the image forming device becomes a predetermined distance or more. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Storage means for storing identification information for identifying the notification device;
The control means includes
When the notification device is attached to the image forming apparatus, the identification information of the notification device attached to the image forming apparatus is collated with the identification information stored in the storage unit, and the identification information is 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a difference is notified when different. 5. A control method for an image forming apparatus that is separable from a notification apparatus that notifies the state of the image forming apparatus,
A detection step of detecting whether or not the notification device is separated from the image forming device;
A control step for controlling the notification device according to the detection result of the detection step;
A control method characterized by comprising: A program to be executed by a computer of an image forming apparatus that is separable from a notification apparatus that notifies the state of the image forming apparatus,
Detection processing for detecting whether or not the notification device is separated from the image forming device;
A program that causes the computer to execute a control process that controls the notification device according to a detection result of the detection process.

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