JP2017005286A - Image forming apparatus, image formation remote control system, and image formation remote control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to perform appropriate remote control termination processing according to the state of an image forming apparatus by avoiding inconvenience occurring through a remote control termination operation.SOLUTION: There is provided an image forming apparatus connected with a terminal device via a network, and comprising a control part that enables remote control of an operation screen of a main body operation part of the image forming apparatus upon reception of an operation input from a terminal operation part, wherein when a predetermined condition is satisfied during remote control, and the remotely controlled operation screen is a specific screen, the control part performs control of not terminating remote control processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming remote operation system, and an image forming remote operation method that enable remote operation of an operation screen displayed on a main body operation unit of an image forming apparatus using a terminal operation unit of a terminal device. It is.

In recent years, in the field of forming an image on paper based on image data, one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a terminal apparatus such as a PC via a network, and the terminal apparatus manages the image forming apparatus. Remote control systems that can be operated have been proposed.
An outline of this remote control system is shown in FIG. It is assumed that an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction device and a remote terminal device such as a PC terminal are connected via a network, and the multifunction device is remotely operated from the PC terminal via the network. Here, the remote operation is a system in which a screen displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral is displayed on a PC terminal screen as shown in FIG. 12, and can be operated remotely from the screen.

A specific control sequence of the remote operation is as shown in FIG.
First, image data on the operation unit operation screen of the image forming apparatus is transferred from the image forming apparatus to the remote terminal apparatus, and the remote terminal apparatus displays the received image data in the display area of the operation screen in FIG.
When the operation screen display area is operated from the remote terminal device, the coordinate data of the screen is transferred to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus recognizes that the received coordinate data is the same as that operated on the operation unit operation screen. Screen transition etc., and after executing the process, the image data of the operation unit operation screen of the image forming apparatus is transferred again to the remote terminal device, and the screen to be displayed in the operation unit operation screen display area of the remote terminal device is displayed. Update.

When the virtual hard key in FIG. 12 is operated from the remote terminal device, the hard key information is transferred to the image forming apparatus in the same sequence as described above, and the same as when the received hard key information is operated on the operation unit. The image data on the operation unit operation screen of the image forming apparatus is transferred again to the remote terminal device, and is displayed in the operation unit operation screen display area of the remote terminal device. Update the screen to be displayed.
With such control, touch operation and hard key operation equivalent to the operation unit operation screen of the image forming apparatus main body are realized, and remote operation is realized.

  In remote operation, there is also a role to monitor the operation content on the main unit operation unit on the remote operation side or on the remote device side, so the same screen on the main unit side or remote operation side or on this It is desirable to display a similar screen.

  By the way, when an operation is performed on the terminal operation unit side, the operation content is visible on the operation unit side of the image forming apparatus, and there is a security problem on a specific screen. By not displaying the screen of the main body operation unit in some way during the use of such remote operation, it is possible to perform processing so that the operation content by the remote operation is not displayed on the main body operation unit side.

  For example, as a method of not disclosing the operation content to the user, when remotely operating a specific screen such as a service mode screen, the operation content of the image forming apparatus main body is hidden so that the operation content can be displayed to a general user. The means which is not disclosed in (1) is taken (refer patent document 1).

  In Patent Document 2, coordinates to be invalidated are provided for each operation screen, and when it is necessary to protect the security, the security is protected by invalidating the coordinates set on the screen. .

JP 2007-43647 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-23305

  However, when the remote operation is terminated on the service mode screen as described above, the operation cannot be performed if the operation screen of the image forming apparatus main body is left hidden.

In order to avoid these problems, it may be possible to transition to the initial screen at the end of the remote operation, but processing that may adversely affect the system due to interruptions such as image quality adjustment or HDD format is being executed If there is a transition to the initial screen in the middle of the process and the process is interrupted, there is a concern that the system may fail.
While performing the above process, it is possible to avoid the danger as described above by managing the state and controlling to wait until the process is completed. When a large number of processes are scattered, it is necessary to perform similar control for each process, and the problem that the entire system becomes complicated becomes an issue.

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and an image forming apparatus capable of solving these problems by realizing a remote operation system capable of avoiding inconvenience caused by the end operation of the remote operation, It is a basic object to provide an image forming remote operation system and an image forming remote operation method.

Of the image forming apparatuses of the present invention, the first aspect of the invention is an image forming apparatus connected to a terminal device via a network,
A control unit that receives an operation input from the terminal operation unit and enables a remote operation on an operation screen of a main body operation unit of the image forming apparatus;
The control unit performs control that does not end the remote operation process if a predetermined condition is satisfied during the remote operation and the operation screen during the remote operation is a specific screen.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the invention of the above aspect, the control unit is characterized in that the predetermined condition is a case where a remote operation end request is received from the terminal device.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit is characterized in that the predetermined condition is a case where a screen is updated by a remote operation.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the invention of the above aspect, the control unit performs control for prohibiting an operation to end the remote operation in the terminal operation unit as control not to end the remote operation processing. It is characterized by.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the present invention of the above aspect, the control unit notifies the terminal device that the remote operation cannot be completed in the control that does not end the remote operation process. Control to display a warning screen on the terminal operation unit is performed.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit is characterized in that the specific screen is a screen that requires authority to refer to the screen. .

In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the present invention of the above aspect, the control unit may be configured such that when the image forming apparatus stops communication with the terminal device,
If the screen being remotely operated is a specific screen, the operation screen is restarted after waiting for a predetermined time.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the present invention of the above aspect, the predetermined time is a time required for completion of processing in a processing group in which transition to another screen is prohibited until completion of processing. It is the maximum time.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit can erase the display of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus during remote operation, and is erased at the end of the remote operation. Further, the display of the operation screen is validated.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit may erase the display of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus and display a specific screen on the operation screen during remote operation. It is characterized by being performed.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit can set ON / OFF whether to perform control not to end the remote operation processing under the predetermined condition. And

Of the image forming system according to the present invention, the first mode is for an operation screen of a main body operation unit of the image forming apparatus by operating the terminal operation unit with respect to a terminal device and an image forming apparatus connected via a network. In an image forming remote control system capable of remote control,
A control unit for controlling the remote operation;
The control unit performs control so as not to end the remote operation process when a predetermined condition is met during the remote operation and the operation screen during the remote operation is a specific screen.

  The image forming system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the present invention according to the above aspect, the control unit is a case where the predetermined condition is a request for termination of remote operation from the terminal device.

  The image forming system according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the present invention according to the above aspect, the control unit is configured such that the predetermined condition is a screen update caused by a remote operation.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming system, in the present invention of the above aspect, the control unit performs control for prohibiting an operation to end the remote operation at the terminal operation unit as control not to end the remote operation processing. It is characterized by.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming system, in the present invention of the above aspect, the control unit notifies the terminal device that the remote operation cannot be completed in the control that does not end the remote operation process. Control to display a warning screen on the terminal operation unit is performed.

Among the inventions of the image forming remote operation method of the present invention, the first mode is that the main body operation unit of the image forming apparatus is operated by operating the terminal operation unit for the terminal device and the image forming apparatus connected via a network. Remote operation of the operation screen of
When a predetermined condition is met during the remote operation, if the operation screen during the remote operation is a specific screen, the remote operation process is not terminated.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming remote operation method according to the present invention of the above aspect, the predetermined condition is a case where a remote operation end request is received from the terminal device.

  In another form of the image forming remote operation method according to the present invention, the predetermined condition is that the screen is updated by a remote operation.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming remote operation method according to the present invention of the above aspect, the control for prohibiting the operation to end the remote operation at the terminal operation unit is performed as the control not to end the remote operation processing. .

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming remote operation method according to the present invention of the above embodiment, in the control not to end the remote operation processing, the terminal device is notified that the remote operation cannot be ended, and the terminal operation is performed. Control is performed to display a warning screen on the screen.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the specific screen is displayed as the operation screen, and the remote operation is terminated according to the state of the image forming apparatus by performing the control not to terminate the remote operation under a predetermined condition. Processing can be performed, and there is an effect that it is possible to avoid inconvenience caused by the end of remote operation.

1 is a diagram illustrating a mechanical outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the control block of the image forming system containing an image forming apparatus. Similarly, an operation screen showing a service mode screen is shown. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling display and non-display of an operation screen during remote operation. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a control procedure when a remote operation end request is received. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure when an operation screen for a specific screen is updated. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a control procedure when an operation for which processing is not desired to be interrupted is being performed. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the transition of the operation screen at the time of performing operation which does not want to interrupt a process. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a control procedure when communication is interrupted. Similarly, it is the schematic which shows the system of remote control. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the sequence control with the image forming apparatus and remote terminal device in the case of remote operation. Similarly, an example of an operation screen displayed on the remote terminal device during remote operation is shown.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus used in a remote control system of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the image forming apparatus, showing a mechanical configuration. The configuration will be described below.
The image forming apparatus 1 has a configuration in which a large-capacity paper feeding unit 155 is connected to the front side of the image forming apparatus main body 1a, and a post-processing device (FNS) 170 is connected to the rear side of the image forming apparatus main body 1a. Yes.
In the image forming apparatus 1, paper can be conveyed between the apparatuses and can communicate with each other. The image forming apparatus 1 includes the large-capacity paper feeding unit 155 and the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 170, and the image forming apparatus is configured only by the main body of the image forming apparatus. It may be a thing.

In the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 1a, a scanner unit 130 including a CCD 131 (shown in FIG. 2) and a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 are provided, and a platen glass 137 or an ADF document reading slit. An original image can be read through the glass 138.
The above-described scanner unit 130, casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, platen glass 137, ADF document reading slit glass 138, and the like constitute an image reading unit.
In addition, on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 1a, an operation unit 140 including a touch panel is provided at a position where the platen glass 137 is not located, so that an operation and information display by the operator can be performed. The operation unit 140 constitutes an operation unit and also serves as the display unit of the present invention. In the present invention, the operation unit and the display unit can be configured separately. The operation unit 140 corresponds to the main body operation unit of the present invention.

On the lower side of the image forming apparatus main body 1a, a plurality of paper feed trays (1 to 3) 152 (three stages in the figure) are arranged, and the paper supply tray is provided so as to be attached to the image forming apparatus main body 1a. A large-capacity paper feeding unit 155 is arranged.
In the image forming apparatus main body 1a, a transport path for transporting paper fed from one of the paper feed trays, a second paper feed roller 153, and the like are provided. In addition, an image forming unit 154 including an LD 154a, a photoreceptor 154b, a charger 154c, a developing unit 154d, a transfer unit 154e, a fixing unit 154f, and the like is provided. Further, the large-capacity paper feeding unit 155 is provided with a conveyance path (not shown) through which each fed paper is conveyed and introduced into the image forming apparatus main body 1a.
Further, the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 170 conveys the paper on which the image is printed and discharges the paper without performing the post-processing or performing the post-processing.
The printer unit 150 includes the paper feed trays (1 to 3) 152, the conveyance path, the second paper feed roller 153, the image forming unit 154, the large-capacity paper feed unit 155, and the like.

In the image forming unit 154, the charger 154c, the developing unit 154d, and the transfer unit 154e are arranged around the photoreceptor 154b. The charger 154c uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 154b before image writing. The LD 154a forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 154b by irradiating the photoconductor 154b having a uniformly charged surface with a semiconductor laser. The developing device 154d develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 154b by the LD 154a with a toner material. By this development processing, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 154b. The transfer unit 154e transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member 154b to the sheet conveyed from the sheet feed trays (1-3) 152 or the large-capacity sheet feed unit 155. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 154b and conveyed to the fixing device 154f. The toner material remaining on the photoreceptor 154b is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown). The fixing device 154f fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the sheet by heating the conveyed sheet. In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet subjected to the fixing process is conveyed as it is to a post-processing device (FNS) 170 located on the side of the image forming apparatus main body 1a.
A post-processing device (FNS) 170 performs post-processing such as stapling, punching, and half-folding.
On the other hand, in the case of duplex printing, the fixed sheet is switched back and a predetermined image is transferred by the image forming unit 154 to the back side of the sheet. The paper on which images are formed on both sides is conveyed to a post-processing device (FNS) 170 after fixing.

Next, control blocks of the image forming system including the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus main body 1 a includes a control block 110, a scanner unit 130, an operation unit 140, and a printer unit 150 as large blocks. Further, the image forming apparatus main body 1 a is connected to a terminal (PC) 3 through the network 10 and remote terminals through the network 11. It is connected to the device 4. The networks 10 and 11 may be the same network. The image forming apparatus main body 1 a is connected to the network 10 via an image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160. The types of the networks 10 and 11 are not particularly limited, and an appropriate network such as a LAN (wired or wireless), WAN, or communication line can be used. It may be different.

  In this embodiment, an example in which one image forming apparatus 1 and one remote terminal apparatus 4 are connected in the network 11 has been described. However, the number of image forming apparatuses and remote terminal apparatuses is particularly large. The present invention is not limited, and one remote terminal device may be capable of remote panel operation with respect to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. The remote terminal device 4 corresponds to a terminal device of the present invention that performs remote operation.

  Note that the image forming system of this embodiment may not include the networks 10 and 11 and the remote terminal device 4, or may include these.

The control block 110 has a PCI bus 112 connected to an image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, and a DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the PCI bus 112. An image memory (DRAM) 120 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The image memory (DRAM) 120 has a compression memory 121 for storing compressed image data and a page memory 122 for temporarily storing uncompressed image data to be printed before image formation. .
The image data acquired by the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 is transmitted to the DRAM control IC 111 through the PCI bus 112 along with the printing operation.

The control block 110 includes a control CPU 113, and a DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the control CPU 113.
In addition, the control CPU 113 is composed of a ROM or the like, a program memory storing a program or the like for operating the control CPU 113, a RAM or the like, and a system memory used as a work area or the like (both shown). A non-volatile memory 115 composed of a flash memory or the like is connected. In the nonvolatile memory 115, initial print setting information of the image forming apparatus main body 1a, machine setting information such as process control parameters, initial data of output settings, and the like are readable and stored. Control information for each unit is stored.

Also, setting information for remote panel operation in the image forming apparatus 1 is registered in the nonvolatile memory 115. The setting information may be registered by the initial setting, or may be newly set by the operator through the operation unit 140, or the set information may be edited or deleted.
As the setting information, the content of the specific screen, the predetermined condition for performing the control without terminating the remote operation, the type of the specific screen for erasing the main body operation screen of the image forming apparatus, and the control for not terminating the remote operation Display contents of warning screen displayed on terminal operation screen, data of time to wait for restart of image forming device when communication between image forming device and terminal device is interrupted, and remote operation screen is specified screen, processing Stores the types of processing groups for which transition to other screens is prohibited until completion, data on the time required to complete the processing for each type, and the like.

The control CPU 113 can read nonvolatile data in the nonvolatile memory 115 and can write desired data in the nonvolatile memory 115.
The control CPU 113 operates according to an image forming apparatus control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 115 or the like, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the machine setting information, print setting information, output settings, adjustment values of unit control information, and the like. And manage each part. Further, the control CPU 113 operates by an image forming remote operation program, and when requested from the remote panel side, executes a server function for starting the remote panel side as a client and other applications started on the remote panel operation side Information for the remote panel can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus and the remote terminal to synchronize the operation screens. The control CPU 113 constitutes a control unit of the present invention.
The control CPU 113 enables job output settings and operation instructions, unit control information settings, and communication instructions to be performed through the operation unit 140.
In the present invention, a control unit for managing and controlling the image forming apparatus may be provided outside the image forming apparatus main body.

The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 113 so that serial communication is possible. The CCD 131 is connected to a reading processing unit 116 that processes image data read by the CCD 131, and the reading processing unit 116 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 in a controllable manner.
The read processing unit 116 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion processing, and shading processing on the analog image signal input from the CCD 131 to generate digital image data, which will be described later. Output to compression / decompression IC 117.

The operation unit 140 includes an LCD 141 configured as a touch panel that serves as both a display unit and an operation unit, and an operation unit control unit 142 that controls the entire operation unit. The operation unit control unit 142 performs serial communication with the control CPU 113. Connected as possible.
In the operation unit 140, under the control of the control CPU 113, a touch panel type LCD 141 is used to input machine setting such as output condition setting and operation control condition in the image forming apparatus main body 1a, and paper information (size, paper type) of each paper feed tray. ) Setting input, display of setting contents, display of desired information such as a message, and manual setting of control information. Further, the warning display content in the remote terminal device 4 may be settable. Further, the operation unit 140 may be capable of setting ON / OFF whether to perform control that does not end the remote operation under a predetermined condition, or may be set so that the control is always performed. Depending on the ON / OFF setting, the user can switch whether to perform the above control.

A compression / decompression IC 117 capable of compressing or decompressing image data is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The DRAM control IC 111 controls image data compression processing and compression image data decompression processing by the compression / decompression IC 117 in accordance with an instruction from the control CPU 113, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory (DRAM) 120. .
The write processing unit 123 is connected to an image forming unit including the LD 154a of the printer unit 150, and generates write data used for the operation of the LD 154a based on the image data.

The printer unit 150 includes the image forming unit 154, a paper feed tray, a conveyance path, a reverse conveyance path, a fixing device, and the like.
In addition, the printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 151 that controls the entire printer unit 150 (paper feeding, image formation, paper discharge, post-processing, and the like). The printer control unit 151 performs serial communication with the control CPU 113 described above. Connected as possible. The printer control unit 151 operates according to a control command from the control CPU 113 to control the printer unit 150 to perform paper conveyance, image formation, and the like.

An HDD 119 is connected to the PCI bus 112 via a controller IC 118, and data can be stored in the HDD 119 or read from the HDD 119 via the controller IC 118 under the control of the control CPU 113.
Further, a DRAM control IC 161 provided in the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 is connected to the PCI bus 112. The image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 includes a controller control unit 163 and an image memory 162 for controlling the entire image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, and is connected via the LAN control unit 164 and the LAN interface 165. Connected to the network 10. The LAN interface 165 functions as a communication unit.

  When the image forming apparatus main body 1a is used as a network printer or a network scanner, the image processing section (print & scanner controller) 160 receives image data or the like from the information terminal section connected to the network 10 by the image forming apparatus main body 1a. It receives the image data, and transmits the image data acquired by the scanner unit 130 to a terminal (PC) 3 connected to the network 10 or the like.

Further, a LAN interface 126 is connected to the control CPU 113 via a LAN control unit 125, and the network 11 is connected to the LAN interface 126.
The LAN interface 126 is responsible for transmission and reception with the remote terminal device 4 connected to the network 11 and functions as a communication unit.

  The remote terminal device 4 includes a terminal control unit 40 that controls the entire remote terminal device 4, and a LAN interface 41 connected to the network 11 is connected to the terminal control unit 40 in a controllable manner. The LAN interface 41 corresponds to a communication unit. The terminal control unit 40 operates by a terminal control program stored in a storage unit or the like of the terminal control unit 40.

The storage unit of the terminal control unit 40 stores an application for starting a terminal for the image forming apparatus 1 as a client, a browser, and other applications that can be started. These applications are started by the operation of the terminal control unit 40. Remote panel operation is possible.
Further, the remote terminal device 4 has a terminal operation unit 42. The terminal operation unit 42 may be operated and displayed by a touch panel or the like, or may be provided with an operation unit and a display unit separately. The terminal operation unit 42 enables remote panel operation on the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, a procedure for storing image data in the image forming apparatus main body 1a will be described. In the image forming apparatus main body 1a, a case where the scanner unit 130 reads an image and generates image data will be described. The scanner unit 130 optically reads an image from a document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the control CPU 113. The reading of the document may be performed while automatically feeding the document by the casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, or may be performed by placing the document on the platen glass.

  The control CPU 113 operates according to a program and issues a command to the scanner unit 130 based on an operation (reading instruction or copy instruction) by the operation unit 140. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image data subjected to the data processing is sent to the compression / expansion IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111 and compressed by a predetermined method. The compressed data is stored in the image memory (DRAM) 120 via the DRAM control IC 111.

  In addition, the image data can be input to the image forming apparatus main body 1 a via the network 10. Examples of the image data include data generated by an application program such as a terminal (PC) 3. The method for generating image data is not particularly limited.

  The image data is received by the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 through the network 10, the LAN interface 165, and the LAN control unit 164, and the print data is transferred to the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161 according to an instruction from the controller control unit 163. Be expanded. The print data in the image memory 162 is transferred to the DRAM control IC 111 via the PCI bus 112 and temporarily stored in the page memory 122. The data stored in the page memory 122 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111 and subjected to compression processing, and stored in the HDD 119 via the compression memory 121 or the controller IC 118 via the DRAM control IC 111.

  When the image data is stored, output settings are made before or after storing the image data. The output setting can be performed by an operation input by an operator by displaying a setting screen on which operation input is possible on the operation unit 140. Further, when the output setting item is selected in the initial setting and the setting input by the operator is not made, the output setting is made by the initial setting.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, that is, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 or the image data stored in the HDD 119 is compressed / decompressed IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111. The decompressed data is sent to the writing processing unit 123, and writing is performed by the LD 154a on the photosensitive member 154b charged by the charger 154c.

  In the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 151 that receives a command from the control CPU 113. In the image forming unit 154, the latent image written on the photoreceptor 154b is developed as a toner image by the developing unit 154d, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet supplied by the transfer path by the transfer unit 154e and fixed by the fixing unit 154f. The In the photoreceptor 154b, after the toner image is transferred onto the paper, the residual toner is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown). The paper is fed from a large capacity paper feeding unit 155 or a paper feed tray (1-3) 152 in the image forming apparatus main body 1a according to the setting. The large capacity sheet feeding unit 155 and the sheet feeding trays (1-3) 152 in the image forming apparatus main body 1a are controlled according to the control information.

The sheet on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 170 via the conveyance path, or is reversed on the reverse conveyance path and circulated to the image forming unit. The recirculated paper undergoes image formation and fixing on the back side, and is conveyed to a post-processing device (FNS) 170. The post-processing device (FNS) 170 is controlled directly by the control information from the control CPU 113 or via each post-processing device controller, and performs desired processing.
In this embodiment, the description has been given on the assumption of monochrome image formation. However, the image forming apparatus main body may be provided with a photoconductor for each color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). .

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, when a request is made by the remote terminal device 4 regarding a predetermined operation, the LAN control unit 125, the LAN interface 126, the network 11, the terminal control unit 40, and the LAN interface 41 are controlled by the operation of the control CPU 113. The control information is transmitted to the remote terminal device 4 via the remote control.

The remote terminal apparatus 4 will be described using VNC (trademark, the same applies hereinafter) as an example. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a VNC server, and the remote terminal apparatus 4 is provided with a VNC client. A control CPU 113 or the like can be used as the VNC server.
The VNC client acquires screen data from the VNC server of the image forming apparatus 1 through the network 11 and the LAN interface 41, transfers the acquired screen data to its terminal control unit 40, and displays the acquired screen on the terminal operation display unit 42. At that time, an operation for the screen is accepted and transmitted to the VNC server of the image forming apparatus 1. An operation instruction and information display of the image forming apparatus 1 can be performed by a remote panel of the remote terminal device 4.

In addition to the above, remote panel URL and other applications can be used for remote operation. In the present invention, the type of remote control is not particularly limited.
Further, the remote operation does not need to display the screen in the same display form as the screen of the image forming apparatus 1, and a different form of screen that enables display or operation corresponding to the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 1. It may be displayed. For example, an application such as a browser is activated in the remote terminal device 4 in response to the activation of the remote operation, and information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the remote terminal device 4 through the network 11 by a markup language or the like, whereby the remote terminal device 4 Thus, it may be possible to display and operate a screen corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1.

  In this embodiment, the control unit is described as being provided in the image forming apparatus. However, a management unit connected to the image forming apparatus via a network may be provided with a control unit that controls remote operation. The management apparatus may constitute the image forming system of the present invention, and the image forming apparatus may be included in the image forming system. Further, the image forming system may include a remote terminal device.

  In the system configuration described above, the content operated from the remote terminal device is displayed on the operation screen of the image forming apparatus, and security may be concerned depending on the screen. Therefore, in a screen that requires security, when the image forming apparatus receives a remote operation start request from the remote terminal, the image forming apparatus must not be disclosed to a person in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus. After the operation screen is not displayed, the remote operation is started. When the image forming apparatus receives a remote operation end request from the remote terminal device, the remote operation is ended, and at this time, the non-display of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is canceled.

In an image forming apparatus that can be operated remotely, there is a case where the operation content cannot be disclosed to general users in operations that are performed only by a serviceman or system administrator from the terminal of the remote apparatus.
FIG. 3 shows a service screen as an example of a screen that is displayed on the terminal operation unit by remote operation and is not displayed on the main body operation unit. In this embodiment, the service screen corresponds to one of the specific screens in the present invention.
It is assumed that the service screen 1400 is displayed and operated by a service person, not the user, and when performing remote operation, the service screen 1400 is often displayed on the main body operation unit to avoid the user viewing the contents. In the service screen, for example, a password setting input is required for login and an authority is required to refer to the screen.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for hiding the display of the main body operation unit on an operation screen that requires security. This procedure can be executed under the control of the control unit. In this procedure, the setting of whether to perform control that does not end the remote operation processing under a predetermined condition is OFF.

  First, it waits for reception of a remote operation start request from the remote terminal device (step s1). When there is a remote operation start request (step s1, Yes), the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is hidden and the operation is prohibited (step s2). Next, the remote operation is started (step s3). Thereafter, reception of the remote operation end request from the remote terminal device is waited (step s4). When the remote operation end request is received (step s4, Yes), the remote operation is ended (step s5), and the image forming apparatus The non-display of the operation screen and the prohibition of operation are canceled (step s6), and the process is terminated.

However, in the above procedure, if there is a remote operation end request even in the service mode or the like, the service mode screen is displayed on the operation screen of the image forming apparatus.
As described above, in the remote operation control, inconvenience may occur by terminating the remote operation on the remote terminal side.
For example, in the above procedure, if the remote operation end button is pressed on a specific screen such as a service mode screen, and if the screen being operated is a service mode screen or the like, the non-display is canceled, and the operation of the image forming apparatus Service mode screen etc. are displayed on the screen.

In the present embodiment, when a remote operation termination request is made from the remote terminal device to the image forming apparatus, a notification that the remote terminal device cannot be terminated by remote operation is transmitted to the terminal operation screen of the remote terminal device. A warning screen is displayed in the area, and control is performed so as not to end the remote operation. When ending the remote operation, the remote operation can be ended by pressing a remote operation end button after exiting a specific screen such as the service mode screen.
Note that the type of the specific screen can be selected as appropriate, and the contents can be stored in the nonvolatile memory.

The above procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
First, it waits to receive a remote operation end request from the remote terminal device (step s10). The reception of the remote operation end request corresponds to the predetermined condition of the present invention.
When the remote operation end request is received (step s10, Yes), it is determined whether the service mode screen is displayed (step s11). In this embodiment, the service mode screen corresponds to the specific screen of the present invention. In the case of the service mode screen (step s11, Yes), a warning screen is displayed on the remote terminal device (step s13), and it waits to receive a remote operation end request from the remote terminal device in step s10. Thereby, in the case of a specific screen, control which does not complete | finish remote operation is performed.
On the other hand, if it is not the service mode screen (step s11, No), an operation end notification is sent to the remote terminal device (step s12). If the operation screen is not displayed on the image forming apparatus at this time, the non-display is canceled. Thereafter, the process ends.

Also, when there is an update of the operation screen and the operation screen changes to the specific screen, for example, when the operation screen changes to the service mode screen during remote operation from the remote terminal device to the image forming device, the remote terminal device A notification that the operation cannot be ended is transmitted, the remote operation end button shown in FIG. 12 is hidden, and the end of the remote operation is prohibited.
When ending the remote operation, the remote operation end button is displayed again after exiting the service mode screen, so that the remote operation can be ended by pressing the remote operation end button displayed again.

Next, a procedure when the operation screen is changed to the specific screen when the operation screen is updated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
First, it waits for the operation screen to be updated (step s20). If there is an operation screen update (step s20, Yes), it is determined whether the service mode is selected (step s21). An operation screen update includes an operation screen that has an adverse effect on the system when interrupted. Examples include image quality adjustment and HDD format. The present invention is not limited to a specific one that will adversely affect the system when interrupted.

If it is the service mode (step s21, Yes), the remote terminal device is notified of the end of operation not possible (step s24), and the remote operation end button of the remote terminal device is controlled to be hidden (step s25). Leave inside.
If it is not in the service mode (No in step s21), the remote terminal device is notified of the end of operation (step s22), and the remote operation end button of the remote terminal device is displayed (step s23). To enable remote control.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus incorporates a system that does not cause screen transition during execution of processing that is not desired to be interrupted on the operation screen. As an example, FIG. 7 shows an HDD format control sequence, and FIGS. 8A and 8B show operation screens.

  In the image forming apparatus, as shown in the operation screen 1500 of FIG. 8A, when the start button 1501 is pressed in the HDD format operation (step s30), a start request is made to the HDD control side, and the HDD format process is started. (Step sH1). On the operation screen 1500, the return button 1502 is displayed until the start button 1501 is pressed. However, when the start button 1501 is pressed, the display changes to the display of the operation screen 1510 as shown in FIG. 8B. The return button 1501 is hidden (step s31), and the screen transition to another screen, that is, the interruption of the HDD format is disabled.

When the HDD formatting process is completed (step sH2), the HDD control side notifies the operation screen control side of the end. On the control side of the operation screen, a return button 1502 is displayed upon receiving the end notification (step s32), thereby enabling screen transition.
In this way, after the HDD formatting process is started, until the HDD formatting process end notification is received, the screen without the “return” button is displayed as shown in FIG. The configuration is prohibited and the interruption of the HDD formatting process is suppressed.

In a system that performs such operation screen control, a determination is made as to whether processing that is not to be interrupted, such as HDD formatting, is being executed at the timing when a remote operation end request is received from a remote terminal device. Therefore, the process of returning the operation screen to the initial screen has a risk of interrupting other processes and cannot be implemented.
Such processing that does not want to be interrupted includes image quality adjustment, data buffer, firmware rewriting, ROM rewriting, and the like, and what can be selected as processing that does not want to be interrupted can be appropriately determined.
According to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to manage the state for each process for a process that is difficult to be interrupted at the end of the remote operation, and it is possible to avoid disclosing a screen such as a service mode screen to a general user. Thus, it is possible to provide a secure remote operation system.

Next, consider a case where communication is interrupted because the LAN cable of the image forming apparatus is disconnected during remote operation of the service mode screen or the like.
If the screen being operated is a service mode screen, the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is kept waiting for 10 minutes, which is the maximum time in the processing group that cannot be interrupted, while the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is not displayed. Restart.

A procedure when communication is interrupted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
First, it is determined whether communication between the image forming apparatus and the remote terminal apparatus has been interrupted (step s40). If the communication is not interrupted (step s40, No), the determination is repeated. If communication is interrupted (step s40, Yes), it is determined whether the service mode is set (step s41). If not in service mode, the process is terminated.

If it is in the service mode, there is a possibility that a process that does not want to be interrupted is being performed, so a predetermined time (in this example, 10 minutes) is waited (step s42). A predetermined time may be used as the predetermined time, or a time in which the time required for the completion of processing is the maximum among the processing groups in which the transition to another screen is prohibited until the completion of the processing is set as the predetermined time. Good. The processing group includes image quality adjustment, HDD format, data buffer application store, firmware rewriting, ROM rewriting, and the like. As the processing group that can be selected by the menu item selected in the service mode or the like, the processing group may be different in content and number of processing groups for each menu item.
After a predetermined time has elapsed, the system is restarted so that at least the operation screen is rewritten to the initial screen (step s43). Thereby, it is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of a failure in the system.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but appropriate modifications to the embodiment can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 4 Remote terminal device 40 Terminal control part 41 LAN interface 42 Terminal operation part 113 Control CPU
115 Nonvolatile Memory 140 Operation Unit 150 Printer Unit 154 Image Forming Unit 1500 Operation Screen 1510 Operation Screen

Claims (21)

An image forming apparatus connected to a terminal device via a network,
A control unit that receives an operation input from the terminal operation unit and enables a remote operation on an operation screen of a main body operation unit of the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined condition is satisfied during remote operation, the control unit performs control not to end the remote operation process if the operation screen during remote operation is a specific screen.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the predetermined condition is a request for termination of remote operation from the terminal device.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the screen is updated by a remote operation. 3.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit performs a control for prohibiting an operation to end the remote operation in the terminal operation unit as a control not to end the remote operation process. Forming equipment.   The control unit performs control to notify the terminal device that the remote operation cannot be completed and to display a warning screen on the terminal operation unit when performing the control without terminating the remote operation process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is a screen that requires authority to refer to the specific screen. The control unit, when communication with the terminal device is interrupted by the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the screen being remotely operated is a specific screen, the operation screen is restarted after waiting for a predetermined time.   8. The fixed time is a time in which a time required for the completion of processing is the maximum in a processing group in which transition to another screen is prohibited until the completion of the processing. Image forming apparatus.   The control unit is capable of deleting the display of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus during remote operation, and enables the display of the deleted operation screen at the end of the remote operation. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 8.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit deletes the display of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus when a specific screen is displayed on the operation screen during remote operation.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of setting ON / OFF whether to perform control that does not end remote operation processing under the predetermined condition. . In an image forming remote operation system capable of remotely operating an operation screen of a main body operation unit of the image forming apparatus by operating the terminal operation unit with respect to a terminal device and an image forming apparatus connected via a network,
A control unit for controlling the remote operation;
The image forming remote operation system according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined condition is met during remote operation, the control unit performs control not to end the remote operation processing if the operation screen during remote operation is a specific screen.   The image forming remote operation system according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined condition is when the predetermined condition is a request for termination of remote operation from the terminal device.   The image forming remote operation system according to claim 12, wherein the control unit is a case where the predetermined condition is that a screen is updated by a remote operation.   The image according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the control unit performs a control for prohibiting an operation to end the remote operation by the terminal operation unit as a control not to end the remote operation process. Forming remote control system.   The control unit performs control to notify the terminal device that the remote operation cannot be completed and to display a warning screen on the terminal operation unit when performing the control without terminating the remote operation process. The remote control system according to any one of claims 12 to 15. For the terminal device and the image forming apparatus connected via the network, the operation of the main body operation unit of the image forming apparatus can be remotely operated by the operation of the terminal operation unit,
An image forming remote operation method, wherein, when a predetermined condition is met during remote operation, if the operation screen during remote operation is a specific screen, the remote operation processing is not terminated.   18. The image forming remote operation method according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined condition is when a remote operation end request is received from the terminal device.   18. The image forming remote operation method according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where a screen is updated by a remote operation.   The image forming remote operation method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein as the control that does not end the remote operation processing, control for prohibiting an operation to end the remote operation at the terminal operation unit is performed.   21. A control for notifying the terminal device that the remote operation cannot be completed and performing a control for displaying a warning screen on the terminal operation unit when performing the control without terminating the remote operation process. The remote operation method according to any one of the above.

Images