JP2019181709A - Notification control program, warning notification method and image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve the work efficiency of an operator by notifying of warning information of the image formation apparatus at the appropriate timing.SOLUTION: In a system in which an image formation apparatus including a printing processing unit having a sheet feeding part, an image formation part and a sheet discharge part and a person detecting unit detecting the existence of a person and an information terminal are connected in a manner of being able to communicate with each other, the image formation apparatus includes: an information acquisition unit which acquires at least one residual amount of the residual amount of a free space that can be loaded with the sheets in the sheet discharge part, the residual amount of the sheets of the sheet feeding part and the residual amount of consumable supplies of the image formation part; and a notification control unit which notifies the information terminal of the warning information when the acquired residual amount is less than a predetermined reference value, the notification control unit, when the person detecting unit detects the existence of the person around the image formation apparatus, changes the reference value so as to notify the information terminal of the warning information at an early stage in comparison to a case where the person detecting unit does not detect the existence of the person.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a notification control program, a warning notification method, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, a notification control program for notifying an information terminal of warning information of an image forming apparatus, and a warning notification in a warning notification system including the image forming apparatus and the information terminal. The present invention relates to a method and an image forming apparatus.

  In industrial printing applications where large quantities are printed over a long period of time, the operator is not always in front of the image forming device, and usually the status of the image forming device is monitored remotely in a separate room, causing an error. Only when the job is completed or when the job is completed. In such an environment, the operator holds a portable information terminal, etc., monitors the status of the image forming apparatus remotely using the information terminal, and obtains error and warning notifications from the information terminal. Thus, it is not necessary to directly monitor the image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the load on the operator.

  As a technique related to such an image forming apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet, a discharge tray for stacking a sheet on which an image has been formed and a discharge tray are provided. Full load judgment means for determining whether the loaded sheets are full or soon full, human detection means for detecting that there is a person within a predetermined range, and full load or soon full load by the full load judgment means When the determination is made, if the person detecting means does not detect a person, the image forming operation is stopped, and if the person detecting means is detecting a person, control for restricting the stop of the image forming operation is performed. And a configuration having the means.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, when an error occurs in its own device, error information acquisition means for acquiring the content of the error as information, human detection means for detecting the presence of a person in the vicinity of the own device, When the error occurs, if the presence of a person is detected by the person detection means, an error notification means for notifying the person of the error information acquired by the error information acquisition means, and the error occurs. When the presence of a person is not detected by the person detection means, there is a person in the vicinity of one or more external devices that can communicate with the own apparatus and have the person detection means. A specifying unit that specifies an external device that is an error information transmission target from among the external devices that answered that there is a person, and an error message is sent to the external device specified by the specifying unit. Transmitting means for transmitting the acquired error information, an image forming apparatus having a disclosed by the information acquisition means.

  Patent Document 3 below discloses a state detection unit that detects a state in the image processing apparatus, a person detection unit that detects whether a person is present around the image processing apparatus, and the state detection. When a predetermined state is detected by the means, and the presence of the person is detected around the image processing apparatus by the person detection means, the predetermined state detected by the state detection means is notified by the first method. When the predetermined state is detected by the state detection unit and the presence of the person is not detected around the image processing apparatus by the person detection unit, the predetermined state detected by the state detection unit An image processing apparatus is disclosed that includes notification means for notifying in a second method different from the first method.

  Patent Document 4 below discloses a discharge tray that receives discharged paper, a printing unit that performs printing on the paper and discharges the printed paper to the discharge tray, and human body detection for detecting the presence of a person. And a discharge counter that counts the discharge of paper to the discharge tray, and printing on the discharge tray until the stacking upper limit is reached based on the discharge count value of the discharge counter reaching a predetermined upper limit value. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a processing unit that detects that a finished sheet is loaded and clears or subtracts the discharge count value in response to detecting the presence of a person based on the output of the human body detection unit. ing.

  Patent Document 5 listed below includes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the machine, an operation unit that performs mode setting and display of the copying machine, and a human body detection unit that can detect the presence of a human being. When the image formation end signal is on and the human body detection means detects an operator moving away from the copier, the copying machine control device detects the misplacement of the manuscript, transfer paper, etc., and gives a warning by voice, sound, etc. to the operator There is disclosed a control apparatus for a copying machine, which includes: a means for performing an operation, and a means for instructing the human to take an appropriate action when the human body detecting means detects the presence of a human being within a predetermined time after giving the warning.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-037134 JP 2014-057226 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-016608 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-044665 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-194562

  When the image forming apparatus notifies the information terminal of a warning based on a predetermined fixed standard, there is a possibility that an operator in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus passes the image forming apparatus and leaves after leaving the image forming apparatus. In this case, the operator has to go to the image forming apparatus again for the operation, which is troublesome twice. Also, in an environment where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are operated, when the paper discharge tray is full or when materials such as paper and toner are insufficient, each image forming apparatus notifies a separate warning. It becomes difficult for the operator to leave the seat for a long time. In addition, simply issuing a warning early increases the frequency of calling an operator and takes time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to notify the warning information of the image forming apparatus at an appropriate timing to improve the operator's work efficiency. It is another object of the present invention to provide a warning notification method and an image forming apparatus.

  One aspect of the present invention is a notification control program that operates in the image forming apparatus in a system in which an image forming apparatus and an information terminal are communicably connected. The image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding unit and an image forming unit. And a paper processing unit, a human detection unit that detects the presence of a person, and a control unit. The control unit includes a remaining amount of paper in the paper feeding unit, A first step of obtaining at least one of the remaining amount of consumables and the remaining amount of empty areas in which paper can be stacked on the paper discharge unit, and when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value A second step of notifying the information terminal of warning information to that effect, and in the second step, if the person detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, the presence of a person Compared to the case where the Wherein to notify the warning information, and changes the reference value.

  One aspect of the present invention is a warning notification method in a system in which an image forming apparatus and an information terminal are communicably connected, and the image forming apparatus includes a paper feeding unit, an image forming unit, and a paper discharge unit. A print processing unit and a human detection unit for detecting a person, the remaining amount of paper in the paper feeding unit, the remaining amount of consumables in the image forming unit, and a free area in which paper can be stacked on the paper discharge unit A first step of acquiring at least one remaining amount of the remaining amount, and a second step of notifying the information terminal of warning information to that effect when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value; In the second step, when the person detecting unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, the information terminal is informed at an earlier stage than when no person is detected. Change the reference value to notify the warning information. And butterflies.

  One aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to an information terminal, and includes a print processing unit that includes a paper feeding unit, an image forming unit, and a paper discharge unit, and a human detection unit that detects a person. Acquisition of at least one of the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed unit, the remaining amount of consumables in the image forming unit, and the remaining amount of free space in which paper can be stacked on the paper discharge unit And a notification control unit for notifying the information terminal of warning information to that effect when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value, the notification control unit, When the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus is detected, the reference value is changed so that the warning information is notified to the information terminal at an earlier stage than when no person is detected. And

  According to the notification control program, the warning notification method, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to notify the warning information of the image forming apparatus at an appropriate timing, thereby improving the working efficiency of the operator.

  The reason is that, in a system in which the image forming apparatus and the information terminal are connected to be communicable, the image forming apparatus is configured such that the remaining area of the empty area in which sheets can be stacked on the sheet discharge unit, When at least one of the remaining amounts of consumables in the image forming unit is acquired, and when the acquired remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value, warning information to that effect is sent to the information terminal This is because when the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus is detected, the reference value is changed so that warning information is notified to the information terminal at an earlier stage than when the presence of a person is not detected.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the warning notification system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the person detection method in the warning notification system which concerns on one Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic operation | movement of the warning notification system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic operation | movement of the warning notification system which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (warning notification process during execution of a print job) of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (warning notification process) of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (warning notification processing before execution of a print job). It is a figure which shows an example of the warning notification screen displayed on the information terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, in industrial printing applications where printing is performed in large quantities over a long period of time, the operator remotely monitors the status of the image forming apparatus using a portable information terminal, etc., and reports error and warning notifications. By acquiring from a terminal or the like, it is not necessary to directly monitor the image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the load on the operator.

  However, when the image forming apparatus notifies the warning based on a predetermined fixed standard, there is a possibility that the operator who is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus leaves the warning, and in this case, the operator again receives the image. You have to go to the forming device, which is a hassle twice. Further, in an environment where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are operated, if each image forming apparatus gives a separate warning, it becomes difficult for the operator to leave the seat for a long time. In addition, simply issuing a warning early increases the frequency of calling an operator and takes time.

  Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, printing is stopped due to a full discharge destination or a shortage of materials by notifying a full discharge tray or a shortage of materials at the convenience of an operator who operates the image forming apparatus. To improve the operational efficiency of operators. At that time, taking into account the situation of the operator, the discharge tray full load warning standard, the discharge destination switching standard when full, or the material shortage warning standard and the material supply source switching standard are changed. When it is detected that there is an operator in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus, a warning is issued earlier by lowering the reference, and the subsequent image forming apparatus is urged to remove the discharged paper or supply the material. Extend the working hours of.

  Specifically, an image forming apparatus including a print processing unit including a paper feeding unit, an image forming unit, and a paper discharge unit, a human detection unit that detects the presence of a person, and an information terminal can communicate with each other. In the connected system, the image forming apparatus includes at least one of a remaining area of the empty area in which sheets can be stacked on the sheet discharge unit, a remaining amount of sheets in the sheet feeding unit, and a remaining amount of consumables in the image forming unit. An information acquisition unit that acquires a remaining amount, and a notification control unit that notifies warning information to the information terminal when the acquired remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value. When the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, the reference value is changed so that warning information is notified to the information terminal at an earlier stage than when no human presence is detected. To do.

  Conventionally, some kind of error has been a trigger for warning, and the operator was often called from a distance, but by using the presence of the operator as a trigger, the operator passed other tasks and passed. Then, operations such as paper removal and material replenishment can be performed, and the operator's work efficiency can be improved. In addition, the time until the image forming apparatus stops can be extended due to the subsequent loading tray full / material shortage. During this time, the operator can concentrate on other tasks at a separate seat. Work efficiency can be improved.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a notification control program, a warning notification method, and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a warning notification system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a human detection method in the warning notification system according to the present embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information terminal according to the present exemplary embodiment, and FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic operation | movement of a warning notification system. FIGS. 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is an example of a warning notification screen displayed on the information terminal according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the warning notification system of the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and an information terminal 20, which are Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). Are connected via a network 30 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by a standard such as the above.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic operation of the warning notification system. As shown in FIG. 2A, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a person detection unit that detects the presence of a person in the vicinity of the apparatus, and when the person detection unit detects the presence of a person, information carried by the person. A warning notification is sent to the terminal 20. Note that the human detection unit does not need to be installed in the image forming apparatus 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the human detection unit is installed on the ceiling or wall of the room where the image forming apparatus 10 is arranged. Also good. In this case, when the person detection unit detects the presence of a person, the detection information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10, and the image forming apparatus 10 issues a warning notification to the information terminal 20 carried by the person. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail on the premise of the configuration of FIG.

[Image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a display operation unit 14, a print processing unit 15, a human detection unit 16, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 a and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 b and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11 c. The CPU 11 a is a control program stored in the ROM 11 b or the storage unit 12. Are expanded in the RAM 11c and executed to control the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10 (for example, reception of a print job, rasterization, execution of print processing), or management of the apparatus state of the image forming apparatus 10. To do.

  The storage unit 12 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like, and stores a program for the CPU 11a to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own device, state information on each unit of the own device, and the like. Remember.

  The communication unit 13 is configured by a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, or the like, connects the image forming apparatus 10 to the network 30, enables warning information to be transmitted to the information terminal 20, and responds to warning information from the information terminal 20. Can be received.

  The display operation unit 14 is a touch panel in which an operation unit such as a touch sensor in which electrodes are arranged in a lattice pattern is formed on a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. Various screens related to processing are displayed, and various operations related to printing are enabled. The operation unit may include a hard key or the like, and the display unit and the operation unit may be separate devices.

  The print processing unit 15 includes a paper feed unit 15a, an image forming unit (engine) 15b, a paper discharge unit 15c, and the like.

  The paper feed unit 15a is a paper feed tray or the like, and is connected to one or more. Each paper feed unit 15a is provided with a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of material such as paper, and notifies the control unit 11 (information acquisition unit 17 described later) of the remaining amount of material detected by the sensor. .

  The image forming unit 15b includes constituent elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and prints an image based on image data on a designated sheet. Specifically, the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device is irradiated with light corresponding to the image from the exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image, and the toner charged by the developing device is attached and developed. The image is primarily transferred to the transfer belt, secondarily transferred from the transfer belt to the paper, and a fixing device fixes the toner image on the paper. The image forming unit 15b is provided with a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of material (consumables) such as toner and ink, and the remaining amount of material detected by the sensor is controlled by a control unit 11 (an information acquisition unit described later). 17).

  The paper discharge unit 15c is a paper discharge tray or the like, and is connected in a single or a plurality. Each of the paper discharge units 15c is provided with a sensor for detecting the remaining amount (referred to as an allowable remaining amount) of an empty area in which sheets can be stacked on the discharge tray, and the allowable remaining amount detected by the sensor. Is notified to the control unit 11 (information acquisition unit 17 described later).

  The human detection unit 16 is a human sensor such as a camera or a radar, a voice recognition sensor that detects the presence of a person by recognizing voice, or a display operation unit 14 that detects the presence of a person based on a user operation. Yes, if the display operation unit 14 or the like is directly operated, the presence of a person is detected during the operation, and if it is a human sensor or a voice recognition sensor, an arbitrary fixed range is set as a monitoring range. It is determined whether there is a person within the monitoring range, whether the person is approaching or moving away from the image forming apparatus 10, and the like. In order to reliably detect the operator around the image forming apparatus 10, the human detection unit 16 is fixed to, for example, a tip of a pole extending upward from the image forming apparatus 10, It can be fixed to a ceiling or a wall on the side of the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the method for detecting a person and judging the movement of the person is not particularly limited. For example, a technique disclosed in the prior art such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-57226 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-194562 may be used. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 11 also functions as an information acquisition unit 17, a notification control unit 18, an operation control unit 19, and the like.

  The information acquisition unit 17 receives the device status and device information (paper of the paper feed unit 15a) from each unit of the image forming apparatus 10 (particularly, the paper feed unit 15a, the image forming unit 15b, the paper discharge unit 15c, etc. of the print processing unit 15). , The remaining amount of toner and ink of the image forming unit 15b, and the remaining amount of the empty area in which paper can be stacked on the paper discharge unit 15c. In addition, the information acquisition unit 17 estimates the remaining amount (remaining amount of material such as paper, toner, and ink, and the allowable remaining amount of free space) required for completion of the print job being executed or the print job to be executed in the future. .

  The notification control unit 18 notifies the error information to the information terminal 20 via the network 30 when an error state that makes it difficult to continue the operation occurs. Further, the notification control unit 18 notifies the information terminal 20 of the warning information via the network 30 when the remaining material amount and the allowable remaining amount acquired from the information acquisition unit 17 are lower than a predetermined reference value. At that time, the notification control unit 18 notifies the information terminal 20 of the warning information at an earlier stage when the human detection unit 16 detects the presence of the person than when the human detection unit 16 does not detect the presence of the person. Change the reference value (increase the reference value). When a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 are included in the warning notification system, the notification control unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 that performs the warning notification instructs other image forming apparatuses 10 to change the reference value. . The notification method is not particularly limited. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 is operated as a Web server, the information terminal 20 is operated as a Web client, and information is displayed by displaying a message on the Web page of the information terminal 20. You can be notified.

  When the person detection unit 16 detects the presence of a person (if necessary, if the person approaches the image forming apparatus 10 or if the person has a positive response to the warning If the remaining amount of material such as paper in the paper supply unit 15a falls below the reference value, the change operation to change the paper supply source to a paper supply tray other than the paper supply tray currently feeding ( When a plurality of paper feed units 15a are provided), or a preparatory operation for paper supply to the paper feed tray is performed. Further, when the remaining amount of material such as toner and ink in the image forming unit 15b falls below the reference value, a preparation operation for material supply is performed. In addition, when the allowable remaining amount of paper in the paper discharge unit 15c (remaining amount of free space) falls below a reference value, the change is made to change the paper discharge destination to a paper discharge tray other than the paper discharge tray that is currently discharging paper An operation (when a plurality of paper discharge units 15c are provided) or a preparatory operation for taking out paper from the paper discharge tray is performed. The print job being executed or the print job to be executed in the future is completed until the remaining capacity of the paper discharge unit 15c is insufficient or the remaining amount of materials such as the paper of the paper supply unit 15a and the toner of the image forming unit 15b is insufficient. If it is predicted that the process will be completed within the remaining amount, the operation of changing the paper feed tray and the paper discharge tray, such as changing operation and preparing operation, is not performed.

  The information acquisition unit 17, the notification control unit 18, and the operation control unit 19 may be configured as hardware, or the control unit 11 may be configured as the information acquisition unit 17, the notification control unit 18, and the operation control unit 19 (in particular, the information control unit 19). The notification control program may be configured to function as the acquisition unit 17 and the notification control unit 18), and the CPU 11a may be configured to execute the notification control program.

[Information terminal]
As shown in FIG. 4A, the information terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a display operation unit 24, a voice input unit 25, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU 21a and a memory such as a ROM 21b and a RAM 21c. The CPU 21a expands and executes the control program stored in the ROM 21b and the storage unit 22 on the RAM 21c, thereby performing the operation of the information terminal 20 as a whole. Control.

  The storage unit 22 is configured by an HDD, an SSD, or the like, and stores a program for the CPU 21a to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own apparatus, warning information received from the image forming apparatus 10, and the like.

  The communication unit 23 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and connects the information terminal 20 to the network 30 to receive warning information and the like from the image forming apparatus 10 and transmits response information to the warning to the image forming apparatus 10. enable.

  The display operation unit 24 is a touch panel or the like in which an operation unit such as a touch sensor in which electrodes are arranged in a lattice pattern is formed on a display unit such as an LCD or an organic EL display. Various screens such as a warning notification screen to be displayed are displayed, and various operations such as a response to the warning notification screen are enabled. The operation unit may include a hard key or the like, and the display unit and the operation unit may be separate devices.

  The voice input unit 25 is a microphone or the like, acquires voice uttered by the operator, and outputs the voice to the control unit 21 (voice recognition unit 26 described later).

  The control unit 21 also functions as a voice recognition unit 26, a response unit 27, and the like as shown in FIG.

  The voice recognition unit 26 recognizes the operator's voice acquired from the voice input unit 25, determines whether the response is a positive response or a negative response, and notifies the response unit 27 of the determination result.

  The response unit 27 transmits response information for the warning notification to the image forming apparatus 10 based on the operation result of the display operation unit 24 or the determination result of the voice recognition unit 26.

  1 to 4 show an example of the warning notification system of the present embodiment, and the configuration and control thereof can be changed as appropriate.

  Next, a schematic operation of the warning notification system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the operator is approaching the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, this includes a state in which the operator comes to see the state of the image forming apparatus 10 or simply passes by the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10 in another case. In this case, the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) of the image forming apparatus 10 increases the warning notification reference value (relaxes the reference) so that the warning is notified at an early stage. When the operator responds positively to this warning notification (for example, warning information indicating that the remaining area of the paper discharge tray is low), the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) of the image forming apparatus 10 Can change the paper output destination of the paper being printed (in this case, change to paper output tray 2), and can take out paper from the paper output tray (here, paper output tray 1) with little remaining space Perform a preparatory action.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the operator is moving away from the image forming apparatus 10. When the operator approaches the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) of the image forming apparatus 10 performs a warning notification by increasing the warning notification reference value (releasing the reference). When the operator moves away from the image forming apparatus 10 without making a positive response to the warning notification, the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) returns the reference value of the warning notification to the original value and warns as usual. To be notified. In addition, the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) of the image forming apparatus 10 continues printing without performing the above-described change operation and preparation operation.

  Hereinafter, a specific operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. The CPU 11a executes the process of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 9 by developing the notification control program stored in the ROM 11b or the storage unit 12 in the RAM 11c and executing it. 7 and 8 show a warning notification procedure during execution of the print job, and FIG. 9 shows a warning notification procedure before execution of the print job.

[Warning notification procedure during print job execution]
As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 11 (information acquisition unit 17) has various material remaining amounts detected by sensors provided in the respective paper feeding units 15 a, the image forming units 15 b, and the respective paper discharge units 15 c. The allowable remaining amount Sn is acquired and recorded in the storage unit 12 or the like (S101). Note that the remaining amount of material and the allowable remaining amount Sn are positive values indicating the remaining amount of materials, the ratio value of full load and free space, the time to stop operation estimated from the remaining amount, It can be a sensor output value or the like indicating to which sensor position of the sensor the remaining amount has reached.

  Next, the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) confirms whether any remaining material amount or allowable remaining amount is 0 (S102). If any remaining material amount or allowable remaining amount is 0 (Yes in S102), the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) transmits error information to the information terminal 20 as an error, and the operator An error notification is made (S104). In this case, since the operator has already been called regardless of whether or not there is a person around the image forming apparatus 10, the warning threshold value Tn is set to a predetermined reference value Yn (S107).

  On the other hand, when all the material remaining amount and the allowable remaining amount are not 0 (No in S102), the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) stops the error notification to the operator (S103). Next, the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) determines whether there is a person around the image forming apparatus 10 based on the output from the human detection unit 16 (S105). When there is a person around the image forming apparatus 10 (Yes in S105), the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) sets the warning threshold value Tn to a predetermined reference value Yn (S107), and the image forming apparatus 10 If there is no person around (No in S105), the warning threshold Tn is set to a predetermined reference value Xn (S106). Note that the values of Tn, Yn, and Xn are values that serve as criteria for issuing a warning when the remaining amount of material or the allowable remaining amount is reduced. If there is a person around the image forming apparatus 10, a warning is issued early. Therefore, Yn is made larger than Xn.

  Next, the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) determines whether any remaining material amount or allowable remaining amount Sn is smaller than the threshold value Tn (S108). When any remaining material amount or allowable remaining amount Sn is smaller than the threshold value Tn (Yes in S108), the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) performs a warning notification process (S110). Details of the warning notification process will be described later. Note that the warning notification is a notification different from the error notification.

  On the other hand, when all the material remaining amount and the allowable remaining amount Sn are equal to or greater than the threshold value Tn (No in S108), the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) stops the warning notification (S109). When the warning notification is stopped (S109), or when the warning notification is performed (S110), and when all the remaining amount of material and the allowable remaining amount are not 0 (No in S113), the control unit 11 (notification control) The unit 18) checks whether there is a change in the detection of people around the image forming apparatus 10 in the human detection unit 16 (S111).

  If there is a change in person detection (Yes in S111), the process returns to S105 to determine whether there is a person around the image forming apparatus 10. When there is no change in human detection (No in S111), or when any remaining material amount or allowable remaining amount Sn is 0 (Yes in S113), the control unit 11 (information acquisition unit 17) Alternatively, it is determined whether there is a change in the allowable remaining amount (S112). If there is a change in the remaining amount of material or the allowable remaining amount (Yes in S112), the process returns to S101 to acquire the remaining amount of material or the allowable remaining amount. If there is no change in the remaining amount of material or the allowable remaining amount (No in S112), the process returns to S111 to determine whether there is a change in human detection.

  FIG. 8 shows details of the warning notification process in S110 of FIG. First, the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) notifies a warning to the operator via the communication unit 23 and the information terminal 20 (S201). For example, a warning notification screen 40 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display operation unit 24 of the information terminal 20 to notify a warning message indicating that there is a shortage of the remaining amount of material or a shortage of empty areas in the paper discharge tray. . Note that the warning message in FIG. 10 is an example, and the contents can be changed as appropriate. Also, based on the difference between the remaining amount of material or the allowable remaining amount and the reference value, or the amount of change in the remaining amount of material or the allowable remaining amount, the time when the remaining amount of the material or the empty area of the output tray will occur is predicted Then, the warning message may be displayed, and by updating the time for each warning notification, the operator can accurately grasp the state of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Next, the control unit 11 (information acquisition unit 17) calculates the remaining amount of material or the allowable remaining amount Un required to complete the currently executing print job (S202). In addition, the calculation method of a required material remaining amount is not specifically limited, For example, the technique disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 9-81344 etc. can be utilized.

  Next, the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) determines whether the currently executed print job can be completed within the current material remaining amount and the allowable remaining amount (S203). If the currently executed print job can be completed within the current material remaining amount and the allowable remaining amount (Yes in S203), the warning notification process is terminated. On the other hand, if the currently executed print job cannot be completed within the current material remaining amount or the allowable remaining amount (No in S203), the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) makes an affirmative response to the warning. It is determined whether a response has been made (S204).

  The method for determining whether or not the response has been made positive is not particularly limited. For example, the warning notification screen 40 displayed on the display operation unit 24 of the information terminal 20 shown in FIG. Can be determined according to the response result of the response unit 27 based on the operator's selection. Also, the human detection unit 16 recognizes the operation of the operator, and has the operator approached the image forming apparatus 10 (in the case of FIG. 5 affirmative), or has the operator moved away from the image forming apparatus 10 (FIG. 6 can be determined based on negative). Further, the voice recognition unit 26 of the information terminal 20 can recognize the operator's voice input to the voice input unit 25 and make a determination according to the response result of the response unit 27 based on the operator's voice.

  When it is determined that the operator has responded positively to the warning (Yes in S204), the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) executes material supply preparation and material preparation (S205). In preparation for replenishment and preparation, there are multiple supply sources and paper discharge destinations. If there are supply sources or discharge destinations other than those currently being supplied or discharged, those supply sources or discharge destinations By switching to, the previous supply source or discharge destination is put in a standby state while continuing printing, and the operator can immediately supply or take out. If there is no alternative supply source or discharge destination, printing is paused or a pause option is displayed on the information terminal 20 so that the operator can supply or take out immediately.

  As a specific example, in an environment including a plurality of elevator-type large-volume discharge trays that have a lock function that prevents them from being removed during operation, the discharge tray 1 will soon be fully loaded, and the operator is positive about the warning. If, for example, the output destination of the printed paper after that is changed to the empty output tray 2, the tray of the output tray 1 is lowered and then stopped, and the door is unlocked. Thus, the paper can be taken out from the paper discharge tray 1. In addition, even if there is a paper discharge tray that does not have a lock function, the paper is removed during discharging, such as when the tray is moving due to the elevator function or there is a moving part next to the paper discharged by the offset sort function. However, since there are many paper discharge devices having a mechanism that becomes an obstacle to this, the operator can easily take out the paper by changing the paper discharge destination or temporarily stopping printing.

  On the other hand, when it cannot be determined that the operator has responded positively to the warning (No in S204), the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) continues printing and ends the warning notification process.

[Warning notification procedure before print job execution]
As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 11 confirms whether or not there is a person around the image forming apparatus 10 by the person detection unit 16 (S301). If there is no person around the image forming apparatus 10 (S301). No), the warning notification process is terminated and the print job is executed.

  When there is a person around the image forming apparatus 10 (Yes in S301), the control unit 11 (information acquisition unit 17), at the start of the print job, each sheet feeding unit 15a, image forming unit 15b, each sheet discharge. Various material remaining amount and allowable remaining amount Sn detected by the sensor provided in the unit 15c are acquired and recorded in the storage unit 12 or the like (S302). Next, the control unit 11 (information acquisition unit 17) estimates a remaining material amount or an allowable remaining amount Unt necessary for completing a print job to be executed (S303). A necessary method for estimating the remaining amount of material is not particularly limited, and for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-81344 can be used.

  Next, the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) determines whether the print job to be executed can be completed within the current material remaining amount and allowable remaining amount Sn (Sn> Unt), or the remaining material amount and allowable remaining amount. It is determined whether Sn is sufficient (Sn = 100%) (S304). If the print job can be completed within the current material remaining amount and the allowable remaining amount Sn, or if the remaining material amount and the allowable remaining amount Sn are sufficient (Yes in S304), the warning notification process is terminated and printing is performed. Run the job.

  If it is neither of the above (No in S304), the control unit 11 (notification control unit 18) notifies the operator of a warning via the communication unit 13 and the information terminal 20 (S305). Next, the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) determines whether or not the operator has responded positively to the warning (S306). If it cannot be determined that the operator has responded positively to the warning (No in S306), the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) ends the warning notification process and executes the print job. When it can be determined that the operator has responded positively to the warning (Yes in S306), the control unit 11 (operation control unit 19) executes material supply preparation or material preparation (S307).

  In preparation for replenishment or removal, there are multiple material supply sources and paper discharge destinations, and if either the supply source or the discharge destination has a sufficient amount of remaining material or allowable amount, the supply source or discharge destination As a result, printing is performed using a supply source or discharge destination that has a sufficient remaining amount, and a supply source or discharge destination that has insufficient remaining material or allowable remaining amount is put on standby, and the operator immediately Allow replenishment or removal. If there is no supply source or discharge destination with a sufficient remaining amount, printing is temporarily stopped so that the operator can supply or take out immediately.

  As described above, when the person detection unit 16 detects the presence of a person when notifying the information terminal 20 of the warning information when the material remaining amount or the allowable remaining amount is lower than the reference value, at an early stage. By changing the reference value so as to notify the information terminal 20 of the warning information (increasing the reference value), the operator can perform other work or work such as paper removal or material replenishment after passing the work. The operator's work efficiency can be improved. In addition, the time until the image forming apparatus stops can be extended due to the subsequent loading tray full / material shortage. During this time, the operator can concentrate on other tasks at a separate seat. Efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  The present invention relates to a notification control program for notifying an information terminal of warning information of an image forming apparatus, a recording medium storing the notification control program, a warning notification method in a warning notification system including the image forming apparatus and the information terminal, and the image forming apparatus. Is available.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Control part 11a CPU
11b ROM
11c RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Memory | storage part 13 Communication part 14 Display operation part 15 Print processing part 15a Paper feed part 15b Image formation part 15c Paper discharge part 16 Person detection part 17 Information acquisition part 18 Notification control part 19 Operation control part 20 Information terminal 21 Control part 21a CPU
21b ROM
21c RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Memory | storage part 23 Communication part 24 Display operation part 25 Voice input part 26 Voice recognition part 27 Response part 30 Network 40 Warning notification screen

Claims (21)

A notification control program that operates in the image forming apparatus in a system in which the image forming apparatus and the information terminal are communicably connected,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A print processing unit including a paper feed unit, an image forming unit, and a paper discharge unit, a human detection unit that detects the presence of a person, and a control unit,
In the control unit,
A first step of acquiring at least one of the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed unit, the remaining amount of consumables in the image forming unit, and the remaining amount of a free area in which paper can be stacked on the paper discharge unit. ,
A second step of notifying the information terminal of warning information to that effect when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value;
In the second step, when the person detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, the warning information is notified to the information terminal at an earlier stage than when the presence of a person is not detected. So as to change the reference value,
A notification control program characterized by that. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of the paper supply units and / or a plurality of the paper discharge units,
In the control unit,
When the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, a change operation for changing the paper supply source to a paper supply unit other than the current paper supply unit and / or the paper discharge destination is the current discharge destination. Executing a third step of performing a change operation to change to a paper discharge unit other than the paper unit;
The notification control program according to claim 1. In the control unit,
When the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, a preparatory operation for enabling the replenishment of the paper or the consumables and / or enabling the paper to be taken out from the paper discharge unit A third step of performing a preparatory operation for
The notification control program according to claim 1. In the third step, when the person detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus and the person approaches the image forming apparatus, or when the person notifies the warning information If a positive response is made, the change operation and / or the preparatory operation is performed.
The notification control program according to claim 2 or 3, wherein In the third step, when it is predicted that a print job being executed or a print job to be executed is completed within the remaining amount, the change operation and / or the preparation operation is not performed.
The notification control program according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: When the system includes a plurality of the image forming apparatuses,
In the second step, when changing the reference value, the other image forming apparatus is instructed to change the reference value.
The notification control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The human detection unit is at least one of a human sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and an operation unit that receives a user operation on the image forming apparatus.
The notification control program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A warning notification method in a system in which an image forming apparatus and an information terminal are communicably connected,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A print processing unit including a paper feed unit, an image forming unit, and a paper discharge unit; and a human detection unit that detects a person,
A first step of acquiring at least one of the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed unit, the remaining amount of consumables in the image forming unit, and the remaining amount of a free area in which paper can be stacked on the paper discharge unit. When,
A second step of notifying the information terminal of warning information to that effect when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value;
In the second step, when the person detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, the warning information is notified to the information terminal at an earlier stage than when the presence of a person is not detected. So as to change the reference value,
A warning notification method characterized by that. The image forming apparatus includes:
A plurality of the paper feed units and / or a plurality of the paper discharge units;
When the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, a change operation for changing the paper supply source to a paper supply unit other than the current paper supply unit and / or the paper discharge destination is the current discharge destination. A third step of performing a change operation to change to a paper discharge unit other than the paper unit is further executed;
The warning notification method according to claim 8, wherein: The image forming apparatus includes:
When the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, a preparatory operation for enabling the replenishment of the paper or the consumables and / or enabling the paper to be taken out from the paper discharge unit Further performing a third step of performing a preparatory operation for
The warning notification method according to claim 8, wherein: In the third step, when the person detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus and the person approaches the image forming apparatus, or when the person notifies the warning information If a positive response is made, the change operation and / or the preparatory operation is performed.
The warning notification method according to claim 9 or 10. In the third step, when it is predicted that a print job being executed or a print job to be executed is completed within the remaining amount, the change operation and / or the preparation operation is not performed.
The warning notification method according to claim 9, wherein the warning notification method is performed. When the system includes a plurality of the image forming apparatuses,
In the second step, when changing the reference value, the other image forming apparatus is instructed to change the reference value.
The warning notification method according to any one of claims 8 to 12. The human detection unit is at least one of a human sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and an operation unit that receives a user operation on the image forming apparatus.
The warning notification method according to claim 8, wherein the warning notification method is performed. An image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to an information terminal,
A print processing unit comprising a paper feed unit, an image forming unit, and a paper discharge unit;
A human detection unit for detecting a person;
An information acquisition unit that acquires at least one of the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed unit, the remaining amount of consumables in the image forming unit, and the remaining amount of a free area in which paper can be stacked on the paper discharge unit When,
A notification control unit for notifying the information terminal of warning information to that effect when the remaining amount falls below a predetermined reference value;
The notification control unit notifies the information terminal of the warning information at an earlier stage when the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus than when the human detection unit does not detect the presence of a person. So as to change the reference value,
An image forming apparatus. When including a plurality of the paper feeding units and / or a plurality of the paper discharging units,
The image forming apparatus includes:
When the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, a change operation for changing the paper supply source to a paper supply unit other than the current paper supply unit and / or the paper discharge destination is the current discharge destination. An operation control unit that performs a change operation to change to a paper discharge unit other than the paper unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15. The image forming apparatus includes:
When the human detection unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus, a preparatory operation for enabling the replenishment of the paper or the consumables and / or enabling the paper to be taken out from the paper discharge unit An operation control unit for performing a preparation operation for
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15. The operation control unit detects the presence of a person around the image forming apparatus by the person detecting unit and the person approaches the image forming apparatus or the person is notified of the warning information. If a positive response is made, the change operation and / or the preparatory operation is performed.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The operation control unit does not perform the change operation and / or the preparation operation when a print job being executed or a print job to be executed is predicted to be completed within the remaining amount.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. When there is another image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to the information terminal,
The notification control unit instructs the other image forming apparatus to change the reference value when changing the reference value.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The human detection unit is at least one of a human sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and an operation unit that receives a user operation on the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

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