JP2020179648A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable maintenance of paper-supply and the like to be preferentially performed according to an instruction of a user even if receiving a plurality of instructions to execute jobs.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 comprises a transfer part 106 that if a reservation receiving part 103 receives a reservation for maintenance when a job is executed, makes the image formation device 1 transfer into a maintenance state, after the job being executed currently is finished and before a job to be executed next in execution order is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to maintenance of an image forming apparatus such as paper replenishment.

In image forming devices such as copiers and multifunction devices, it is necessary to replenish paper, toner, ink, etc., and to replace parts. In addition, adjustment processing such as calibration is required on a regular basis.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-142250

When the remaining amount of paper, toner, ink, etc. is low, for example, even if the person in charge of replenishment wants to replenish the paper or the like to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus receives a plurality of job execution instructions. , Replenishment work cannot be performed until all jobs are completed. That is, there is a problem that maintenance such as paper replenishment cannot be performed preferentially. The same applies to parts replacement and calibration.

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes that the maintenance process is interrupted between jobs (next job), but the maintenance process is interrupted and the maintenance process is not performed. This is the case when it is determined that the execution of the next job will be hindered. Therefore, the maintenance process is not interrupted by the instruction from the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if a plurality of job execution instructions are received, maintenance can be preferentially executed over the already accepted jobs according to the user's instructions. The purpose.

The image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is executed by an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction from a user, a job reception unit for receiving a job input to the instruction input unit and an execution instruction thereof, and the job reception unit. A control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus to execute a job for which an instruction has been received, a reservation receiving unit that receives a reservation instruction for reservation of maintenance input to the instruction input unit, and the image forming apparatus. The transition unit includes a transition unit that shifts the image to the maintenance state, and the transition unit includes a job being executed at this time when the reservation instruction is received by the reservation reception unit when the job is being executed. The image forming apparatus is put into the maintenance state after the completion of the above and before the execution of the next job.

According to the present invention, if a user makes a reservation for maintenance while a job is being executed, the execution order of the jobs that are currently being executed is higher than that of the jobs that are executed in the next order. First, move to the maintenance state. Therefore, even if the job execution instruction has already been accepted, the maintenance can be executed with priority over the already accepted job according to the user's instruction.

It is a functional block diagram which roughly showed the main internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed an example of the data structure stored in the login information storage part. It is a figure which showed an example of the data structure stored in a job information storage part. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the transition process to the maintenance state in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the transition process to the maintenance state in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which roughly showed the main internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed an example of the transition process to the maintenance state in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed. It is a figure which showed an example of the data structure stored in the login information storage part.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 111, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, and a network interface unit. It includes 91 and a card reader 21.

A case where the document reading operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The document reading unit 5 optically reads the image of the document conveyed by the document feeding unit 6 or the document placed on the contact glass shown in the drawing, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory or the like (not shown).

A case where the image forming operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 serves as a recording medium to be fed from the paper feeding unit 14 based on the image data generated by the document reading operation, the image data received from the external device 20 such as a personal computer connected to the network, and the like. A toner image is formed on the recording paper.

The HDD 111 is a large-capacity storage device, and includes a login information storage unit 112 and a job information storage unit 113. The login information storage unit 112 stores login information such as a login ID and a password, which are user identification information necessary for logging in to the image forming apparatus 1. The job information storage unit 113 stores job information instructed to be executed by the user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure stored in the login information storage unit 112. The login information storage unit 112 stores, for example, a password and an e-mail address assigned to the user in association with the user identification information that serves as the login ID.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure stored in the job information storage unit 113. The job information storage unit 113 stores the contents of the job instructed to be executed by the user, the user identification information of the user instructed to execute, the execution instruction source information, and the date and time information (reception date and time) instructed to execute. .. When the job execution instruction is given from the operation unit 47, the "operation unit" is stored as the execution instruction source information, and when the job execution instruction is given from the external device 20 (user terminal), the execution instruction source The "user terminal" is stored as information. The job information of the job whose execution has been completed is deleted from the job information storage unit 113 by the control unit 100 described later.

The fixing unit 13 heats and pressurizes the recording paper on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12 to fix the toner image on the recording paper, and the recording paper subjected to the fixing treatment is ejected (not shown). It is discharged to the tray. The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette.

The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as an image formation operation execution instruction from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like to the operator. The operation unit 47 is an example of an instruction input unit within the scope of claims.

The display unit 473 has a touch panel function, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching the buttons and keys displayed on the screen.

The network interface unit 91 transmits and receives various data to and from the external device 20 in the local area or on the Internet. The network interface unit 91 is an example of a communication unit and an instruction input unit within the scope of claims.

The card reader 21 is a card reader device capable of reading an IC card. The card reader 21 is used for personal authentication using the IC card 22. When the IC card 22 is held over the card reader 21, the card reader 21 reads the user identification information registered in the IC card 22 and transmits the read user identification information to the control unit 10. The IC card 22 is, for example, a contactless card using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).

The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, an operation reception unit 101, a login processing unit 105, a transition unit 106, a prohibition unit 107, a release unit 108, a notification unit 109, and a guide unit 110. There is.

The control unit 10 is operated by the processor according to the control program stored in the HDD 111, and the control unit 100, the operation reception unit 101, the login processing unit 105, the transition unit 106, the prohibition unit 107, the release unit 108, and the notification unit It functions as 109 and a guide unit 110. However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by hardware circuits, regardless of the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, an HDD 111, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a card reader 21. Drive control of each part is performed.

The operation reception unit 101 receives an operation input from the user, and has a job reception unit 102, a reservation reception unit 103, and a cancellation reception unit 104. The operation reception unit 101 accepts user operations for the hard keys included in the operation unit 47, and also receives user operations for the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473 by the touch panel function of the display unit 473. Further, the operation reception unit 101 receives an instruction input from the external device 20 (for example, a user terminal) via the network interface unit 91.

The job reception unit 102 receives a job execution instruction from the user terminal via the operation unit 47 and the network interface unit 91. The control unit 100 registers the job information of the job for which the execution instruction has been received by the job reception unit 102 in the job information storage unit 113, and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, the image forming unit 12). Execute jobs in the order in which they were received.

The reservation reception unit 103 accepts maintenance reservations from the user terminal via the operation unit 47 and the network interface unit 91. The release receiving unit 104 receives a maintenance state release instruction from the operation unit 47.

When the operation reception unit 101 receives the login information (user-specific authentication information) input by the user operation for the operation unit 47, the login processing unit 105 stores the input login information in the login information storage unit 112. When it is determined whether or not the login information is stored and it is determined that the login information is stored, the user is allowed to log in to the image forming apparatus 1.

In addition, the login processing unit 105 logs out to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the login processing unit 105 logs out the image forming apparatus 1 when the operation reception unit 101 receives a user instruction for logout by a user operation on the operation unit 47.

Note that login and log-out can be performed not only from the operation unit 47 but also by using the IC card 22, and further, by operating from the external device 20 via the network interface unit 91. ..

When the reservation reception unit 103 accepts the maintenance reservation, the transition unit 106 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the maintenance state. Further, if the maintenance reservation is accepted by the reservation reception unit 103 when the job is being executed, the transition unit 106 is after the end of the job being executed at the time of the reservation reception, and is in the execution order. Moves the image forming apparatus 1 to the maintenance state before executing the job in the next order.

The prohibition unit 107 prohibits the job reception unit 102 from accepting a job execution instruction from the operation unit 47 while the image forming apparatus 1 is in the maintenance state. However, acceptance of job execution instructions from the user terminal via the network interface unit 91 is not prohibited.

When the release receiving unit 104 receives the release instruction, the release unit 108 releases the maintenance state of the image forming apparatus 1.

The notification unit 109 uses the network interface unit 91 to make various notifications to the user. The notification unit 109 is an example of the first to fourth notification units in the claims.

Further, the guide unit 110 uses the display unit 473 to give various guidance to the user. The guide unit 110 is an example of the first and second guide units within the scope of claims.

Next, an example of the process of shifting to the maintenance state in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This process is performed when the reservation reception unit 103 receives a maintenance reservation from the user.

First, when the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a running or waiting job (S1) and determines that there is a running or waiting job (YES in S1), the job information storage unit Based on the job information stored in 113, it is determined whether or not there is a job instructed to be executed from the user terminal among the waiting jobs (S2).

When the control unit 100 determines that there is a job instructed to be executed from the user terminal among the waiting jobs (YES in S2), the notification unit 109 executes the job after the maintenance is completed (No. 1). 1 message) is notified to the user who has instructed to execute the job via the network interface unit 91 (S3), and then the process moves to S4.

For example, when the job information as shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the job information storage unit 113, the job "job B" stored in association with the user identification information "A002" is transmitted from the "user terminal". Since the execution instruction has been given, the first message is sent to the e-mail address (see FIG. 2) assigned to the user.

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the job instructed to be executed by the user terminal does not exist among the waiting jobs (NO in S2), S3 is skipped and the process moves to S4.

Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a job being executed (that is, whether or not the executed job has ended) (S4), and determines that the job has ended (S4). YES), the control unit 100 deletes the job information of the job from the job information storage unit 113 (S5). Then, the transition unit 106 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the maintenance state (S6). The prohibition unit 107 prohibits the job reception unit 102 from accepting a job execution instruction from the operation unit 47 (S7). The guide unit 110 causes the display unit 473 to display a display indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the maintenance state (S8). After that, the process moves to S9.

When the control unit 100 determines in S1 that neither the executing job nor the waiting job exists (NO in S1), S2 to S5 are skipped and the process moves to S6.

After S8, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the maintenance reservation source received by the reservation reception unit 103 is the user terminal (S9). When the control unit 100 determines that the maintenance reservation source is the user terminal (YES in S9), the notification unit 109 notifies the network interface unit that the image forming apparatus 1 has moved to the maintenance state (second message). Notify the user who has made the reservation for maintenance via 91 (S10). After this, the process proceeds to S11 (FIG. 5).

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the maintenance reservation source is not the user terminal (NO in S9), S10 is skipped and the process proceeds to S11 (FIG. 5).

In S11 of FIG. 5, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the release receiving unit 104 has received the maintenance state release instruction (S11).

When the control unit 100 determines that the release receiving unit 104 has received the maintenance state release instruction (YES in S11), the release unit 108 releases the maintenance state of the image forming apparatus 1 (S12). The prohibition unit 107 releases the prohibition of the job reception unit 102 from accepting the job execution instruction from the operation unit 47 (S13). Further, the guide unit 110 erases the display indicating that the maintenance state has been entered from the display unit 473, and causes the display unit 473 to display the home screen (S14). After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a job instructed to be executed from the user terminal among the waiting jobs based on the job information stored in the job information storage unit 113 (). S15).

When the control unit 100 determines that there is a job instructed to be executed from the user terminal among the waiting jobs (YES in S15), the maintenance state of the notification unit 109 is released and the job can be executed. (Third message) is notified to the user who has instructed to execute the job via the network interface unit 91 (S16). The control unit 100 resumes execution of the waiting job (S17). After this, the process ends.

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the job instructed to be executed by the user terminal does not exist among the waiting jobs (NO in S15), S16 is skipped and the process proceeds to S17.

In S11, when the control unit 100 determines that the release reception unit 104 has not received the maintenance status release instruction (NO in S11), the control unit 100 determines whether the job reception unit 102 has received the job execution instruction. Is determined (S18). Since the acceptance of the job execution instruction from the operation unit 47 is prohibited during the transition to the maintenance state, if the job reception unit 102 receives the job execution instruction, the job execution instruction is received. Originally, it is not the operation unit 47 but the user terminal.

When the control unit 100 determines that the job reception unit 102 has received the job execution instruction (YES in S18), the control unit 100 registers the job information of the job received by the job reception unit 102 in the job information storage unit 113 (S19). The notification unit 109 notifies the user instructed to execute the job via the network interface unit 91 that the job will be executed after the maintenance is completed (S20). After that, the process returns to S11.

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the job reception unit 102 has not received the job execution instruction (NO in S18), S19 and S20 are not performed, and the process returns to S11.

According to the first embodiment, if the user makes a reservation for maintenance while the job is being executed, the job is being executed at the time of receiving the reservation, and the execution order is as follows. Prior to the execution of the jobs in order, the image forming apparatus 1 is put into the maintenance state. Therefore, even if a plurality of job execution instructions are received, maintenance such as paper replenishment can be preferentially executed according to the user's instructions. This makes it possible to interrupt between jobs and perform maintenance work, that is, replenishment of paper, calibration, and the like.

Also, if maintenance is interrupted between jobs, job execution may be delayed, causing inconvenience to the user who instructed job execution, but the necessary messages are sent to the user as appropriate. , It is possible to reduce the user's worry about job execution delay.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the transition to the maintenance state becomes possible (for example, when the job executed at the time of accepting the maintenance reservation is completed), the transition unit 106 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the maintenance state. However, as a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a transition reception unit 201 that receives a transition instruction from the operation unit 47 to the maintenance state, and the transition reception unit 201 is provided. When the transition instruction is received, the transition unit 106 may shift the image forming apparatus 1 to the maintenance state. Also in the second embodiment, the control unit 10 further functions as the transition reception unit 201 by the operation by the processor according to the control program stored in the HDD 111. However, the transition reception unit 201 can be configured by a hardware circuit, regardless of the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10.

Next, an example of the process of shifting to the maintenance state in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. Since S1 to S5 and S11 to S20 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

After S5, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the maintenance reservation source received by the reservation reception unit 103 is the user terminal (S21). When the control unit 100 determines that the maintenance reservation source is the user terminal (YES in S21), the notification unit 109 has enabled the image forming apparatus 1 to shift to the maintenance state (fifth message). Is notified to the user who has made a reservation for maintenance via the network interface unit 91 (S22). After this, the process moves to S24.

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the maintenance reservation source is not the user terminal (NO in S21), the guide unit 110 enables the image forming apparatus 1 to shift to the maintenance state. The display unit 473 is made to display that the display has occurred (S23). After this, the process moves to S24.

Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the transition reception unit 201 has received the transition instruction to the maintenance state (S24).

When the control unit 100 determines that the transition reception unit 201 has received the transition instruction to the maintenance state (YES in S24), the transition unit 106 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 to the maintenance state (S25). The prohibition unit 107 prohibits the job reception unit 102 from accepting a job execution instruction from the operation unit 47 (S26). The guide unit 110 can display on the display unit 473 that the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the maintenance state (S27). After this, the process proceeds to S11 (FIG. 5).

By the way, if anyone can freely release the maintenance state, the maintenance state may be released without permission even though the maintenance is not actually performed, which may cause inconvenience. Therefore, as another embodiment, in order to limit the users who can release the maintenance state, the release unit 108 has the authority to release the maintenance state based on the user authentication information used for the login process. The maintenance state may be released only when it is determined that.

Further, as described in the second embodiment, in order to limit the users who can shift to the maintenance state, the transition unit 106 determines that the user is in the maintenance state based on the user authentication information used for the login process. The transition to the maintenance state may be performed only when it is determined that the user has the authority to transition to.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the login information storage unit 112 is provided with an item (whether or not there is authority) for whether or not the user has the authority to shift and cancel the maintenance state, and information on whether or not the user has the authority is provided in advance. After registration, the transition unit 106 makes the above determination using the information. As a result, for example, if a user who has the release authority holds the IC card 22 of the user over the card reader 21 and then gives a release instruction, the maintenance state can be canceled, but a user who does not have the release authority can release the maintenance state. It cannot be released.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Further, in the above embodiment, a multifunction device is used as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, but this is only an example, and other image forming having a printing function, a facsimile function, and the like. It may be a device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and processing shown by the above-described embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

1 Image forming device 47 Operation unit 91 Network interface unit 101 Operation reception unit 102 Job reception unit 103 Reservation reception unit 104 Cancellation reception unit 106 Transition unit 107 Prohibition unit 108 Release unit 109 Notification unit 201 Transition reception unit 473 Display unit

Claims (11)

The instruction input section where instructions are input from the user,
A job reception unit that accepts jobs input to the instruction input unit and its execution instructions, and
A control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus to execute a job for which an execution instruction has been received by the job reception unit, and a control unit.
A reservation reception unit that accepts reservation instructions for maintenance reservations entered in the instruction input unit,
It is equipped with a transition unit that shifts the image forming apparatus to the maintenance state.
When the reservation reception unit receives the reservation instruction when the job is being executed, the transition unit is after the end of the job being executed at this time and from the execution of the next job. Before, the image forming apparatus that shifts the image forming apparatus to the maintenance state. A cancellation reception unit that receives a maintenance status release instruction via the instruction input unit,
The release receiving unit further includes a release unit that releases the maintenance state of the image forming apparatus when the release instruction is received.
A claim that the control unit executes a waiting job when the maintenance state is released by the release unit when there is a job waiting due to the transition to the maintenance state by the transition unit. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting unit that prohibits the job receiving unit from accepting a job execution instruction via the instruction input unit while the image forming apparatus is in the maintenance state. Display and
Any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a first guide unit that causes the display unit to display a display indicating that the image forming apparatus is in the maintenance state while the image forming apparatus is in the maintenance state. The image forming apparatus described in Crab. It also has a communication unit that communicates with external devices.
When the reservation reception unit accepts a maintenance reservation from the user terminal, when the job being executed no longer exists and the transition to the maintenance state becomes possible, that fact is notified via the communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first notification unit that notifies a user who has made a reservation for maintenance. Display and
When the reservation reception unit receives a maintenance reservation from the instruction input unit, when the job being executed disappears and the transition to the maintenance state becomes possible, the display unit displays a display to that effect. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second guide unit. It also has a communication unit that communicates with external devices.
If there is a job instructed to be executed from the user terminal via the communication unit among the waiting jobs, and the reservation reception unit is accepting a maintenance reservation, the job is the maintenance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second notification unit that notifies the user who has instructed the execution of the job via the communication unit to be executed after the end of the above. It also has a communication unit that communicates with external devices.
If the job reception unit receives a job execution instruction from the user terminal via the instruction input unit while the image forming apparatus is in the maintenance state, the job is executed after the maintenance is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third notification unit that notifies the user instructed to execute the job via the communication unit. It also has a communication unit that communicates with external devices.
If there is a job instructed to be executed from the user terminal via the communication unit among the waiting jobs, and the maintenance state is released by the release unit, the maintenance state is changed via the communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a fourth notification unit that notifies the user instructed to execute the job that the job has been canceled. It also has a login processing unit that accepts user-specific authentication information and performs login processing.
Any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transition unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the maintenance state when it determines that the user has the authority to shift to the maintenance state based on the user's authentication information. The image forming apparatus described in C. It also has a login processing unit that accepts user-specific authentication information and performs login processing.
The image forming according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the release unit releases the maintenance state when it is determined that the user has the authority to release the maintenance state based on the user's authentication information. apparatus.