JP2020201332A - Display unit, image forming apparatus, and method for displaying remaining amount of consumable item - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a display unit that can effectively communicate a reduction in the amount of a consumable item to a user, while preventing inhibition of transmission of another piece of information displayed on a display unit, an image forming apparatus, and a method for displaying the remaining amount of a consumable item.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an acquisition processing unit that acquires the remaining amount of toner; a display processing unit that displays, on a display unit, a remaining amount display image X10 indicating the remaining amount of toner acquired by the acquisition processing unit; and an expansion processing unit that can expand the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 displayed on the display unit in a transverse direction D1 according to a reduction in the remaining amount of toner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a display device, an image forming device, and a method for displaying the remaining amount of consumables.

An image forming apparatus such as a printer executes a printing process using consumables such as toner. In this type of image forming apparatus, a remaining amount display image showing the remaining amount of the consumable item may be displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display included in the apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-155649

By the way, various information such as the status information of the device and the identification information of the operation icon are displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus. As a result, the display area allocated to the remaining amount display image in the display unit is narrowed, and it may be difficult for the user to recognize the decrease in the remaining amount of the consumable item. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the consumable is reduced, it is conceivable to increase the display size of the remaining amount display image displayed on the display unit. However, in this case, other information displayed on the display unit is hidden behind the remaining amount display image after the display size is expanded, and the transmission of the information is hindered.

An object of the present invention is a display device, an image forming device, and a consumable that can effectively transmit a decrease in the remaining amount of consumables to a user while suppressing obstruction of transmission of other information displayed on the display unit. The purpose is to provide a remaining amount display method.

The display device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition processing unit, a display processing unit, and an expansion processing unit. The acquisition processing unit acquires the remaining amount of consumables. The display processing unit causes the display unit to display a remaining amount display image indicating the remaining amount of the consumables acquired by the acquisition processing unit. The stretching processing unit can stretch the display size of the remaining amount display image displayed on the display unit in a predetermined specific direction according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the consumables.

The image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the display device and an image forming unit. The image forming unit forms a color image using the plurality of the developing agents.

The method of displaying the remaining amount of consumables according to another aspect of the present invention is to acquire the remaining amount of consumables and to display a remaining amount display image showing the remaining amount of the consumables to be acquired on the display unit. The display size of the remaining amount display image displayed on the display unit can be expanded in a predetermined specific direction according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the consumables.

According to the present invention, a display device, an image forming device, and a consumable item that can effectively transmit a decrease in the remaining amount of consumables to a user while suppressing obstruction of transmission of other information displayed on the display unit. The remaining amount display method is realized.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining amount display image group displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining amount display image group displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining amount display image group displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a remaining amount display image group displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the remaining amount display processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of size expansion processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[Structure of image forming apparatus 10]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. Further, FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the operation display unit 6.

The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction device having a scanning function for reading image data from a document, a printing function for forming an image based on the image data, and a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function and a copying function. The image forming apparatus 10 may be a printer, a facsimile apparatus, a copier, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an ADF (automatic document transporting apparatus) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a control unit 5, and an operation display unit 6. And a storage unit 7.

The ADF 1 includes a document setting unit, a plurality of transport rollers, a document retainer, a paper ejection section, and the like, and transports a document read by the image reading unit 2.

The image reading unit 2 includes a platen, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, a CCD, and the like, and can read image data from the document.

The image forming unit 3 can form a color image by an electrophotographic method based on the image data read by the image reading unit 2. Further, the image forming unit 3 can also form an image based on the image data input from an information processing device such as an external personal computer. The image forming unit 3 may form an image by another image forming method such as an inkjet method.

The image forming unit 3 includes four image forming units corresponding to C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, and a fixing device. , A paper ejection tray, and four toner containers 30 arranged side by side.

Of the four toner containers 30, the toner container 31 stores C (cyan) toner. Further, the toner container 32 stores M (magenta) toner. Further, the toner container 33 stores Y (yellow) toner. Further, the toner container 34 stores K (black) toner. The toner container 30 is detachably provided in the housing of the image forming apparatus 10. The toner container 30 includes a transport screw that transports the toner contained therein to a discharge port formed on the bottom surface of the toner container 30. The transport screw transports toner in the toner container 30 by rotating in response to a driving force supplied from a drive source (not shown) provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming unit 3 forms a color image by using the toners of each color contained in the four toner containers 30. Here, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) toners are examples of a plurality of developing agents having different colors in the present invention. Further, toner is an example of consumables in the present invention.

The paper feeding unit 4 supplies the sheet to the image forming unit 3. In the image forming unit 3, an image is formed on the sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4, and the sheet after the image formation is discharged to the paper ejection tray.

The control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU 5A, a ROM 5B, and a RAM 5C. The CPU 5A is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM 5B is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU 5A to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM 5C is a volatile storage device. The RAM 5C is used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU 5A. In the control unit 5, various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 5B are executed by the CPU 5A. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 is collectively controlled by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 may be composed of an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC), and is a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that collectively controls the image forming apparatus 10. You may.

The storage unit 7 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 7 is a storage device such as a flash memory, a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (registered trademark), an SSD (solid state drive), and an HDD (hard disk drive).

The operation display unit 6 is a user interface in the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation display unit 6 includes a display unit 61, an operation detection unit 62, and a hard key 63.

The display unit 61 displays various types of information in response to a control instruction from the control unit 5. For example, the display unit 61 is a liquid crystal display. As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 61 has a display surface 611 on which the screen is displayed.

The operation detection unit 62 is a so-called touch panel capable of detecting a user's operation on the display unit 61. For example, the operation detection unit 62 detects the contact position between the user's finger and the display surface 611 when the user's finger touches the display surface 611 by the capacitance method. The operation detection unit 62 may detect the contact between the user's finger and the display surface 611 by using another detection method such as a resistance film method. Further, the operation detection unit 62 may be able to detect the operation of the display unit 61 by the touch pen.

The hard key 63 inputs various information to the control unit 5 according to the operation of the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the hard key 63 includes a power key 631.

The power key 631 is used to control power supply to each part of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is switched between the normal mode and the sleep mode by operating the power key 631. For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the operation mode is switched from the normal mode to the sleep mode by the operation of the power key 631, the power supply to the image forming unit 3 and the operation display unit 6 is stopped. Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the operation mode is switched from the sleep mode to the normal mode by the operation of the power key 631, power supply to the image forming unit 3 and the operation display unit 6 is restarted. In this case, the operation screen G10 (see FIG. 4) used for operating the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed on the display surface 611 of the display unit 61.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation screen G10 includes various information such as name information of a user logged in to the image forming apparatus 10, a message to the user, identification information of an operation icon, and time information. Further, the operation screen G10 includes the remaining amount display image group X100.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the region A10 surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The remaining amount display image group X100 includes four remaining amount display images X10. Of the four remaining amount display images X10, the remaining amount display image X11 corresponds to C (cyan) toner. Further, the remaining amount display image X12 corresponds to M (magenta) toner. Further, the remaining amount display image X13 corresponds to Y (yellow) toner. Further, the remaining amount display image X14 corresponds to K (black) toner.

The remaining amount display image X10 is an image showing the remaining amount of the corresponding toner, that is, the remaining amount of the toner contained in the toner container 30. The remaining amount display image X10 is a rectangular image elongated in the vertical direction on the operation screen G10, and is predetermined as a remaining amount display area (hatched area in FIG. 5) colored with the corresponding toner color. Includes a background area of the background color.

The remaining amount display image group X100 is composed of remaining amount display images X11 to X14 arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction D1 (an example of a specific direction in the present invention) on the operation screen G10.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, various information is displayed on the display unit 61. As a result, the display area allocated to the remaining amount display image X10 on the display unit 61 is narrowed, and it may be difficult for the user to recognize the decrease in the remaining amount of toner. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the toner of any color decreases, it is conceivable to increase the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner. However, in this case, other information displayed on the display unit 61 is hidden behind the remaining amount display image X10 after the display size is expanded, and the transmission of the information is hindered.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the effect of reducing the remaining amount of toner while suppressing the inhibition of transmission of other information displayed on the display unit 61, as described below. It is possible to communicate to the user.

Specifically, the ROM 5B of the control unit 5 stores in advance a remaining amount display program for causing the CPU 5A to execute the remaining amount display process (see the flowchart of FIG. 9) described later. The remaining amount display program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and installed in the storage unit 7.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 5 includes a display processing unit 51, a reception processing unit 52, a color change processing unit 53, an acquisition processing unit 54, an expansion processing unit 55, and a shrinkage processing unit 56. Specifically, the control unit 5 uses the CPU 5A to execute the remaining amount display program stored in the ROM 5B. As a result, the control unit 5 functions as a display processing unit 51, a reception processing unit 52, a color change processing unit 53, an acquisition processing unit 54, an expansion processing unit 55, and a shrinkage processing unit 56. Here, a device including a control unit 5 and an operation display unit 6 is an example of a display device in the present invention.

The display processing unit 51 displays a plurality of remaining amount display images X10 indicating the remaining amount of the plurality of (plurality of colors) toner acquired by the acquisition processing unit 54. Specifically, the display processing unit 51 causes the operation display unit 6 to display the operation screen G10 (see FIG. 4) including the remaining amount display image group X100.

For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, component data corresponding to each of the components constituting the operation screen G10 is stored in the storage unit 7. The component data includes four remaining amount display image data corresponding to the remaining amount display images X11 to X14.

When the display timing of the operation screen G10 arrives, the display processing unit 51 reads the component data from the storage unit 7 and stores the read data in the RAM 5C. Subsequently, the display processing unit 51 corresponds to the toner so that the remaining amount of the toner of any color acquired by the acquisition processing unit 54 is reflected in the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner. Remaining amount display Edit the image data. Subsequently, the display processing unit 51 generates the operation screen data corresponding to the operation screen G10 by using the component data stored in the RAM 5C. Then, the display processing unit 51 causes the display unit 61 to display the operation screen G10 using the generated operation screen data.

For example, the display timing is such that when the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on, when the operation mode is switched from the sleep mode to the normal mode by operating the power key 631, a print job or the like is performed in the image forming apparatus 10. When the execution of the job is completed, and when the toner ordering operation is accepted by the reception processing unit 52.

In the operation screen G10, the remaining amount display images X11 to X14 do not have to be arranged side by side in the left-right direction D1. That is, the remaining amount display images X11 to X14 included in the operation screen G10 do not have to constitute the remaining amount display image group X100. Further, the remaining amount display images X11 to X14 may be included in a setting screen or the like displayed in response to an operation of any of the operation icons included in the operation screen G10. Further, the remaining amount display images X11 to X14 may be included in the screen displayed during the execution of a job such as a print job. Further, the remaining amount display images X11 to X14 may be included in all the screens displayed on the operation display unit 6. Further, the display processing unit 51 may display a plurality of remaining amount display images X10 so as to be arranged in ascending order of the remaining amount.

The reception processing unit 52 accepts an ordering operation for any one (one color) or a plurality of (multiple colors) toners.

For example, the reception processing unit 52 causes the operation display unit 6 to display an ordering screen used for the toner ordering operation in accordance with a predetermined operation in the operation display unit 6. Then, the reception processing unit 52 receives an order from a predetermined ordering party such as a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to an ordering operation of any one or a plurality of toners on the ordering screen. Send an email containing an order for one or more toner containers for multiple toners. Further, the reception processing unit 52 stores the order information including the order date and time, the order destination, the order target, and the like in the storage unit 7.

The color change processing unit 53 changes the display color of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner for which the ordering operation has been accepted by the reception processing unit 52.

For example, when the acceptance processing unit 52 accepts the toner ordering operation, the color change processing unit 53 changes the color of the remaining amount display area in the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner for which the ordering operation is accepted. Increases or decreases saturation or density by a predetermined reference amount.

For example, the color change processing unit 53 corresponds to the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed among the component data stored in the RAM 5C by the display processing unit 51 before the display processing unit 51 generates the operation screen data. The color of the remaining amount display image data is changed.

The color change processing unit 53 may change the chromaticity of the background area in the remaining amount display image X10. Further, the color change processing unit 53 may change the color of the remaining amount display area and the background area in the remaining amount display image X10 to the same color as the color of the display area of the remaining amount display image group X100. In other words, the color change processing unit 53 may hide the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner for which the ordering operation has been accepted.

The control unit 5 does not have to include the color change processing unit 53. In this case, when the toner ordering operation is received by the reception processing unit 52, the control unit 5 responds to the order in the area adjacent to the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner for which the ordering operation is accepted. The remaining amount display image X20 (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the sent toner container 30 may be displayed.

For example, the remaining amount display image X20 is an image having the same display size and color as the remaining amount display image X10 having the same toner color. For example, the remaining amount display image X20 is displayed on either the left or right side of the remaining amount display image X10 in which the corresponding toner color is common. The remaining amount display image X20 may be an image having a different color from the remaining amount display image X10 having the same toner color. Further, the remaining amount display image X20 may be displayed above or below the remaining amount display image X10 in which the corresponding toner color is common. In this case, the remaining amount display image X20 may be smaller in size in the vertical direction than the remaining amount display image X10 having a common toner color.

Further, the control unit 5 does not have to include the reception processing unit 52 and the color change processing unit 53.

The acquisition processing unit 54 acquires the remaining amount of each of the plurality of toners having different colors.

For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, the cumulative value of the replenishment amount of the toner from the toner container 30 accommodating the toner to the image forming unit corresponding to the toner is recorded in the storage unit 7 for each toner.

Then, the acquisition processing unit 54 subtracts the cumulative value of the replenishment amount of the toner recorded in the storage unit 7 from the initial toner storage amount of the toner container 30 containing the toner for one color of toner. It is possible to obtain the remaining amount of the toner.

The control unit 5 calculates, for example, the amount of toner supplied from the toner container 30 to the image forming unit corresponding to the toner container 30 based on the rotation speed of the transport screw provided in the toner container 30. It is possible. Further, when the toner container 30 is replaced, the control unit 5 resets the cumulative value of the replenishment amount of the toner of the color corresponding to the toner container 30.

The stretching processing unit 55 can stretch the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner in the left-right direction D1 according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the toner for each toner.

Specifically, when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or higher than a predetermined first threshold value, the stretching processing unit 55 does not stretch the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner. In this case, the operation screen G10 displays the remaining amount display image X10 having a predetermined size in the left-right direction D1 (see FIG. 5).

In addition, when the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold value, the stretching processing unit 55 accepts the ordering operation of the toner, and the remaining amount of the toner is less than the first threshold value. When it is equal to or more than the threshold value, the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner is not expanded.

Further, when the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold value and the ordering operation of the toner is not accepted, the stretching processing unit 55 sets the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner. Stretch. In this case, the stretching processing unit 55 has a first size (remaining amount display image X12 in FIG. 6) in which the size of the left-right direction D1 in the remaining amount display image X10 is larger than the initial size (see the remaining amount display image X12 in FIG. 5). The display size of the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed is expanded so as to be (see).

Further, when the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold value, the stretching processing unit 55 accepts the ordering operation of the toner and when the remaining amount of the toner is less than the second threshold value. , The display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner is expanded. In this case, the decompression processing unit 55 has a second size (remaining amount display image of FIG. 7) in which the size of the left-right direction D1 in the remaining amount display image X10 is larger than the first size (see the remaining amount display image X12 of FIG. 6). (Refer to X12), or the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed is expanded so as to be the first size.

For example, the decompression processing unit 55 corresponds to the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed among the component data stored in the RAM 5C by the display processing unit 51 before the display processing unit 51 generates the operation screen data. The size of the remaining amount display image data in the left-right direction D1 is expanded.

When the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold value, the stretching processing unit 55 determines the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner regardless of whether or not the ordering operation of the toner is accepted. It may be stretched.

Further, the stretching processing unit 55 may stretch the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 in four or more steps according to the decrease in the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the remaining amount display image X10. Further, the stretching processing unit 55 may continuously stretch the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 according to the decrease in the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the remaining amount display image X10. Further, the stretching processing unit 55 stretches the bottom of the remaining amount display image X10 according to the decrease in the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the remaining amount display image X10 so that the remaining amount display image X10 has a trapezoidal shape. May be good.

When the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 included in the remaining amount display image group X100 is expanded by the stretching processing unit 55, the shrinkage processing unit 56 is subjected to the expansion processing unit 55 included in the remaining amount display image group X100. The display size of the remaining amount display image X10 that is not subject to processing is shrunk in the left-right direction D1.

For example, the shrinkage processing unit 56 has a third size (remaining amount display image X11 in FIG. 6) in which the size of the left-right direction D1 in the remaining amount display image X10 is smaller than the initial size (see the remaining amount display image X11 in FIG. 5). The display size of the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed is reduced so as to be.

The contraction processing unit 56 displays the remaining amount including the remaining amount display image X10 before expansion in the size of the left-right direction D1 in the remaining amount display image group X100 including the remaining amount display image X10 after expansion by the expansion processing unit 55. The display size of the remaining amount display image X10 not to be processed by the stretching processing unit 55 may be shrunk in the left-right direction D1 so as to be the same as the size of the left-right direction D1 in the image group X100.

The control unit 5 does not have to include the shrinkage processing unit 56. In this case, when the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 included in the remaining amount display image group X100 is expanded by the expansion processing unit 55, the display processing unit 51 expands the remaining amount display image group X100. The remaining amount display image X10 that is not subject to processing by unit 55 may not be displayed. As a result, the remaining amount display image X10 whose display size is expanded by the expansion processing unit 55 can be displayed by using the display area of the remaining amount display image X10 that is not the processing target, so that the remaining amount is reduced. It is possible to avoid an increase in the display size of the remaining amount display image group X100 due to the expansion of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner.

[Remaining amount display processing]
Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the remaining amount display processing executed by the control unit 5 in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps S11, S12 ... Represent the number of the processing procedure (step) executed by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 executes the remaining amount display process when the display timing arrives.

<Step S11>
First, in step S11, the control unit 5 reads the component data from the storage unit 7 and stores the read data in the RAM 5C. Here, the process of step S11 is executed by the display processing unit 51 of the control unit 5.

<Step S12>
In step S12, the control unit 5 executes the size expansion process described below for each of the four color toners.

[Size expansion processing]
Here, with reference to FIG. 10, an example of the procedure of the size expansion processing executed for each of the four color toners in the remaining amount display processing step S12 will be described. Hereinafter, among the four color toners, the toner that is the target of the size expansion treatment is referred to as a target toner. The description after step S13 of the remaining amount display process will be performed after the description of the size expansion process is completed.

<Step S21>
First, in step S21, the control unit 5 acquires the remaining amount of the target toner. Here, the process of step S21 is executed by the acquisition process unit 54 of the control unit 5.

<Step S22>
In step S22, the control unit 5 displays the remaining amount corresponding to the target toner so that the remaining amount of the target toner acquired in step S21 is reflected in the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the target toner. Edit the image data. Here, the process of step S22 is executed by the display processing unit 51 of the control unit 5.

Specifically, the control unit 5 displays the remaining amount corresponding to the target toner so that the remaining amount of the target toner acquired in step S21 is reflected in the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the target toner. Set the size of the remaining amount display area in the image data.

<Step S23>
In step S23, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the ordering operation of the target toner is accepted.

For example, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the ordering operation of the target toner is accepted based on the ordering information stored in the storage unit 7.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the ordering operation of the target toner is accepted (Yes side of S23), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S24. Further, if the ordering operation of the target toner is not accepted (No side of S23), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S25.

<Step S24>
In step S24, the control unit 5 changes the display color of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the target toner. Here, the process of step S24 is executed by the color change processing unit 53 of the control unit 5.

For example, the control unit 5 changes the color of the remaining amount display image data corresponding to the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed among the component data stored in the RAM 5C.

As a result, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can easily recognize whether or not an order has been placed for each of the four color toners.

<Step S25>
In step S25, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the target toner is less than the first threshold value.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the remaining amount of the target toner is less than the first threshold value (Yes side of S25), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S26. If the remaining amount of the target toner is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (No side of S25), the control unit 5 ends the size expansion process.

<Step S26>
In step S26, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the target toner ordering operation is accepted, as in step S23.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the ordering operation of the target toner is accepted (Yes side of S26), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S28. Further, if the ordering operation of the target toner is not accepted (No side of S26), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S27.

<Step S27>
In step S27, the control unit 5 expands the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the target toner in the left-right direction D1. Here, the process of step S27 is executed by the extension processing unit 55 of the control unit 5.

For example, the control unit 5 determines the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed so that the size of the left-right direction D1 in the remaining amount display image X10 becomes the first size (see the remaining amount display image X12 in FIG. 6). To stretch.

As a result, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can easily recognize that the remaining amount of the target toner is less than the first threshold value. When the process of step S27 is executed, the control unit 5 may display a message to the effect that the ordering timing of the target toner has arrived on the operation screen G10.

<Step S28>
In step S28, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the target toner is less than the second threshold value.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the remaining amount of the target toner is less than the second threshold value (Yes side of S28), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S29. Further, if the remaining amount of the target toner is not less than the second threshold value (No side of S28), the control unit 5 ends the size expansion process.

<Step S29>
In step S29, the control unit 5 expands the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the target toner in the left-right direction D1. Here, the process of step S29 is executed by the extension processing unit 55 of the control unit 5.

For example, the control unit 5 determines the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed so that the size of the left-right direction D1 in the remaining amount display image X10 becomes the second size (see the remaining amount display image X12 in FIG. 7). To stretch.

As a result, the user of the image forming apparatus 10 can easily recognize that the remaining amount of the target toner is less than the second threshold value. When the process of step S29 is executed, the control unit 5 may display a message indicating that the target toner replacement timing has arrived on the operation screen G10.

This completes the description of the size expansion process, and resumes the description of the process after step S13 of the remaining amount display process.

<Step S13>
In step S13, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the display size of any one or more of the four remaining amount display images X10 corresponding to the four color toners has been expanded by the size expansion process.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the display size of any one or more of the four remaining amount display images X10 has been expanded (Yes side of S13), the process shifts to step S14. If the display size of any one or more of the four remaining amount display images X10 is not expanded (No side of S13), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S15.

<Step S14>
In step S14, the control unit 5 contracts the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 whose display size has not been expanded by the size expansion process in the left-right direction D1. Here, the process of step S14 is executed by the contraction processing unit 56 of the control unit 5.

For example, the control unit 5 sets the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 to be processed so that the size of the left-right direction D1 in the remaining amount display image X10 becomes the third size (remaining amount display image X11 in FIG. 6). Shrink.

As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the display size of the remaining amount display image group X100 due to the expansion of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner having a reduced remaining amount.

<Step S15>
In step S15, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 61 to display the operation screen G10. Here, the process of step S15 is executed by the display processing unit 51 of the control unit 5.

Specifically, the control unit 5 generates the operation screen data by using the component data stored in the RAM 5C. Then, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 61 to display the operation screen G10 using the generated operation screen data.

In addition, the control unit 5 responds to the touch operation on the remaining amount display image group X100 on the operation screen G10, and for each of the four color toners, the remaining amount information displayed in parts per 100, whether or not an order is placed, and the order are placed. The display unit 61 may display a screen including information such as the scheduled delivery date of the toner container 30 according to the above.

In this way, the image forming apparatus 10 can expand the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 displayed on the display unit 61 in the left-right direction D1 according to the decrease in the remaining amount of toner corresponding to the remaining amount display image X10. Is. As a result, it is possible to effectively transmit the decrease in the remaining amount of toner to the user while suppressing the obstruction of transmission of other information displayed on the display unit 61.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 does not extend the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or more than the first threshold value, and when it is less than the first threshold value, the remaining amount display image X10 is not expanded. The display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner can be expanded. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 can switch the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 based on the first threshold value. As a result, it is possible to effectively convey to the user of the image forming apparatus 10 that the remaining amount of toner is less than the first threshold value.

The remaining amount display image X10 may be a long rectangular image in the left-right direction D1 on the operation screen G10. In this case, the remaining amount display image group X100 may be composed of the remaining amount display images X11 to X14 arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction on the operation screen G10. Further, the stretching processing unit 55 may be able to stretch the display size of the remaining amount display image X10 corresponding to the toner in the vertical direction according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the toner for each toner.

Further, the present invention may be applied to an image forming apparatus capable of forming a monochrome image.

Further, the consumable item in the present invention may be a battery provided in an information processing device such as a notebook computer, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal. That is, the present invention may be applied to an information processing device.

Further, the consumable item in the present invention may be fuel such as kerosene consumed by a heater such as a fan heater. That is, the present invention may be applied to a heater. Further, the consumable item in the present invention may be a fuel such as gasoline consumed by an automobile. That is, the present invention may be applied to automobiles.

1 ADF
2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feeding unit 5 Control unit 6 Operation display unit 7 Storage unit 10 Image forming device 51 Display processing unit 52 Reception processing unit 53 Color change processing unit 54 Acquisition processing unit 55 Expansion processing unit 56 Shrinkage processing Department

Claims (9)

The acquisition processing unit that acquires the remaining amount of consumables,
A display processing unit that displays a remaining amount display image indicating the remaining amount of the consumables acquired by the acquisition processing unit on the display unit.
A decompression processing unit capable of expanding the display size of the remaining amount display image displayed on the display unit in a predetermined specific direction according to a decrease in the remaining amount of the consumables.
A display device comprising. The consumable is a developer
The acquisition processing unit acquires the remaining amount of each of the plurality of developing agents having different colors from each other.
The display processing unit displays the remaining amount display image showing the remaining amount of the developing agent for each of the developing agents.
The stretching processing unit can stretch the display size of the remaining amount display image corresponding to the developing agent for each developing agent according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the developing agent.
The display device according to claim 1. When the remaining amount of the developing agent is equal to or more than a predetermined first threshold value, the stretching processing unit does not extend the display size of the remaining amount display image corresponding to the developing agent, and is less than the first threshold value. In some cases, the display size of the remaining amount display image corresponding to the developer can be expanded.
The display device according to claim 2. The display processing unit displays a group of remaining amount display images in which a plurality of the remaining amount display images are arranged in the specific direction at predetermined intervals.
The display device is
When the display size of the remaining amount display image included in the remaining amount display image group is expanded by the stretching processing unit, the remaining amount not processed by the stretching processing unit included in the remaining amount display image group is not processed. A shrinkage processing unit that shrinks the display size of the display image in the specific direction is provided.
The display device according to claim 3. The display processing unit displays a remaining amount display image group in which a plurality of the remaining amount display images are arranged at a predetermined interval in the specific direction, and is included in the remaining amount display image group by the stretching processing unit. When the display size of the remaining amount display image is expanded, the remaining amount display image that is not processed by the expansion processing unit included in the remaining amount display image group is not displayed.
The display device according to claim 3. A reception processing unit that accepts an ordering operation for any one or more of the developer, and
A color change processing unit that changes the display color of the remaining amount display image corresponding to the developer for which an ordering operation has been received by the reception processing unit.
The display device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. When the remaining amount of the developing agent is less than the first threshold value, the stretching processing unit has a display size of the remaining amount display image corresponding to the developing agent when the ordering operation of the developing agent is not accepted. When the operation of ordering the developing agent is accepted and the remaining amount of the developing agent is equal to or more than the second threshold value which is smaller than the first threshold value, the remaining amount display image corresponding to the developing agent is displayed. If the display size is not expanded, the ordering operation of the developer is accepted, and the remaining amount of the developer is less than the second threshold value, the display size of the remaining amount display image corresponding to the developer is displayed. Stretch,
The display device according to claim 6. The display device according to any one of claims 2 to 7.
An image forming unit that forms a color image using the plurality of the developing agents,
An image forming apparatus comprising. To get the remaining amount of consumables and
Displaying the remaining amount display image showing the remaining amount of the consumables to be acquired on the display unit,
The display size of the remaining amount display image displayed on the display unit can be expanded in a predetermined specific direction according to the decrease in the remaining amount of the consumables.
How to display the remaining amount of consumables including.