JP2021032933A - Image formation device, image formation device control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to store information on a device at a time when a failure, noise or the like of a finished workpiece occurs even when they occur due to irregularity or defect that the device cannot detect.SOLUTION: A CPU 901 of an image formation device 10 is configured to, in a case where a noise occurrence button 625 for giving an instruction is pushed by a user (Yes in S3001) when a user judges that defects such as occurrence of noise in a device and the like occur, store information (noise information 1200 in Fig. 12) on the device in responce to a timing at which the noise occurrence button 625 is depressed, in a noise information management area (S3004). Thereafter, the user displays the noise information 1200 stored in the noise information management area on an operation display device 600 of the image formation device 10 to check it out, and can set an image information job based on the noise information 1200 in the image formation device 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method and a program of the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, there is a technique for identifying a cause or the like when an abnormality or a defect that the apparatus cannot detect occurs.
In Patent Document 1, when an abnormal noise is generated in the image forming apparatus, the operation order of a series of operation steps of the image forming process is specified, and the drive unit corresponding to each of the series of operation steps is independently driven in the specified order. Check the operation. As a result, a technique for identifying the location where abnormal noise is generated has been proposed.

Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for reducing operations for identifying a different sound source by driving and checking the operation in the order of the frequency of occurrence of abnormal sounds based on the past history.
Further, Patent Document 3 proposes a technique for reducing operations for identifying different sound sources by sequentially driving parts that can be different sound sources in order from the one with the highest possibility and checking the operation. ..

Japanese Patent No. 4506807 Japanese Patent No. 5950142 JP-A-2017-151233

In the image forming apparatus, when trying to identify the cause of an abnormality or defect that cannot be detected by the apparatus itself, such as a defect of a product or a defect such as an abnormal noise, it is effective to reproduce the operation when the phenomenon occurs. .. However, there are cases where a phenomenon such as abnormal noise generated in an image forming apparatus always occurs, but there are also cases where a phenomenon occurs when a specific operation is performed. Therefore, even if the service engineer who receives the report visits the site, it is often difficult to faithfully reproduce the operation when the phenomenon occurs due to lack of information, and it is difficult to reproduce the phenomenon.
Further, in the case of abnormal noise, it is difficult to judge the internal situation from the appearance, and it is more difficult to reproduce the phenomenon.

In a state where phenomena such as defective deliverables and generation of abnormal noise cannot be reproduced, it is difficult to specify the operation order for checking the operation in the optimum order in the method of Patent Document 1. Therefore, it may take some time to reach the cause. Further, a method of sequentially driving in descending order of frequency using the past history as in Patent Document 2 and a method of sequentially driving in descending order of frequency as in Patent Document 3 are used. Even so, it is not always possible to drive the causative part at an early stage. After all, it can take some time to reach the cause.

As described above, when a service engineer or the like cannot reproduce a phenomenon such as a defective product or an abnormal noise at the site, it may take a lot of time to identify the location where the defect occurs. As a result, there is a possibility that the downtime of the device increases and the service cost increases. As described above, when an abnormality or a defect that the device itself cannot detect occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is important to reproduce the operation when the phenomenon occurs.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for facilitating identification of a location where a defect occurs even when a defect or abnormal noise of a product is generated due to an abnormality or defect that cannot be detected by the device.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on an image forming job, and serves as an instruction means for instructing the occurrence of the defect when the user determines that a defect has occurred in the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by having a storage means for storing information of the image forming apparatus according to the instructed timing when the occurrence of the defect is instructed by the instruction means.

According to the present invention, even when a defect or abnormal noise of a product occurs due to an abnormality or malfunction that cannot be detected by the device, it is possible to save the information of the device at that time and facilitate the reproduction of the phenomenon. You will be able to do it. As a result, it is possible to easily and quickly identify the location where the defect occurs, and it is possible to shorten the work time at the site. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in downtime of the device and an increase in service cost.

The figure which shows an example of the vertical cross-sectional structure of the main part of the image formation system of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the controller which controls the whole image formation system. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the operation display part. The block diagram which shows an example of the input / output configuration of a printer control part. The whole sectional view which shows an example of the structure of a puncher. The figure which shows an example of the sheet which performed the punch processing and the crease processing. The block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the puncher control part. Overall sectional view showing an example of the structure of the finisher. The block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the finisher control part. The figure which shows an example of the finish selection screen. The flowchart which shows an example of the display processing of the abnormal noise generation button of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the information registered as the abnormal noise information in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the registration process of abnormal noise information of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the operation screen in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the information registered as defect information in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the registration process of the defect information of 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vertical cross-sectional structure of a main part of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system of the present embodiment includes an image forming device 10, a puncher 200, a finisher 500, and an operation display device 600.
The image forming apparatus 10 is an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a document feeding device 400, an image reader 300 for reading an image from a document, and a printer 100 for forming the read image on a sheet.

The document feeding device 400 feeds the documents set upward on the document tray 401 one by one in order from the first page to the left in FIG. 1, and moves the documents on the platen glass 302 from the left through a curved path. Transport to the right via the sink reading position. After that, the document feeding device 400 ejects the document toward the external paper ejection tray 402. The sink reading position is a predetermined reading position of the platen glass 302 provided in the image reader 300, and the scanner unit 301 is fixed. When the document conveyed by the document feeding device 400 passes through the sink scanning position on the platen glass 302 from the left to the right in the drawing, the scanner is held at a position corresponding to the sink scanning position. Read by unit 301. When the document passes through the sink scanning position, the scanning surface of the document is irradiated with the light of the lamp of the scanner unit 301, and the reflected light from the document is guided to the lens 303 through the mirror. The light that has passed through the lens 303 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 304.

In this way, by transporting the document so that the sink scanning position passes from the left to the right in the figure, the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the document is the main scanning direction, and the transport direction is the sub-scanning direction. A read scan is performed. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, when the document passes through the sink scanning position, the document image is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction while the document image is read by the image sensor 304 for each line in the main scanning direction. Read the whole thing. The image optically read in this way is converted into image data by the image sensor 304 and output. The image data output from the image sensor 304 is input as a video signal to the exposure unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10.

The exposure unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 modulates and outputs the laser beam based on the video signal input from the image reader 300. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 102 while being scanned by the polygon mirror 106. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 102. The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 102 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developer 103.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with an upper cassette 111 and a lower cassette 112. The sheets fed from the upper cassette 111 or the lower cassette 112 by the pickup rollers 107 and 108 are conveyed to the registration roller 114 by the paper feed roller 109, the paper feed roller 110, and the vertical pass roller 122. When the tip of the sheet reaches the registration roller 114, the registration roller 114 is driven at an arbitrary timing. Then, the sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 102 and the transfer unit 104 at the timing synchronized with the start of irradiation of the laser beam.

The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 102 is transferred by the transfer unit 104 onto the sheet on which the paper is fed. The sheet on which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 105, and the fixing portion 105 fixes the developer image on the sheet by heating and pressurizing the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing portion 105 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 to the outside of the image forming apparatus (puncher 200 in the example of FIG. 1) via the conveying roller 115, the flapper 118, and the discharging roller 116.

When the sheet is discharged with its image forming surface facing downward (face down), the sheet that has passed through the fixing portion 105 is once guided into the reversing path 119 by the switching operation of the flapper 118 and conveyed by the transfer roller 117. .. Then, after the rear end of the sheet has passed through the flapper 118, the sheet is switched back and discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 by the discharge roller 116. This paper ejection form is called reverse paper ejection. This reverse paper ejection is performed when forming an image in order from the first page, such as when forming an image read by using the document feeding device 400 or when forming an image output from a computer. The sheet order after the paper is ejected is the correct page order.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 feeds a hard sheet such as an OHP sheet from the manual feeding unit 113, and when forming an image on this sheet, the image forming surface is turned upward without guiding the sheet to the inversion path 119. It is discharged by the discharge roller 116 in the state (face-up). Further, when double-sided recording for forming an image is set on both sides of the sheet, the image forming apparatus 10 guides the sheet to the inversion path 119 and the inversion path 120 by the switching operation of the flapper 118, and then the double-sided transfer path. Transport to 121. Then, the sheet guided to the double-sided transfer path 121 is controlled to be fed again between the photosensitive drum 102 and the transfer unit 104 at the timing described above.

The puncher 200 takes in the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 in order, and punches and creases the sheets by the punch unit 280.
The finisher 500 takes in the sheet discharged from the puncher 200, shifts each copy, and discharges the sheet, or the like.
The operation display device 600 displays an operation screen or the like and accepts an operation from the user.

(Overall system block diagram)
Next, the configuration of the controller that controls the entire image forming system and the overall system block diagram will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a controller that controls the entire image forming system of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller of the image forming system of this embodiment has a controller CPU circuit unit 900. The controller CPU circuit unit 900 incorporates a CPU 901, a ROM 902, and a RAM 903.

The CPU 901 is a CPU that performs basic control of the entire image type system. The CPU 901 is connected to a ROM 902 in which a control program is written and a RAM 903 for performing processing by an address bus and a data bus (not shown). The CPU 901 comprehensively controls each control unit 911, 921, 922, 904, 931, 941, 951, 971 by the control program stored in the ROM 902. The ROM 902 is composed of, for example, a flash ROM, and stores the control program and data. The RAM 903 temporarily holds the control data and is used as a work area for arithmetic processing associated with the control. Further, the RAM 903 is provided with a battery for backup, and is also used as a backup data holding unit when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off.

Each control unit 911, 921, 922, 904, 931, 941, 951, 971 performs various controls based on an instruction from the controller CPU circuit unit 900.
The document feeding device control unit 911 drives and controls the document feeding device 400 based on an instruction from the controller CPU circuit unit 900.
The image reader control unit 921 performs drive control on the scanner unit 301, the image sensor 304, and the like described above, and transfers the image signal output from the image sensor 304 to the image signal control unit 922.

The image signal control unit 922 converts the analog image signal from the image sensor 304 into a digital signal, then performs each process, converts the digital signal into a video signal, and outputs the digital signal to the printer control unit 931. Further, the image signal control unit 922 performs various processes on the digital image signal input from the computer 905 via the external I / F 904, converts the digital image signal into a video signal, and outputs the digital image signal to the printer control unit 931. The processing operation by the image signal control unit 922 is controlled by the controller CPU circuit unit 900.
The printer control unit 931 controls the exposure unit 101 and the image forming apparatus 10 based on the input video signal, and performs image forming and sheet transfer.

The puncher control unit 971 is mounted on the puncher 200 and controls the drive of the entire puncher by exchanging information with the controller CPU circuit unit 900.
The finisher control unit 951 is mounted on the finisher 500, and controls the drive of the entire finisher by exchanging information with the controller CPU circuit unit 900.

The operation display device control unit 941 exchanges information between the operation display device 600 and the controller CPU circuit unit 900. The operation display device 600 has a plurality of keys for setting various functions related to image formation, a display unit for displaying information indicating a setting state, and the like. The operation display device control unit 941 outputs a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key of the operation display device 600 to the controller CPU circuit unit 900, and outputs the corresponding information based on the signal from the controller CPU circuit unit 900 to the operation display device. Display at 600.

(Operation display device)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation display device 600.
The operation display device 600 is provided with a start key 602 for starting the image forming operation and a stop key 603 for interrupting the image forming operation. Further, the operation display device 600 is provided with ten keys 604 to 612 and 614 for setting the number of keys, an ID key 613, a clear key 615, a reset key 616, and the like. Further, the operation display device 600 is arranged with a display unit 620 having a touch panel formed on the upper portion thereof, so that soft keys can be created on the screen of the display unit 620.

The image forming apparatus has each processing mode such as non-sort, sort, shift sort, staple sort (binding mode), and punch mode as post-processing modes. Such processing mode setting and the like are performed by an input operation from the operation display device 600. The finish key 621, the application mode key 622, the paper registration key 623, and the paper selection key 624 are displayed on the display unit 620. The finishing key 621 is used when setting the job of the puncher 200 (details will be described later). The application mode key 622 is used when transitioning to various application mode screens including the service mode screen. The paper registration key 623 is used when registering paper information (information such as paper width, paper length, basis weight, paper type, etc.) for each paper feed stage. The paper selection key 624 is used when selecting a paper feed stage (upper cassette, lower cassette, manual paper feed unit, etc.) for feeding paper.

(Printer control unit block diagram)
Next, various inputs and outputs provided in the printer control unit 931 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the input / output configuration of the printer control unit 931.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes lifter motors M111, M112, pickup motors M107, M108, paper feed motors M109, M110, and vertical pass motors M122, which are connected to the printer control unit 931. The lifter motors M111 and M112 drive the lifters of the upper cassette 111 and the lower cassette 112. The pickup motors M107 and M108 drive the pickup rollers 107 and 108. The vertical pass motor M122 drives the vertical pass roller 122. The printer control unit 931 controls the drive of the lifter motors M111 and M112, the pickup motors M107 and M108, the paper feed motors M109 and M110, and the vertical pass motor M122 in order to feed the sheets from the upper cassette 111 and the lower cassette 112.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a manual paper feed motor M113, which is connected to the printer control unit 931. The printer control unit 931 controls the drive of the manual paper feed motor M113 in order to feed the sheets from the manual paper feed unit 113.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a register motor M114, a transfer motor M115, a paper ejection motor M116, a reverse pass motor M119, a double-sided reverse pass motor 120, and a double-sided transfer pass motor M121, which are connected to the printer control unit 931. There is. The registration motor M114 drives the registration roller 114. The transfer motor M115 drives the transfer roller 115. The paper ejection motor M116 drives the ejection roller 116. The reversing pass motor M119 drives a transfer roller that conveys the sheet in the reversing path 119. The double-sided reversing pass motor 120 drives a transport roller that conveys the sheet in the double-sided reversing pass 120. The printer control unit 931 controls the drive of the cash register motor M114, the transfer motor M115, the paper ejection motor M116, the reverse pass motor M119, the double-sided reverse pass motor 120, and the double-sided transfer pass motor M121 for transporting the sheets fed as described above. To do.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a drum motor M102, a fixing motor M105, and a flapper switching solenoid SL118, which are connected to the printer control unit 931. The drum motor M102 drives the photosensitive drum 102. The fixing motor M105 drives the fixing unit 105. The flapper switching solenoid SL118 switches the flapper 118. The printer control unit 931 controls the drive of the drum motor M102, the fixing motor M105, and the flapper switching solenoid SL118.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a transport sensor 141-150, a double feed detection sensor 701, an open / close detection sensor 135, 136, and a paper surface sensor 133, 134, which are connected to the printer control unit 931. .. The transport sensors 141 to 150 detect the sheet of each transport path. The double feed detection sensor 701 detects double feed of the conveyed sheet. The open / close detection sensors 135 and 136 detect the open / close of the upper cassette 111 and the lower cassette 112. The paper surface sensors 133 and 134 detect the paper in the upper cassette 111 and the lower cassette 112. The printer control unit 931 inputs signals from the transport sensor 141-150, the double feed detection sensor 701, the open / close detection sensor 135, 136, and the paper surface sensors 133, 134, and performs various controls based on the signals.

(Puncher)
Next, the configuration of the puncher 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 5 is an overall cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the puncher 200.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet that has been punched and crease processed.
The puncher 200 sequentially takes in the sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 10, and punches or creases the taken-in sheets. The puncher 200 determines whether or not punching or crease is performed based on the sheet information notified from the image forming apparatus 10.

When the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 10 is not punched or creased, the sheet is guided to the through pass 219 by the transfer roller pair 221 and the flapper 220, and is transferred to the finisher 500 via the transfer rollers 209 and 208. Will be done.

On the other hand, when punching or crease the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 10, the sheet is taken into the transfer path 216 by the transfer roller pair 221 and the flapper 220. Further, the sheet is conveyed on the punch path 216 by the conveying roller pairs 201, 202, 203, and punched or creased by the punch unit 280 in a state of being abutted against the abutting member 214. As a result, sheets as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are generated. The sheet shown in FIG. 6A corresponds to a punched sheet. The sheet shown in FIG. 6B corresponds to a sheet that has been subjected to a crease treatment.

In the present embodiment, the member for stopping the seat is the abutting member 214, but a roller is arranged at the position of the abutting member 214 instead of the abutting member 214, and the seat is stopped by niping with the roller. You may.

A detachable die (not shown) is set in the punch unit 280, and by replacing it with a punch die having various shapes and numbers of punch holes, the punch holes illustrated in FIG. 6A can be used. Can also produce sheets that have been punched with different punch holes. Further, by replacing the die with a crease die, a crease-treated sheet can be produced as shown in FIG. 6B.

After punching or crease, the sheet is conveyed through the transfer path 216 by the transfer rollers 204, 205, 206, 207 and is conveyed to the finisher 500 via the transfer roller 208. Conveyance sensors 211, 212, and 213 are provided in each path 216 and 219 to detect the passage of the sheet, respectively.

(Puncher block diagram)
Next, the configuration of the puncher control unit 971 that drives and controls the puncher 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the puncher control unit 971 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the puncher control unit 971 includes a CPU 972, a ROM 973, a RAM 974, and the like. The puncher control unit 971 communicates with the controller CPU circuit unit 900 provided on the image forming apparatus 10 side via a communication IC (not shown) to exchange data such as job information and sheet delivery notification. Then, the puncher control unit 971 executes various programs stored in the ROM 973 based on the instruction from the controller CPU circuit unit 900 by the CPU 972 to control the drive of the puncher 200.

Here, various input / outputs provided in the puncher 200 will be described.
The puncher 200 is provided with a through-pass transfer motor M21, a punch-pass transfer motor M22, a solenoid SL1, a solenoid SL2, and transfer sensors 211 to 213, and these are connected to the puncher control unit 971. The through-pass transfer motor M21 drives the transfer roller pairs 208, 209, 221. The punch pass transfer motor M22 drives the transfer rollers pairs 201 to 207. The solenoid SL1 drives a flapper 220 for switching between the through pass 219 and the punch pass 216. The solenoid SL2 drives the abutting member 214. The puncher control unit 971 controls the drive of the through-pass transfer motor M21, the punch-pass transfer motor M22, the solenoid SL1, and the solenoid SL2 based on the inputs from the transfer sensors 211 to 213, and controls the sheet transfer operation.

Further, the puncher 200 is provided with a punch motor M25, which is connected to the puncher control unit 971. The punch motor M25 drives a punch unit 280 for punching and crease the conveyed sheet. The puncher control unit 971 controls the drive of the punch motor M25, and the punch unit 280 performs punch processing and crease processing on the conveyed sheet.

Further, the puncher 200 is provided with a die memory communication unit 281, which is connected to the puncher control unit 971. The die memory communication unit 281 communicates with the die memory 282 provided on the die (not shown) set in the punch unit 280. The puncher control unit 971 can read and write the die memory 282 via the die memory communication unit 281. The CPU 972 recognizes that the die is set when the information stored in the die memory 282 can be read or written correctly.

(Finisher)
Next, the configuration of the finisher 500 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is an overall cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the finisher 500.
The finisher 500 takes the sheet discharged from the puncher 200 into the transport path 520 by the transport roller pair 511. The sheet taken in by the transfer roller pair 511 is sent via the transfer roller pair 512, 513, 514. Conveyance sensors 570, 571, 572, 573, and 574 are provided on the transport path 520, and each detects the passage of the sheet.

The transfer roller pair 512 is provided in the shift unit 580 together with the transfer sensor 571. The shift unit 580 can be moved in the main scanning direction by the shift motor M4 (shown in FIG. 9 described later). When the sheet is conveyed to the shift unit 580, the finisher 500 detects the amount of deviation between the sheet and the transfer center position by the lateral register detection sensor 577 (FIG. 9). Next, the finisher 500 is conveyed downstream while offset-shifting by a value in consideration of the amount of lateral register detection deviation. If no shift is specified, the finisher 500 conveys the sheet as it is without offsetting.

When the finisher 500 detects that the seat has passed through the shift unit 580 by the input of the transport sensor 571, the finisher 500 drives the shift motor M4 to return the shift unit 580 to the center position.
The sheet for which the shift operation has been completed is conveyed by the transfer roller pairs 513, 514, 515 and discharged to the loading tray 700. The tray presence / absence detection sensor 740 detects the sheets loaded on the loading tray 700.
A plurality of loading trays 700 may be provided on the finisher 500, and the loading trays may be changed so that the loading trays can be discharged.

(Finisher block diagram)
Next, the configuration of the finisher control unit 951 that drives and controls the finisher 500 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the finisher control unit 951 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the finisher control unit 951 includes a CPU 952, a ROM 953, a RAM 954, and the like. The finisher control unit 951 communicates with the controller CPU circuit unit 900 provided on the image forming apparatus 10 side via a communication IC (not shown) to exchange data such as job information and sheet delivery notification. Then, the finisher control unit 951 executes various programs stored in the ROM 953 by the CPU 952 based on the instruction from the controller CPU circuit unit 900 to control the drive of the finisher 500.

Here, various inputs and outputs provided in the finisher 500 will be described.
The finisher 500 includes an inlet motor M1, a buffer motor M2, a paper ejection motor M3, and a transport sensor 570 to 574, which are connected to the finisher control unit 951. The inlet motor M1, the buffer motor M2, and the paper ejection motor M3 drive the transport roller pair 511 to 515. The finisher control unit 951 controls the drive of the inlet motor M1, the buffer motor M2, and the paper ejection motor M3 based on the input from the transfer sensors 570 to 574 to transfer the sheet.

Further, the finisher 500 is provided with a shift motor M4 and a lateral register detection sensor 577, which are connected to the finisher control unit 951. The tray elevating motor M5 elevates and elevates the loading tray 700. The finisher control unit 951 controls the tray elevating motor M5 based on the input from the tray presence / absence detection sensor 740 to control the elevating / lowering of the loading tray 700.

(Puncher job operation unit settings)
Next, a procedure for setting a job in which the puncher operates from the operation display device 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 10.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a finishing selection screen displayed on the display unit 620 by the CPU 901.

The user presses (touches) the finishing key 621 of the display unit 620 shown in FIG. 3 in order to set the job of the puncher. When the CPU 901 determines that the finishing key 621 has been pressed based on the output information from the operation display device control unit 941, the display of the display unit 620 shifts to the finishing selection screen 1000 shown in FIG.

When the punch key 1001 is pressed on the finish selection screen 1000, the punch key 1001 is in the selected state. When the OK key 1003 is pressed in this state, a punch is set and the screen transitions to the initial screen. When the Creeski 1002 is pressed, the Creeski 1002 is in the selected state. When the OK key 1003 is pressed in this state, the crease is set and the screen transitions to the initial screen. Since only one of the punching process and the crease processing can be executed by the mounted die (not shown), when the other is specified, the CPU 901 replaces the die via the operation display device control unit 941. Message is displayed on the display unit 620.
Further, when a finish key other than the punch key 1001 or the Creeski 1002 is pressed on the finish selection screen 1000, the finish corresponding to the key is set.

(Display processing of abnormal noise generation button)
Next, the operation of the CPU 901 when the abnormal sound generation button is displayed will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 14.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the display processing of the abnormal noise generation button. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 901 loading the program stored in the ROM 902 into the RAM 903 and executing it as needed.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the display unit 620 by the CPU 901.

When the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on and the image forming apparatus 10 is started, the CPU 901 starts the processing of this flowchart. First, in S2001, the CPU 901 monitors whether or not the job of the image forming apparatus has started. Here, the job is assumed to be an image forming job, but a scan job or the like may be included in the job. The CPU 901 continues the monitoring until the job starts (between No in S2001). Then, when the job is started (Yes in S2001), the CPU 901 proceeds to S2002.

In S2002, the CPU 901 displays an abnormal noise generation button 625 for pressing when an abnormal noise is generated on the display unit 620. As shown in FIG. 14A, for example, the CPU 901 displays the abnormal noise generation button 625 at the same time when displaying the content of the job being executed on the display unit 620. The abnormal noise generation button 625 is a button for being pressed (instructed by touch or the like) when the user determines that an abnormality (here, an abnormal noise is occurring).

Next, in S2003, the CPU 901 determines whether or not the job of the image forming apparatus has been completed. The CPU 901 continues the process of S2003 until the job of the image forming apparatus is completed (between No in S2003). Then, when the job of the image forming apparatus is completed (Yes in S2003), the CPU 901 proceeds to S2004.

In S2004, the CPU 901 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the job was completed. The CPU 901 continues the process of S2004 until a predetermined time elapses after the job is completed (between No in S2004). Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the job is completed (Yes in S2004), the CPU 901 proceeds to S2005.
In S2005, the CPU 901 erases (hides) the abnormal noise generation button 625 displayed on the display unit 620, and ends the process of this flowchart.

It is assumed that the processes S2001 to S2005 are always executed while the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on (however, the processes may not be executed in the power saving state).
In the above description, the case where the abnormal noise generation button 625 is displayed when the job is executed has been described, but the abnormal noise generation button 625 may be displayed even when the predetermined adjustment operation is executed. Further, the abnormal noise generation button 625 may be always displayed. Further, the abnormal noise generation button 625 may be provided as a hard key of the operation display device 600 or the like. Further, the abnormal noise generation button 625 may be used as a button for pressing the button when the user determines that a defect (not limited to the abnormal noise but various defects have occurred). In this case, the abnormal noise generation button 625 may be named like a "fault generation button".

(Explanation of abnormal noise information)
In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the above-mentioned abnormal sound generation button 625 is pressed,, for example, the abnormal sound information 1200 as shown in FIG. 12 is registered (saved). Here, the details of the information registered as the abnormal noise information will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of information registered as abnormal noise information.
The abnormal sound information 1200 of the present embodiment is information of the image forming apparatus related to the timing when the abnormal sound generation button 625 is pressed. For example, the abnormal noise information 1200 includes date / time information 1201, job information 1202, device information 1203, and the like, as shown in FIG.

The date and time information 1201 holds information regarding the date and time when the abnormal noise occurred (to be exact, the abnormal noise generation button 625 was pressed). This date and time information is managed by a calendar IC (not shown), and is referenced and registered by the CPU 901.

The job information 1202 relates to a job that was executed when an abnormal noise was generated (to be exact, the abnormal noise generation button 625 was pressed), or was executed immediately before the abnormal noise generation button 625 was pressed. Holds information. Specifically, the job information 1202 includes the size and type of paper used (for example, paper width, paper length, basis weight, etc.), the tray on which the deliverables are discharged, the transport path used, punches and staples, and so on. Holds information such as post-processing mode such as sorting, paper feed tray and number of sheets. In addition, instead of the transport path, information on the driven transport roller, motor, and the like may be retained. In addition, information about jobs other than these may be retained. These job information 1202 are a part of the control data held in the RAM 903 when the CPU 901 executes the job, and are copied and registered from the control data by the CPU 901 when the abnormal noise information is registered.

The device information 1203 holds information (information about the state of the image forming apparatus) about the image forming apparatus when an abnormal noise is generated (the abnormal noise generating button 625 is pressed). Specifically, temperature and humidity inside and outside the machine (operating environment), continuous operation time (continuous operation time), counter information on each transfer roller, motor, etc. (information indicating the degree of wear of parts), etc. including. The device information 1203 is managed by the CPU 901 while the power of the image forming apparatus is turned on, and is backed up on the RAM 903 while the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off. The device information 1203 is copied and registered by the CPU 901 when the abnormal noise information is registered. The information indicating the degree of wear of the parts is not limited to the counter information, and may include information indicating the degree of wear of other parts. Further, the elapsed time from the last executed job, the information of the automatic adjustment executed immediately before, the information of the most recently generated error, the alarm, the jam, and the like may be retained as the device information 1203. In addition, in order to deal with the case where the time when the abnormal noise generation button 625 is pressed and the time when the abnormal noise is actually generated are different, when the abnormal noise generation button 625 is pressed, the abnormal noise generation time is corrected. The screen of may be displayed. For example, a screen for inputting how many minutes ago the abnormal noise occurred may be displayed.

The registered abnormal noise information 1200 is managed on the RAM 903 by the CPU 901. The area (abnormal noise information management area) in which the registered abnormal noise information 1200 is managed is a ring buffer, and is a storage area of the RAM 903 capable of storing a plurality of abnormal noise information. When the number of registered abnormal noise information 1200 reaches the upper limit, the oldest information is deleted in order. The abnormal noise information management area is not limited to the ring buffer, and there may be no upper limit on the number of registrations.
The abnormal noise information 1200 shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

(Registration process of abnormal noise information)
Next, the operation of the CPU 901 when performing the abnormal noise information registration process will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the abnormal noise information registration process. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 901 loading the program stored in the ROM 902 into the RAM 903 and executing it as needed.

When the abnormal noise generation button 625 is displayed, the CPU 901 starts the process of this flowchart. First, in S3001, the CPU 901 monitors whether or not the abnormal noise generation button 625 displayed in FIG. 14A is pressed. The CPU 901 continues the monitoring until the abnormal noise generation button 625 is pressed (between No in S3001). Then, when the abnormal noise generation button 625 is pressed (Yes in S3001), the CPU 901 proceeds to S3002.

In S3002, the CPU 901 determines whether or not the number of registered abnormal noise information has reached the upper limit. If the number of registered abnormal noise information has not reached the upper limit (No in S3003), the CPU 901 proceeds to S3004 as it is.
On the other hand, when the number of registered abnormal noise information has reached the upper limit (Yes in S3003), the CPU 901 proceeds to S3003. In S3003, the CPU 901 erases the oldest abnormal noise information from the above-mentioned abnormal noise information management area (ring buffer), and proceeds to S3004 for processing.

In S3004, the CPU 901 registers the abnormal noise information corresponding to the pressing of the abnormal noise button (stores in the above-mentioned abnormal noise information management area (ring buffer)), and returns the processing to S3001.
It is assumed that the processes of S3001 to S3004 are always executed while the abnormal noise generation button 625 is displayed. However, the process of FIG. 13 may be constantly executed while the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on.

The abnormal noise information registered in this way can be referred to from the service mode screen as shown in FIGS. 14 (b) to 14 (d). The service mode screen can be displayed by operating the operation display device 600 by a service person or the like.

In FIG. 14B, the abnormal noise information 1200 managed by the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed in a list. When the CPU 901 is instructed to display a list of information when an abnormal noise occurs from a screen (not shown) displayed by operating the application mode key 622, the abnormal noise information 1200 managed in the abnormal noise information management area of the RAM 903. Is displayed on the display unit 620 as shown in FIG. 14 (b).

The CPU 901 determines from the output information from the operation display device control unit 941 that the OK button 650 is pressed with the display button 626 selected, as shown in FIGS. 14 (c) and 14 (d). The display of the display unit 620 is changed to the screen. That is, the CPU 901 controls to acquire the content of the abnormal noise information 1200 corresponding to the display button 626 in the selected state from the abnormal noise information management area of the RAM 903 and display it on the display unit 620. As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the situation when the abnormal noise is generated is left in detail as the abnormal noise information, and can be confirmed by a service person or the like. Such abnormal noise information is useful information for a service person or the like to identify the cause of the abnormal noise.

Further, when the CPU 901 determines from the output information from the operation display device control unit 941 that the job reset button 628 has been pressed, the contents of the job information corresponding to the abnormal noise information 1200 displayed at that time are imaged. It is controlled to be reset to the forming device 10. That is, an image forming job based on the abnormal noise information 1200 stored in the abnormal noise information management area can be set in the image forming apparatus 10. By executing the job set in the image forming apparatus 10 in this way, the operation when an abnormal noise is generated can be reproduced, so that the abnormal noise can be reproduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, an erase button 627 is also provided on the service mode screen. When the cause of the abnormal noise is identified and the problem is solved, the corresponding abnormal noise information can be deleted by using the erase button 627. When the CPU 901 determines from the output information from the operation display device control unit 941 that the OK button 650 is pressed while the erase button 627 is selected on the screen of FIG. 14B, the CPU 901 erases the corresponding abnormal noise information. Control to do. That is, the CPU 901 controls to erase the abnormal noise information 1200 corresponding to the erase button 627 in the selected state from the abnormal noise information management area in the RAM 903. In this way, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to delete the abnormal noise information in which the cause of the abnormal noise is identified and the problem is solved.

As described above, by performing the display processing of the abnormality occurrence button and the registration processing of the abnormal noise information in response to the pressing of the abnormality occurrence button, it is possible to register the information when the abnormal noise occurs, and the abnormal noise is generated. Detailed information on time can be saved and managed. As a result, the service engineer can confirm the situation when the abnormal noise is generated in detail and can faithfully reproduce the operation when the abnormal noise is generated, so that it becomes easy to identify the cause of the abnormal noise. In this way, it is possible to identify the location where abnormal noise is generated in a short time with an inexpensive configuration, and it is possible to shorten the working time at the site. For example, when the user who submitted the job is not near the image forming apparatus, another person may notice the occurrence of abnormal noise. In this way, even when the person who submitted the job and the person who noticed the abnormal noise are different, the state can be accurately saved only by the person who noticed the abnormal noise pressing the abnormal noise generation button 625. As a result, the state in which the abnormal noise is generated can be reproduced more reliably.

As described above, the image forming apparatus having an optional device such as the puncher 200 and the finisher 500 has a complicated structure, and it is predicted that abnormalities such as abnormal noise are more likely to occur than the apparatus not provided with the optional device. Will be done. Further, the image forming apparatus capable of such post-processing has complicated job settings, and it becomes more difficult to reproduce the phenomenon. In addition, since the structure is complicated, it becomes more difficult to identify the location where abnormal noise or the like is generated. However, even in a device having such a complicated configuration, by providing the configuration of the present embodiment, detailed information at the time of occurrence of abnormal noise or the like can be saved and managed, and the operation at the time of occurrence of abnormal noise can be faithfully reproduced. become.

If the finisher 500 has a plurality of loading trays 700 and the abnormal noise generation button 625 is pressed, the CPU 901 may change the discharge destination of the sheet (deliverable product) to another loading tray. Good. This makes it possible to prevent potentially defective deliverables from being mixed with normal deliverables. Further, when the finisher 500 has only one loading tray 700, when the abnormal noise generation button 625 is pressed, the CPU 901 executes shift sorting and the deliverable when the abnormal noise is generated (possibility of malfunction). Some deliverables) and other deliverables may be separated. These configurations allow the user to easily separate potentially defective deliverables from other deliverables.

The CPU 901 may accept the display / non-display setting of the abnormal sound generation button 625 from the operation display device 600 and save the set value in the RAM 903. In this case, the CPU 901 controls to switch the display / non-display of the abnormal sound generation button 625 based on the display / non-display setting of the abnormal sound generation button 625. When the abnormal noise generation button 625 is set to be hidden, the CPU 901 may not execute the processes shown in FIGS. 11 and 13.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a configuration in which information on various defects including abnormal noise can be constantly registered will be described. The description of the same part as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

(Display of operation unit when registering defect information)
The procedure for registering the defect information from the operation display device 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.
15 and 16 are diagrams showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the display unit 620 by the CPU 901.
In the second embodiment, the CPU 901 controls the HELP key 629 as shown in FIG. 15, for example, to be displayed on the display unit 620 while the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on (however, in the power saving state). It may not be displayed). The HELP key 629 is a key for confirming how to use the image forming apparatus and for accepting and registering input of defect information. In the second embodiment, the HELP key 629 and the abnormal sound generation button 625 described in the first embodiment may coexist.

The user presses the HELP key 629 to register the defect information. When the CPU 901 determines that the HELP key 629 has been pressed based on the output information from the operation display device control unit 941, the display of the display unit 620 is changed to the help screen as shown in FIG. 16A.

On the help screen shown in FIG. 16A, a function selection button 631 for confirming how to use various functions and the like and a situation selection button 632 for selecting a coping method according to the situation can be selected.
When the CPU 901 determines that the OK button 641 is pressed while the status selection button 632 is selected on the help screen, the CPU 901 shifts the display of the display unit 620 to the status selection screen shown in FIG. 16B.

As shown in FIG. 16B, on the situation selection screen, a button 633 that does not know how to use and a button 634 that has a problem to be selected when a problem occurs and a button 634 that does not know how to use it to confirm the operation method according to the content to be performed. Can be selected.
When the CPU 901 determines that the OK button 642 is pressed while the button 634 where the problem has occurred is selected on the situation selection screen, the display of the display unit 620 is changed to the problem occurrence screen shown in FIG. 16 (c).

As shown in FIG. 16C, the button can be selected according to the symptom of the defect on the defect occurrence screen. In the example of FIG. 16C, the button 635 on which the abnormal image is output, the button 636 where the paper is damaged, and the button 637 which makes an abnormal noise from the device can be selected. The button 635 on which the abnormal image is output is selected when the image of the product cannot be obtained in the desired form due to color shift or low image density. The button 636 that has damaged the paper is selected when the paper, which is the product product, has scratches or broken corners, or when the punch holes or crease positions performed in the post-processing step are misaligned. The button 637 that makes an abnormal noise from the device is selected when an unusual sound is generated from the image forming device.

When the CPU 901 determines that the OK button 643 is pressed while the button 637 that makes an abnormal noise from the device is selected on the trouble occurrence screen, the CPU 901 shifts the display of the display unit 620 to the abnormal noise screen shown in FIG. 16 (d). ..

As shown in FIG. 16D, the abnormal noise screen is provided with a button 638 for saving device information. Further, a button 639 for selecting whether or not to notify the serviceman after saving the information of the device and a button 640 for not providing the information are provided.
When the CPU 901 determines that the OK button 644 is pressed while the button 638 for saving the device information is selected, the CPU 901 accepts input of information on abnormal noise from the user as individual symptomatism information on a user input screen (not shown). .. For example, information on the location where abnormal noise is generated (right side of the image forming device, puncher, finisher, etc.) and information on the frequency of abnormal noise (such as abnormal noise occurring twice in 10 times). Accept information. Then, the CPU 901 registers the defect information as shown in FIG. 17, which will be described later, including the information regarding the abnormal noise input by the user, as shown in FIG. 18, which will be described later.

When the button 635 on which the abnormal image is output and the button 636 on which the paper is damaged are pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 16 (c), the same screen as in FIG. 16 (d) is displayed. It is possible to register defect information as shown in FIG.
For example, when the button 635 on which the abnormal image is output is pressed, the CPU 901 receives information such as the details of the abnormal image and the generated color as individual symptom information from the user, and registers the defect information including these.
Further, when the button 636 that has damaged the paper is pressed, the CPU 901 accepts the input of the detailed information of the paper damage from the user as the individual symptom information, and registers the defect information including these. The details of the paper damage include information such as the frequency of occurrence of paper damage at a rate of 1 in 100 sheets.

(Explanation of defect information)
Next, the details of the information registered as the defect information will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of information registered as defect information.
The defect information of this embodiment includes date and time information 1701, job information 1702, device information 1703, symptom individual information, and the like. Since the date and time information 1701, the job information 1702, and the device information 1703 are equivalent to the date and time information 1201, the job information 1202, and the device information 1203 shown in FIG. 12, description thereof will be omitted. The symptomatology individual information may be any of the symptomatology individual information (abnormal noise) 1704, the symptomatology individual information (abnormal image) 1705, and the symptomatology individual information (paper damage) 1706 depending on the defect that has occurred.

FIG. 17A corresponds to the defect information registered when the button 637 that makes an abnormal noise from the device is selected on the screen of FIG. 16C. The defect information in this case includes date / time information 1701, job information 1702, device information 1703, and symptom individual information (abnormal noise) 1704.

The symptom individual information (abnormal noise) 1704 includes information regarding the abnormal noise input by the user. It is a rough occurrence part such as the right side surface of the image forming apparatus, a puncher, a finisher, and the frequency of occurrence such that abnormal noise is generated twice in ten times.

Further, on the screen of FIG. 16C, when the button 635 to which the abnormal image is output is selected, the defect information includes the date and time information 1701, the job information 1702, the device information 1703, and the symptom individual information (abnormal image) 1705 ( FIG. 17 (b)) is included.
FIG. 17B corresponds to the symptom individual information (abnormal image) 1705 of the defect information registered when the button 635 to which the abnormal image is output is selected on the screen of FIG. 16C.
The symptom individual information (abnormal image) 1705 includes information such as details of the abnormal image and the generated color as shown in FIG. 17 (b).

Further, on the screen of FIG. 16C, when the button 636 that has damaged the paper is selected, the defect information includes the date and time information 1701, the job information 1702, the device information 1703, and the symptomatology individual information (paper damage) 1706. (FIG. 17 (c)) is included.
FIG. 17C corresponds to the symptom individual information (paper damage) 1706 of the defect information registered when the button 636 that has damaged the paper is selected on the screen of FIG. 16C.
The symptomatology individual information (paper damage) 1706 includes information such as details of paper damage and the frequency of occurrence of paper damage at a rate of 1 in 100 sheets, as shown in FIG. 17 (c).

(Registration process of defect information)
Next, the operation of the CPU 901 when the defect information registration process is performed will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the defect information registration process. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 901 loading the program stored in the ROM 902 into the RAM 903 and executing it as needed.

In S4001, the CPU 901 monitors whether the button for selecting the symptom of the defect shown in FIG. 16 (c) (for example, any of 635 to 637) is pressed. The CPU 901 continues the monitoring until the button for selecting the symptom of the malfunction is pressed (between No in S4001). Then, when the button for selecting the symptom of the defect is pressed (Yes in S4001), the CPU 901 proceeds to S4002.

In S4002, the CPU 901 monitors whether or not the button 638 for saving the device information shown in FIG. 16D is pressed. The CPU 901 continues the monitoring until the button for saving the device information is pressed (between No in S4002). Then, when the button for saving the device information is pressed (Yes in S4002), the CPU 901 proceeds to S4003.

In S4003, the CPU 901 controls to register the defect information (FIG. 17) corresponding to each symptom determined to be selected on the defect screen (FIG. 16 (c)) in the above S4001, and processes it in the above S4001. Return. The registered defect information is managed on the RAM 903 by the CPU 901. The area where the registered defect information is managed (defect management area) is, for example, a ring buffer, and a plurality of defect information can be registered. When the number of registered defect information reaches the upper limit, the oldest information shall be deleted in order.

Further, each defect information (FIG. 17) registered in the defect management area is also operated by a service engineer or the like in the same manner as in the case of the abnormal noise information shown in the first embodiment, and FIGS. The job can be reset based on the defect information.

As described above, by performing the defect information registration process, it is possible to register the information when the defect occurs, and it is possible to save and manage the detailed information when the defect occurs. As a result, the situation when the defect occurs can be confirmed in detail according to the symptom of the defect, and it becomes easy to identify the cause of the defect.
The procedure for registering the defect information, the button name of the operation unit display, the screen transition, and the content of the information to be registered as the defect information may be in various forms, not limited to the description of the present embodiment.

As shown above, according to each embodiment, even if a defect or abnormal noise of the product occurs due to an abnormality or malfunction that the device cannot detect, it is possible to save the information of the device at that time. It becomes possible to easily reproduce the phenomenon. This makes it easier to reproduce the operation of the device when a defect such as a defective product or abnormal noise occurs, and it is possible to easily and quickly identify the location where the defect occurs, and work on site. You can save time. That is, it is possible to improve the efficiency of cause analysis when a defect such as a defective product in the image forming apparatus or an abnormal noise in the image forming apparatus occurs. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in device downtime and an increase in service cost.

It should be noted that the structure and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the structure and contents are various depending on the intended use and purpose.
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, or the like. Specifically, it may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to a device composed of one device.
Further, all the configurations combining the above embodiments are also included in the present invention.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or a device composed of one device.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not it. That is, all the configurations in which each of the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof are combined are also included in the present invention.

10 Image forming device 100 Printer 200 Puncher 300 Image reader 400 Document feeding device 500 Finisher 600 Operation display device

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on an image forming job.
When the user determines that a defect has occurred in the image forming apparatus, an instruction means for instructing the occurrence of the defect and an instruction means for instructing the occurrence of the defect.
When the occurrence of the defect is instructed by the instruction means, the storage means for storing the information of the image forming apparatus according to the instructed timing and the storage means.
An image forming apparatus characterized by having. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for calling and displaying information of the image forming apparatus stored in the storage means. A claim that the information of the image forming apparatus according to the timing includes information about an image forming job executed at the timing or an image forming job last executed before the timing. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a first setting means for setting an image forming job based on the information about the image forming job stored in the saving means. The instruction means is a button displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus.
A control means for controlling the display of the button so as to display the button according to the start of the image forming job and hide the button after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the image forming job. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image forming apparatus has. It has a second setting means for setting whether or not to display the button.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means controls whether or not to display the button according to the setting of the second setting means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information of the image forming apparatus according to the timing includes information regarding the state of the image forming apparatus according to the timing. The information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus according to the timing is the information indicating the degree of wear of the parts corresponding to the timing, the elapsed time from the power-on of the image forming apparatus to the timing, and finally the image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus includes at least one of the elapsed time from the execution of the forming job to the timing and the information of the adjustment operation last executed before the timing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information indicating the consumption of the parts according to the timing includes the information of a predetermined counter according to the timing. It has a receiving means for receiving input of information about a malfunction of the image forming apparatus from a user.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the storing means also stores the information received by the receiving means as the information of the image forming apparatus. The defect is characterized by including at least one of abnormal noise from the image forming apparatus, an abnormal image being output by the image forming apparatus, and damage to the sheet output from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on an image forming job.
When the user determines that a defect has occurred in the image forming apparatus and an instruction means for instructing that the defect has occurred is instructed, information on the image forming apparatus according to the instructed timing is provided. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, which comprises a preservation step for preservation. A program for operating a computer as the means according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images