JP2021113930A - Image forming apparatus and notification program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce discomfort given to a person other than a user themselves before notifying the user of the operating states of an image forming apparatus to improve the user's degree of satisfaction.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: an image forming unit 12 that forms an image on a recording medium to perform printing in accordance with print settings; a sound output unit 81 that outputs sound; a display unit 473; and a notification control unit 101 that, in accordance with notification codes stored in a notification code information storage unit 72, the respective notification codes being determined in advance in accordance with the details of the operating states of the image forming apparatus 1, causes the sound output unit 81 to output a notification sound or turns on a light in part of the display unit 473.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a notification program, and more particularly to a technique for notifying a user of an operating state of the image forming apparatus.

It has been proposed that in an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a multifunction device, the user is notified by a message voice or a notification sound that printing has been completed or that an abnormality has occurred (for example, Patent Document 1 below). 4). By notifying the user of the operating state of the image forming apparatus by a message voice or a notification sound, the user can recognize the operating state of the device even if he / she is not near the device.

JP-A-2019-129397 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-0878919 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-180481 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-193445

However, when the operating state of the image forming apparatus is notified by message voice, it is very beneficial for the user (the user who instructed printing), but it is distracting and unpleasant for people other than the user. There is a risk of embracing. On the other hand, it is not possible to inform the user in detail of the operating state of the image forming apparatus only by the uniform notification sound. Therefore, it cannot be said that the user's satisfaction is high with the conventional notification.

In addition, when the operating state of the image forming apparatus is notified to the user by an image such as an illustration or text, a large space must be allocated for the image display, and the display space for other information may be reduced. ..

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and after reducing the discomfort given to a person other than the user himself / herself, the user is notified of the operating state of the image forming apparatus to improve the user's satisfaction. The purpose is.

The image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and prints according to a print setting, a sound output unit that outputs sound, a display unit, and the image forming apparatus. A notification sound is output from the sound output unit according to a notification code information storage unit that stores each notification code predetermined according to the content of each operating state and a notification code stored in the notification code information storage unit. The operation state includes at least one of the contents of the print setting and the progress of printing.

Further, the notification program according to one aspect of the present invention is described in accordance with an instruction unit for instructing the image forming apparatus to print and a notification code predetermined according to the content of each operating state of the image forming apparatus. It functions as a notification control unit that outputs a notification sound from the sound output unit or performs a process for lighting a part of the display unit.

According to the present invention, a notification sound according to an operating state is output instead of a uniform notification sound as in the conventional case. That is, since a notification sound that is not a voice is output, which is different depending on the operating state, the user is notified of the operating state of the image forming apparatus after reducing the discomfort given to a person other than the user himself / herself. It is possible to improve the satisfaction level of.

Further, since a part of the display unit is lit according to the operating state, the user can recognize the operating state from the lighting content. For example, the interval of intermittent lighting is changed depending on the operating state. Since the user is notified of the operating status by the lighting display instead of the illustration or text, it is not necessary to allocate a large display space, and the display space can be effectively used. In addition, after reducing discomfort without showing unrelated message display to people other than the user himself / herself, the operating state of the image forming apparatus is notified to the user to improve the user's satisfaction. Can be done.

It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic the main internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure stored in the notification code information storage part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing performed by the control unit in the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic the main internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display part of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of a terminal device having a printer driver according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display part of a terminal device.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus and the printer driver according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and is a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, and an image. It includes a forming unit 12, a storage device 71, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a sound output unit 81.

The document feeding unit 6 is configured to be openable and closable on the upper surface of the document reading unit 5 by a hinge or the like shown in the drawing. Functions as a holding cover.

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

A case where the image forming operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 feeds paper from the paper feeding unit 14 based on the image data generated by the document reading operation, the image data stored in the image memory or the like, the image data received from the computer connected to the network, and the like. A toner image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium.

The storage device 71 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The storage device 71 stores various control programs and has a notification code information storage unit 72. The notification code information storage unit 72 stores each notification code predetermined according to the content of each operating state of the image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure stored in the notification code information storage unit 72. The notification code information storage unit 72 stores each notification code in association with each operation state of the image forming apparatus 1. The notification code is composed of a short point (・) and a long point (-) like Morse code.

For example, the notification code of "・" is stored in association with the print setting of "single-sided 1in1", the notification code of "...-" is stored in association with the print setting of "double-sided 2in1", and "printing". The notification code of "........." is stored in association with "Start", and the notification code of "...--" is stored in association with "10th sheet printing". ing. "1in1" means printing one original on one recording paper, "2in1" means two originals, and "4in1" aggregates four originals on one recording paper. To print.

The fixing unit 13 heats and pressurizes the recording paper on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12 to fix the toner image on the recording paper. It is discharged to the tray. The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette.

The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as an image formation operation execution instruction from the operator for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like to the operator. Further, the operation unit 47 receives an input of an instruction from the user based on an operation (touch operation) by the user on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473 via the touch panel of the display unit 473.

The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The display unit 473 includes a touch panel. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position.

The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) in the local area or on the Internet.

The sound output unit 81 is composed of a speaker or the like that outputs a notification sound or a sound indicating an operating state of the image forming apparatus 1.

The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 and a notification control unit 101.

The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100 and the notification control unit 101 by the operation of the processor according to the notification program stored in the storage device 71. However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by hardware circuits, regardless of the operation according to the notification program by the control unit 10. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a storage device 71, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a sound output unit 81. Then, the drive control of each of these parts is performed.

For example, the control unit 100 forms an image on the recording paper by controlling the operations of the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, and the feeding unit 14 according to the selection or instruction from the user received by the operation unit 47. And print. Selections and instructions from the user include, for example, single-sided printing, double-sided printing, page aggregation, color printing, and monochrome printing.

The notification control unit 101 performs a process of outputting a notification sound from the sound output unit 81 according to the notification code (any of the notification codes stored in the notification code information storage unit 72).

For example, when the operation unit 47 receives a setting of "single-sided 2in1" as a print setting from the user, the notification control unit 101 receives a notification sound "tonton" from the sound output unit 81 according to the notification code associated with this setting. Is output. Further, when the operation unit 47 receives the "double-sided 2in1" setting as the print setting from the user, the notification control unit 101 receives a notification sound "tonton two" from the sound output unit 81 according to the notification code associated with this setting. Is output. Here, the short point "・" is expressed as "ton", and the long point "-" is expressed as "two".

Next, an example of the processing performed by the control unit 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is performed when the operation unit 47 receives the user instruction to start printing.

The notification control unit 101 outputs a notification sound from the sound output unit 81 to the sound output unit 81 according to the notification code associated with "print start" among the notification codes stored in the notification code information storage unit 72. Let (S1). For example, the notification control unit 101 causes the sound output unit 81 to output a notification sound of "tontontontontontontontontontonton". This informs the user of "printing start".

After that, the control unit 100 resets the counters CF and CT for counting the number of printed sheets to "0" (S2), controls the image forming unit 12 and the like according to the print settings set by the user, and prints the image. It is formed on a recording paper (S3). The counter CF is a counter for counting the ones place, and the counter CT is a counter for counting the tens place.

The control unit 100 determines whether or not printing on one sheet of recording paper is completed (S4), and when it is determined that printing on one sheet of recording paper is completed (YES in S4), the counter CF is set to "1". "Is added (S5). Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the counter CF has reached "10" (S6). On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that printing on one sheet of recording paper has not been completed (NO in S4), the process returns to S3.

In S6, when the control unit 100 determines that the counter CF has reached "10" (YES in S6), the control unit 100 resets the counter CF to "0" (S7) and sets the counter CT to "1". "Is added (S8). On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the counter CF has not reached "10" (NO in S6), the process returns to S3.

After S8, the notification control unit 101 causes the sound output unit 81 to output a notification sound according to the notification code associated with the number of the notification codes stored in the notification code information storage unit 72 indicated by the counter CT. (S9). For example, when the counter CT is "1", the notification control unit 101 causes the sound output unit 81 to output a notification sound "ton-to-two-to-two" according to the notification code corresponding to "printing the 10th sheet". When the counter CT is "2", the notification control unit 101 causes the sound output unit 81 to output a notification sound "tonton-to-two" according to the notification code corresponding to "printing the 20th sheet". This informs the user of the number of prints.

After that, the control unit 100 determines whether or not all printing has been completed (S10). When the control unit 100 determines that all printing has been completed (YES in S10), the notification control unit 101 associates the notification code stored in the notification code information storage unit 72 with "print end". A notification sound is output from the sound output unit 81 according to the notified notification code (S11). For example, the notification control unit 101 outputs a notification sound of "two-to-two-to-two" from the sound output unit 81. This informs the user that "printing is finished". On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that printing has not been completed (NO in S10), the process returns to S3.

According to the first embodiment, the notification sound according to the operating state is output instead of the uniform notification sound as in the conventional case. That is, since different notification sounds are output depending on the operating state, the user can recognize the operating state without approaching the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, since the notification is made not by the message voice but by a notification sound that is incomprehensible to a person other than the user himself / herself, the content is not known to a person other than the user himself / herself, and a person other than the user himself / herself does not know the contents. The discomfort caused by voice is reduced. This improves user satisfaction. Further, since the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 is notified through hearing, it is more effective for visually impaired persons and persons with weak eyesight.

Here, single-sided printing, double-sided printing, and page aggregation are described as examples of the print settings to be notified, but the print settings to be notified are not limited to these, and color printing, monochrome printing, and vertical / horizontal printing of the original are not limited to these. It may be the direction of.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted. The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment includes the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and the motion sensor 82, and further, the notification code information storage unit 72 is provided with not only the notification code but also each of the image forming apparatus 1. The difference is that each message voice code associated with the operating state is stored.

The motion sensor 82 detects humans around the image forming apparatus 1. The motion sensor 82 is, for example, an infrared sensor.

When a human being is detected by the motion sensor 82, the notification control unit 101 notifies the operating state by outputting a notification sound from the sound output unit 81 as in the case of the first embodiment. I do. On the other hand, in a state where a human is not detected by the motion sensor 82, the notification control unit 101 is associated with the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the notification code information storage unit 72 instead of the notification sound from the sound output unit 81. The message voice code is read, and the message voice for notification of the operating state is output according to the message voice code.

According to the second embodiment, the operation state is notified by the message voice only when there is no human being around the image forming apparatus 1, so that the message voice is used for a person other than the user himself / herself. The discomfort given can be reduced.

Further, as another embodiment, the notification code information storage unit 72 stores the notification code and the message voice code with different contents for each user, and the notification control unit 101 stores the notification code corresponding to the user who has instructed printing. Alternatively, the notification may be made according to the message voice code. As a result, for example, when "single-sided 2in1" is set as a print setting by a certain user, the notification control unit 101 outputs a notification sound "tonton" from the sound output unit 81, but another user sets the print setting. When "single-sided 2in1" is set, the notification control unit 101 causes the sound output unit 81 to output a notification sound of "ton-to-tone". The user is specified by the notification control unit 101 based on, for example, information input by the user during the login process.

Further, as a modification of the other embodiment, the notification control unit 101 receives notifications of "print start" and "print end" regardless of whether or not a human being exists around the image forming apparatus 1. A special notification may be sent with a message having different contents for each user who has instructed to print. For example, as a special notification, the notification control unit 101 outputs a message voice "Start printing of Mr. A" from the sound output unit 81 when starting printing according to the instruction of the user A. Further, when the printing according to the instruction of the user B is completed, the notification control unit 101 outputs the message voice "Printing of Mr. B is completed" from the sound output unit 81. This makes it possible to clarify who started printing and who finished printing. Further, in order to respond to the request from the user who wants to maintain anonymity, the notification control unit 101 determines whether or not to execute the function according to the instruction received by the operation unit 47 by the operation by the user. You may.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the notification control unit 101 notifies the user of the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 through hearing is described, but as the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, the notification is given. The control unit 101 displays on the display unit 473 according to the notification code stored in the notification code information storage unit 72 so that the operation state can be visually distinguished based on the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1. By blinking a part of the image in the displayed display screen, the user is notified of the operating status.

As shown in FIG. 5, the notification control unit 101 displays a minute notification image G1 at the lower right of the display unit 473, and intermittently lights (blinks) the image based on the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when the operation unit 47 accepts the user setting of "single-sided 2in1" as the print setting, the notification control unit 101 blinks the notification image G1 as "tonton". Further, when the operation unit 47 accepts the user setting of "double-sided 2in1" as the print setting, the notification control unit 101 blinks the notification image G1 as "tontonto". In addition, "ton" here indicates lighting for a short time, and "two" indicates a slightly longer lighting.

For example, the notification control unit 101 blinks the notification image G1 as "ton-to-two-to-two" when the number of printed sheets reaches the tenth sheet, and blinks the notification image G1 as "ton-to-two-to-two" when the number of printed sheets reaches the twentieth sheet. Let me. As a result, the space required in the display screen of the display unit 473 for realizing the notification can be made smaller than in the case of the message display, and the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 can be notified to the user.

Although the case where the image forming apparatus 1 informs the user of the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 has been described so far, it is a terminal apparatus provided with a printer driver having a function of instructing the image forming apparatus 1 to print. The operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 may be notified to the user.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of a terminal device having a printer driver according to a fourth embodiment. The terminal device 2 includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a sound output unit 24, a network interface unit 25, and a storage device 26. Each of these configurations is capable of transmitting and receiving data or signals through a communication path with each other.

The operation unit 22 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used to input commands and characters to the control unit 21 and to operate a pointer on the screen of the display unit 23. Accepts input of instructions. The display unit 23 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays a response from the control unit 21 and a data result. The sound output unit 24 is composed of a speaker or the like that outputs a notification sound or a voice.

The network interface unit 25 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various data to and from an external device such as an image forming device 1 in the local area or on the Internet.

The storage device 26 is an HDD, SSD, or the like, and stores various control programs. Further, a printer driver 260 as a program is installed in the terminal device 2, and the printer driver 260 is stored in the storage device 26.

The control unit 21 includes a processor, RAM, ROM, and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU, an ASIC, an MPU, or the like.

The control unit 21 is operated by the processor according to the printer driver (an example of the notification program) 260 stored in the storage device 26, so that the control unit 210, the instruction unit 261 and the notification control unit 262, and the notification code information storage unit Functions as 263.

The control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 2. The control unit 210 is connected to the operation unit 22, the display unit 23, the sound output unit 24, the network interface unit 25, and the storage device 26, and is connected to the operation control of each of the above configurations and between the respective configurations. Sends and receives signals or data in.

The instruction unit 261 instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to print.

The notification control unit 262 is a notification code (notification stored in the notification code information storage unit 263) that is predetermined according to the content of each operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 connected via the network interface unit 25. By lighting a part of the display unit 23 according to the code), the user is notified of the operating state.

Similar to the notification code information storage unit 72 (FIG. 2), the notification code information storage unit 263 stores the notification code in association with the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the notification control unit 262 displays a notification image G2 composed of a minute square image at the lower right of the display unit 23, and intermittently lights up based on the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1. Make it (blink). For example, when the operation unit 22 accepts the user setting of "single-sided 2in1" as the print setting, the notification control unit 262 blinks the notification image G2 as "tonton". Further, when the operation unit 22 accepts the user setting of "double-sided 2in1" as the print setting, the notification control unit 262 blinks the notification image G2 as "tontonto". Again, "ton" indicates a short time lighting, and "two" indicates a slightly longer lighting.

Further, the notification control unit 262 blinks the notification image G2 as "ton-to-two-to-two" when the number of printed sheets reaches the tenth sheet, and blinks the notification image G2 as "ton-to-two-to-two" when the number of printed sheets reaches the twentieth sheet. Let me. As a result, the space required in the display screen of the display unit 23 for realizing the notification can be made smaller than in the case of displaying a message, and the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 can be notified to the user. ..

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the notification control unit 262 visually informs the user of the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 is described, but as another embodiment, in the first and second embodiments. As described above, the notification control unit 262 outputs a notification sound or a message voice from the sound output unit 24 so that the operation state can be audibly distinguished based on the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the operation status may be notified to the user.

Conventionally, some printer drivers store text data indicating the operating state in association with the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, text data indicating the texts "single-sided printing" and "double-sided printing" is stored in the storage unit.

Therefore, as yet another embodiment, the printer driver 260 also functions as a conversion unit that converts the text data into a notification code according to a predetermined conversion rule, and the notification control unit 262 is performed by the conversion unit. According to the obtained notification code, the display of the display unit 23 may blink a part of the image in the plane, or the sound output unit 24 may output the notification sound. As a result, the notification code information storage unit 263 can be eliminated.

Further, the text notification may be used together with the lighting and the notification sound of the display unit 23 as in the conventional case, and the notification control unit 262 alternately performs the lighting notification and the text notification. You may do so.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and processing shown by the above-described embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

1 Image forming device 2 Terminal device 12 Image forming unit 81 Sound output unit 82 Human sensor 101 Notification control unit 260 Printer driver 261 Indicator 262 Notification control unit 473 Display unit

Claims (8)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and prints according to the printing settings,
The sound output section that outputs sound and
Display and
A notification code information storage unit that stores each notification code predetermined according to the content of each operating state of the image forming apparatus, and a notification code information storage unit.
The notification control unit is provided with a notification control unit that outputs a notification sound from the sound output unit or performs a process for lighting a part of the display unit according to the notification code stored in the notification code information storage unit.
The operating state is an image forming apparatus including at least one of the contents of the print setting and the progress of printing. The notification code is set for each user.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit uses a notification code corresponding to a user who has instructed printing to perform the notification. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the print setting includes any setting of single-sided printing, double-sided printing, page aggregation printing, color printing, and monochrome printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the progress status includes any of the start of printing, the end of printing, and the progress of printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notification control unit notifies the user who has instructed the printing of the start and end of printing with different contents. In addition to being further equipped with a motion sensor that detects humans around this image forming device,
When a human being is detected by the motion sensor, the notification control unit performs the notification by outputting a notification sound from the sound output unit.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when a human is not detected by the motion sensor, the notification is made by outputting a message voice instead of a notification sound from the sound output unit. .. A notification program that operates a terminal device that is connected to an image forming device and includes a sound output unit that outputs sound, a display unit, and a computer.
The terminal device
An instruction unit that instructs the image forming apparatus to print, and
Notification that outputs a notification sound from the sound output unit or performs a process for turning on a part of the display unit according to each notification code predetermined according to the content of each operation state of the image forming apparatus. A notification program that functions as a control unit. The terminal device further functions as a conversion unit that converts text data indicating the operating state, which is stored in association with the operating state of the image forming device, into the notification code according to a predetermined conversion rule. With
The notification program according to claim 7, wherein the notification control unit outputs a notification sound from the sound output unit or lights a part of the display unit according to the notification code obtained by the conversion unit.

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