JP2022168603A - image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To properly notify information related to maintenance without additionally providing a structure for determining whether the information related to maintenance should be notified or not.SOLUTION: A control portion 10 executes adjusting processing about image formation according to instructions of a user. The control portion 10, when the number of execution times of adjusting processing is an allowable number of times predetermined according to the adjusting processing or more, executes first and second notification processing for notifying notification information related to maintenance predetermined according to the adjusting processing, and when the number of execution times of the adjusting processing is less than the predetermined allowable number of times, does not execute the first and second notification processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to technology for notifying information about maintenance.

Techniques for notifying information about maintenance are known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of notifying a server of a maintenance request when an abnormality-related alert such as a transfer alarm or patch detection abnormality alarm is generated. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses a technique of detecting image defects from an image formed during normal printing, and notifying information prompting maintenance when the number of occurrences of image defects exceeds a predetermined allowable number of times. is doing.

JP 2019-145073 A JP 2019-177525 A

In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to separately provide a configuration such as a sensor or a camera for detecting an abnormality in order to determine whether or not to notify information about maintenance. There is a problem of cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to appropriately notify maintenance-related information without separately providing a configuration for determining whether to notify maintenance-related information. .

An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium, and a control section that executes adjustment processing for image formation according to a user's instruction. When the number of executions of the adjustment process is equal to or greater than the allowable number of times predetermined according to the adjustment process, the control unit executes a notification process for notifying information regarding maintenance predetermined according to the adjustment process, If the number of executions of the adjustment process is less than the predetermined allowable number of times, the notification process is not executed.

According to the present invention, whether or not to notify information about maintenance is determined based on the number of executions of adjustment processing executed in accordance with user instructions. Can appropriately notify information about

1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the allowable frequency|count and notification information which were set for every adjustment process. 9 is a flowchart showing information notification processing; It is a figure which shows an example of a notification screen.

An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the allowable number of times and notification information set for each adjustment process.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, image forming apparatus 1 is a color multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. A housing of the image forming apparatus 1 accommodates a plurality of devices for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1 . For example, the housing accommodates an image reading section 11, an image forming section 12, a fixing section 13, a paper feeding section 14, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100 . The control unit 100 includes a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

The control unit 100 functions as the control section 10 by the control program stored in the ROM or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 being executed by the processor. Note that the control unit 10 may be configured by a logic circuit without depending on the operation based on the control program.

The control unit 10 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 . More specifically, the control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and communication with a PC (Personal Computer) 23 or the like connected via a network. For example, the control unit 10 executes adjustment processing for image formation according to user's instructions input via the operation unit 16 .

The adjustment process is not particularly limited as long as it is a process commonly used in the relevant field. Execute drum refresh processing to improve spots, gradation adjustment processing to correct color difference between the document and the formed image, or calibration processing to correct the color density of the formed image. It shall be.

The control unit 10 also operates in accordance with a notification program to be described later, so that when the number of executions of the adjustment process is equal to or greater than the allowable number of times predetermined according to the adjustment process, the predetermined maintenance is performed according to the adjustment process. If the number of executions of the adjustment process is less than the predetermined allowable number of times, the information notification process that does not execute the notification process is executed.

The control unit 100 includes a document conveying portion 6, an image reading portion 11, an image forming portion 12, a fixing portion 13, a paper feeding portion 14, a display portion 15, an operation portion 16, a conveying portion 17, an HDD 18, an image processing portion 19, an image memory 20, a facsimile communication unit 21, a communication unit 22, and the like.

The image reading unit 11 optically reads a document conveying unit 6 that conveys a document placed on a document table, and a document conveyed by the document conveying unit 6 or a document placed on a platen glass 7 . ADF (Auto Document Feeder) including a scanner. The image reading unit 11 irradiates a document with a light irradiation unit and receives the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor to read the document and generate image data representing an image of the document.

The image forming section 12 includes an image forming unit 120B for black, an image forming unit 120Y for yellow, an image forming unit 120C for cyan, an image forming unit 120M for magenta, an intermediate transfer belt 122, and a secondary transfer roller. 124 and . Hereinafter, the image forming units 120B, 120Y, 120C, and 120M are collectively referred to simply as "image forming unit 120." The image forming unit 120 includes a developing device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a primary transfer roller, a cleaning blade, and the like.

The image forming units 120B, 120Y, 120C, and 120M each supply toner supplied from the developing device of each color based on image data generated by the image reading section 11 or image data input via the communication section 22. A toner image of each color is formed using a primary transfer roller, and the formed toner image of each color is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 122 so as to be superimposed. The secondary transfer roller 124 transfers the color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 122 onto the recording paper P transported along the transport path T by the transport unit 17 .

The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper P on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 to fix the toner image onto the recording paper P. As shown in FIG. The recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing section 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 8 .

The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray and a plurality of paper feed cassettes. The paper feed unit 14 pulls out the recording paper P stored in one of a plurality of paper feed cassettes or the recording paper placed in the manual feed tray one by one using a pickup roller, and feeds the paper onto the transport path T. do.

The display unit 15 is a display device configured by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, or the like. The display unit 15 displays various screens for each function executable by the image forming apparatus 1 in the display area under the control of the control unit 10 .

The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of hard keys such as a start key for instructing start of execution of each process. The operation unit 16 also includes a touch panel 16</b>A that overlaps the display area of the display unit 15 . The user uses the operation unit 16 to input various information such as instructions for each function executable by the image forming apparatus 1 .

The transport unit 17 includes a transport roller pair 17A, a discharge roller pair 17B, and the like, and a transport motor connected to the transport roller pair 17A, the discharge roller pair 17B, and the like. The control unit 10 rotates the conveying roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B by driving the conveying motor to rotate the recording paper fed by the paper feeding unit 14 toward the image forming unit 12 and the discharge tray 8. P is transported along the transport path T.

The HDD 18 is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data such as image data generated by the image reading section 11 . The HDD 18 stores various control programs for realizing general operations of the image forming apparatus 1 . The HDD 18 stores, as one of various control programs, a notification program for executing information notification processing according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The HDD 18 stores the number of executions of adjustment processing executed by the control unit 10 . Here, it is assumed that the HDD 18 stores the number of executions of drum refresh processing, the number of executions of gradation adjustment processing, and the number of executions of calibration processing as the number of executions of adjustment processing.

The HDD 18 stores a predetermined allowable number of times according to the adjustment process. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the HDD 18 stores "50" as a predetermined allowable number of times for the drum refresh process (hereinafter referred to as "first allowable number"), "40" is stored as the predetermined allowable number of times (hereinafter referred to as "second allowable number of times"), and as the predetermined allowable number of times for calibration processing (hereinafter referred to as "third allowable number of times"). Assume that "30" is stored. The control unit 10 sets the allowable number of times according to the user's instruction input via the touch panel 16A.

The HDD 18 stores, as notification information, information regarding maintenance predetermined according to the adjustment process. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the HDD 18 stores predetermined notification information about the drum refresh process (hereinafter referred to as "first notification information") and predetermined notification information about the gradation adjustment process ( hereinafter referred to as "second notification information") and predetermined notification information regarding the calibration process (hereinafter referred to as "third notification information").

The control unit 10 sets these pieces of notification information according to user's instructions input via the touch panel 16A. The notification information is not particularly limited, but for example, the HDD 18 stores, as notification information, a message indicating that the adjustment process has been performed more than a predetermined allowable number of times, the number of times the adjustment process has been performed, and the content of the problem. ing.

HDD 18 stores a predetermined e-mail address as a transmission destination of information on maintenance. Here, it is assumed that the HDD 18 stores an e-mail address indicating a service person as a destination. It is also assumed that the serviceman can receive e-mails using the PC 23 owned by the serviceman.

The image processing unit 19 performs image processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 as necessary. The image memory 20 temporarily stores image data generated by the image reading section 11 . The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits/receives image data via the public line.

The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The control unit 10 performs data communication via the communication unit 22 with an external device such as a PC 23 connected via a network.

A power supply is connected to each part of the image forming apparatus 1, and each part of the image forming apparatus 1 operates by being supplied with power from the power supply.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing information notification processing. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen. The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 during execution of the information notification process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 and the like. In the following description, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on. It is also assumed that the HDD 18 stores "48" as the number of times the drum refresh process has been executed.

Here, according to the user's instruction input via the touch panel 16A, the control unit 10 enables in advance the first notification setting for notifying the user of information about maintenance, and also sets the information about maintenance to serviceman. It is assumed that the second notification setting for notifying to is set to valid in advance.

(1) When the number of executions of the adjustment process is less than the predetermined allowable number , an instruction to execute the drum refresh process is input. Upon receiving the execution instruction via touch panel 16A, control unit 10 executes drum refresh processing as adjustment processing.

The drum refresh process is not particularly limited as long as it is a process generally performed in the relevant field. The toner is ejected onto the surface of the photoreceptor drum, and the surface of the photoreceptor drum is polished using the toner as an abrasive by rotating the photoreceptor drum and a roller adjacent to the photoreceptor drum. A process for collecting the removed adhering matter with a cleaning blade is executed.

After executing the drum refresh process as the adjustment process as described above, the control unit 10 starts executing the information notification process shown in FIG. When the execution of the information notification process is started, the control unit 10 first adds "1" to the number of executions of the adjustment process that has been executed, which is stored in the HDD 18 (step S10). In this case, the control unit 10 increments the execution count of the drum refresh process to "49".

After the process of step S10, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the number of times of execution after addition is equal to or greater than the allowable number of times predetermined according to the executed adjustment process (step S11). In this case, since the number of executions after addition of "49" is less than the first allowable number of times of "50", the control unit 10 determines that the number of executions after addition is not equal to or greater than the allowable number of times (step NO in S11), the information notification process is terminated.

(2) When the number of times adjustment processing is executed is equal to or greater than the predetermined allowable number Since white spots are now recognized, the user uses the touch panel 16A to input an instruction to execute the drum refresh process. When receiving the execution instruction via the touch panel 16A, the control unit 10 executes the drum refresh process as the adjustment process in the same manner as described above.

After executing the drum refresh process, the control unit 10 starts executing the information notification process shown in FIG. 4 and executes the process of step S10. In this case, the control unit 10 increments the execution count of the drum refresh process to "50" in step S10. As a result, the number of executions of the drum refresh process reaches the first allowable number of times, so the control unit 10 determines that the number of executions after addition is equal to or greater than the allowable number of times (YES in step S11), and sets the first notification setting. It is determined whether or not it is set to valid (step S12).

In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the first notification setting is enabled (YES in step S12), and displays predetermined notification information on the display unit 15 according to the adjustment processing that has been performed. A first notification process is executed (step S13). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 detects that the drum refresh process has been performed more than the first allowable number of times, the number of times the drum refresh process has been performed, and the malfunction of the photosensitive drum as the first notification information. The display unit 15 is caused to display a notification screen 50 showing a message 51 indicating that there is a possibility that a

After the process of step S13, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the second notification setting is enabled (step S14). When the first notification setting is disabled (NO in step S12), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step S14 without executing the process of step S13.

In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the second notification setting is enabled (YES in step S14), and through the communication unit 22, a predetermined notification corresponding to the executed adjustment process A second notification process is executed to send an e-mail indicating the information to the e-mail address stored as the destination in the HDD 18 (step S15). In this case, the control unit 10 transmits an e-mail indicating the message 51 as the first notification information to the e-mail address stored in the HDD 18 via the communication unit 22 .

After the process of step S15, the control unit 10 terminates the information notification process. If the second notification setting is disabled (NO in step S14), the control unit 10 ends the information notification process without executing the process of step S15.

It should be noted that the control unit 10 executes the gradation adjustment process as the adjustment process when receiving an instruction to execute the gradation adjustment process via the touch panel 16A. The gradation adjustment process is not particularly limited as long as it is a process generally performed in the relevant field. A pattern for gradation adjustment is formed on the recording paper, the image reading unit 11 is caused to read the pattern to generate image data, and gradation correction is executed based on the generated image data. do.

After executing the gradation adjustment process described above, the control unit 10 executes the information notification process shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as when the drum refresh process is executed. Specifically, when the number of executions of the gradation adjustment process is equal to or greater than the second allowable number of times, the control unit 10 executes the first notification process of displaying the second notification information on the display unit 15, Via the unit 22 , a second notification process is executed to send an e-mail indicating the second notification information to the e-mail address stored in the HDD 18 .

Further, when receiving an instruction to execute the calibration process via the touch panel 16A, the control unit 10 executes the calibration process as the adjustment process. The calibration process is not particularly limited as long as it is a process commonly performed in the relevant field. A predetermined toner pattern is formed, the density sensor detects the toner density in the toner pattern, and the toner density is corrected based on the detection result.

After executing the calibration process described above, the control unit 10 executes the information notification process shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as when the drum refresh process is executed. Specifically, when the number of executions of the calibration process is equal to or greater than the third allowable number of times, the control unit 10 executes the first notification process for displaying the third notification information on the display unit 15, 22 to execute a second notification process of sending an e-mail indicating the third notification information to the e-mail address stored in the HDD 18 .

When the serviceman who has confirmed the e-mail executes the maintenance corresponding to the transmitted notification information, the control unit 10 initializes the number of executions of the adjustment process corresponding to the executed maintenance stored in the HDD 18. to "0".

According to the above-described embodiment, the control unit 10 executes adjustment processing for image formation according to user's instructions. When the number of executions of the adjustment process is equal to or greater than the allowable number of times predetermined according to the adjustment process, the control unit 10 generates first and second notifications for notifying notification information predetermined according to the adjustment process. If the number of executions of the adjustment process is less than the predetermined allowable number of times, the first and second notification processes are not executed.

In this manner, the control unit 10 determines whether or not to notify information about maintenance based on the number of times the adjustment process is executed according to the user's instructions. In other words, if the number of executions of the adjustment process is equal to or greater than the normally assumed number of times, there is a possibility that there is a problem with the equipment in the image forming unit 12 or a flaw in how the image forming apparatus 1 is used. The control unit 10 determines to notify information about maintenance. Performing adjustment processing on the image forming apparatus 1 does not originally indicate a failure or abnormality of the image forming apparatus 1, but in the present embodiment, the number of times the ability of the function of the image forming apparatus 1 has been adjusted is , as a guideline for determining whether or not to notify the information about the maintenance. That is, in the present embodiment, the failure or abnormality of the image forming apparatus 1 is not directly detected. Therefore, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to appropriately notify information about maintenance without providing a separate configuration for making the above determination.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 12 to execute drum refresh processing, tone adjustment processing, or calibration processing as adjustment processing. As a result, the control unit 10 can appropriately notify the information regarding the maintenance of the photosensitive drum when the drum refresh process is executed as the adjustment process, and when the gradation adjustment process is executed, the gradation reproducibility can be improved. information on maintenance for improving toner density can be appropriately notified, and when calibration processing is executed, information on maintenance for improving toner density defects can be appropriately notified.

Further, according to the above embodiment, in the first notification process, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display predetermined notification information according to the executed adjustment process. As a result, the user who has input the instruction to execute the adjustment process can be quickly notified of the maintenance related information corresponding to the executed adjustment process.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, in the second notification process, the control unit 10 sends an e-mail, which is stored in the HDD 18 via the communication unit 22, indicating notification information predetermined according to the adjustment process that has been executed. to your email address. As a result, a predetermined destination (in this case, a service person) can be quickly and reliably notified of maintenance-related information.

(Other modifications)
In the above embodiment, the HDD 18 stores e-mail addresses addressed to service personnel, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The HDD 18 may also store e-mail addresses that are destinations of predetermined users. As a result, not only service personnel but also predetermined users can be quickly and reliably notified of maintenance-related information.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming section 12 and the like form an image on the recording paper P, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming unit 12 and the like may form images on other recording media, not limited to recording paper. Another recording medium is, for example, an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a color multi-function machine is used as the image forming apparatus 1, but this is only an example, and other image forming apparatuses such as a copier or a facsimile machine may be used.

Moreover, the configuration and processing of the above embodiment shown using FIGS. 1 to 5 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configuration and processing.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 10 control unit 12 image forming unit 15 display unit 18 HDD
22 communication unit

Claims (4)

an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium;
a control unit that executes adjustment processing for image formation according to a user's instruction,
When the number of executions of the adjustment process is equal to or greater than an allowable number of times predetermined according to the adjustment process, the control unit notifies notification information regarding maintenance predetermined according to the adjustment process. An image forming apparatus that executes a process and does not execute the notification process when the number of executions of the adjustment process is less than the predetermined allowable number of times. further comprising a display,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, as the notification processing, the control section executes processing for displaying the predetermined notification information on the display section. a communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network; and a storage unit that stores a predetermined transmission destination. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an electronic mail indicating the received notification information is transmitted to the predetermined destination. 4. The control unit causes the image forming unit to execute at least one of a drum refresh process, a gradation adjustment process, and a calibration process as the adjustment process. The image forming apparatus according to any one of .

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