JP3862568B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus control method, computer-readable storage medium, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that detects a device state of an image processing apparatus and performs display processing or notification processing to an external device, a control method for the image processing apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as the status of an image processing apparatus having a communication processing function through an external interface, a network, or the like, for example, a digital copying machine, for example, device status information such as paper jam, no paper, start or end of each print job, It was controlled to display in real time on the operation screen of the copier.
[0003]
Similarly, the digital copying machine is configured to transmit the status information of the digital copying machine such as the paper jam to an external computer connected to the network, for example, and monitor the state of the digital copying machine on the computer. It was.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described prior art has the following problems.
[0005]
That is, when the status of the digital copying machine is detected, the status data is stored in the memory, sequentially read out from the memory and displayed on the operation unit of the digital copying machine, the status occurrence frequency is too high, and the status information is displayed. The speed stored in the memory exceeds the speed at which the status information is read from the memory and displayed on the operation screen, and the memory overflows. In this case, even if important status information, for example, the absence of paper is detected during the printing process, There was a problem that it was not possible to display on the operation screen that there was no paper.
[0006]
Similarly, when the status of a digital copying machine is detected, the status data is stored in a memory, sequentially read from the memory, and the information is transmitted to an external computer, the frequency of occurrence of the status is too high, The speed at which the status information is stored in the memory exceeds the speed at which the status information is read from the memory and sent to the external computer, and the memory overflows, in which case important status information, for example, no paper is detected during the printing process. Even so, there was a problem that it was not possible to send a message indicating that there was no paper to an external computer.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to store a storage state of device state information and a storage state when a device state for the image processing apparatus is detected. Whether or not the device status information for the detected device status is to be stored with priority over the stored device status information based on the comparison result with the importance of the device status information. When it is determined that the device state information is written with priority over the stored device state information, the stored device state information is deleted, and the detected device state information with a high priority is deleted. By storing it as device status information and displaying it on the operation unit, even when there is a limit to the number of device status information that can be stored, the latest device status of the detected image processing device can be quickly indicated to the user. Is to provide an image processing environment freely develop the image processing apparatus can be, and the image processing apparatus control method, and computer-readable storage medium and program.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can be used even when a buffer full state of a state storage unit used for displaying a device state occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that prevents the situation in which an important device state cannot be displayed while displaying an old device state sequentially on a device state display unit and performing a display according to the sequential time series. Further, the second object of the present invention is to sequentially transmit the old device statuses of the image processing apparatus to the external device even when the buffer full status of the status storage means used for transmitting the device status occurs. It is an object to provide a mechanism that can prevent a situation in which an important device state cannot be transmitted while performing transmission in accordance with a sequence.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
An image processing apparatus that includes a state detection unit that detects a device state of the image processing apparatus, and that sequentially displays the states detected by the state detection unit on the display unit, wherein the device state detected by the state detection unit is The status storage means for storing in series, the display control means for reading out the equipment status stored in time series in the status storage means in chronological order, and displaying them sequentially on the display section, and the equipment status is detected by the status detection means. In addition, when the state storage unit is in the buffer full state, the importance of the device state extracted in order from the device state stored in time series in the state storage unit and the device state detected by the state detection unit A comparison means for comparing the device status detected by the status detection means by the comparison means, and it is determined that the priority is higher than the extracted device status An update unit that stores the state of the device detected by the state detection unit in the state storage unit as the latest information in time series, and the comparison unit has the extracted device state If it is determined that the priority is higher than the detected device status, the next new device status is extracted from the device status stored in time series and compared with the device status detected by the status detection means. It is characterized by that.
[0010]
The image processing apparatus includes a state detection unit that detects a device state of the image processing device, and sequentially transmits the state detected by the state detection unit to an external device, the device state detected by the state detection unit State storage means for storing time-series data, transmission means for reading out the device states stored in time-series in the state storage means in chronological order, and transmitting them sequentially to notify the external device, and the state detection means When a state is detected and the state storage unit is in a buffer full state, a device state extracted in order from the device state stored in time series in the state storage unit, and a device state detected by the state detection unit The device status detected by the status detection means by comparison between the comparison means for comparing the importance levels of the and the comparison means has priority over the extracted device status. If is determined to be high, the apparatus state detected by said state detecting means, In time series Updating means for storing the latest information in the state storage means, and the comparing means determines that the extracted device state is higher in priority than the detected device state. Next, a new device state is extracted from the device states stored in series, and is compared with the device state detected by the state detection means.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025]
The image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6, a network interface unit 7, a LIPS (LBP Image). Processing System: page description language developed by Canon of the present applicant) formatter unit 8, PS (Post Script (registered trademark): page description language developed by Adobe Corp. USA) formatter unit 9, core 10 And an output control unit 3.
[0026]
11 is a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS), 12 is a network server, 13 is a digital copying machine, 14 is a network, 15 is a public network, and 16 is another communication device. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example, and is not limited to the illustrated configuration.
[0027]
Specifically, the reader unit 1 reads an image of a document set on the image forming apparatus and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1, and includes the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the magneto-optical disk / drive unit 6, the network interface unit 7, the LIPS formatter unit 8, the PS formatter unit 9, and the core. Part 10 is provided.
[0028]
In the image input / output control unit 3, the facsimile unit 4 expands the compressed image data received via the public line network 15, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 10, and transfers from the core unit 10. The compressed image data is compressed, and the compressed image data that has been compressed is transmitted via the public network 15.
[0029]
A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, together with a keyword for retrieving the image data, and a magneto-optical disk. -Store in a magneto-optical disk set in the drive unit 6. Further, the file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads the retrieved compressed image data, decompresses it, and decompresses it. The transferred image data is transferred to the core unit 10.
[0030]
The network interface unit 7 is an interface between the core unit 10 and a host computer related to the present invention, that is, a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 connected via the network 14. Similarly, the network interface unit 7 is also an interface between the core unit 10 and another digital copying machine 13 connected via the network 14. When receiving print data from the host computer according to the present invention, it is performed via this network interface unit 7.
[0031]
The network server 12 is the center of network control. Print data from the host computer related to the present invention, for example, PDL (Page Description Language) data, may flow from the PC / WS 11 to the network interface unit 7 of the image forming apparatus through the network server 12.
[0032]
The LIPS formatter unit 8 and the PS formatter unit 9 develop the PDL data transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the network interface unit 7, the LIPS formatter unit 8, and the PS formatter unit 9. To do.
[0033]
A personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 is an external computer of the present invention. In addition, device status information related to the present invention is displayed on the display of the PC / WS 11.
[0034]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0035]
The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention generally includes an image forming apparatus main body (copying apparatus main body) 100, a deck 150, and a circulating automatic document feeder (RDF) 180.
[0036]
The image forming apparatus main body 100 includes a platen glass 101, a scanner 102, a document illumination lamp 103, scanning mirrors 104, 105, and 106, a lens 108, a CCD sensor (image sensor unit) 109, a photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, Pre-exposure lamp 114, cleaning device 116, transfer charger 118, exposure controller 120, developing device 121, transfer belt 130, upper cassette 131, lower cassette 132, pickup rollers 133 and 134, feed rollers 135 and 136, registration rollers 137, adsorption charger 119, transfer belt roller 138, pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, fixing device 141, paper discharge roller 142, paper discharge flapper 154, reverse path 155, refeed tray 156, multiple flapper 157, transport path 158, paper feed roller 159, path 16 , Discharge roller 161, first feed roller 162, a second feed roller 162a, and a reversing roller 163.
[0037]
In detail, the reader unit 1 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the platen glass 101 to the CCD sensor 109 shown in FIG. 2, and the printer unit 2 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the photosensitive drum 110 to the reversing roller 163 in FIG. 2. Correspond. The platen glass 101 is a document placement table. The scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), whereby the reflected light 107 of the original is imaged on the CCD sensor 109 through the lens 108 through the scanning mirrors 104 to 106.
[0038]
The exposure control unit 120 includes a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like. The exposure control unit 120 sensitizes a laser beam 129 that is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD sensor 109 and modulated based on an image signal that has been subjected to predetermined image processing described later. The body drum 110 is irradiated. Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided.
[0039]
In the image forming unit 126 centering on the photosensitive drum 110, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow by a motor (not shown), and after being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, The laser beam 129 from the exposure control unit 120 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image.
[0040]
On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the main body by the paper feed rollers 135 and 136 and fed to the transfer belt by the registration rollers 137 and visualized. The toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 118. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 116, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114. After the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the transfer belt 130, the toner is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to the fixing device 141, and fixed by pressurization and heating. Discharged outside.
[0041]
The adsorption charger 119 adsorbs the transfer sheet sent from the registration roller 137 to the transfer belt 130. The transfer belt roller 170 is used to rotate the transfer belt 130 and at the same time, is paired with an adsorption charger 119 to charge the transfer paper to the transfer belt 130 by adsorption.
[0042]
The image forming apparatus main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 that can store, for example, 4000 transfer sheets. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 ascends according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 152. In addition, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is equipped with a multi-manual feed 153 that can accommodate, for example, 100 transfer sheets.
[0043]
The paper discharge flapper 154 switches the path between the duplex recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side. The transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched from the double-sided recording side to the multiple recording side by this paper discharge flapper 154. The multiple flapper 157 switches between double-sided recording and multiple recording paths. By tilting the multiple flapper 157 to the left, the transfer paper is guided directly to the transport path 158 without passing through the reverse path 155. The paper feed roller 159 feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 110 side through the path 160.
[0044]
The discharge roller 161 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge flapper 154 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 154 to the outside of the apparatus. During double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right, the recorded (copied) transfer paper is passed through the reverse path 155, and the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left. Then, the paper is stored in the paper refeed tray 156 in a state of being turned upside down through the transport path 158.
[0045]
Further, at the time of multiple recording (multiple copying), the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left, the recorded (copied) transfer paper is passed through the transport path 158, and then the refeed tray 156. To store. The transfer sheets stored in the refeed tray 156 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 137 of the main body via the path 160 by the sheet feed roller 159.
[0046]
When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged from the main body, the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right, and the recorded (copied) transfer paper is transported to the transport path 155 side. After the rear end passes through the first feed roller 162, it is conveyed to the second feed roller 162 a side by the reverse roller 163, and the transfer paper is turned over by the discharge roller 161 and discharged outside the apparatus.
[0047]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a CCD 209, an A / D / SH unit 210, an image processing unit 211, an interface unit 213, a CPU 214, a memory 216 (each storage unit), and an operation unit 500. (Operating means).
[0048]
More specifically, the image data output from the CCD 209 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 210 and shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 210 is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the image processing unit 211 and also transferred to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 through the interface unit 213. The The CPU 214 controls the image processing unit 211 and the interface unit 213 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 500.
[0049]
For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing at the operation unit 500 is set, the trimming processing is performed by the image processing unit 211 and transferred to the printer unit 2. If the facsimile transmission mode is set in the operation unit 500, the interface unit 213 transfers image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode to the core unit 10. Such a control program for the CPU 214 is stored in the memory 216, and the CPU 214 performs control while referring to the memory 216. The memory 216 is also used as a work area for the CPU 214. Further, the memory 216 is used to register the department number and password of the copier user. The operation unit 500 displays device status information related to the present invention.
[0050]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0051]
The core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an interface unit 320, a data processing unit 321, an interface unit 322, a CPU 323 (each control unit, collating unit, addition unit), and a memory 324. .
[0052]
More specifically, the image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 321, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 323. The data processing unit 321 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing, and the image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 321 is transferred to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. In response, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the network interface unit 7 via the interface unit 320.
[0053]
Also, code data representing an image input via the network interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 321, and the data processing unit 321 determines whether the PDL is LIPS or Postscript, The data is transferred to an appropriate LIPS formatter unit 8 or PS formatter unit 9 and developed into image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 321 and then transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2. Image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 321, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the network interface unit 7.
[0054]
The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 321, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and network interface unit 7.
[0055]
The CPU 323 performs the above-described control according to the control program stored in the memory 324 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 324 is also used as a work area for the CPU 323. In the network interface unit 7, a database called MIB (Management Information Base) is constructed, and it communicates with a computer on the network via an SNMP (Simple Network Monitoring Protocol) protocol to manage printers. It is possible.
[0056]
As described above, in this image forming apparatus, with the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 as a center, document image reading, image printing, image transmission / reception, image storage, data input / output from a computer, etc. It is possible to perform processing that combines functions.
[0057]
The CPU 323 functions as a state detection unit and detects the state of the core unit 10, for example, a state such as during facsimile transmission or LIPS deployment.
[0058]
Further, the state of the reader unit 1, for example, a state such as scanning an image is detected through the I / F 322. Further, the status of the printing unit from the printer unit 2, such as a paper jam, the start or end of a print job, is detected via the I / F 213 and the image processing unit 211.
[0059]
The CPU 323 serves as an information display control unit, a comparison unit, a first control unit, a second control unit, and a device state information transmission control unit of the present invention. The memory 324 serves as a state storage unit that stores device state information detected by the state detection unit according to the present invention.
[0060]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic screen displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 500 (see FIG. 3) of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0061]
This screen is a touch panel, and each function is executed by touching the frame of the displayed function. A copy mode key 524 is a key to be pressed when performing a copying operation. When the copy mode key 524 is pressed, a copy mode screen 530 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The extended function key 501 enters a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, frame erase setting, etc., by pressing this key.
[0062]
Also, the device status information related to the present invention is displayed at a location shown on the copy mode screen 530.
[0063]
An image mode key 502 enters a setting mode for performing shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking on a copy image. A user mode key 503 can register a mode memory and set a standard mode screen. The applied zoom key 504 enters a mode for independently scaling the X and Y directions of a document, and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling factor from the document size and copy size. An M1 key 505, an M2 key 506, and an M3 key 507 are keys that are pressed when calling a mode memory registered in each of them. An option key 509 is a key for setting an optional function such as a film projector for copying directly from a film.
[0064]
A sorter key 510 is a key for setting whether to use a mechanical sorter or an electronic sorter, sorter sorting, group mode setting, and the like. A document mixed key 511 is a key to be pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder.
[0065]
An equal magnification key 512 is a key to be pressed when the copy magnification is set to 100%. The reduction key 514 and the enlargement key 515 are keys that are pressed when performing standard reduction and enlargement. A paper selection key 513 is a key to be pressed when selecting a copy paper. The density keys 518 and 520 are darkly copied every time the key 518 is pressed, and lightly copied every time the key 520 is pressed. When the density keys 518 and 520 are pressed, the display of the density display 517 changes from side to side. An AE key 519 is a key to be pressed when automatic density adjustment copying is performed for a document having a dark background such as a newspaper.
[0066]
The HiFi key 521 is a key that is pressed when copying a document having a high halftone density such as a photographic document. The character emphasis key 522 is a key that is pressed when it is desired to highlight characters in copying a character document. The guide key 523 is a key to be pressed when the function of a certain key is unknown, and an explanation of the key is displayed. Reference numeral 528 denotes an ID key.
[0067]
A fax key 525 is a key that is pressed when performing faxing, and a file key 526 is a key that is pressed when it is desired to output file data. A printer key 527 is a key to be pressed when changing the print density or referring to the print output result of the PDL data from the remote host computer.
[0068]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of the device state information stored in the memory 324 shown in FIG. 4, and corresponds to the state of the state storage means for storing the device state information.
[0069]
In FIG. 6, the memory 324 includes a FIFO buffer, and stores device status information 601 detected by the CPU 323 in the FIFO records 602 to 606 in time series order.
[0070]
In the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, the number of records is “5”. Currently, the print job PJOB2 starts, the print job PJOB1 ends, the FAX job FJOB1 is transmitted, the scan job SJOB1 starts, the print job PJOB2 is expanded, and there is no printer paper. In this order, the device states are generated, which correspond to the states stored in the FIFO records 602 to 606 in this order.
[0071]
In addition, the device state is read and displayed one by one from the FIFO record in this order on the operation unit 500. That is, the device status information is transmitted from the CPU 323 to the operation unit 500 via the I / F 322, the I / F 213, the image processing unit 211, and the CPU 214.
[0072]
On the other hand, when reading the device status, the oldest information, for example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, the FIFO record 606 of “print job PJOB2 start” is read and transmitted to the operation unit 500. After that, FIFO record 605 → FIFO record 606, FIFO record 604 → FIFO record 605, FIFO record 603 → FIFO record 604, FIFO record 602 → FIFO record 603 are shifted one by one, and FIFO record 602 is empty. It becomes.
[0073]
Further, when the device status information 601 such as “no printer paper” is generated while the FIFO record 602 is not empty, in the conventional example, since the FIFO buffer is full, the device cannot be stored.
[0074]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an image processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. S101 to S109 indicate each step.
[0075]
First, in step S101, the CPU 323 determines whether the device state is detected. If it is determined that the device state is detected, in step S102, whether the buffer of the memory 324 is full, that is, as shown in FIG. Then, it is determined whether or not all five records are filled in the FIFO records 602 to 606, and if not filled (if there is a vacancy), in step S103, the FIFO buffer 602 is moved to the rear end (FIFO record 602). Store and return to step S101.
[0076]
On the other hand, if all the FIFO records 602 to 606 are filled in step S102, that is, the buffer is full, in step S104, the latest record, that is, the FIFO record 602 is set as the comparison record target.
[0077]
That is, here, the comparison record is a record that compares the degree of importance with the generated device state information 601.
[0078]
In step S105, the generated device status information 601 is compared with the comparison record, that is, the FIFO record 602 at first, and it is determined whether it is more important than the comparison record.
[0079]
For example, the device status information 601 is “no printer paper”, the FIFO record 602 is “under development of print job PJOB 2”, and the device status information 601 is higher in the importance of the device information. In step S106, the comparison record, in this case, “print job PJOB2 developing” in the FIFO record 602 is deleted.
[0080]
Actually, each piece of device status information 601 is indicated by a numerical code, and represents importance by the size of a numerical digit. Then, in the latest record, that is, in this case, the record of the FIFO record 602, the generated device status, that is, in this case, “no printer paper” in the device status information 601 is written as a numerical code (S107), and the processing is terminated.
[0081]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the generated device status information 601 is not more important than the comparison record, the determination in step S105 is NO and the contents of the comparison record cannot be deleted, so the comparison records are shifted one by one. For example, the FIFO record 602 is shifted to the FIFO record 603.
[0082]
In step S109, it is determined whether there is a comparison record. If it is determined that there is no comparison record, that is, if the previous comparison record is a FIFO record 606, the process is terminated and it is determined that there is a comparison record. If so, the process returns to step S105.
[0083]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an information display control procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. S201 to S204 indicate steps.
[0084]
First, in step S201, it is determined whether there is one or more records stored in the memory 324 as shown in FIG. 6, and if not, the process ends.
[0085]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that there is one or more records, in step S202, information is read from the first record, that is, record 606, and in step S203, information on the first record is transmitted to the operation unit 500, and the operation unit 500 At 500, the information is displayed. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, “print job 2 start” is displayed.
[0086]
In step S204, the records in the memory 324 are shifted one by one. That is, after the information of the record 605 is moved to the record 606, the information of the record 604 is moved to the record 605, the information of the record 603 is moved to the record 604, the information of the record 602 is moved to the record 603, and the information of the record 601 is moved to the record 602. The process returns to step S201.
[0087]
[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the contents displayed on the operation unit 500 of the device information read from the FIFO buffer have been described with reference to FIG.
[0088]
On the other hand, instead of displaying on the operation unit 500, the device status is read from the FIFO buffer one by one, and from the CPU 323 to the external computer such as the PC / WS 11 through the I / F 320, the network interface unit 7, and the network 14. The device status information may be transmitted one by one.
[0089]
Thereby, similarly to the operation unit 500, the device status information can be displayed on the display of an external computer such as the PC / WS 11 as needed, and the user using the external computer can know the status information of the device. .
[0090]
Furthermore, even if the FIFO buffer in the device is full by the same control procedure as in FIG. 7, important device status information can be transmitted to the external computer more reliably. Similarly, the user using the external computer is important. Reliable device status information.
[0091]
In the present embodiment, the second control step of transmitting the device status information to the external device is step S203 in FIG. 8, in which the first record information is sent to the PC / PC via the I / F 320, the network interface unit 7, and the network 14. This is realized by transmitting to an external computer such as WS11.
[0092]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, various states in the image processing apparatus main body, for example, states relating to consumables such as jam, out of paper, out of toner, out of ink, and out of ribbon have been described as examples of detectable states. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a unit device that can be optionally connected to the processing apparatus main body, such as a sorter unit, a document feeding unit, or a paver deck.
[0093]
In the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above, the system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the computer, digital The number of connected copiers and other communication devices can be set to a desired number, and in addition to the above devices, other devices (for example, printers, scanners, portable information terminals, etc.) can be connected. .
[0094]
In the first to second embodiments of the present invention described above, the electrophotographic method is taken as an example of the printing method of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but an ink jet method, thermal transfer, and the like. It is also possible to use other printing methods such as a method, a heat sensitive method, an electrostatic method, and a discharge destruction method.
[0095]
According to the first embodiment, even when the state information of the image forming apparatus is frequently generated and the memory of the state information is full, the subsequent state information may be more important than the state information stored in the memory. For example, the currently stored state information can be deleted, the state change information can be stored in the memory, and displayed from the memory to the operation display unit. Therefore, the user can surely know the status information of the important device, and when the memory of the status information is full as before, the status information of the important device cannot be stored in the memory, and the user However, it is possible to avoid the trouble that the status information of important devices could not be known.
[0096]
Further, according to the second embodiment, even when the state information of the image forming apparatus is frequently generated and the memory of the state information is full, the subsequent state information is more important than the state information stored in the memory. If present, the currently stored state information can be deleted, the state change information can be stored in the memory, and transmitted from the memory to the external computer via the network. Therefore, the user can surely know the status information of important equipment from the display part of the external computer, and when the status information memory is full like before, the status information of important equipment is stored in the memory. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the problem that the user cannot know the status information of important devices in the external computer.
[0097]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0098]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs that can be read by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
[0099]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.
[0100]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0101]
The functions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, flash memory, or FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is what is done.
[0102]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0103]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0104]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. Can be used.
[0105]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0106]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when a buffer full state of the state storage means used for displaying the device state occurs, the old device state is sequentially displayed on the device state display unit of the image processing apparatus, It is possible to prevent a situation in which an important device state cannot be displayed while performing display according to the sequential time series.
[0108]
In addition, even when a buffer full state of the state storage means used for transmission of the device state occurs, the device device sequentially transmits the old device state of the image processing device to the external device and performs transmission according to the sequential time series. This prevents the situation where the status cannot be transmitted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a FIFO buffer for storing device status information according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an information display control procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reader section
2 Printer section
3 Image input / output controller
10 Core part
11 PC / WS
14 network
216 memory
323 CPU

Claims (10)

An image processing apparatus that includes a state detection unit that detects a device state of the image processing apparatus, and that sequentially displays the states detected by the state detection unit on a display unit ,
State storage means for storing the device states detected by the state detection means in time series ;
Display control means for reading out the device states stored in time series in the state storage means in the oldest order and displaying them sequentially on the display unit;
When the device state is detected by the state detection unit and the state storage unit is in a buffer full state, the device state extracted from the device state stored in time series in the state storage unit in chronological order, and the state detection unit A comparison means for comparing the importance of the detected device status;
When it is determined that the device state detected by the state detection unit has a higher priority than the extracted device state by comparison of the comparison unit, the device state detected by the state detection unit is time-series in possess and updating means for storing in said state storage means as the latest information,
When the comparison unit determines that the extracted device state has a higher priority than the detected device state, it extracts the next new device state from the device state stored in time series, and An image processing apparatus for comparing with a device state detected by a state detection means . 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit reads device states stored in time series in the state storage unit updated by the update unit in chronological order, and sequentially displays them on the display unit. Processing equipment. An image processing apparatus that includes a state detection unit that detects a device state of the image processing apparatus, and that sequentially transmits the state detected by the state detection unit to an external device,
State storage means for storing the device states detected by the state detection means in time series;
Transmitting means for reading out the device states stored in chronological order in the state storage means in chronological order and transmitting them sequentially to notify the external device;
When the device state is detected by the state detection unit and the state storage unit is in a buffer full state, the device state extracted from the device state stored in time series in the state storage unit in chronological order, and the state detection unit A comparison means for comparing the importance of the detected device status;
When it is determined that the device state detected by the state detection unit has a higher priority than the extracted device state by comparison of the comparison unit, the device state detected by the state detection unit is time-series And updating means for storing the latest information in the state storage means,
When the comparison unit determines that the extracted device state has a higher priority than the detected device state, it extracts the next new device state from the device state stored in time series, and images processor you and comparing the sensed device state by the state detection means. 4. The image processing according to claim 3 , wherein the transmission unit reads out device states stored in time series in the state storage unit updated by the update unit in chronological order, and sequentially transmits the device states to the external device. apparatus. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: a state detection unit that detects a device state of the image processing apparatus; and sequentially displaying the states detected by the state detection unit on a display unit,
A storage step of storing the device state detected by the state detection unit in the state storage unit in time series,
A display control step of reading out the device states stored in chronological order in the state storage means in the oldest order and sequentially displaying them on the display unit,
When the device state is detected by the state detection step and the state storage unit is in a buffer full state, the device state extracted from the device state stored in time series in the state storage unit in the newest order, and the state detection step A comparison process to compare the importance of the detected device status;
The device state detected by the state detection step is extracted as a result of the comparison in the comparison step. An update step of storing the device state detected by the state detection step in the state storage means as the latest information in time series when it is determined that the priority is higher than the device state.
In the comparison step, when it is determined that the extracted device state has a higher priority than the detected device state, the next new device state is extracted from the device state stored in chronological order, A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising comparing with a device state detected by a state detection step. 6. The image according to claim 5, wherein the display control step reads out device states stored in time series in the state storage unit updated in the update step in order of oldness and sequentially displays them on the display unit. A method for controlling a processing apparatus. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: a state detection unit that detects a device state of the image processing apparatus, and sequentially transmitting the state detected by the state detection unit to an external device ,
A storage step of storing the device state detected by the state detection step in the state storage means in time series,
Reading the device states stored in time series in the state storage means in chronological order, and sequentially transmitting to notify the external device;
When the device state is detected by the state detection step and the state storage unit is in a buffer full state, the device state extracted from the device state stored in time series in the state storage unit in the newest order, and the state detection step A comparison process to compare the importance of the detected device status ;
When it is determined by the comparison in the comparison step that the device state detected by the state detection step has higher priority than the extracted device state, the device states detected by the state detection step are time-series And an update process for storing the latest information in the state storage means,
In the comparison step, when it is determined that the extracted device state has a higher priority than the detected device state, the next new device state is extracted from the device state stored in chronological order, A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising comparing with a device state detected by a state detection step . 8. The image processing according to claim 7, wherein the transmission step reads out device states stored in time series in the state storage unit updated in the update step in chronological order and sequentially transmits them to the external device. Control method of the device. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 5. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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