JP4372695B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, and more particularly to an image processing device that displays a plurality of device states of the image processing device by light emission in a predetermined light emission pattern of a light emitting unit.

In an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, various abnormal states such as paper jam, out of paper, and developer (toner) run out. Further, even in a non-abnormal state, there is a function that operates while being switched to various states such as a standby state, a printing execution state, and a warm-up state.
As described above, in order to enable the user to grasp the current device state, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses details of the current device state on a display panel formed on the outer surface of the device. An air conditioner that can be displayed is disclosed, and the details of the state of the image processing apparatus can be displayed by diverting this technology to the image processing apparatus.
However, a display panel capable of such detailed display becomes a factor that increases the cost of the apparatus. Therefore, a technique is known in which a light emitting unit such as an LED is provided on the outer surface of the device instead of a display panel, and the light emitting unit emits light according to a specific pattern to notify the state of the device.

FIG. 1 shows a printing unit, a paper feeding unit, and a discharge unit in an image processing apparatus (printer) in a conventional example of a tandem system using four color toners of black (BK), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and cyan (C). It is a schematic block diagram of a paper part. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of an image processing apparatus (printer) in a conventional example.
First, a schematic configuration of a conventional tandem printer will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
A printer B shown in FIG. 1 forms a toner image and prints on a printing paper α1, a paper feeding portion α2 that supplies the printing paper to the printing portion α1, and the printed printing paper. A paper discharge unit α3 for paper discharge is provided. A predetermined print request signal indicating a print request and an image information signal indicating image information are input from an external device (typically a personal computer) connected to the printer B through an external input interface (not shown). Further, the image information is read based on the image information signal by a control unit X3 (see FIG. 3 ), which will be described later, and each of four colors of black (BK), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and cyan (C). Is converted into gray value information.

The printing unit α1 includes photosensitive drums 1BK, 1M, 1Y, 1C corresponding to each of the four colors, an optical scanning unit Y1, developing devices 5BK, 5M, 5Y, 5C, a toner sensor 6, an intermediate transfer belt corresponding to each color. 7, a conveyance roller 8, a jam sensor 9, a registration roller 10, a registration sensor 11, a fixing device 12, a heating temperature sensor 13, and the like.
The control unit X3, which will be described later, is a photosensitive drum 1 (black photosensitive drum) corresponding to four colors of black (BK), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and cyan (C) based on the gray value information. 1BK, magenta photosensitive drum 1M, yellow photosensitive drum 1Y, and cyan photosensitive drum 1C) are each controlled by four beam sources (not shown) that irradiate light.
The beam is guided to each of the above-described photosensitive drums by an optical scanning unit Y1 having a plurality of deflecting mirrors 2, polygon mirrors 3 (rotating polygon mirrors), fθ lenses 4 and the like, whereby the photosensitive drums 1BK, An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each of 1M, 1Y, and 1C.
Further, developing devices 5BK, 5M, 5Y, and 5C (black developing device 5BK, magenta developing device 5M, yellow developing device 5Y, and cyan developing device 5C) corresponding to the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1M, 1Y, and 1C, respectively. The toner on the developing roller provided on the surface of the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1M, 1Y, and 1C is attracted to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1M, 1Y, and 1C. , 1C and each developing roller is visualized as a toner image in accordance with a potential gap (developing bias) between each developing roller. The remaining amount of the toner in each of the developing devices 5BK, 5M, 5Y, and 5C is detected by the toner sensor 6, and the detection result is input to the control unit X3 described later. When the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the control unit X3 determines (detects) that the apparatus state is toner low.
Further, the printing unit α1 has a waste toner bottle (not shown) for discarding toner, when the amount of the toner which has been dropped into the waste toner bottle exceeds a predetermined amount, the control unit By X3, it is determined (detected) that the apparatus state is full of toner discard bottles.
Further, when a jam (paper jam) occurs during conveyance of the printing paper, the state is detected by the jam sensor 9 and is input to the control unit X3 described later. In this case, the control unit X3 determines that the device state is a paper jam.

The paper feeding unit α2 is roughly configured to include a paper feeding cassette 14, a paper feeding roller 15, a paper remaining number sensor 16, and the like. Printing paper is placed in the paper feed cassette 14 in advance. Based on an image formation request by a user (for example, an image formation request from a personal computer connected to the printer A), the paper feed roller 15 is driven to rotate by the control of the image processing control unit, thereby the paper feed. The printing paper placed on the cassette 14 is conveyed to the printing unit α1. The remaining number of print sheets in the sheet cassette 14 is detected by the remaining sheet number sensor 16 and is input to the control unit X3 described later. When the remaining number of print sheets becomes zero, the control unit X3 determines that the apparatus is out of paper.
The printing paper from the paper supply unit α2 is conveyed by the conveying roller 8 and arrives at the registration roller 10. Wherein said printing paper, pauses for synchronization on the image tip on the photosensitive drum, respectively, the tip end position of the printing paper is inserted into the nip portion uniformly the resist roller 10 of the sheet Is corrected.

On the other hand, the toner image formed on each of the photosensitive drums 1BK, 1M, 1Y, 1C is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7, and the nip portion of the registration roller 10 is driven by the intermediate transfer belt 7. And is transferred to the printing paper waiting. Then, the printing paper on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 12 and is heat-fixed on the printing paper by a heat roller of the fixing device 12. The heating temperature by the fixing device 12 (the surface temperature of the heat roller, which is supplied by a heat source (not shown) in the fixing device 12) is controlled by a control unit X3 (see FIG. 3 ) described later. The heating temperature by the fixing device 12 is detected by the heating temperature sensor 13, and the detection result is also input to the control unit X3 described later. When the detected value by the heating temperature sensor 13 has not reached a predetermined temperature, the apparatus is warmed up.
The printing paper on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the paper discharge unit α3 and discharged. This paper discharge state is detected by the discharge sensor 17 in the paper discharge portion α3.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the appearance of the printer B is formed with a display unit X1 for displaying the state of the printer B by light emission of an LED lamp, and an operation input unit X2 for a user to perform an operation input. Has been. The display unit X1 includes two (one or more examples) LED lamps, that is, an RDY lamp 18 that emits green light, and an ATN lamp 19 that emits red light (an example of a light emitting unit). The operation input unit X2 (predetermined operation unit) includes a GO key 20 and a CANCEL key 21.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the main part of the printer B. Hereinafter, the main part of the printer B in the conventional example will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the main part of the printer B includes a control unit X3, a device state detection unit X4, and a storage unit X5 in addition to the display unit X1 and the operation input unit X2.
The control unit X3 performs overall control of the printer B including the image information and light emission control of the display unit X1 based on the image information signal.
The apparatus state detection unit X4 includes the toner sensor 6, the jam sensor 9, the heating temperature sensor 13, the paper remaining number sensor 16, and many other sensors, and detects the apparatus state of the printer B. Is. Detection results from these sensors are input to the control unit X3, and the control unit X3 detects the current state of the printer B based on the detection results. The device state detection unit X4 and the control unit X3 are examples of device state detection means.
The storage unit X5 includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

The control unit X3 controls the light emission of each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of a light-emitting unit) corresponding to the current device state detected by the device state detection unit X4, so that the printer B is notified to the user.
Specifically, in the storage unit X5 (an example of the status display light emission pattern storage means), a plurality of predetermined device states (toner low, toner waste bottle full, paper jam state, paper out, and the like) A plurality of status display patterns (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, corresponding to each (status, warm-up status, etc.) are stored. Further, the control unit X3 (an example of the first light emission control unit) corresponds to the storage unit X5 (the state of the device) corresponding to the current device state detected by the device state detection unit X4 (an example of the device state detection unit). The RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of a light emitting unit) are caused to emit light with the state display pattern stored in an example of a display light emission pattern storage unit.
In this example, the case where the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 are provided as the light emitting part is shown, but one light emitting part or three or more light emitting parts may be provided.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between the apparatus state of the printer B and the state display light emission pattern in the conventional example. Hereinafter, the light emission pattern for state display will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Such a correspondence relationship is described in a device manual or the like, and FIG. 4 shows a description example in the manual.
Herein, the state display light-emitting pattern, the RDY lamp 18, ATN lamp 19 each lighting refers to the rules on periodicity of switching off.
In FIG. 4, RDY indicates the RDY lamp 18 (green), and ATN indicates the ATN lamp 19 (red). The black circles indicate the off state, and the white circles indicate the on state. Depending on the arrangement of the black circles and the white circles, the rules for switching on and off by the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 as time elapses, that is, the light emission pattern, Indicated. One black circle and one white circle indicate lighting and extinguishing for 0.5 seconds.
For example, as shown in (1) of FIG. 4, when the control unit X3 detects a paper jam state based on the detection result of the jam sensor 9, the RDY lamp 18 is continuously turned off, It shows that the ATN lamp 19 is repeatedly turned on and off at intervals of 0.5 seconds. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (3), when it is determined that the control unit X3 is in the warm-up state based on the detection value of the heating temperature sensor 13, the RDY lamp 18, the ATN lamp 19 indicates that the light blinks alternately at intervals of 0.5 seconds.
As described above, the device state detection unit X4 and the control unit X3 detect the current device state, and the control unit X3 performs the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 according to the light emission pattern stored in the storage unit X5. When each lighting control is performed, the user grasps the status of the printer B by referring to the correspondence between the device status and the status display light emission pattern as shown in FIG. Is possible.
JP 2002-61933 A

However, as described above, when the state of the image processing device is displayed by causing the LED lamp (light emitting unit) to emit light with the light emission pattern for state display, the same number of the light emission for state display as the number of device states is displayed. A pattern is needed. Accordingly, when the number of states to be displayed increases and the state-displaying light-emitting patterns that differ depending on the number are displayed, the state-displaying light-emitting patterns that are emitted indicate any state of the image processing apparatus. It becomes difficult to understand what is. The problem seems to be improved by referring to a correspondence table between the state display light-emitting pattern and the device state described in the instruction manual of the image processing device, for example.
However, when the types of the state display light emission patterns increase, it is inevitable that a plurality of state display light emission patterns exist in the state display light emission patterns.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 repeatedly blink at the same time in both the status display light emission pattern corresponding to toner low and the status display light emission pattern corresponding to the toner waste bottle full. Only the blinking time interval is an element that distinguishes each state display light emission pattern. However, in actuality, it is difficult to distinguish between the status display light emission patterns having different time intervals only by visually observing the single status display light emission pattern. Accordingly, etc. actually to mistake the state display Luminous pattern despite toner discarding Botorufuru state display Luminous pattern corresponding to toner-low are displayed is displayed, the user image There has been a problem that recognition of the state of the processing apparatus becomes uncertain.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to ensure that the user can reliably represent the state of the image processing apparatus using the light emission patterns for displaying the state of a small number of light emitting units. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that can distinguish the light emission pattern for state display and correctly recognize the state of the apparatus.

To accomplish the above object, one or more light emitting unit status display light-emitting pattern store multiple states display light-emitting pattern which is different corresponding to the plurality of device status each different predetermined according to certain order for An image processing apparatus comprising a control unit that causes the light emitting unit to emit light with the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the detected current device state stored in a means, and corresponding to the state of the image processing device when the light emitting portion in a state display light-emitting pattern is emitting light, the operation input from the outside, the order therefore the light emitting portion of the status display light-emitting pattern stored in the status display light-emitting pattern storage means An image processing apparatus having a function of emitting light is configured.
Accordingly, the light emission of the light emitting unit based on the specific order described above assists in distinguishing between a plurality of similar state display light emission patterns. Therefore, it is easy for the user to specify the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state, and the device state can be ascertained with certainty.
In addition, when the number of the light emitting units is small, it is considered necessary to use the blinking time interval of the light emitting units as an element for distinguishing the state display light emitting patterns. In such a case, it is difficult to distinguish between the light emission patterns for state display only by visually observing the light emitting part, but according to the light emission of the light emitting part based on the specific order described above, Even in such a case, the distinction between the light emission patterns for state display is assisted.

Here, when a predetermined operation input is made, it is conceivable that an image is formed on a sheet with the correspondence relationship between the light emission pattern for state display and the apparatus state as a list. Usually, the list is described in a device manual or the like, but the list may not be referred to due to a loss of the manual. Even in such a case, since the list is printed and output through a predetermined operation input, the user can grasp the device status by referring to the list.
When switching the plurality of state display patterns and causing the light emitting unit to emit light based on a predetermined order, it is possible to compare a plurality of similar state display patterns with each other. Therefore, it becomes easy to distinguish based on such comparison. For example, multiple status display patterns that differ only in the blinking interval can be difficult to distinguish whether the blinking interval is long or short when they are silently seen alone, but by visually observing each of the blinking intervals. In this case, it is possible to recognize the length of the blinking interval by comparing them, and the distinction between the plurality of state display patterns is assisted.
For the reasons described above, in addition to switching the plurality of state display patterns to cause the light emitting unit to emit light, the light emitting unit blinks at each of the blinking time intervals of the light emitting unit employed in each of the plurality of state display patterns. By sequentially switching the time intervals, the plurality of status display patterns can be easily distinguished from each other.

In addition, when sequentially switching the state display light emission pattern to cause the light emission unit to emit light, the light emission unit emits light in the state display pattern corresponding to the detected device state and in other cases. It is conceivable to perform a different notification, for example, to output a predetermined notification sound when the light emitting unit emits light with the state display pattern corresponding to the detected device state.
Thus, the user can understand that the state display pattern that is currently emitting light represents the current apparatus state, and it becomes easier to grasp the apparatus state.
As a notification method, in addition to outputting a predetermined notification sound, it is possible to vibrate a vibrator incorporated in the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the light emitting units emit light based on a specific order by a predetermined operation input by a user, and the light emission assists the distinction between a plurality of similar state display light emitting patterns. Therefore, it is easy for the user to specify the light emission pattern for state display corresponding to the current device state, and the device state can be surely grasped.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an image processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a block diagram of the main part of the apparatus, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the apparatus state and the light emission pattern for state display, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is. In addition, about the structure similar to a prior art example, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

(1) Characteristic functions of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention The printer A (an example of an image processing apparatus) according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is related to the above-described conventional example. Similarly to the printer B, the apparatus status detection unit X4 (toner sensor 6, jam sensor 9, heating temperature sensor 13, paper remaining number sensor 16, etc.) shown in FIG. When a toner low state, a paper jam state, a standby state, a paper out state, etc.) are detected, each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of the light emitting unit) in the display unit X1 is stored in the storage unit X5. It has a function of notifying the user of the state of the printer A by emitting light according to the light emission pattern.
In addition to the functions from the conventional example, the printer A has the following three characteristic functions.
The first function is that each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of a light emitting unit) is controlled by the control unit X3 (first light emission control means) shown in FIG. The control unit X3 (an example of operation input detection means) is provided on the outer surface of the printer A during the light emission by the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the detected device state of the printer A. When an operation by pressing the GO key 20 once (see an example of a predetermined operation input, see S3 and S4 in FIG. 5) is detected in advance by the control unit X3 (an example of the second light emission control means). This is a function for causing each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of a light emitting unit) to emit light based on a specific order determined.
The predetermined operation input includes various operations such as pressing the GO key 20 twice, pressing the GO key 20 with the CANCEL key 21 pressed, in addition to an operation by pressing the GO key 20 once. Can be considered.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the order number is determined in advance as (1), (2)... When a single press of the GO key 20 is detected through the operation input unit X2, the control unit X3 (an example of a second light emission control unit) follows the sequence in order to detect a plurality of the status display light emission patterns. Are sequentially switched to cause each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of a light emitting unit) to emit light. In other words, each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of a light emitting unit) emits a demo light according to the state display light emission pattern.

The second function is that the simultaneous long press operation input of the GO key 20 and the CANCEL key 21 from the operation input unit X2 (an example of a predetermined operation input, see S3, S8, and S9 in FIG. 5) is the control. When detected by the part X3 (an example of operation input detection means), a list display showing a part or all of the state display light emission patterns stored in the storage part X5 (state display light emission pattern storage means) This is a function of forming an image (that is, the image shown in FIG. 4) on a printing paper (transfer material). As a part of the example, when only the status display light emission pattern representing the current device status itself and the similar status light emission pattern are printed as a list, or only the status display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device status. Is included.
As a result, the list display image shown in FIG. 4 is printed out as necessary, so that the user can correctly grasp the apparatus state while referring to the list display image.

The third function is as follows. That is, according to the first function described above, the light emission pattern for state display is sequentially switched and the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 emit light, but the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 each (light emitting part). Is an example of a function (see S6 and S7 in FIG. 5) for different notifications in the case corresponding to the current device state detected by the device state detection unit X4.
Specifically, each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (an example of the light emitting unit) emits light with the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state by the control unit X3 (an example of the second light emission control means). If so, the control unit X3 controls a notification sound generator (not shown) to output a predetermined notification sound. The control unit X3 and the notification sound generator are examples of notification means.
Further, instead of using the notification sound generator, a vibrator or the like provided in the printer A is vibrated to notify that light is emitted with the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current apparatus state. May be. Furthermore, the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 are caused to emit light with a clearly higher brightness than in other cases only when light is emitted in the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state. Conceivable.

(2) Processing procedure of the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the process of switching the light emission pattern for state display, which is executed by the printer A according to the embodiment of the present invention. The procedure of the status display pattern switching process executed by the printer A will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5, S1, S2,... Indicate processing procedure (step) numbers. Based on the device state detected by the device state detection unit X4, the control unit X3 displays the display unit X1 (the above-mentioned number). When the light emission control of each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 is started, the process starts from step S1. The processing shown in S1, S2,... Is performed by the control unit X3 while referring to the storage contents of the storage unit X5.

In step S1, when each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 emits light in the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state, the GO key 20, It is determined whether or not a simultaneous pressing input operation of the CANCEL key 21 (an example of a predetermined operation input) has been performed.
That is, when the operation input is detected by the control unit X3 (an example of the operation input detection means), the control unit X3 performs a demonstration of each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 by the status display light emission pattern. It is determined that there is a request for light emission. There are various other types of operation inputs. For example, an operation in which the CANCEL key 21 is continuously pressed may be used.
If there is an operation input (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to the next step S2. On the other hand, if there is no operation input (NO in step S1), the process waits until there is an operation input, and the RDY Each of the lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 emits light with a state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state.

In step S2, the printer A is switched to the demonstration display mode by the control unit X3. In the demonstration display mode, the light emission control of each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 is performed based on the state display light emission patterns that are sequentially switched according to the operation input. Prior to this, in step S2, the demonstration display is performed. When the mode is switched, the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 are once turned off.
In step S3 following step S2, the control unit X3 determines whether or not an operation input has been made by the operation input unit X2. If it is determined that only the GO key 20 shown in FIG. 2 has been input (GO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that only the CANCEL key 21 is operated (CANCEL in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. If the GO key 20 and the CANCEL key 21 are simultaneously pressed for a long time (GO and CANCEL long press in step S3), the process proceeds to step S8. In the demonstration display mode, the operation of the GO key 20 corresponds to the request for switching the state display light emission pattern. The operation of the CANCEL key 21 corresponds to a request for canceling the demonstration display mode, that is, an execution request for the first function (and the third function). Further, when the GO key 20 and the CANCEL key 21 are pressed at the same time, a list display image showing all the light emission patterns for state display shown in FIG. 4 is formed on the printing paper (transfer material) (see FIG. 4). This corresponds to the execution request for the second function described above.

In step S4, the demonstration display mode is canceled, and the control that the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 emit light again based on the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state is continued. That is, when step S4 is completed, the process returns to step S1.
In step S5, in accordance with the order (1), (2),... Of the device states shown in FIG. 4, the control unit X3 refers to the status display while referring to the contents of FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit X5. The light emission pattern is sequentially switched, and each of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 emits light. That is, each time step S5 is reached in the flowchart, the state display light emission pattern is switched from (1) → (2), (2) → (3) according to the above-described order, and the RDY lamp 18, Each of the ATN lamps 19 emits light.
Incidentally, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, every time the GO key 20 is pressed, step S5 is reached. Therefore, by the processing in step S5, the user sequentially switches the plurality of state display light emission patterns in order according to the operation input of the GO key 20 in the demonstration display mode, and the RDY lamp 18, Each ATN lamp 19 can emit light.
On the other hand, when the step S5 is reached even once, another embodiment is conceivable in which the state-displaying light emission pattern is automatically switched sequentially (for example, every predetermined time such as 5 seconds) without any operation input.
The step S5 is a process for executing the first function described above.

In step S6 following step S5, the control unit X3 determines whether or not the state display light emission pattern switched in order in step S5 matches the current apparatus state. If it is determined that they match (YES in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if it is determined that they do not match (NO in step S6), the process returns to step S2.
In step S7, the notification sound generator is controlled by the control unit X3, and a predetermined notification sound (buzzer sound or the like) is output. The step S7 is a process for executing the third function described above. Note that the control unit X3 (an example of the selection unit) selects whether to perform the above-described steps S6 and S7 (whether notification by the notification unit is performed) or not by the operation input unit X2. It can be considered based on For example, when there is a long press operation input of the CANCEL key 21, the information of the operation input is stored in the storage unit X5, and in this state, step S6 and step S7 may be skipped.
On the other hand, in step S8, the control unit X3 determines whether or not printing is possible in accordance with a print request for a list display image representing part or all of the state display light emission pattern. Here, “printing is possible” refers to an operation from the transfer of the list display image onto a printing paper, transportation, and output as an output product. If the current apparatus state is such as toner low, toner waste bottle full, etc., it is determined that printing is possible (YES in step S8), and the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if the current device state is a standby state, a paper jam state, a paper out state, etc., it is determined that printing is impossible (NO in step S8), and the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S9, the control unit X3 controls each part of the printer A, so that the list display image of FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit X5, or a part thereof (the above-mentioned corresponding to the current apparatus state). Status display light-emitting pattern only) is printed out. Note that the step S9 is a process for executing the second function described above, whereby the user can correctly grasp the apparatus state while referring to the list display image.
On the other hand, in step S10, the control unit X3 outputs a predetermined error notification sound indicating that the list display image cannot be printed from the notification sound generator.
When step S9 and step S10 are completed, the process proceeds to step S2.
Through the above processing, each of the first to third functions described above is executed, and the user correctly distinguishes each of the status display issuance patterns indicated by the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19, and the printer A It is possible to correctly grasp the state of the device.

In the above-described embodiment, all of the status display issue patterns shown in FIG. 4 are sequentially switched and the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 are emitted, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the control unit X3 (an example of the second light emission control unit) shown in FIG. 3 displays a state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state, and a state display light emission pattern confusingly with it (for example, the RDY lamp 18, If each of the ATN lamps 19 (a pattern in which only the flashing time interval of the light emitting part is different) is selected and the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 are used to display the status display light emission pattern, This is considered to be sufficient for the purpose of distinguishing the light emission patterns for state display.
In this case, the light emission patterns for state display shown in FIG. 4 are grouped into confusing ones and stored in the storage unit X5. For example, the state display light emission patterns (1) and (2), which differ only in the blinking time interval, and the state display light emission patterns (4) and (5) are divided into the same group. Further, when the printer is switched to the above-described demonstration display mode, the state display light emission pattern in the group to which the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the detected current apparatus state belongs is sequentially switched, and the RDY Each of the lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 emits light.
For example, when the detected device state of the printer is a paper jam state, only the status display light emission patterns (1) and (2) shown in FIG. The RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 emit light by being switched to each other by operating the key 20 (see FIG. 2).

Further, each of the status display light emission patterns is an element distinguished by a blinking time interval, and if a difference in each of the blinking time intervals employed in each of the state display light emission patterns can be recognized, the state display light emission is performed. It is conceivable that the patterns can be distinguished (the case shown in FIG. 4 is also applicable).
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, if the difference between the flashing at 0.5 second intervals and the flashing at 1.0 second intervals of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 can be recognized, It is also possible to distinguish each of the confusing state display light emission patterns, such as the state display light emission pattern shown and the state display light emission pattern shown in (2).
In such a case, one or both of the RDY lamp 18 and the ATN lamp 19 (light emitting unit) is adopted for each of the status display light emitting patterns by the control unit 3 (second light emission control means). The flashing time intervals (0.5 seconds, 1.0 second) may be sequentially switched to cause flashing to emit light. This also makes it possible to distinguish each of the plurality of confusing state display light-emitting patterns that are distinguished only by the blinking time interval.

  In the above-described embodiment, a printer is taken as an example of an image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a multifunction machine having these functions, and a function of the multifunction machine. This is a technique that can also be used for a multifunction machine or the like to which image storage means is added.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the correspondence of an apparatus state and the issue pattern for a status display. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

A: Printer according to an embodiment of the present invention (an example of an image processing apparatus)
B: Printer X1 according to the conventional example ... Display unit (having a light emitting unit)
X2 ... operation input unit X3 ... control unit X4 ... device state detection unit X5 ... storage unit

Claims (9)

One or more light emitting parts;
A predetermined the image processing apparatus of different devices different status display light-emitting pattern storage means for a status display light-emitting pattern stored according to a predetermined order corresponding to the state each for each light emitting portion,
A device state detecting means for detecting a current device state of the image processing device;
The first light emission control means for emitting the light emitting portion is detected current of the a correspondingly status display on device state light emission pattern storage means stored before Symbol status display light-emitting pattern by the device state detection means An image processing apparatus comprising:
A predetermined operation unit;
Operation input detection means for detecting a predetermined operation input through the operation unit;
When a predetermined operation input is detected by the operation input detection means while the light emitting unit is emitting light with the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state under the control of the first light emission control means, a second light emission control means for emitting the order therefore the light emitting portion of the status display light-emitting pattern stored in the status display light-emitting pattern storage means,
An image processing apparatus comprising:   When a predetermined operation input is detected by the operation input detection unit, a list display image representing a part or all of the state display light emission pattern stored in the state display light emission pattern storage unit is displayed on the transfer material. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image forming means for forming.   3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status display light-emitting pattern has at least a blinking time interval of the light-emitting unit as an element for distinguishing each light-emitting pattern.   The said 2nd light emission control means switches the said some light emission pattern for a status display sequentially based on the predetermined specific order, and makes the said light emission part light-emit. Image processing apparatus.   The second light emission control means sequentially switches between the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state and the plurality of display light emission patterns that differ only in the blinking interval of the light emission unit, and causes the light emission unit to emit light. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4.   Claims comprising: a notification means for performing a different notification between the case where the second light emission control means emits light with the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state and the other cases. Item 6. The image processing device according to any one of Items 4 and 5.   The notification means outputs a predetermined notification sound when the second light emission control means emits light with the state display light emission pattern corresponding to the current device state. 6. The image processing device according to 6.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a selection unit configured to select whether the notification unit performs notification based on an operation input by the operation unit.   The second light emission control unit blinks the light emitting unit, and sequentially changes the blinking time interval to each of the blinking time intervals of the light emitting unit employed in the state display light emission pattern to emit light. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus.

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