JP4979745B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, and an air cleaner.

  As this type of image forming apparatus, there is an electrophotographic type. In this type of apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed with toner, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the toner image is exposed to light. The toner image is fixed on the recording sheet by transferring the recording sheet from the body drum to the recording sheet and heating and pressing the recording sheet.

  Such an image forming apparatus is an indispensable OA device and is installed in most offices, and is also becoming popular in homes and hospitals.

  On the other hand, in offices, homes, hospitals, etc., air cleaners that purify indoor air are often installed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ion generator that simultaneously generates positive ions and negative ions, and effectively removes airborne bacteria in the air by using positive ions and negative ions.

JP 2002-58731 A

  However, if an air purifier is installed in addition to the image forming apparatus, a separate space and cost are required for installing these, and the labor of the user managing these increases.

  For example, when a trouble of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the display screen, it is necessary to deal with this trouble, and since the operation of the air cleaner is displayed on the display screen, it is necessary to check the display content. However, it is time-consuming to go to check these display contents individually.

  Both the image forming apparatus and the air purifier are difficult to see their display contents from a distance, and if they can go to their respective installation locations, these display contents cannot be seen.

  In the image forming apparatus, an operation panel provided with a plurality of keys and a display screen is arranged upward, so that the display content of the display screen of the operation panel cannot be viewed from a distance. The reason for arranging the operation panel upward is to make it easy for the user standing in front of the image forming apparatus to operate each key of the operation panel and to visually recognize the display screen.

  In addition, it is difficult to see the display screen of the air purifier from a distance because the air purifier is small and placed on the floor, and the desk, cabinet, OA equipment, etc. are shielded in the office and the view is bad. It is.

  As described above, since neither the display screen of the image forming apparatus nor the display screen of the air purifier can be viewed from a distance, it is time-consuming to check only these states.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and by combining the image forming apparatus and the air cleaner, the state of the image forming apparatus and the air cleaner can be easily confirmed even from a distance. An object is to provide a possible image forming system.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming system according to the present invention is integrally attached to an image forming apparatus for printing an image on a recording sheet, and a support member to the image forming apparatus. An air cleaner supported above the image forming apparatus; a first display unit provided in the air cleaner for displaying a state of the air cleaner; provided in the image forming apparatus; A second display unit for displaying the state, and the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner, and when the night mode of the image forming apparatus is set, the air cleaner Control means for maintaining the operating state of the first display unit unless the power switch is turned off .

The first display unit of the air cleaner displays the state of the image forming apparatus by selectively lighting or blinking a plurality of light emitting elements.

  The air cleaner includes an ion generating means.

Further, the control means displays a trouble occurring in the image forming apparatus as a state of the image forming apparatus on the first display unit of the air cleaner.

Further, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of types of functions, and the control unit is configured as the state of the image forming apparatus when any of the functions is being executed by the image forming apparatus. The function being executed is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner.

In the image forming system of the present invention, the air cleaner is supported above the image forming apparatus by the support member, and the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner by the control means. Therefore, the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner disposed above the image forming apparatus. That is, the first display unit of the air cleaner is disposed at a high place, and the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the first display unit. Since the first display unit of the air cleaner disposed at this high place can be seen from a distance, the state of the image forming apparatus can be confirmed from a distance.

  Further, since the air cleaner is disposed above the image forming apparatus, the installation space for the air cleaner can be saved. Furthermore, it becomes easy to convect the air blown from the air cleaner over a wide range, and the air purification action can be enhanced.

For example, the first display unit of the air cleaner displays the state of the image forming apparatus by selectively lighting or blinking a plurality of light emitting elements. Such display by lighting or blinking of the light emitting element is easy to visually recognize even from a distance. Various information can be displayed by selectively lighting or blinking a plurality of light emitting elements.

  Moreover, the air cleaner is provided with an ion generating means. As this ion generating means, one that generates and releases positive ions and negative ions simultaneously is preferable. Such positive ions and negative ions are suitable for the present invention because they can effectively remove airborne bacteria in the air and can reduce and reduce the exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus. For example, ozone may be generated in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, but exhaust gas such as ozone can be decomposed and reduced by positive ions and negative ions.

For example, a trouble that has occurred in the image forming apparatus as a state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner. Specifically, a trouble such as a failure of the image forming apparatus or a paper jam is displayed. In this case, it is possible to know a failure or a paper jam even from a distance. In other words, the trouble is notified to a wider range.

Alternatively, the function executed by the image forming apparatus as the state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner. When the image forming apparatus is a multi-function machine, the functions include a copying function, a printing function, a facsimile function, and the like. The function being executed among these functions is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner, so that the state of the image forming apparatus can be confirmed even from a distance.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an embodiment of an image forming system of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the air cleaner in the image forming system of FIG. It is a top view which illustrates the plasma cluster ion generating element in the ion generator of FIG. It is a side view which shows the state which set the ion discharge | release direction from the air cleaner in the image forming system of FIG. 1 diagonally downward. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus and air cleaner in the image forming system of FIG. (A) is a top view which shows the input setting screen for setting the air purifying operation | movement of an air cleaner. (B), (c) is a chart showing each check box, each select box, an operation name corresponding to the input box, an operation description, and the like on the input setting screen. It is a top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of each LED of the display part in an air cleaner. It is a chart which shows each alerting | reporting information corresponding to blinking or lighting of each LED of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of an image forming system of the present invention. The image forming system of this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 and an air purifier 71 disposed above the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is a so-called multi-function machine having a scanner function, a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like, and transmits an image of a document read by the document reading device 101 to the outside (scanner function). A read original image or an externally received image can be recorded on a recording sheet in color or single color (copying function, printer function, facsimile function).

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document reading device 101 and a document transport unit 42 for reading a document image. The document reading device 101 reads the document image conveyed by the document conveying unit 42. In the document conveying section 42, when a document is set on the document set tray 41, the document pickup roller 44 is pressed against the document surface and rotated, the document is pulled out from the document set tray 41, and the document is pulled out from the suction roller 45 and the separation pad 46. After passing between the sheets, the sheets are separated one by one and then conveyed to the conveyance path 47.

  In this conveyance path 47, the leading edge of the document abuts on the document registration roller 49, the leading edge of the document is aligned in parallel with the document registration roller 49, and then the document is transported by the document registration roller 49 and read by the reading guide 51. Passes between the glasses 52. Further, the document is conveyed by the conveyance roller 57 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 59 via the paper discharge roller 58.

  In the document reading device 101, when the document passes between the reading guide 51 and the reading glass 52, the light from the light source of the first scanning unit 53 is irradiated on the surface of the document through the reading glass 52, and the reflected light thereof is read glass 52. The reflected light is reflected by the mirrors of the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 and guided to the imaging lens 55, and the image of the original is converted by the imaging lens 55. An image is formed on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 56. The CCD 56 reads a document image and outputs image data indicating the document image.

  In addition, it is possible to read a document placed on the platen glass 61. The document conveying section 42 is pivotally supported on the back side of the lower document reading apparatus 101 by a hinge (not shown) and opened and closed by moving the front portion up and down. When the document transport unit 42 is opened, the document table glass 61 is released, and a document can be placed on the document table glass 61. When the document is placed and the document transport unit 42 is closed, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the first scanning unit 53 moves the document surface on the document table glass 61. After the exposure, the reflected light from the document surface is guided to the imaging lens 55 by the first and second scanning units 53 and 54, and the image of the document is formed on the CCD 56 by the imaging lens 55. At this time, the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 are moved while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, and reflection of the document surface → the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 → the imaging lens 55 → the CCD 56 is performed. The positional relationship between the first and second scanning units 53 and 54 is always maintained so that the length of the optical path of the light does not change, whereby the focus of the original image on the CCD 56 is always maintained accurately.

  The entire image of the original read in this way is sent and received as image data to the laser exposure apparatus 1 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the image is printed on recording paper in the image forming apparatus 100.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 prints an image on a recording paper by using a laser exposure device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a charger 5, a cleaner device 4, an intermediate transfer belt device 8, a fixing device 12, and a paper. A transport path S, a paper feed tray 10, a paper discharge tray 15, and the like are provided.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 uses data corresponding to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This is in accordance with the monochrome image. For this reason, four each of the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 5, and the cleaner device 4 are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors, and black, cyan, magenta, and Four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured in association with yellow.

  The photoconductor drum 3 is disposed at substantially the center of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The charger 5 is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a contact type roller type or brush type charger, a charger type charger is used. .

  The laser exposure apparatus 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser diode and a reflection mirror, and exposes the surface of a charged photosensitive drum 3 according to image data, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 corresponds to image data. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  The developing device 2 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 with (K, C, M, Y) toner. The cleaner device 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt device 8 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 7, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, a driven roller 22, an intermediate transfer roller 6, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. .

  The intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21, the intermediate transfer roller 6, the driven roller 22, etc. stretch and support the intermediate transfer belt 7, and move the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the direction of arrow C.

  The intermediate transfer roller 6 is rotatably supported in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 7, is pressed against the photosensitive drum 3 via the intermediate transfer belt 7, and transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7. A transfer bias is applied.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 is provided so as to be in contact with each photoconductive drum 3, and a color toner image (each color is transferred by sequentially superimposing and transferring the toner image on the surface of each photoconductive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 7. Toner image). The transfer belt 7 is formed in an endless belt shape using a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm.

  The transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 7 is performed by the intermediate transfer roller 6 that is in pressure contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7. A high voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 6 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 6 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the recording paper.

  As described above, the toner images on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 7 and become a color toner image indicated by the image data. The toner images of the respective colors stacked in this way are transported together with the intermediate transfer belt 7 and transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 that is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7.

  The intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 are pressed against each other to form a nip region. Further, the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 has a voltage for transferring the toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 7 onto a recording sheet (high polarity (+) opposite to the toner charge polarity (-)). Voltage) is applied. Further, in order to constantly obtain the nip region, either the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 21 is made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is a soft material such as an elastic roller. (Elastic rubber roller, foaming resin roller, etc.).

  In addition, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 may not be completely transferred onto the recording paper by the secondary transfer device 11, and the toner may remain on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Causes color mixing. Therefore, the residual toner is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning device 9 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 7 to remove residual toner, and the intermediate transfer belt is driven by a driven roller 22 at a portion where the cleaning blade comes into contact. 7 The back side is supported.

  The paper feed tray 10 is a tray for storing recording paper, and is provided below the image forming apparatus 100 to supply the recording paper in the tray.

  The image forming apparatus 100 has an S-shaped sheet conveyance path S for sending the recording sheet supplied from the sheet feeding tray 10 to the sheet discharge tray 15 via the secondary transfer device 11 and the fixing device 12. Is provided. Along the paper conveyance path S, a paper pickup roller 16, a paper registration roller 14, a fixing device 12, and a conveyance roller for conveying the recording paper are arranged.

  The paper pick-up roller 16 is a calling roller that is provided at the end of the paper feed tray 10 and supplies recording paper from the paper feed tray 10 to the paper transport path S one by one. The conveyance rollers are small rollers for promoting and assisting conveyance of the recording paper, and a plurality of conveyance rollers are provided.

  The paper registration roller 14 temporarily stops the recording paper that has been conveyed, aligns the leading edge of the recording paper, and is on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11 a of the secondary transfer device 11. The recording paper is conveyed in a timely manner in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3 and the intermediate transfer belt 7 so that the color toner image is transferred onto the recording paper.

  For example, the paper registration roller 14 detects the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11 based on the detection output of a pre-registration detection switch (not shown). The recording paper is transported so that the leading edge is aligned with the leading edge of the image forming area of the recording paper.

  The fixing device 12 includes a heating roller 31, a pressure roller 32, and the like. The heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 sandwich and convey the recording paper that has passed through the nip region between the intermediate transfer belt 7 and the transfer roller 11a of the secondary transfer device 11.

  The heating roller 31 is controlled so as to reach a predetermined fixing temperature based on the detection output of a temperature detector (not shown), and the toner transferred onto the recording paper by thermocompression bonding with the pressure roller 32. It has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing an image to thermally fix the image on a recording sheet.

  The recording paper after the fixing of the toner images of the respective colors is discharged face down onto the paper discharge tray 15 by the transport roller.

  Next, the air cleaner 71 will be described. The air cleaner 71 is supported on the upper end of a column 72 protruding from a corner on one side of the back of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, generates positive ions and negative ions, and moves the positive ions and negative ions together with air. To release.

  In many cases, the image forming apparatus 100 is arranged with its back side close to the wall of the chamber. For this reason, the air purifier 71 is also arranged close to the wall of the chamber. In this case, most of the air released upward from the air purifier 71 rises along the wall, is blown to the ceiling, spreads along the ceiling, and spreads widely in the room. Therefore, positive ions and negative ions contained in the air discharged from the air purifier 71 are also widely distributed in the room, and airborne bacteria in the room air are effectively removed by the positive ions and negative ions.

  Further, a part of the air released upward from the air cleaner 71 is lowered as it is, drifts in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 100, and covers the entire main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, the exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus 100 is decomposed and reduced by the positive ions and the negative ions contained in the air.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 may generate ozone, and a filter for reducing this may be built in the image forming apparatus 100. However, ozone may be decomposed and reduced by positive ions and negative ions. Therefore, it is possible to omit a built-in filter or the like.

  Since the air cleaner 71 is disposed above the image forming apparatus 100, a special space for installing the air cleaner 71 is not required, and this space can be saved.

  Further, since the air cleaner 71 is supported on the upper end of the column 72 protruding from the image forming apparatus 100, the space between the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71 is opened, and the usability of the image forming apparatus 100 is impaired. It will never be.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the air cleaner 71. The air cleaner 71 overlaps the main body casing 81, the fan unit 82 disposed at the lower portion of the main body casing 81, the plurality of suction holes 81a formed in the lower side wall of the main body casing 81, and the suction holes 81a. The filter 86 disposed in the filter 86, the suction duct 83 disposed between the filter 86 and the suction port 82a of the fan unit 82, the upper blowing port 81b formed in the upper part of the main body housing 81, the upper blowing port 81b and the fan unit. A blowout duct 84 disposed between the blowout ports 82 b of the 82 and a plurality of ion generating elements 85 disposed around the fan unit 82.

  As shown in FIG. 1, since the air cleaner 71 is long in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100, the main body casing 81, the fan unit 82, each suction hole 81a, the suction duct 83, the discharge port 82b, the discharge duct 84, and the like are also provided. The image forming apparatus 100 is long in the width direction, and a plurality of ion generating elements 85 are arranged in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The fan 82c of the fan unit 82 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) to generate an air flow as shown by an arrow G, and the air is passed through each suction hole 81a → filter 86 → suction duct 83 in the fan unit. The air is sucked into 82 and air is circulated in the vicinity of each ion generating element 85, and then the air is discharged from the upper outlet 81 b through the outlet duct 84. At this time, the filter 86 adsorbs and removes dust in the air.

  Each ion generating element 85 is a plasma cluster ion (registered trademark) generating element (PCI). Looking at each ion generating element 85 from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, two ion generating elements 85 are arranged in the width direction of the image forming apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. A pair of positive ion generators 85a for generating negative ions and a pair of negative ion generators 85b for generating negative ions are arranged. Such an ion generating element 85 is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-58731 filed earlier by the applicant of the present invention.

  The positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generating element 85 are discharged from the upper outlet 81b through the outlet duct 84 together with the air flow generated by the fan 82c of the fan unit 82.

  The amount of air released from the air cleaner 71 can be adjusted by changing the rotational speed of the motor of the fan 82c. When the amount of released air is increased, air containing positive ions and negative ions spreads over a wider range, and a wider range of air is purified. Further, when the amount of released air is reduced, air containing positive ions and negative ions easily drifts in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 100, and the exhaust gas of the image forming apparatus 100 is decomposed and reduced more effectively.

  Moreover, you may set the discharge | release direction of the air from the air cleaner 71 not diagonally upward but diagonally downward of the arrow D as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the shaft 71a on one end side of the air purifier 71 is rotatably supported at the upper end of the column 72, the shaft 71a is rotated by a motor drive, the air purifier 71 is rotated around the shaft 71a, and the air purifier is rotated. You may make it change the discharge | release direction of the air from the machine 71. FIG. Furthermore, the air cleaner 71 may be rotated back and forth within a certain angular range around the shaft 71a, that is, the air cleaner 71 may be swung to widen the release range of positive ions and negative ions.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 111 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100, a document conveying unit 42, a document reading device 101, an image data storage unit 112, an image processing unit 113, and an image forming unit. 114, a facsimile communication unit 115, a display unit 116 for displaying various information, an input operation unit 117 operated by a user, a bus 118 for interconnecting the units, an input / output unit 119, a main power supply 121, a sub power supply 122, and A power key 123 and the like are provided.

  The control unit 111 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing various programs executed by the CPU, a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU, and the like. To execute the program, perform data processing, and control the entire image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit 111 is connected to the air purifier 71 through the input / output unit 119 and controls the operation of the air purifier 71.

  The document conveyance unit 42 and the document reading device 101 are also shown in FIG. 1 and convey a document or read an image of a document.

  The image data storage unit 112 is a hard disk device or the like, and stores image data indicating an image of a document read by the document reading device 101 or an image received from the outside. The image processing unit 113 performs various processes on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 112.

  The image forming unit 114 includes the laser exposure device 1, the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 5, the cleaner device 4, the intermediate transfer belt device 8, the fixing device 12, the paper transport path S, and the paper feed tray shown in FIG. 10 and a paper discharge tray 15 or the like, and prints an image of a document on a recording paper.

  The facsimile communication unit 115 is connected to the network N, and transmits and receives image data through the network N by executing a protocol of facsimile communication with the counterpart terminal.

  The display unit 116 is a liquid crystal display device, for example, and displays operation guidance and the like of the image forming apparatus 100. The input operation unit 117 includes various keys and buttons operated by the user, or a touch panel superimposed on the screen of the display unit 116, and detects the keys and buttons operated by the user, or is selected by the user. The key on the screen of the displayed display unit 116 is detected through a touch panel, and an input instruction by the user is output to the control unit 111.

  The main power supply 121 supplies power to other units except the facsimile communication unit 115, and includes a control unit 111, a document transport unit 42, a document reading device 101, an image data storage unit 112, an image processing unit 113, and image formation. Operating power is supplied to the unit 114, the display unit 116, the input operation unit 117, the input / output unit 119, and the like. The sub power source 122 is a power source dedicated to the facsimile communication unit 115 and supplies operating power only to the facsimile communication unit 115.

  The power key 123 is operated by a user, and is operated to set the image forming apparatus 100 to the night mode or return from the night mode.

  On the other hand, the air cleaner 71 includes a control unit 131 that controls the entire air cleaner 71, a motor 132 that rotates the fan 82c, a display unit 133, an input / output unit 134, an ion generating element 85, a power source 135, and a power switch. 136 and the like.

  The control unit 131 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores various programs executed by the CPU, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU 131 executes the program and controls the entire air cleaner 71.

  The control unit 131 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 through the input / output unit 134 and controls the operation of the air cleaner 71 in response to an instruction from the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The motor 132 is for rotationally driving the fan 82c of the fan unit 82 shown in FIG. The ion generating element 85 is the PCI shown in FIGS.

  The display unit 133 is composed of, for example, a plurality of LEDs, and selectively turns on or blinks these LEDs, and notifies the user of various information by the selective lighting or blinking.

  The power supply 135 supplies operating power to the control unit 131, the motor 132, the display unit 133, the input / output unit 134, the ion generating element 85, and the like.

  The power switch 136 is a switch operated by the user, and is operated to turn on / off the power supply from the power source 135.

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus 100, each key of the input operation unit 117 and the screen of the display unit 116 are provided on one operation panel, and this operation panel is arranged upward. This is to make it easier for a user standing in front of the image forming apparatus 100 to look down on the operation panel and operate each key or view the screen.

  However, if the operation panel is arranged upward, the screen of the display unit 116 also faces upward, and this screen cannot be viewed from a distance. For this reason, even if the state of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the display unit 116, the state of the image forming apparatus 100 cannot be confirmed from a distance.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the state of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed not only on the display unit 116 but also on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71. The air cleaner 71 is supported at the upper end of a support column 72 protruding from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 and is disposed at a high place. Therefore, it can be said that the display unit 133 of the air purifier 71 is also arranged at a high place. Since the display unit 133 of the air purifier 71 arranged at this high place can be seen from a distance, the state of the image forming apparatus 100 displayed on the screen of the display unit 133 can be confirmed from a distance. it can.

  In addition, since not only the state of the image forming apparatus 100 but also the state of the air cleaner 71 is displayed on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71, the user can display the screen of the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71. By viewing, both states of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71 can be grasped, and management of both becomes easy.

  Further, even when the image forming apparatus 100 is set to the night mode for power saving, the state of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71. For this reason, in the night mode, the display unit 116 of the image forming apparatus 100 can be stopped, and the power consumption of the display unit 116 can be reduced.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 100, a warm-up mode for setting the fixing temperature of the roller of the fixing device 12 and a print processing mode for performing print processing are set. However, power consumption in these modes is large. Therefore, a standby mode for reducing power consumption when printing processing is not performed, a power saving mode for further reducing power consumption, a night mode for further reducing power consumption, and the like are set. Therefore, these standby mode, power saving mode, and night mode are modes for power saving.

  For example, in the standby mode, the power of the heater that heats the roller of the fixing device 12 is reduced, the fixing temperature is lowered, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 100 is reduced. In the power saving mode, the power of the heater for heating the roller of the fixing device 12 is further reduced, and the image data storage unit 112, the image processing unit 113, the image forming unit 114, the display unit 116, the input operation unit 117, and the like ( Each part) related to the printing process is selectively stopped, and the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 100 is further reduced. In the night mode, the fixing device 12 is turned off, all the units related to the printing process are stopped, and only a part of the functions of the facsimile communication unit 115, the input / output unit 119, and the control unit 111 are operated.

  In the night mode, the facsimile communication unit 115 is activated because there is a possibility of receiving an incoming facsimile communication even if there are no people at night and the image generating apparatus 100 does not perform the printing process. In addition, each unit related to the printing process of the image generating apparatus 100 is activated to record an image indicated by the image data received by the facsimile communication unit 115 on a recording sheet, or the control unit 111 controls the air cleaner 71. Therefore, the operation of a part of the functions of the input / output unit 119 and the control unit 111 is continued.

  In order to keep the facsimile communication unit 115 operating in the night mode, the sub power supply 122 is kept on and power supply from the sub power supply 122 to the facsimile communication unit 115 is continued. In order to activate only a part of the functions of the input / output unit 119 and the control unit 111, the power supply from the main power supply 121 to each unit related to the printing process of the image generation apparatus 100 is stopped, and the input / output unit 119 and the control unit 111 are controlled. The power supply from the main power supply 121 is continued to the unit 111.

  In the standby mode, the power saving mode, and the night mode, particularly in the night mode, only the facsimile communication unit 115 is operated, the display unit 116 of the image forming apparatus 100 is stopped, and the power consumption of the display unit 116 is reduced. It is reduced.

  Therefore, in the night mode, not only the state of the image forming apparatus 100 can be confirmed from a distance, but also the state of the image forming apparatus 100 is not interrupted so that the display of the state of the image forming apparatus 100 is not interrupted. Needs to be displayed on the display unit 116 of the air purifier 71.

  Next, input settings necessary to display such a state of the image forming apparatus 100 on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  This input setting is not only performed to display the state of the image forming apparatus 100 on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71, but when the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the night mode or returns from the night mode. In conjunction with this, the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 is stopped or restarted to simplify the operation of the air cleaner 71.

  This input setting is performed by performing input to the input setting screen by operating the touch panel of the input operation unit 117 while displaying the input setting screen on the display unit 116 of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 111 displays various input setting screens on the display unit 116 according to a preset procedure, and when an input is made on the input setting screen by operating the touch panel of the input operation unit 117, the input contents Set and memorize. Then, when the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71 are operated, the input contents are read out and executed.

  6A and 6B show on / off of the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the main power supply 121 and the sub power supply 122 are completely turned on / off by the on / off of the power key 123. Absent. When the power key 123 is turned on, a transition from the night mode to the warm-up mode is instructed, and when the power key 123 is turned off, the setting of the night mode is instructed. Accordingly, when the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off, the night mode is set, and the respective units related to the printing process of the image generating apparatus 100 are stopped, but the facsimile communication unit 115, the input / output unit 119, and Operation of a part of the function of the control unit 111 is continued.

  Similarly, on / off of the operation of the air purifier 71 is shown. This on / off of the operation indicates whether or not the air purifier 71 performs the air purifying operation. When the operation of the air purifier 71 is turned off, the motor 132 and the ion generating element 85 are stopped, but the operations of some of the functions of the input / output unit 134, the display unit 133, and the control unit 131 are continued. The

  Now, an initial setting screen (not shown) for selecting one of various settings is displayed on the display unit 116 of the image forming apparatus 100. When the setting of the linked operation of the image forming apparatus 100 and the air purifier 71 is selected by operating the touch panel of the input operation unit 117 on this initial setting screen, the display unit 116 has a display as shown in FIG. 6A (a). An input setting screen 171 is displayed. 6B (b) and (c), the operation names corresponding to the check boxes 172 and 173, the select boxes 174, 175 and 177, and the input box 176 in the input setting screen 171 of FIG. An operation explanation and the like are shown.

  6A (a), 6B (b), and (c), the input setting screen 171 turns on the operation of the air purifier 71 in conjunction with the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 being turned on. A check box 172 for performing the operation and a select box 174 for setting the air volume of the air purifier 71 to “strong” or “weak” are displayed. When a check mark is put in the check box 172 by the operation of the touch panel of the input operation unit 117 and the “strong” or “weak” air volume is selected in the select box 174, the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on. Then, the operation of the air cleaner 71 is turned on, and the air volume of the air cleaner 71 is set to “strong” or “weak”.

  In addition, the input setting screen 171 includes a check box 173 for turning off the operation of the air purifier 71 in conjunction with the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 being turned off, and air purifying in conjunction with the power key 123 being turned off. A selection box 175 for setting whether or not the operation of the machine 71 is immediately turned off, and an input box 176 for inputting an arbitrary fixed time measured from the time when the power key 123 is turned off to the time when the operation of the air purifier 71 is turned off. Is displayed. When a check mark is put in the check box 173 by operating the touch panel of the input operation unit 117 and the operation of the air cleaner 71 is selected to be immediately turned off in the select box 175, the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off. In conjunction with this, it is set to immediately turn off the operation of the air purifier 71. In addition, a check mark is put in the check box 173, and it is selected that the operation of the air purifier 71 is not immediately turned off in the select box 175, and an arbitrary fixed time is input to the input box 176 by operating the numeric keypad of the input operation unit 117. Then, a timer is started in conjunction with the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 being turned off, and the operation of the air purifier 71 is set to be turned off after a predetermined time is counted by the timer.

  Further, a select box 177 for selecting a display pattern by the display unit 133 of the air purifier 71 is displayed. When one of the first, second, and third display patterns is selected in the select box 177 by operating the touch panel of the input operation unit 117, the display unit 133 is set to display the selected display pattern. .

  Table 1 summarizes the interlocking operation between the image forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71 set in this way and the display pattern by the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71. The control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 stores the a or b term, the c or d term, and the e term in Table 1 as a data table, and uses the data table for controlling the air cleaner 71.

  Next, a control procedure of the air cleaner 71 by the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 when the night mode is set will be described.

  In the daytime, the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on, and the image forming apparatus 100 is set to any one of the print processing mode, the standby mode, and the power saving mode.

  The control unit 111 waits for the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 to be turned off at night, and sets the image forming apparatus 100 to the night mode when the power key 123 is turned off. In the night mode of the image generating apparatus 100, the power supply from the main power source 121 to each unit related to the printing process is stopped, the power supply from the main power source 121 to the input / output unit 119 and the control unit 111 is continued, and the sub power source 122 And the power supply from the sub power supply 122 to the facsimile communication unit 115 is continued.

  At this time, the control unit 111 refers to the contents of the data table corresponding to the item c or d in Table 1, and sets either “linked with power key off” or “not linked with power key off”. If the item “Don't interlock with turning off the power key” in the item d is set, the operation of the air purifier 71 is continued.

  In addition, if “linked with power key off” in the item c is set, the control unit 111 refers to the contents of the data table corresponding to the item c, and sets “timer on” and “timer off”. Which one is set is confirmed, and if “timer off” is set, the air purifying operation of the air purifier 71 is immediately stopped. The stop of the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 is to stop the motor 132 and the ion generating element 85 and to continue the operation of some of the functions of the input / output unit 134, the display unit 133, and the control unit 131. is there.

  Further, if “timer on” is set, the control unit 111 refers to the contents of the data table corresponding to the item c, obtains a certain time measured by the timer, and counts the certain time by the timer. Start. When the timer finishes counting a certain time, that is, when a certain time elapses after the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned off, the air purifying operation of the air purifier 71 is stopped.

  When the power key 123 is turned off at night in this way, the image forming apparatus 100 is set to the night mode, and the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 is continued or stopped. Thereafter, when the power key 123 is turned on in the morning, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts from the night mode to the warm-up mode. At this time, the control unit 111 refers to the contents of the data table corresponding to the item a or b in Table 1, and sets either “linked with power key on” or “not linked with power key on”. Check if it is. For example, if “Do not interlock with power key on” in item b is set, the control unit 111 sets the image forming apparatus 100 to the warm-up mode in response to the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 being turned on. However, the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 is not resumed. However, if the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 is performed in the night mode of the image forming apparatus 100, the air cleaning operation is continued.

  Also, if “linked with power key on” in the item a is set, the control unit 111 sets the image forming apparatus 100 to the warm-up mode in response to the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100 being turned on. At the same time, the air purifying operation of the air purifier 71 is resumed. Further, if the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71 is performed in the night mode of the image forming apparatus 100, the air cleaning operation is continued.

  Further, when restarting the air cleaning operation of the air cleaner 71, the control unit 111 refers to the contents of the data table corresponding to the item a, confirms the setting of the air volume of the air cleaner 71, and the air volume is “strong”. If it is set to, the rotational speed of the motor 132 is increased, the fan 82c is driven to rotate at a high speed, and the air volume of the air cleaner 71 is increased. If the air volume is set to “weak”, the rotational speed of the motor 132 is decreased, the fan 82c is rotated at a low speed, and the air volume of the air cleaner 71 is decreased.

  As described above, the air purifier 71 is stopped or restarted according to the setting of the night mode of the image forming apparatus 100 or the transition from the night mode to the warm-up mode. The power consumption of the air purifier 71 can be reduced without compromising the effect of the air purifier 71 at all.

  It should be noted that the air purifying operation of the air purifier 71 is turned on / off in response to the on / off of the power key 123 of the image forming apparatus 100, that is, in response to the key operation by the user. Even when the night mode is automatically set based on the time schedule or when the night mode is shifted to the warm-up mode, the air cleaner 71 can be linked in the above procedure.

  Next, a control procedure for displaying the state of the image forming apparatus 100 on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71 will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, even if the display unit 116 is operated when the warm-up mode, the print processing mode, the standby mode, and the power saving mode are set, the display unit 116 is displayed when the night mode is set. It is stopped to save power.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, only a part of the functions of the facsimile communication unit 115, the input / output unit 119, and the control unit 111 are operated in the night mode, but the warm-up mode, print processing mode, standby mode are operated. In the power saving mode, at least some of the functions of the facsimile communication unit 115, the input / output unit 119, and the control unit 111 are activated.

  Furthermore, in the air purifier 71, even if the air purifying operation is stopped in the night mode, as long as the power switch 136 is not turned off, some of the functions of the input / output unit 134, the display unit 133, and the control unit 131 are performed. It is operating. Therefore, it can be said that some of the functions of the input / output unit 134, the display unit 133, and the control unit 131 are always activated.

  For this reason, the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 communicates with the control unit 131 of the air purifier 71 in any of the warm-up mode, the print processing mode, the standby mode, the power saving mode, and the night mode. Data communication can be performed, and the state of the image forming apparatus 100 can be notified to the control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71. The control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 can display the state of the image forming apparatus 100 on the display unit 133.

  FIG. 7 shows an arrangement example of each LED of the display unit 133. As shown in FIG. 7, the LEDs 133 a, 133 b, 133 c and the LEDs 133-1, 133-2, 133-3 as the display unit 133 are arranged on the front panel of the main body of the air cleaner 71. The LED 133a has a green emission color, the LED 133b has a blue emission color, and the LED 133c has a red emission color. Each of the LEDs 133-1, 133-2, and 133-3 has a white emission color. The control part 131 of the air cleaner 71 selectively blinks or lights each LED 133a-133c, 133-1 to 133-3, and notifies various information by these LED.

  FIG. 8 is a chart showing respective notification information corresponding to blinking or lighting of the LEDs 133a to 133c, 133-1 to 133-3. The control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the control unit 131 of the air purifier 71 have a data table corresponding to the chart of FIG. 8 in the storage unit, and refer to the data table to refer to the LEDs 133a to 133c, 133−. 1 to 133-3 are controlled. Note that the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 holds only the contents of the data table related to the five LEDs 133a, 133c, 133-1 to 133-3 for notifying the state of the image forming apparatus 100, and the air purifier 71. The control unit 131 may hold only the contents of the data table related to one LED 133b for notifying the state of the air purifier 71. Alternatively, only one of the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the control unit 131 of the air purifier 71 has a data table corresponding to the chart of FIG. 8 and controls each LED in cooperation with the other. I do not care.

  As shown in the chart of FIG. 8, the LED 133a whose emission color is green is for displaying the state of the image forming apparatus 100, and the first display pattern is the content of the data table corresponding to the item e in Table 1 above. If set, the green LED 133a and the LED 133-1 are used to notify the execution state of printing and the execution state of the scanner, and the second display pattern is used as the contents of the data table corresponding to the item e in Table 1. If set, the green LED 133a and LED 133-2 are used to notify the standby mode or power saving mode state and the print processing mode state, and further, as the contents of the data table corresponding to the item e in Table 1 If the third display pattern is set, the green LED 133a and the LED 133-3 are used to notify the facsimile reception status.

  Specifically, the first display pattern indicates that either the printing execution state or the scanner execution state is displayed by turning on the LED 133-1. When the printing execution state is set, the LED 133a is turned on, and the scanner execution state is displayed. In this pattern, the LED 133a blinks. The second display pattern indicates that either the standby mode or the power saving mode state or the print processing mode state is displayed by turning on the LED 133-2. When the standby display mode or the power saving mode state is set, the LED 133a is displayed. Is turned on, and the LED 133a is blinked in the print processing mode. Further, the third display pattern is a pattern in which the state of facsimile reception is displayed by turning on the LED 133-3, and the LED 133a is blinked when processing the received image data.

  The control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the contents of the data table corresponding to the item e in Table 1 in order to display the state of the image forming apparatus 100 by the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71. It is confirmed which of the second and third display patterns is set. If the first display pattern is set, the controller 111 refers to the data table corresponding to the chart of FIG. 8 and notifies that it is either the print execution state or the scanner execution state. A first display pattern is obtained, and an instruction to turn on the LED 133-1 is sent to the air cleaner 71 through the input / output unit 119 in order to turn on the LED 133-1 in accordance with the first display pattern. The control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 receives an instruction to turn on the LED 133-1 through the input / output unit 134, and turns on the LED 133-1 of the display unit 133. Then, the control unit 111 monitors the image forming unit 114 and the document reading device 101, and turns on the LED 133a of the display unit 133 according to the first display pattern when the image forming unit 114 is in a printing execution state. Is notified to the air cleaner 71 through the input / output unit 119. The control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 receives an instruction to turn on the LED 133a through the input / output unit 134, and turns on the LED 133a of the display unit 133. Alternatively, the control unit 111 issues a blink instruction of the LED 133a to the air cleaner 71 so as to cause the LED 133a of the display unit 133 to blink according to the first display pattern when the scanner is in an execution state by the document reading apparatus 101. The control part 131 of the air cleaner 71 will blink LED133a of the display part 133, if the blinking instruction | indication of LED133a is received.

  When the second display pattern is set in the data table corresponding to the item e in Table 1, the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the data table corresponding to the table in FIG. The LED 133-2 is turned on so as to obtain a second display pattern for notifying that the mode is one of the mode, the power saving mode, and the print processing mode, and the LED 133-2 is turned on according to the second display pattern. An instruction is notified to the air purifier 71. When the control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 receives an instruction to turn on the LED 133-2, the control unit 131 turns on the LED 133-2 of the display unit 133. Then, the control unit 111 gives an instruction to turn on the LED 133a to turn on the LED 133a of the display unit 133 according to the second display pattern when the image forming apparatus 100 is set to the standby mode or the power saving mode. Take out to 71. The control part 131 of the air cleaner 71 will light the LED 133a of the display part 133, if the lighting instruction | indication of LED133a is received. Alternatively, the control unit 111 issues a blink instruction for the LED 133a to the air cleaner 71 in order to cause the LED 133a of the display unit 133 to blink according to the second display pattern when the image forming apparatus 100 is set to the print processing mode. . The control part 131 of the air cleaner 71 will blink LED133a of the display part 133, if the blinking instruction | indication of LED133a is received.

  Further, when the third display pattern is set in the data table corresponding to the item e in Table 1, the control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the data table corresponding to the diagram in FIG. A third display pattern for notifying that it is in a reception state is obtained, and an instruction to turn on the LED 133-3 is sent to the air cleaner 71 in order to turn on the LED 133-3 in accordance with the third display pattern. In response to this, the control unit 131 of the air cleaner 71 turns on the LED 133-3 of the display unit 133. Then, the control unit 111 monitors the facsimile communication unit 115 and gives an instruction to turn on the LED 133a to turn on the LED 133a of the display unit 133 according to the third display pattern when waiting for facsimile reception by the facsimile communication unit 115. Take out to the cleaner 71. In response to this, the control unit 131 of the air purifier 71 turns on the LED 133a of the display unit 133. In addition, when the facsimile communication unit 115 is in a facsimile reception state, the control unit 111 issues a blink instruction for the LED 133a to the air cleaner 71 so as to cause the LED 133a of the display unit 133 to blink according to the third display pattern. In response to this, the control unit 131 of the air purifier 71 causes the LED 133a of the display unit 133 to blink.

  Therefore, if one of the first, second, and third display patterns is selected in the select box 177 on the input setting screen 171 in FIG. 6A, the image forming apparatus 100 is selected according to the selected display pattern. Is displayed by selective lighting of the LEDs 133-1 to 133-3 on the display unit 133 of the air purifier 71 and blinking or lighting of the LED 133a. Note that when the image forming apparatus 100 is set to a mode other than the night mode, the display unit 116 is not stopped, so that the state of the image forming apparatus 100 is also displayed on the display unit 116.

  Next, as shown in the chart of FIG. 8, the LED 133 b whose emission color is blue indicates the state of the air cleaner 71. When the blue LED 133b flashes, the air purifier 71 is in a state of failure or maintenance of the air purifier 71 is necessary. When the blue LED 133b is turned on, the air purifier 71 is It is in operation state.

  When the controller 131 of the air cleaner 71 determines a failure of the air cleaner 71 based on a detection output of a sensor (not shown) in the air cleaner 71 and determines a failure of the air cleaner 71. Referring to the data table corresponding to the chart of FIG. 8, the display pattern of the LED 133b for notifying the failure of the air purifier 71 is obtained, and the LED 133b is blinked. Alternatively, the control unit 131 accumulates the driving time of the motor 132 and the ion generating element 85 of the fan 82c, determines whether maintenance is necessary based on the driving time, and sets the driving time in advance. When the predetermined time is reached, the LED 133b is blinked with reference to the data table corresponding to the chart of FIG. If the control unit 131 determines that the air purifying operation state is in progress while the motor 132 or the ion generating element 85 of the fan 82c is being driven, the control unit 131 turns on the LED 133b with reference to the data table corresponding to the diagram of FIG.

  Therefore, the state of the air cleaner 71 is displayed by blinking or lighting of the LED 133b of the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71.

  Next, as is apparent from the chart of FIG. 8, the LED 133 c whose emission color is red indicates the state of the image forming apparatus 100. When the red LED 133c blinks, some trouble has occurred even if the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is possible. When the red LED 133c is lit, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is impossible. A trouble has occurred. The operable trouble of the image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a toner near-end state. The trouble that the image forming apparatus 100 cannot operate is, for example, a toner end or a paper jam.

  The control unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines the trouble of the image forming apparatus 100 based on the detection output of a sensor (not shown) in the image forming apparatus 100, and the trouble that the image forming apparatus 100 can operate. Is determined, the display pattern of the LED 133c for notifying the operable trouble of the image forming apparatus 100 is obtained with reference to the data table corresponding to the chart of FIG. 8, and the blinking instruction of the LED 133c is given to the air cleaner 71. . The control part 131 of the air cleaner 71 will blink LED133c of the display part 133, if the blinking instruction | indication of LED133c is received. In addition, when the control unit 111 determines a trouble that the image forming apparatus 100 cannot operate, the control unit 111 refers to a data table corresponding to the chart of FIG. 8 and issues a lighting instruction of the LED 133c to the air cleaner 71. In response to this, the control unit 131 of the air purifier 71 turns on the LED 133c of the display unit 133.

  Therefore, troubles such as a toner near end, a toner end, and a paper jam of the image forming apparatus 100 are displayed by blinking or lighting of the LED 133c of the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71. When the image forming apparatus 100 is set to a mode other than the night mode, the display unit 116 is not stopped, so that the trouble of the image forming apparatus 100 is also displayed on the display unit 116.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 133 of the air purifier 71 disposed at a high place is used to display functions such as printing, scanner, and facsimile reception executed in the image forming apparatus 100, and Since the standby mode, power saving mode, print processing mode, and the like set in the forming apparatus 100 are displayed, and troubles such as the toner near end, toner end, and paper jam of the image forming apparatus 100 are displayed. The state of the image forming apparatus 100 can be confirmed by viewing the display unit 133 of 71 from a distance.

  At the same time, the failure of the air cleaner 71 and the necessity for maintenance are also displayed on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71, so that the user can simply view the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71 and The state of the forming apparatus 100 and the air cleaner 71 can be known, and management of both becomes easy.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and even if a design change or the like in a category not departing from the gist of the present invention is performed, It is included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the number of LEDs on the display unit 133 of the air cleaner 71 may be increased or decreased, or the type of information notified by a combination of blinking, lighting, and extinguishing of these LEDs may be increased or decreased. Moreover, you may use a liquid crystal display device etc. instead of LED.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser exposure apparatus 2 Developing apparatus 3 Photosensitive drum 4 Cleaner apparatus 5 Charger 8 Intermediate transfer belt apparatus 10 Paper feed tray 11 Secondary transfer apparatus 12 Fixing apparatus 15 Paper discharge tray 42 Document conveyance part 71 Air cleaner 72 Strut 81 Main body Housing 82 Fan unit 83 Suction duct 84 Blowout duct 85 Ion generating element 86 Filter 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Document reading apparatus 111, 131 Control unit 112 Image data storage unit 113 Image processing unit 114 Image forming unit 115 Facsimile communication units 116, 133 Display unit 117 Input operation unit 118 Buses 119 and 134 Input / output unit 121 Main power source 122 Sub power source 132 Motor 135 Power source

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus for printing an image on recording paper;
An air cleaner that is integrally attached to the image forming apparatus via a support member and supported above the image forming apparatus by the support member;
A first display unit provided in the air purifier and displaying a state of the air purifier;
A second display unit that is provided in the image forming apparatus and displays a state of the image forming apparatus;
The state of the image forming apparatus is displayed on the first display unit of the air cleaner, and when the night mode of the image forming apparatus is set, the power cleaner is turned off unless the power switch of the air cleaner is turned off. 1. An image forming system comprising: a control unit that maintains an operating state of one display unit . The image forming system according to claim 1,
The image forming system, wherein the first display unit of the air cleaner displays a state of the image forming apparatus by selectively lighting or blinking a plurality of light emitting elements. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2,
The air cleaner includes an ion generating means. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays a trouble occurring in the image forming apparatus as a state of the image forming apparatus on the first display unit of the air cleaner. An image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image forming apparatus has a plurality of functions.
When one of the functions is being executed by the image forming apparatus, the control means sends the function being executed as the state of the image forming apparatus to the first display unit of the air cleaner. An image forming system characterized by displaying.

Images