JP5145151B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a multifunction machine having a display unit.

  Since an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine cannot print unless the fixing unit is warmed up, the fixing unit is raised to a predetermined temperature to be ready for printing when starting up or returning from a power saving state (sleep state). In general, it takes at least several tens of seconds. This time is a waiting time for the user.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus requires regular maintenance for replacement and cleaning of consumable parts. For this reason, a maintenance service is periodically performed by a service person. The maintenance period is generally determined by the number of copies. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for efficiently determining this period.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses that service life management of a used component is performed by setting a serviceman program mode and displaying usage history information (such as a jam rate) of the used component and a life determination message on a display screen. Yes.

Further, a general image forming apparatus is provided with an operation guide for displaying a tutorial for each function. In this case, the user can view a tutorial of a desired function by operating the operation unit.
JP 2000-347544 A

  However, although the above-mentioned serviceman program mode and operation guide are useful information, they are not displayed unless they are intentionally operated by the user.

  On the other hand, efforts have been made to shorten the time required for the above-described startup and return from the power-saving state to some extent by improvement, but the waiting time has not been completely eliminated. Therefore, the user has no choice but to wait.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a highly convenient image forming apparatus that allows a user to obtain useful information during the time required for recovery from a power saving state.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation guide, a jam and a jam in an image forming apparatus including a display unit and a control unit for controlling the operation of the apparatus during a time required for starting or returning from a power saving state. One or more of the rate, the remaining amount of toner, and the remaining amount of paper are displayed.

  According to this configuration, it is possible not only to make the user wait for the time required for recovery from the startup or power saving state, but also to provide useful information.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, when the jam rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is preferable to display the jam rate during the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state.

  According to this configuration, the user can know that the jam rate is high during the waiting time, and can be used as a criterion for determining whether maintenance is necessary.

  In the above image forming apparatus, it is preferable that the remaining amount of toner is displayed during the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

  According to this configuration, the user can know that the remaining amount of toner is decreasing during the waiting time, and can be used as a guide for the replacement timing of the toner tank.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, when the remaining amount of paper is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, it is preferable to display the remaining amount of paper during the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state.

  According to this configuration, the user can know that the remaining amount of paper is decreasing during the waiting time, and can be used as a guide for paper replenishment.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, an operation guide, a jam rate, a remaining amount of toner, or a remaining amount of paper is set in advance during a time required for activation or return from the power saving state by a user operation. Preferably it is.

  The image forming apparatus includes at least one of a copy function, a printer function, and a FAX function.

  According to the present invention, by displaying one or more of the operation guide, the jam rate, the remaining toner amount, and the remaining paper amount during the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state, the user is useful for waiting time. Get information. In other words, if the operation guide is displayed, it will be helpful for future operations, and if the jam rate is displayed, it will be a guideline for determining whether maintenance is required or a guide for avoiding the use of a cassette with a high jam rate. If is displayed, it will be a guideline for replacing the toner tank, and if the remaining amount of paper is displayed, it will be a guideline for replenishing the paper. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus that can effectively use the waiting time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the present invention can be applied to various image forming apparatuses. In the following description, the multifunction apparatus 1 (corresponding to an image forming apparatus) having a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and a scan function will be described as an example. To do. However, each element such as the configuration and arrangement described in the present embodiment does not limit the scope of the invention and is merely an illustrative example.

(Outline of image forming apparatus)
First, an outline of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment has a document conveying device 3a at the top, and the main body of the multifunction device 1 includes an operation panel 2, a document reading unit 3b, a sheet supply unit 4a, and a sheet conveyance. A path 4b, an image forming unit 5a, a fixing unit 5b, and the like are provided.

  The document transport device 3a automatically and continuously scans the documents loaded on the document loading tray 32 one by one by rotating the plurality of document transport roller pairs 31 during document copying. Transport toward the reading position. The document reading unit 3b reads a document and forms image data of the document. A contact glass 33 is provided on the upper surface of the document reading unit 3b, and an optical system member (not shown) such as an exposure lamp, a mirror, a lens, and an image sensor (for example, CCD) is provided in the document reading unit 3b. It is done.

  The optical system member is used to irradiate the original conveyed by the original conveying apparatus 3a or the original placed on the contact glass 33, and the output value of each pixel of the image sensor that receives the reflected light of the original. A / D conversion is performed to generate image data, and the multi function device 1 can perform printing based on the image data obtained by reading (copy function). The document conveying device 3a is provided with a fulcrum on the back side of the sheet of FIG. 1 and can be lifted. After placing the document on the contact glass 33, the document conveying device 3a presses the document.

  The sheet supply unit 4a stores a plurality of sheets (for example, various sheets such as copy sheets, plain sheets, recycled sheets, thick sheets, and OHP sheets) and sends them one by one to the sheet conveyance path 4b. The paper supply unit 4a includes a cassette 41 on which stored paper is placed, a paper feed roller 42 that is rotationally driven to feed the paper from the cassette 41 to the paper transport path 4b, and the like. For example, at the time of printing, the paper feed roller 42 is driven to rotate, and the sheets necessary for image formation are sent out one by one to the sheet conveyance path 4b.

  The paper transport path 4 b transports paper from the paper supply unit 4 a to the discharge tray 43. An image forming unit 5a, a fixing unit 5b, and the like are arranged on the paper conveyance path. In the paper transport path 4b, a guide 44 for guiding the paper, a pair of transport rollers 45 that are rotationally driven during paper transport, and the transported paper are put on standby in front of the image forming unit 5a, and toner A registration roller pair 46 and the like for feeding paper at the timing of image formation are provided.

  The image forming unit 5a forms a toner image based on the image data, and transfers the toner image to the conveyed paper. Therefore, the image forming unit 5a includes a photosensitive drum 51 supported so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1, a charging device 52, a laser scanning unit 53, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drum 51. A developing device 54, a transfer roller 55, a cleaning device 56, and the like are provided.

  The toner image formation and transfer process will be described. A photosensitive drum 51 that is provided substantially at the center of the image forming unit 5a and is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction is a charging device that is provided obliquely above and to the right of the photosensitive drum 51 in FIG. 52 is charged to a predetermined potential. The laser scanning unit 53 is provided on the right side of the charging device 52 in FIG. 1, and outputs laser light L based on image data, scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 51, and electrostatics corresponding to the image data. A latent image is formed. As the image data, image data obtained by the document reading unit 3b, image data transmitted from the user terminal 100 or the partner FAX apparatus 200 (see FIG. 2) connected via a network, or the like is used. In FIG. 1, a developing device 54 provided obliquely below and to the right of the photosensitive drum 51 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 51 and develops it. The transfer roller 55 provided on the left side of the photosensitive drum 51 is in pressure contact with the photosensitive drum 51 to form a nip. The sheet enters the nip while being timed according to the toner image. When the paper enters, a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 55, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 51 is transferred to the paper. The cleaning device 56 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 51 after the transfer.

  The fixing unit 5b fixes the toner image transferred to the paper. The fixing unit 5b in the present embodiment is mainly composed of a heating roller 57 and a pressure roller 58 that incorporate a heating element. The heating roller 57 and the pressure roller 58 are in pressure contact to form a nip. Then, as the sheet passes through the nip, the toner on the sheet surface is melted and heated, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet. The paper after toner fixing is received by the discharge tray 43. In this way, image formation (printing) is performed when the copy function and the printer function are used.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  A control unit 8 is provided in the multifunction device 1, and the control unit 8 controls the operation of the multifunction device 1, and includes, for example, a CPU 81, a storage unit 82, an image processing unit 83, and the like.

  The CPU 81 is a central processing unit, and controls each unit of the multifunction machine 1 based on a control program stored in the storage unit 82 and developed. In addition to the CPU 81, a display control CPU for the operation panel 2 may be provided in the operation panel 2 or the like. The image processing unit 83 performs various types of image processing on the image data to be printed and the image data transmitted to the user terminal 100 or the counterpart FAX apparatus 200.

  The storage unit 82 is configured by combining nonvolatile and volatile storage devices such as ROM, RAM, and HDD. The storage unit 82 can store various data such as a control program, control data, setting data, and image data of the multifunction machine 1. An operation guide for displaying a tutorial for each function is also stored. Further, the jam rate, the remaining toner amount, the remaining paper amount, and the like, which are the state of the image forming apparatus, can be stored as necessary.

  The control unit 8 is connected to each unit such as the operation panel 2, the document conveying device 3a, the document reading unit 3b, the sheet feeding unit 4a, the sheet conveying path 4b, the image forming unit 5a, and the fixing unit 5b through a signal line or the like. The operation of the multifunction device 1 is controlled.

  Further, the control unit 8 is connected to an I / F unit 84 (interface unit) including various connectors and sockets. The I / F unit 84 is connected to a plurality of user terminals 100 and a counterpart FAX apparatus 200 via a network, a public line, or the like, and transmits, for example, image data to the user terminal 100 or the counterpart FAX apparatus 200 (may be an Internet FAX). (Scanner function, FAX function). Also, printing can be performed based on image data from the user terminal 100 or the counterpart FAX apparatus 200 (printer function, FAX function). That is, the multifunction device 1 has a plurality of functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scan function, and a FAX function. The I / F unit 84 can be used to connect the server 300 and the multifunction device 1 in the network. For example, the data of each user can be stored in the server 300.

  FIG. 3 is an example of the operation panel 2 of the multifunction machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 2 provided on the upper front side of the multifunction machine 1 includes various keys for input such as a numeric keypad 21 and a start key 22. In addition, the operation panel 2 includes a liquid crystal display unit 23 that displays the operation state of the apparatus and various types of information, and that allows mode selection and the like to be performed using a touch panel.

  Next, an operation for providing useful information to the user during the time required for returning from the power-saving state when starting up will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first example of the multifunction machine 1 at the time of starting or returning from the power saving state.

  First, in step S10, it is determined whether or not it is a start-up or a return from a power saving state. The start instruction performed by the control unit 8 is made when the power is turned on, and the return instruction from the power saving state is made by operating any key of the operation panel 2 in the power saving state. The power saving state in the present embodiment refers to the operation panel 2, the document conveying device 3a, the document reading unit 3b, the sheet feeding unit 4a, the sheet conveying path 4b, the image forming unit 5a, the fixing unit 5b, the image processing unit 83, and the I / O. The energization to the F portion 84 is suppressed or cut off. In addition, it can be said that it is a power-saving state if energization to at least one configuration of the multifunction device 1 is suppressed or cut off.

  In step S10, when it is determined that it is the time of startup or the return from the power saving state, the process proceeds to step S11 and the user setting is read from the storage unit 82. The user setting is an item selected in advance by the user, and here is one or more of an operation guide, a jam rate, a remaining toner amount, and a remaining paper amount.

  Next, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12, and information corresponding to the read user setting is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 23. For example, when an operation guide is set in the user settings, a tutorial for any function is displayed. What function tutorials are displayed may be selected randomly or in a predetermined order.

  Examples of functions having tutorials include, in the copy function, a document image quality confirmation function (character, photo, text + photo), a copy density change function (manual adjustment, white motion density adjustment), a white motion paper selection function (etc.) (Zoom, zoom), white motion magnification selection function, same-size copy function, enlargement / reduction (zoom) copy function, fixed scaling function, independent vertical scaling function, eco-print function, margining function, center movement function , Frame erasing function, single-sided copy function, double-sided copy function (single side → double side, double side → double side, spread → double side), split copy function (double side → single side, double page → single side), booklet function, cover attachment function, OHP interleaf printing Function, paper selection function, original set orientation confirmation function, original size selection function (unified, mixed loading), sort function, sorting copy function, black and white inversion function, mirror image printing function, pagination function Image composition function, aggregation function (2in1, 4in1, etc.), write margin function, continuous reading batch printing function, trial copy function, recopy function, form management function (form registration), interrupt printing function, management function (number counting, etc.) ), A staple setting function and a punch setting function when a post-processing device (finisher) is mounted.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an aggregation function tutorial screen. In FIG. 5, a 2-in-1 tutorial, which is one of the aggregation functions, is displayed during startup. The liquid crystal display unit 23 has a message indicating that it is being activated, a figure and a sentence explaining the outline of 2 in 1, a touch key 24a for displaying the next operation guide, and a touch forcibly closing the operation guide. Key 24b is displayed.

  In addition, as a function having a tutorial, in the printer function, a connection setting function (parallel, serial, communication speed, IP address, etc.) of the MFP 1 and the user terminal 100 by the I / F unit 84, an emulation function, a used font setting function, Functions related to the printing environment (number of printed sheets, paper size, enlargement / reduction, printing area expansion, etc.), functions related to print quality (smoothing processing, eco-printing, resolution, etc.), functions related to paper (size, paper source, whether double-sided printing is possible) Etc.), a use setting function of a storage device such as a RAM, an HDD, a memory card, and the like mounted on the multifunction machine 1, a management function (number counting, etc.), and the like.

  In addition, the scan function includes a document size confirmation function, a transmission size selection function, a scanning resolution selection function, a document set orientation confirmation function, a storage file format selection function, and a scanning image quality function (scanning density and color mode selection). , Image data compression rate, picture quality of originals such as photos and characters), division function, frame erasing function, output function for each page, continuous reading function, file name input function, center movement function, transmission destination selection function, transmission destination registration Function, password function, e-mail transmission function, other party reception confirmation function, etc.

  In addition, as a function having a tutorial, in the FAX function, own station information registration function (FAX number, ID, etc.), direct transmission function, memory transmission function, rotation communication function (transmission, reception), batch transmission function, F-code communication function , Out-of-paper reception function, abbreviated number function, document density selection function, document size specification function, transmission destination selection function, transmission destination registration function, one-touch dial function (transmission, registration, change), redial function, duplex transmission function, expansion -Reduced transmission function, transmission reservation function, sequential broadcast communication function, interrupt transmission function, time designation communication function, polling communication function, relay transmission function, received image data transfer function, encryption communication function, management function (transmission restriction, Number of sheets, etc.), communication result notification function, paper size confirmation function, aggregation function (2-in-1 etc.), double-sided reception function, and the like.

  On the other hand, when the jam rate is set by the user setting, the latest jam rate is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 23. The jam rate can be calculated from the number of jams relative to the number of printed sheets and is stored in the storage unit 82. FIG. 6 is an example of a screen showing the jam rate. The jam rate of each cassette 41 since the previous maintenance is displayed. The jam rate of the first cassette is 1/5000, and the jam rate of the second cassette is 0/4000. In addition, there is a message indicating that it is being activated, a touch key 24a for displaying the next information (information according to a user-set item), and a touch key 24b for forcibly closing the jam rate display. It is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the toner remaining amount is set by the user setting, the current toner remaining amount is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 23. The remaining amount of toner can be obtained by detecting the amount of toner in the toner tank with a sensor such as an optical sensor or by estimating the amount of toner used (dot counting).

  On the other hand, when the remaining amount of paper is set by the user setting, the current remaining amount of paper is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 23. The remaining amount of paper can be estimated by using an optical sensor or detecting the lift amount of the paper.

  When a plurality of operation guides, jam rate, toner remaining amount, and paper remaining amount are set in the user settings, the set items may be displayed in order at predetermined times in step S12. For example, if the jam rate and the remaining amount of paper are set, and the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state is 30 seconds, the jam rate is displayed for 15 seconds, and then the remaining amount of paper is 15 It is only necessary to display seconds.

  Next, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, and it is determined whether the start-up or the return from the power saving state is completed. Usually, it is the fixing unit 5b that controls the start-up and return time. When it is confirmed in step S13 that the system has been started up or has returned from the power saving state, the process proceeds to step S14 and the screen displayed in step S12 is displayed as a normal use screen (such as a screen waiting for an image formation instruction). ).

  In this way, during the time required for recovery from the start-up or power-saving state, the user can display information useful for waiting time by displaying one or more of the operation guide, jam rate, toner remaining amount, and remaining paper amount. Can be obtained. In other words, if the operation guide is displayed, it will be helpful for future operations, and if the jam rate is displayed, it will be a guideline for determining whether maintenance is required or a guide for avoiding the use of a cassette with a high jam rate. If is displayed, it will be a guideline for replacing the toner tank, and if the remaining amount of paper is displayed, it will be a guideline for replenishing the paper. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 is a highly convenient image forming apparatus that can effectively use the waiting time.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second example of the multi-function device 1 at the time of starting or returning from the power saving state. Steps similar to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In step S10, when it is determined that it is at the time of start-up or return from the power saving state, the process proceeds to step S20 to determine whether or not the jam rate is increasing. Specifically, it may be determined that the jam rate is increased if the jam rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Here, the predetermined threshold value may be a value (for example, 1/1000) that is not required to be maintained immediately but is preferably maintained.

  If it is determined in step S20 that the jam rate has increased, the process proceeds to step S21 to display the jam rate. For example, what is necessary is just to display using a screen structure like FIG. Then, it progresses to step S14 through step S13.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the jam rate has not increased, that is, if the jam rate is less than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S14 via steps S11 to S13. That is, information (one or more of an operation guide, a jam rate, a remaining amount of toner, and a remaining amount of paper) set by the user at the time of activation or a waiting time for returning from the power saving state is displayed.

  In this way, when the jam rate is increasing, the user knows that the jam rate is high during the waiting time by displaying the jam rate during the time required to start up or return from the power saving state. Can be used as a guideline for determining whether maintenance is necessary. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 is a highly convenient image forming apparatus that can effectively use the waiting time.

  In step S20, it may be determined whether the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and in step 21, the remaining amount of toner may be displayed. Here, the predetermined amount is preferably an amount that cannot be lost immediately, for example, an amount that can be printed from several tens to several hundreds. As a display example, a message such as “Toner is very low” may be displayed. According to this, when the remaining amount of toner is reduced, the remaining amount of toner is reduced during the waiting time by displaying the remaining amount of toner during the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state. This can be used as a guideline for replacing the toner tank.

  In step S20, it may be determined whether the remaining amount of paper is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and in step 21, the remaining amount of paper may be displayed. Here, the predetermined amount is preferably several tens of sheets, for example. As a display example, a message such as “The remaining amount of paper in the first cassette is about 20 sheets” may be displayed. According to this, when the remaining amount of paper is reduced, the remaining amount of paper is reduced during the waiting time by displaying the remaining amount of paper during the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state. Can be used as a guide for replenishing paper.

  Note that the image forming apparatus of the present invention is intended to effectively use the waiting time at the time of start-up or return from the power saving state, and therefore it is desirable to have the power saving state. Even if the device does not have a device, it is always applicable when starting up.

  In the present invention, when the image forming apparatus determines that the return time from the power saving state is short (for example, 3 seconds), the above-described useful information may not be displayed. As a result, it is possible to prevent information from being displayed for a short time that cannot be read by the user. The return time can be estimated from the current temperature of the fixing unit.

  The present invention can be used for an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, and a multifunction machine having a display unit.

1 is a schematic front sectional view of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation panel of the multifunctional device of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the first example of the multifunction machine when starting up or returning from the power saving state according to the present invention. It is an example of the screen of the tutorial of the aggregation function of this invention. It is an example of the screen which showed the jam rate of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a second example of the multifunction machine when starting up or returning from a power saving state according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
8 Control part 23 Liquid crystal display part (display part)
82 storage unit

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus including a display unit and a control unit that controls the operation of the apparatus,
Displays one or more of the operation guide, jam rate, toner remaining amount, paper remaining amount during the time required for starting or returning from the power saving state ,
An image forming apparatus, wherein when the jam rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the jam rate is displayed during a time required for starting or returning from the power saving state . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the remaining amount of toner is displayed during a time required for starting or returning from the power saving state. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the remaining amount of paper is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the remaining amount of paper is displayed during a time required for starting or returning from the power saving state. The operation guide, the jam rate, the remaining toner amount, or the remaining paper amount is set in advance during a time required for starting or returning from the power saving state by a user operation. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has at least one of a copy function, a printer function, and a FAX function.

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