JP5170042B2 - Status monitor program and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for displaying status information of an image forming apparatus with a computer.

  Conventionally, a technique for notifying status information of, for example, an image forming apparatus that is connected to a computer and used has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). In Patent Literature 1, a state detection unit that detects state information of maintenance parts, a notification destination storage unit that registers and stores a notification destination of state information, and a state corresponding to the contents of the state information detected by the state detection unit A message storage unit for storing a notification message and a message corresponding to the state information detected by the state detection unit at a predetermined timing are read from the message storage unit at a predetermined timing and stored in the notification destination storage unit There has been proposed a state notification system including a message transmission unit that transmits and notifies a destination via a network.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a printing system in which a plurality of data processing devices for users, a data processing device for network administrators, and a printer device can communicate with each other via a network. For a print job transferred from the processing device to the printer device, a measuring unit for measuring a predetermined time after the job processing error is notified from the printer device to the requester of the print job, and a predetermined time elapsed by the measuring unit After the measurement, the first notification control means for notifying the data processing apparatus for the network manager of the job processing error and displaying the fact on the display unit, and after printing the job processing error by the first notification control means, printing A determination means for determining whether any of the data processing apparatuses excluding the job request source is logged in on the network; A second notification control means for notifying one of the data processing devices determined to be logged in as a job processing error to the data processing device for the user and displaying the fact on the display unit; A printing system has been proposed.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, setting means for setting display or non-display of a warning or error regarding a connected peripheral device, and display of a warning or error regarding the peripheral device connected by the setting means are not displayed. If it is set to, the judgment means that determines whether or not the same warning or error has occurred previously, and if the judgment means determines that the same warning or error has occurred previously, the warning or error display is displayed. An information processing apparatus having display means for performing has been proposed.

JP 2000-69216 A JP 2004-280214 A JP 2008-305142 A

Incidentally, the status monitor program for displaying the status information of the image forming apparatus on the computer is effective in that the status information of the image forming apparatus can be displayed to the administrator and the user of the image forming apparatus to be monitored. It is a program.

The present invention, the status information of the image forming apparatus, and an object thereof is to provide a suitably displayable status monitor program Contact and image forming system in a computer.

The status monitor program of the present invention made in view of the above problem is to display the acquired status information of the image forming apparatus in one case and not display it in the other cases .

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable status monitor program that acquires status information of an image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus and displays the status information. A setting unit that sets a notification level of information; a storage control unit that stores the notification level set by the setting unit in a setting storage unit; and a first acquisition unit that acquires the status information from the image forming apparatus; When the status information is acquired by the first acquisition unit, a first determination unit that determines the notification level stored in the setting storage unit, and the notification level is a second level by the first determination unit. If it is determined that there is, the type of the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is determined. And when the notification level is determined to be the first level by the first determination unit and the type of the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit by the second determination unit Is determined to be the first type, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is controlled to be displayed, and the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit by the second determination unit Is a status monitor program for functioning as display control means for controlling the status information acquired by the first acquisition means not to be displayed when it is determined that the type of the second type is the second type.

According to this, for the acquired status information, it is possible to control the display and non- display of the status information according to the notification level of the status information and the type of the status information.

The second problem solving means is a status monitor program of the first problem solving means, wherein the computer receives confirmation information related to confirmation of an event corresponding to the status information of the second type from the image forming apparatus. When the second acquisition means to acquire and the status information acquired by the first acquisition means by the second determination means is determined to be the second type, the second acquisition means acquires the Acquired by the first acquisition unit when the third determination unit determines the confirmation information and the third determination unit determines that the confirmation information is information indicating that the event has not been confirmed. has been controlled so as to display the status information, the confirmation information is confirmed of the event is determined to be the information indicating that made by the third determination means If, characterized in that to function as the display control means for controlling so as not to display the status information acquired by the first acquisition means. According to this, the display and non- display of the status information according to the confirmation information can be further controlled.

The third problem solving means includes an image forming apparatus and a computer that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus, obtains status information of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus, and displays the status information. an image forming system, the image forming apparatus, detection means for detecting an event occurring in the image forming apparatus, the computer, the status information corresponding to the event sensed by the sensing means Providing means for providing, wherein the computer sets a notification level of the status information, a storage control means for storing the notification level set by the setting means in a setting storage means, and the image A first acquisition unit configured to acquire the status information from a forming apparatus; and the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit. First determination means for determining the notification level stored in the setting storage means, and when the notification level is determined to be the second level by the first determination means, acquired by the first acquisition means Second determination means for determining the type of status information; when the notification level is determined to be the first level by the first determination means; and acquired by the first acquisition means by the second determination means When it is determined that the type of the status information is the first type, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is controlled to be displayed, and the first acquisition unit is controlled by the second determination unit. If it is determined that the status information type acquired in step 2 is the second type, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is not displayed. An image forming system comprising: a display control means for controlling the.
The fourth problem solving means is the image forming system of the third problem solving means, wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether an operation related to the event detected by the detection means has been performed. And a fourth judging means for judging the confirmation of the event after the occurrence of the event detected by the detecting means, and the providing means confirms the event by the fourth judging means. If it is determined that the event has not been confirmed, the computer provides the status information and information indicating that the event has not been confirmed as confirmation information related to the confirmation of the event corresponding to the status information. If it is determined by the fourth determination means that the event has been confirmed, the event has been confirmed as the status information and the confirmation information in the computer. And a second acquisition means for acquiring confirmation information related to confirmation of an event corresponding to the status information of the second type from the image forming apparatus, and the second determination. Means for determining the confirmation information acquired by the second acquisition means when it is determined that the type of the status information acquired by the first acquisition means is the second type by the means. The display control means, when the third determination means determines that the confirmation information is information indicating that the event has not been confirmed, the status acquired by the first acquisition means Information is controlled to be displayed, and when the third determination means determines that the confirmation information is information indicating that the event has been confirmed, the first acquisition And controlling not to display the acquired the status information in.

According to the present invention, the status information of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to obtain a suitably displayable status monitor program Contact and image forming system in a computer.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a status information notification level setting process. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a status monitor process. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the image forming apparatus side process of a 1st processing form. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the image forming apparatus side process of a 2nd processing form.

  Embodiments for carrying out the above problem solving means of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The above-mentioned problem solving means is not limited to the configuration described below, and various configurations can be adopted in the same technical idea. For example, in each configuration described below, a predetermined configuration can be omitted, and a predetermined processing step can be omitted in each processing.

(System configuration)
The image forming system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming system 100 includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “personal computer”) 200, an image forming apparatus 300, and other network apparatuses not depicted in FIG. 1, each of which is a LAN (Local Area Network). 500 is communicably connected. The personal computer 200 executes processing for transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus 300, processing for transmitting a scan command, and obtaining status information of the image forming apparatus 300 and displaying the status information. The image forming apparatus 300 receives print data transmitted from the personal computer 200, print processing for the print data, scan processing according to a scan command from the personal computer 200, and transmits (provides) status information of the apparatus itself to the personal computer 200. Execute the process.

  Next, the configuration of the personal computer 200 will be described. The personal computer 200 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 220, a RAM 230, and a storage unit 240. The personal computer 200 includes a display unit 250, an operation unit 260, a media drive 270, and a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) 280. The CPU 210 executes arithmetic processing and controls the personal computer 200. The ROM 220 stores various programs. The RAM 230 is used as a work area for arithmetic processing by the CPU 210.

The storage unit 240 is configured by a hard disk, for example. For example, an OS (Operating System) and various programs are installed (stored) in the storage unit 240. Examples of the various programs include various application software such as a status monitor program that displays status information of the image forming apparatus 300, a driver program that controls the image forming apparatus 300, and word processing software. Note that settings of various programs are stored in a database of the OS (for example, a registry is equivalent to Windows (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation).

  Various information is displayed on the display unit 250. The operation unit 260 includes a keyboard and a mouse. The media drive 270 is a device for reading various data stored in various storage media (for example, USB memory, CD-R, DVD-R). The network I / F 280 is a connection interface for connecting the personal computer 200 to the LAN 500.

  Various processes are executed by the CPU 210 executing programs stored in the ROM 220 and programs stored in the storage unit 240 on the RAM 230. As a result, various functional units are configured in the personal computer 200.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus 300 will be described. The image forming apparatus 300 includes a CPU 310, a ROM 320, and a RAM 330. The image forming apparatus 300 includes a printer unit 340, a scanner unit 350, a detection sensor 360, a display unit 370, an operation unit 380, and a network I / F 390. The CPU 310 executes arithmetic processing and controls the image forming apparatus 300. The ROM 320 stores various programs. The RAM 330 is used as a work area for arithmetic processing by the CPU 310.

  The printer unit 340 prints the received print data. The scanner unit 350 scans a recording medium set on a document placement table (not shown in FIG. 1). The detection sensor 360 is a sensor that detects an event that has occurred in the image forming apparatus. The detection sensor 360 detects, for example, the remaining amount of ink (in the case of an ink jet method) or toner (in the case of a laser method) generated in the printer unit 340, detects the remaining amount of paper, detects a paper jam, Detect information (data) on other consumables. In addition, the detection sensor 360 detects, for example, a lamp life generated in the scanner unit 350 and information (data) related to other consumables. The detection sensor 360 includes a plurality of sensors that detect each event.

  The display unit 370 displays various information. The operation unit 380 has a function as an input interface for a command from the user, and includes, for example, a numeric keyboard and a confirmation key. A network I / F 390 is a connection interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 300 to the LAN 500.

  Various processes are executed by the CPU 310 executing programs stored in the ROM 320 on the RAM 330. Accordingly, various functional units are configured in the image forming apparatus 300.

(Processing executed on the computer)
Hereinafter, status information notification level setting processing and status monitoring processing executed by the personal computer 200 will be described.

(Status information notification level setting process)
The status information notification level setting process will be described with reference to FIG. In the status information notification level setting process, when the user inputs the start of this process via the operation unit 260 in a state where the status monitor program is activated, the CPU 210 stores the status information in the status monitor program from the storage unit 240. A part for the notification level setting process is read out and executed on the RAM 230.

  CPU210 which started this process performs the display process which makes the display part 250 select a status information notification level (S100). Specifically, the CPU 210 displays a status information notification level setting screen on the display unit 250. On the setting screen, either the “manager” mode or the “user” mode can be selected as the status information notification level by a pull-down method or a radio button method. For example, the user operates the operation unit 260 and selects “manager” from the pull-down menu. In addition, the user operates the operation unit 260 to turn on the radio button for “user”.

  Next, the CPU 210 executes a process of determining whether “manager” is selected by a user operation via the operation unit 260 (S102). If “manager” is selected as a result of the determination (S102: Yes), the CPU 210 executes a process of storing the status information notification level as “manager” in the database under the management of the OS (S104). . On the other hand, when “user” is selected (S102: No), the CPU 210 executes a process of storing the status information notification level as “user” in the database (S106).

  After executing S104 or S106, the CPU 210 ends the status information notification level setting process. The status information notification level setting process may be executed when the status monitor program is installed in the storage unit 240, for example.

(Status monitor processing)
The status monitor process will be described with reference to FIG. This status monitor process is automatically started (started) when the OS 210 starts up and the CPU 210 reads the status monitor program from the storage unit 240 and executes it on the RAM 230. The automatically started status monitor program stays resident on the RAM 230 while the OS is started or until it is forcibly terminated, and the CPU 210 repeatedly executes the processing described below.

  CPU210 which started this process performs the process which acquires a notification level from a database (S200). Specifically, if “manager” is stored as the notification level in the database (see S104 in FIG. 2), the CPU 210 acquires “manager” from the database as the notification level. On the other hand, if “user” is stored as the notification level in the database (see S106 in FIG. 2), the CPU 210 acquires “user” as the notification level from the database.

Next, the CPU 210 controls the network I / F 280 to execute processing (polling) for inquiring status information to the image forming apparatus 300 (S202). Then, the CPU 210 determines whether status information has been received from the image forming apparatus 300 in response to the process for inquiring about status information in S202 (S204). As a result of the determination, when the status information cannot be received within a certain period of time (a preset timeout period) (S204: No), the CPU 210 shifts the process to S214. On the other hand, when the status information is received (S204: Yes), the CPU 210 determines whether the notification level acquired in S200 is “administrator” (S206) . As a result of the determination, when the notification level is not “administrator”, in other words, “user” (S206: No), the CPU 210 proceeds to S208, and the notification level is “administrator”. (S206: Yes), the process proceeds to S212.

  In S208, the CPU 210 determines whether the status information received according to S202 is critical (critical) status information (S208). Here, the critical status information is, for example, status information indicating that the printing process by the printer unit 340 cannot be continued, specifically, the occurrence of an event such as out of paper, out of ink or toner, or drum life. In other words, status information indicating that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% does not correspond to critical status information. In the case of the scanner unit 350, lamp life (lamp out) and the like correspond to critical status information.

  The CPU 210 performs the determination in S208 according to the critical flag related to the event corresponding to the status information, which is added to the status information (see S314 in FIG. 4 and S414 in FIG. 5). Specifically, when the critical flag is “TRUE” (see S304 in FIG. 4 and S404 in FIG. 5), the determination in S208 is affirmed (S208: Yes), and the critical flag is “FALSE” (S306, FIG. 4). In the case of S406 in FIG. 5, the determination in S208 is denied (S208: No). In response to the inquiry in S202, when receiving a plurality of status information, for example, status information indicating that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% and status information indicating that the paper has run out, the CPU 210 determines each status information. Whether the status information is critical is determined according to the critical flag.

  As a result of the determination in S208, the received status information is critical status information or includes critical status information (the critical flag is “TRUE”, or each critical flag added to a plurality of status information (S208: Yes), the CPU 210 moves the process to S212, but is not critical status information or does not include critical status information (the critical flag is “FALSE”). Or all of the critical flags added to the plurality of status information are “FALSE”.) (S208: No), the CPU 210 shifts the processing to S210. In S210, the CPU 210 determines whether or not the administrator confirmation flag relating to the confirmation of the event corresponding to the status information of the image forming apparatus 300 is “TRUE” (see S312 in FIG. 4 and S412 in FIG. 5).

  The administrator confirmation flag is added to the status information in the same manner as the critical flag (see S314 in FIG. 4 and S414 in FIG. 5). When the administrator confirmation flag added to the status information is “TRUE”, the CPU 210 affirms the determination of S210 (S210: Yes) and proceeds to S214, while the administrator confirmation flag is “FALSE”. If there is, the determination in S210 is denied (S210: No), and the process proceeds to S212. In response to the inquiry in S202, when receiving a plurality of status information, for example, status information that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% and status information that the paper is out, the CPU 210 receives a plurality of status information. The administrator confirmation flag added to each status information is determined. When all the administrator confirmation flags added to the plurality of status information are “TRUE”, the determination in S210 is affirmed (S210: Yes), and each administrator added to the plurality of status information. If any of the confirmation flags is “FALSE”, the determination in S210 is denied (S210: No).

  In S212, the CPU 210 displays the status information received in response to the inquiry in S202 on the display unit 250, and the process proceeds to S214. In S214, the CPU 210 waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S214: No). If the predetermined time has elapsed (S214: Yes), the CPU 210 returns the process to S202 and executes S202 again.

  Note that the process of S202 may be omitted when the image forming apparatus 300 executes the image forming apparatus side process of the second processing form described below in the image forming apparatus 300. That is, according to the image forming apparatus side processing of the second processing form, status information is automatically transmitted from the image forming apparatus 300, as will be described in detail later.

(Image forming device side processing)
Two processing forms of the image forming apparatus side processing executed by the image forming apparatus 300 will be described. This image forming apparatus side process is continuously executed while the image forming apparatus 300 is driven.

(First processing form)
The image forming apparatus side processing in the first processing form will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus side processing in the first processing form is performed by the CPU 310 reading a program for this processing stored in the ROM 320 and executing it on the RAM 330.

  CPU310 which started this process judges whether the inquiry information (refer S202 of FIG. 3) from the personal computer 200 was received (S300). If the inquiry information from the personal computer 200 is not received as a result of the determination (S300: No), the CPU 310 waits until the inquiry information is received. On the other hand, when the inquiry information is received (S300: Yes), the CPU 310 determines whether the status information corresponding to the event detected by the detection sensor 360 is critical status information (S302). When a plurality of events are detected by the detection sensor 360, the CPU 310 determines whether the status information corresponding to each event is critical status information. For example, when it is detected that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% and the paper has run out, the CPU 310 determines whether the status information indicating that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% is critical status information. It is determined whether the status information indicating that the paper is out is critical status information.

  As a result of the determination in S302, when the status information to be determined is critical status information (S302: Yes), the CPU 310 sets the critical flag of the status information to be determined to “TRUE” (S304), and the process is performed in S310. Migrate to If the status information to be determined is not critical status information (S302: No), the CPU 310 sets the critical flag of the status information to be determined to “FALSE” (S306), and the process proceeds to S308.

In step S <b> 308, the CPU 310 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of the event detected by the detection sensor 360, and the event is not confirmed by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 300 (the administrator has not been confirmed). ) The confirmation of the event is performed as follows, for example. That is, a specific part of the image forming apparatus 300 related to the event detected by the detection sensor 360 has been operated. Specifically, in the case of running out of paper, it is determined whether, for example, a paper tray has been pulled out. In the case of out of toner or the like, it is determined whether or not the cover of the ink or toner container is opened or a new ink or toner is set. In addition, when a “confirmed button” is installed on the operation unit 380 of the image forming apparatus 300 or the display unit 370 has a touch panel function, the “confirmed button” is displayed on the display unit 370 and whether or not it is pressed. It can also be judged by. Further, in the personal computer 200 set to the administrator level (see S206: Yes in FIG. 2), a “confirmed button” is displayed along with the display of status information (see S212 in FIG. 2). The determination may be made based on whether or not the information transmitted from the personal computer 200 has been received by pressing the “confirmed button”. Note that if it is detected in S308 that there are a plurality of events, for example, the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% and the paper has run out, the CPU 310 determines that a certain time has elapsed for each event. , It is determined that the administrator has not been confirmed.

As a result of the determination of S308, Ri you in a certain time period after the events of the determination target it has occurred, and confirmation of the events has not been performed (not an administrator confirmed) case (S308: Yes), CPU310, the processing The process proceeds to S310. In S310, the CPU 310 sets the administrator confirmation flag of the event corresponding to the status information to be determined in S304 or the event to be determined in S308 to “FALSE” (S310). On the other hand, as a result of the determination in S308, if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the occurrence of the event to be determined and / or the event has been confirmed (administrator confirmed) (S308: No), the CPU 310 The administrator confirmation flag of the event to be determined is set to “TRUE” (S312) . After executing S310 or S312, the CPU 310 moves the process to S314.

  In S314, the CPU 310 executes processing for adding the critical flag set in S304 or S306 and the administrator confirmation flag set in S310 or S312 to the status information corresponding to the event detected by the detection sensor 360. Then, a process of transmitting this to the personal computer 200 is executed (S316). After executing S316, the CPU 310 returns the process to S300.

(Second processing mode)
The image forming apparatus side processing of the second processing form will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the first processing mode, the image forming apparatus side processing of the second processing mode is performed by the CPU 310 reading a program for this processing stored in the ROM 320 and executing it on the RAM 330.

  The CPU 310 that has started this process determines whether the status information of the image forming apparatus 300 detected by the detection sensor 360 has been updated or whether the administrator has been confirmed (S400). Here, for example, when the detection sensor 360 newly detects that the remaining amount of ink or toner in the printer unit 340 is 20%, the determination in S400 is affirmed (S400: Yes). In addition, when the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% and the sheet runs out, the CPU 310 has not updated the status information about the remaining amount of ink or toner, but newly detects that the sheet has run out. As a result, the determination in S400 is affirmed (S400: Yes). Furthermore, when the event is confirmed by the method described in the first processing mode, the determination in S400 is affirmed that the administrator has been confirmed (S400: Yes).

  When the status information of the image forming apparatus 300 has not been updated and the administrator has not been confirmed as a result of the determination in S400 (S400: No), the CPU 310 updates the status information or the administrator Wait for confirmation. On the other hand, when the status information is updated or the administrator has been confirmed (S400: Yes), the CPU 310 determines whether the status information corresponding to the event detected by the detection sensor 360 is critical status information. Is determined (S402). When a plurality of events are detected by the detection sensor 360, the CPU 310 determines whether the status information corresponding to each event is critical status information. For example, when it is detected that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% and the paper has run out, the CPU 310 determines whether the status information indicating that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% is critical status information. It is determined whether the status information indicating that the paper is out is critical status information.

  As a result of the determination in S402, when the status information to be determined is critical status information (S402: Yes), the CPU 310 sets the critical flag of the status information to be determined to “TRUE” (S404), and the processing is performed in S410. Migrate to If the status information to be determined is not critical status information (S402: No), the CPU 310 sets the critical flag of the status information to be determined to “FALSE” (S406), and the process proceeds to S408.

  In step S <b> 408, the CPU 310 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of the event detected by the detection sensor 360, and the event has not been confirmed by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 300 (the administrator has not been confirmed). ) Since the confirmation of the event is performed by the method described in the first processing mode, details are omitted. Note that if it is detected in S308 that there are a plurality of events, for example, the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20% and the paper has run out, the CPU 310 determines that a certain time has elapsed for each event. , It is determined that the administrator has not been confirmed.

  As a result of the determination in S <b> 408, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the occurrence of the event to be determined and the event has not been confirmed (administrator has not been confirmed) (S <b> 408: Yes), the CPU 310 performs processing. The process proceeds to S410. In S410, the CPU 310 sets the administrator confirmation flag of the event corresponding to the status information to be determined in S404 or the event to be determined in S408 to “FALSE” (S410). On the other hand, as a result of the determination in S408, if a predetermined time has not elapsed since the occurrence of the event to be determined and / or the event has been confirmed (administrator confirmed) (S408: No), the CPU 310 The administrator confirmation flag of the event to be determined is set to “TRUE” (S412). After executing S410 or S412, the CPU 310 moves the process to S414.

  In S414, the CPU 310 executes processing for adding the critical flag set in S404 or S406 and the administrator confirmation flag set in S410 or S412 to the status information corresponding to the event detected by the detection sensor 360. Then, a process of transmitting this to the personal computer 200 is executed (S416). After executing S416, the CPU 310 returns the process to S400.

(Modification)
(1) In the above description, the configuration in which the image forming apparatus 300 includes the printer unit 340 and the scanner unit 350 has been described as an example. However, the image forming apparatus 300 may be an apparatus other than such a complex apparatus. For example, the image forming apparatus 300 may be a printing apparatus that includes the printer unit 340.

  (2) In the above status monitor process (see FIG. 3), a plurality of status information, for example, status information indicating that the remaining amount of ink or toner is 20%, and out of paper are determined in response to the process for inquiring status information in S202. When the status information is received, the CPU 210 determines whether the status information is critical status information (S208), and determines whether the administrator confirmation flag is “TRUE” (S210). If the critical status information is included (S208: Yes), or if any of the administrator confirmation flags is “FALSE” (S210: No), the CPU 210 performs a process for inquiring the status information in S202. The received status information is displayed on the display unit 250 (S212).

  In such a case, the CPU 210 determines only the status information that caused the determination in S208 to be affirmative (S208: Yes) or the status information that caused the determination in S210 to be negative (S210: No). It is possible to provide a status monitor program that controls to display on the display unit 250, in other words, such a control is executed. According to this, status information other than the status information that caused the determination of S208 to be denied (S208: Yes), or status information other than the status information that caused the determination of S210 to be denied (S210: No) The status information is not displayed on the display unit 250, and the status information of the image forming apparatus 300 can be suitably notified to a user who is not an administrator of the image forming apparatus 300.

  (3) In the image forming apparatus side processing (see FIG. 4) of the first processing form, the CPU 310 proceeds to S310 after executing S304, and proceeds to S308 after executing S306. After that, the process proceeds to S310 or S312. This processing can also be performed as follows. That is, the CPU 310 proceeds to S308 after executing S304 or S306. If the determination in S308 is affirmed (S308: Yes), the CPU 310 proceeds to S310. If the determination in S308 is negative (S308: No), the CPU 310 proceeds to S312.

  Further, S404 to S412 of the image forming apparatus side processing (see FIG. 5) of the second processing form can be set as a flow like the image forming apparatus side processing of the first processing form according to the modification (3). . That is, the CPU 310 proceeds to S408 after executing S404 or S406. If the determination in S408 is affirmed (S408: Yes), the CPU 310 proceeds to S410, and if the determination in S408 is negative (S408: No), the process proceeds to S412.

  (4) According to the image forming system 100 including the personal computer 200 that executes the status monitor process shown in FIG. 3 and the image forming apparatus 300 that executes the image forming apparatus side process of the first processing mode shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 300 determines that a certain time has elapsed since the occurrence of the event detected by the sensor 360 (see S308 in FIG. 4), and the CPU 210 of the personal computer 200 does not directly make a determination related thereto. The configuration. However, this determination may be made on the personal computer 200 side. In this case, in S308 of FIG. 4, it is determined that the fixed time has not elapsed and it is determined that the administrator has not been confirmed.

  In the status monitor process shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 210 executes a process (polling) for inquiring status information to the image forming apparatus 300 (see S202) at regular intervals (see S214: Yes). Status information is received (see S204). The CPU 210 manages the time when the status information is received, and when the received status information and the administrator confirmation flag added thereto are not changed (the same status information, the administrator confirmation flag continues to be “FALSE”). ), Based on this time, it is determined that a certain time has passed since the event detected by the detection sensor 360 occurred. If such a determination is made, the CPU 210 denies the determination in S210 of FIG. 3 (S210: No).

  In addition, if the CPU 310 adopts a configuration in which the update time of the status information is added in S314 of the image forming apparatus side processing in the first processing form shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 210 of the personal computer 200 uses the update time as described above. Based on the above, it is determined whether a certain time has elapsed. If such a determination is made, the CPU 210 denies the determination in S210 of FIG. 3 (S210: No).

  (5) Even in the image forming system 100 including the personal computer 200 that executes the status monitor process shown in FIG. 3 and the image forming apparatus 300 that executes the image forming apparatus side process of the second processing mode shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 300 determines that a certain time has elapsed since the occurrence of the event detected in 360 (see S408 in FIG. 5). However, in this case as well, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the personal computer 200 side makes the determination as in the modification (4). That is, in S408 of FIG. 4, it is determined that the fixed time has not elapsed and that the administrator has not been confirmed. Then, the CPU 210 of the personal computer 200 starts measuring the passage of time at the timing when the predetermined status information is received, and when the administrator confirmation flag “TRUE” is not received for the same status information within a certain time, It is determined that a certain time has elapsed since the event detected by the detection sensor 360 occurred. If such a determination is made, the CPU 210 denies the determination in S210 of FIG. 3 (S210: No).

  Further, if the CPU 310 adopts a configuration in which the status information update time is added in S414 of the image forming apparatus side processing in the second processing mode shown in FIG. Based on the above, it is determined whether a certain time has elapsed. If such a determination is made, the CPU 210 denies the determination in S210 of FIG. 3 (S210: No).

200 Personal computer (PC)
210 CPU
220 ROM
230 RAM
240 storage unit 280 network I / F
300 Image forming apparatus 310 CPU
320 ROM
330 RAM
340 Printer unit 350 Scanner unit 360 Detection sensor 380 Network I / F

Claims (4)

A computer-readable status monitor program that obtains status information of an image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus and displays the status information,
The computer,
Setting means for setting a notification level of the status information;
Storage control means for storing the notification level set by the setting means in a setting storage means;
First acquisition means for acquiring the status information from the image forming apparatus;
A first determination unit configured to determine the notification level stored in the setting storage unit when the status information is acquired by the first acquisition unit;
A second determination unit configured to determine the type of the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit when the first determination unit determines that the notification level is the second level;
When the notification level is determined to be the first level by the first determination unit, and the status information type acquired by the first acquisition unit by the second determination unit is the first type If it is determined, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is controlled to be displayed, and the status information type acquired by the first acquisition unit by the second determination unit is a second type. A status monitor program for functioning as display control means for controlling not to display the status information acquired by the first acquisition means when it is determined that there is. The computer,
Second acquisition means for acquiring confirmation information regarding confirmation of an event corresponding to the status information of the second type from the image forming apparatus;
Third determination for determining the confirmation information acquired by the second acquisition means when the second determination means determines that the type of the status information acquired by the first acquisition means is the second type Means,
Control is performed to display the status information acquired by the first acquisition means when the third determination means determines that the confirmation information is information indicating that the event has not been confirmed. When the third determination unit determines that the confirmation information is information indicating that the event has been confirmed, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is not displayed. The status monitor program according to claim 1, wherein the status monitor program functions as the display control means for controlling. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus; and a computer that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus, obtains status information of the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus, and displays the status information.
The image forming apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting an event occurring in the image forming apparatus;
The computer, and a providing means for providing the status information corresponding to the event sensed by the sensing means,
The computer
Setting means for setting a notification level of the status information;
Storage control means for storing the notification level set by the setting means in a setting storage means;
First acquisition means for acquiring the status information from the image forming apparatus;
A first determination unit configured to determine the notification level stored in the setting storage unit when the status information is acquired by the first acquisition unit;
A second determination unit configured to determine the type of the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit when the first determination unit determines that the notification level is the second level;
When the notification level is determined to be the first level by the first determination unit, and the status information type acquired by the first acquisition unit by the second determination unit is the first type If it is determined, the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit is controlled to be displayed, and the status information type acquired by the first acquisition unit by the second determination unit is a second type. An image forming system comprising: a display control unit that controls to not display the status information acquired by the first acquisition unit when it is determined to be present. The image forming apparatus confirms the event after the occurrence of the event detected by the detection unit according to whether or not an operation related to the event detected by the detection unit has been performed. Comprising a fourth determination means for determining
The providing means includes:
When it is determined by the fourth determination means that the event has not been confirmed, the confirmation of the event is sent to the computer as confirmation information regarding confirmation of the event corresponding to the status information and the status information. Providing information indicating that it has not been performed,
If it is determined by the fourth determination means that the event has been confirmed, the status information and information indicating that the event has been confirmed as the confirmation information to the computer, Provide
The computer
Second acquisition means for acquiring the confirmation information related to confirmation of an event corresponding to the status information of the second type from the image forming apparatus;
Third determination for determining the confirmation information acquired by the second acquisition means when the second determination means determines that the type of the status information acquired by the first acquisition means is the second type Means and
The status information acquired by the first acquisition unit when the display control unit determines that the confirmation information is information indicating that the event has not been confirmed by the third determination unit. The status acquired by the first acquisition unit when the third determination unit determines that the confirmation information is information indicating that the event has been confirmed. The image forming system according to claim 3 , wherein the image forming system is controlled not to display information.

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