JP5812923B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that executes various processes such as an image forming process or an image reading process, and more particularly to an error display method in the information processing apparatus.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus (an example of an information processing apparatus) such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multi-function machine that executes an image forming process (printing process) using a developer, when the toner remaining amount decreases. Is displayed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Therefore, the user can recognize that the remaining amount of toner has decreased due to the error display, and can perform replenishment of toner or replacement of the toner cassette as necessary.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 09-120208

However, it is also conceivable that the user does not notice the error display or ignores the error display and repeatedly uses the image forming apparatus. In this case, a problem arises due to the error that is occurring in the image forming apparatus being left for a long time. For example, if an error display indicating that the amount of remaining toner is low is left for a long period of time, a problem arises in that an image forming process with low image quality due to the lack of toner is executed, and paper is wasted.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus that can prevent an error occurrence state from being left for a long period of time. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus provided with error display control means for displaying an error on a display means. The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the error display control unit displays the error display size on the display unit each time a predetermined condition is satisfied until the error is resolved. It is configured to be enlarged.
According to the present invention, the display size of the error is gradually enlarged every time the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the error notification to the user is gradually emphasized. Can be prevented.

Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, that a predetermined process is executed a predetermined number of times in the information processing apparatus. Specifically, it is conceivable that the information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process, and the predetermined process includes the image forming process. As a result, it is determined that a user is not aware of the error display or ignores the error display by executing a predetermined process such as the image forming process, and the error occurrence state Can be prevented from continuing for a long time. More specifically, when the error is that the remaining amount of developer (toner or the like) used in the image forming process is low, the error is left for a long time and is caused by a shortage of developer. It is possible to prevent an image forming process with low image quality from being executed, and to prevent waste of paper.
By the way, it is conceivable that the information processing apparatus includes an authentication unit that executes a user login process at the start of use of the information processing apparatus. In this case, the error display control means may determine the number of times the predetermined condition is satisfied for each user, and cause the display means to display the error with the display size corresponding to each user. It is done. Thereby, since the display size of the error is changed for each user, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable by unnecessarily expanding the error display.

Further, as a method for enlarging the display size by the error display control means, it is conceivable to increase the error display size by a predetermined amount every time the predetermined condition is satisfied.
Furthermore, the information processing apparatus may include a storage unit that stores display size information related to a display size that is determined to be larger as the number of times of satisfaction is larger corresponding to the number of times of satisfaction of the predetermined condition. . In this case, it is conceivable that the error display control means expands the error display size according to the number of times the predetermined condition is satisfied and the display size information each time the predetermined condition is satisfied.
With these enlargement methods, the display size of the error can be gradually enlarged each time the predetermined condition is satisfied.

  According to the present invention, since the error notification to the user is gradually emphasized, it is possible to prevent the error occurrence state from being left for a long period of time.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine X according to an embodiment of the present invention. The principal part enlarged view of the operation display part 6 of the multifunctional machine X which concerns on the Example of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure of error display control processing executed by the multifunction machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating an example of the execution result of the error display control process performed with the multifunctional machine X which concerns on the Example of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure of error display control processing executed in the multifunction machine X according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not.

  First, a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine X (an example of an information processing apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. 1A is a schematic front sectional view of the multifunction machine X, and FIG. 1B is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the operation display unit 6 of the multifunction machine X.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine X includes an image reading unit 1, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feed cassette 4, a control unit 5, an operation display unit 6, and the like. An image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, the multifunction machine X is described as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a personal computer, a television receiver, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA, and other home appliances also correspond to the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  The control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an EEPROM. The control unit 5 performs overall control of the multifunction machine X by executing a predetermined control program stored in the ROM by the CPU. For example, the control unit 5 displays an error on the operation display unit 6 by executing an error display control process (see FIG. 3) described later in accordance with an error display control program stored in the ROM. The RAM is a volatile storage unit, and the EEPROM is a non-volatile storage unit, and is used as a temporary storage memory for various processes executed by the CPU. The control unit 5 may be configured by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC).

The image reading unit 1 is an image reading unit that executes an image reading process for reading image data from a document, and as shown in FIG. 1A, a contact glass 11, a reading unit 12, mirrors 13 and 14, and an optical device. A lens 15 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 16 are provided.
The contact glass 11 is provided on the upper surface of the image reading unit 1 and is a transparent document table on which a document P to be read by the multifunction machine X is placed.
The reading unit 12 includes an LED light source 121 and a mirror 122, and is configured to be movable in the left-right direction (sub-scanning direction) in FIG. 1A by a moving mechanism (not shown) using a driving motor such as a stepping motor. Has been. When the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the drive motor, the light irradiated on the contact glass 11 from the LED light source 121 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction.
The LED light source 121 includes a large number of white LEDs arranged along the depth direction (main scanning direction) in FIG. 1A, and a document P at a reading position 12A on the contact glass 11 or a later-described LED. A line of white light is emitted toward the document holder 23. Note that the reading position 12A moves in the sub-scanning direction as the reading unit 12 moves in the sub-scanning direction.
The mirror 122 reflects reflected light toward the mirror 13 when light is emitted from the LED light source 121 to the original P at the reading position 12A or the original press 23 described later. The light reflected by the mirror 122 is guided to the optical lens 15 by the mirrors 13 and 14. The optical lens 15 collects incident light and makes it incident on the CCD 16.
The CCD 16 is a photoelectric conversion element that converts received light into an electrical signal (voltage) corresponding to the amount of light and outputs it as image data. Specifically, the CCD 16 reads the image data of the document P based on the light reflected from the document P when light is emitted from the LED light source 121. Image data read by the CCD 16 is input to the control unit 5.

The ADF 2 includes a document setting unit 21, a plurality of conveyance rollers 22, a document pressing unit 23, a paper discharge unit 24, and the like. The ADF 2 drives each of the transport rollers 22 by a motor (not shown), thereby allowing the document P set on the document setting unit 21 to pass through the reading position 12A on the contact glass 11 and the sheet discharge unit 24. Transport to.
The document presser 23 is provided at a position above the reading position 12A on the contact glass 11 at an interval through which the document P can pass. The document retainer 23 is long in the main scanning direction, and a white sheet is attached to the lower surface (the surface on the contact glass 11 side). In the multifunction machine X, the image data of the white sheet is read as white reference data. The white reference data is used for known shading correction and the like.

The image forming unit 3 performs an image forming process (printing process) based on image data read by the image reading unit 1 or image data input from an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer. This is an image forming unit of the type.
Specifically, the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging device 32, a developing device 33, a toner container 34, a transfer roller 35, a static eliminating device 36, a fixing roller 37, a pressure roller 38, and the like. The image forming unit 3 forms an image on the paper supplied from the paper feed cassette 4 in the following procedure.
First, the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 32. Next, light based on image data is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 by a laser scanner unit (LSU) (not shown). As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed (visualized) as a toner image by the developing device 33. The developing device 33 is supplied with toner (developer) from the toner container 34. Subsequently, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto a sheet by the transfer roller 35. Thereafter, the toner image transferred to the paper is heated and fused by the fixing roller 37 when the paper passes between the fixing roller 37 and the pressure roller 38 and is discharged. The potential of the photosensitive drum 31 is neutralized by the neutralization device 36.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display unit 6 includes a liquid crystal display 61 (an example of a display unit) that displays various types of information in accordance with control instructions from the control unit 5, and various operations on the control unit 5 by a user. An operation button 62 for inputting data is provided. The liquid crystal display 61 is provided with a touch panel that detects operations of various touch keys displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 and inputs operation signals corresponding to the touch keys to the control unit 5.

[Error display control processing]
Hereinafter, the error display control process executed by the control unit 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, S1, S2,... Represent processing procedure (step) numbers. Here, the control unit 5 when displaying an error on the liquid crystal display 61 by executing the error display control process corresponds to an error display control means. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen for explaining an example of the execution result of the error display control process, and will be referred to as needed in the following description.

(Step S1)
First, in step S1, the control unit 5 determines whether or not an error has occurred in the multifunction device X. And if the said control part 5 judges that the said error has generate | occur | produced (Yes side of S1), it will transfer a process to step S2, and if it judges that the said error has not generate | occur | produced (No side of S2), The process proceeds to step S11. That is, when the error that has occurred is resolved (No in S2), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S11.
Here, the errors include, for example, “low toner amount”, “paper jam (JAM)”, “saturation (replacement) of toner waste box”, “disconnection of communication network”, “photoconductor” It includes warnings that require some action by the user, such as “drum replacement time”. Since the error detection method and the like may be the same as those in the past, the description thereof is omitted here.

(Step S2)
In step S <b> 2, the control unit 5 causes the liquid crystal display 61 of the operation display unit 6 to display the content of the error currently occurring in the multifunction device X. Specifically, the control unit 5 generates drawing data for displaying the error at a predetermined position on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61 and inputs the drawing data to the liquid crystal display 61. To display the error.
At this time, before the error display size is enlarged in step S4, which will be described later, or after the error display size is reset in step S7, which will be described later, the control unit 5 uses the preset initial size. An error is displayed on the liquid crystal display 61. On the other hand, after the error display size is enlarged in step S4, which will be described later, until the error display size is reset in step S7, which will be described later, the control unit 5 uses the display size after the enlargement in step S4. The error is displayed on the liquid crystal display 61.
FIG. 4A shows a state where the error is displayed at the initial size in the step S2. On the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61 shown in FIG. 4 (A), the text “Toner level is low” is displayed as the error content in the error display area 63 at the lower end of the display screen. ing. If a plurality of errors have occurred, the errors are displayed alternately in the error display area 63.

(Step S3)
Next, in step S3, the control unit 5 determines whether a preset enlargement condition (corresponding to a predetermined condition) is satisfied. And if the said control part 5 judges that the said expansion conditions were satisfied (Yes side of S3), it will transfer a process to step S4, and if it judges that the said expansion conditions are not satisfied (No side of S3), The process returns to step S1.
Here, the enlargement condition is a condition for determining that the user has not noticed the error display or has ignored the error display. For example, the enlargement condition is that the image processing (corresponding to a predetermined process) based on the functions of the MFP X such as the image forming process and the image reading process is performed once in the MFP X (a preset number of times). An example) is executed. The image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile machine that executes the image forming process executes the image forming process, and the image reading apparatus such as a scanner that executes the image reading process executes the image reading process. What is necessary is just to judge as conditions.
More specifically, in step S3, the control unit 5 operates a start key provided on the touch panel of the liquid crystal display 61 or the operation button 62, that is, starts various jobs in the multifunction device X. It is determined that the enlargement condition is satisfied when a user operation is performed.
The enlargement condition may be that a predetermined process such as the image forming process and the image reading process is executed a plurality of times (an example of a preset number of times). For example, it is conceivable that the control unit 5 determines that the enlargement condition is satisfied every time the image forming process is executed 10 times, and executes step S4 described later. Further, the expansion condition may be that a predetermined period (several minutes, hours, days, etc.) has passed.

(Step S4)
In step S4, the control unit 5 executes a process for enlarging the display size of the error displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 in the step S2 by a predetermined amount.
Specifically, the control unit 5 generates drawing data for displaying the error contents by enlarging the error display area 63 and the character size on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61. Then, the control unit 5 inputs the drawing data to the liquid crystal display 61 to enlarge the display size of the error displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 from the current level. The error display area 63 is enlarged in the step S4, for example, by limiting the screen size of the liquid crystal display 61 or a predetermined limit range.

Here, the degree of enlargement in step S4 may be any preset value. Specifically, each time the enlargement condition is satisfied, the control unit 5 may enlarge the vertical and horizontal sizes of the error display area 63 by a predetermined amount and increase the character size by a predetermined point. . The control unit 5 may enlarge the error display size to a display size obtained by multiplying the initial size or the current display size by an arbitrary magnification each time the enlargement condition is satisfied.
Furthermore, it is conceivable that display size information relating to a display size that is determined so as to increase as the number of fulfillment times increases is stored in the ROM or the EEPROM in correspondence with the number of fulfillment times of the enlargement condition. In this case, each time the enlargement condition is satisfied, the control unit 5 enlarges the display size of the error according to the number of fulfillment of the enlargement condition and the display size information. The display size information in the display size information is determined by a relative magnification with respect to the initial size or an absolute value.

FIG. 4B shows a state in which the error is displayed with a display size after the enlargement condition is satisfied once and enlarged in step S4. In the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61 shown in FIG. 4B, the error display area 63 and the character size are enlarged compared to the initial size (see FIG. 4A). Specifically, in the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61 shown in FIG. 4B, the error display area 63 is doubled in the vertical direction compared to the initial size, and the character size is doubled. It has been expanded.
Further, FIG. 4C shows a state in which the error is displayed with a display size after being magnified 10 times in the step S4. In the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61 shown in FIG. 4C, the error display area 63 and the character size are further enlarged as compared with the display screen shown in FIG. Specifically, in the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61 shown in FIG. 4C, the error display area 63 is enlarged 10 times in the vertical direction and the character size is 4 times that of the initial size. It has been expanded. Of course, it is conceivable to enlarge the size of the error display area 63 in the horizontal direction.

(Step S11)
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that no error has occurred (No in S1), the control unit 5 hides the error display on the liquid crystal display 61 in the subsequent step S11. That is, when all the errors in the multi-function device X are resolved after the error is displayed in the step S2 (No side of S1), the control unit 5 displays the error on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61. Erase.

(Step S12)
In step S12, the control unit 5 resets the error display size on the liquid crystal display 61 to return to the initial size, and shifts the process to step S1. Specifically, the control unit 5 erases the display size after the enlargement in step S4 from the EEPROM or the like. That is, the enlargement of the error display size in step S4 by the control unit 5 is repeatedly executed until the error is eliminated, and is reset when the error is eliminated.

As described above, in the multifunction machine X, the display of the error on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61 is enlarged each time the enlargement condition is satisfied until the error is eliminated, The error is gradually emphasized and the user is notified. Accordingly, the user can recognize the error displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 and prompt the user to take a measure for eliminating the error. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the error occurrence state from being left for a long time. For example, when the error is that the remaining amount of toner (developer) used in the image forming process is low, the error is left for a long period of time and the image forming process with low image quality due to the lack of toner is performed. Is prevented, and the waste of paper is prevented.
In particular, when the error occurrence state is left for a long period of time and the display size is repeatedly enlarged in step S4, the error display area 63 of the liquid crystal display 61 causes the liquid crystal display 61 to be displayed as shown in FIG. The display content is covered. In such a state, the user cannot confirm all the display contents of the liquid crystal display 61 and cannot operate some touch keys displayed on the liquid crystal display 61. Therefore, the user is forced to eliminate the error in order to use the multifunction device X, and the multifunction device X can more reliably prevent the error occurrence state from being left for a long period of time.
However, the control unit 5 temporarily hides the error displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 or temporarily reduces the display size of the error in response to a user operation of the operation display unit 6. A configuration is also conceivable as another embodiment. Accordingly, even if the display size of the error is increased and the display content of the liquid crystal display 61 is covered by the display of the error, it is possible to temporarily display the necessary information by avoiding the display of the error. It becomes.

(Other embodiments)
Further, it is conceivable that the control unit 5 has a user authentication function for executing a user login process when the use of the multifunction device X is started and executing a user logout process when the use of the multifunction device X is ended. Here, the control unit 5 when realizing the user authentication function corresponds to an authentication unit. The user authentication function is not described here because various conventional methods such as input of a user ID, a password, or reading of a user ID card may be employed. The control unit 5 executes logout processing on condition that a logout operation by a user or a predetermined time elapses, for example.
In the multi-function device X having such a user authentication function, the control unit 5 determines the number of times that the enlargement condition is satisfied for each user who uses the multi-function device X, and the display size corresponding to each user. It is conceivable to display an error on the liquid crystal panel 61. Note that the display size information corresponding to each user of the multifunction device X is stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 5, and the initial value is the initial size. Hereinafter, another example of the error display control process executed by the control unit 5 to implement the function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S21)
First, in step S21, the control unit 5 determines whether or not an error has occurred in the multi-function device X, as in step S1. And if the said control part 5 judges that the said error has generate | occur | produced (Yes side of S21), it will transfer a process to step S22, and if it judges that the said error has not generate | occur | produced (No side of S22), The process proceeds to step S211.

(Step S22)
Next, in step S22, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the user is logging in. Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the user is not logged in (No side of S22), the control unit 5 shifts the processing to step S221, and converts the content of the error currently occurring in the multifunction device X to the initial size. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 61. Thereafter, the control unit 5 returns the process to step S21. Note that when the user is not logged in, the error display control process shown in FIG. 3 may be executed to gradually increase the error display size as another embodiment.
On the other hand, if the said control part 5 judges that the user is logging in (Yes side of S22), it will transfer a process to step S23.

(Step S23)
In step S23, the control unit 5 reads a display size corresponding to the currently logged-in user from the EEPROM, and causes the liquid crystal display 61 to display the error with the display size. Note that when the first error occurs in the multifunction device X, the display size corresponding to each user stored in the EEPROM is the initial size. On the other hand, the display size corresponding to each user stored in the EEPROM is updated in step S26 described later, and reset to the initial size in step S212 described later.

(Step S24)
Next, in step S24, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the enlargement condition is satisfied, as in step S3. And if the said control part 5 judges that the said expansion conditions were satisfied (Yes side of S24), it will transfer a process to step S25, and if it judges that the said expansion conditions are not satisfied (No side of S24), The process returns to step S21.

(Step S25)
In step S25, the controller 5 executes a process for enlarging the display size of the error displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 by a predetermined amount, as in step S4.

(Step S26)
In step S26, the control unit 5 updates the information in the EEPROM with the display size of the error after being enlarged in step S25 as the display size corresponding to the currently logged-in user.
Thereby, in the multi-function device X, until all errors are resolved (No side of S21), the step S25 is repeatedly executed every time the enlargement condition is satisfied for the currently logged-in user. An error is displayed with a gradually enlarged display size. Note that the information stored in the EEPROM is not limited to the display size but may be the number of times the enlargement condition corresponding to each user is satisfied. In this case, the control unit 5 can display the error with a display size corresponding to the number of fullnesses with reference to the number of fullnesses stored in the EEPROM.

(Step S211)
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S21 that no error has occurred (No in S21), the control unit 5 hides the error display on the liquid crystal display 61 in the subsequent step S211. That is, after the error is displayed in the step S221 or the step S23, when all the errors in the multifunction device X are eliminated (No side in S21), the control unit 5 displays the display screen of the liquid crystal display 61. Clear the error display above.

(Step S212)
In step S212, the control unit 5 resets the display size corresponding to each user stored in the EEPROM to return to the initial size, and shifts the processing to step S21. That is, the enlargement of the error display size in step S25 by the control unit 5 is repeatedly executed until the error is eliminated, and is reset when the error is eliminated.

As described above, according to the error display control process shown in FIG. 5, the display size of the error is changed for each user, so the error display is unnecessarily enlarged and the user feels uncomfortable. Is prevented. For example, although the error is enlarged and displayed for a user who has used the multi-function device X many times after the error has occurred, the user who uses the multi-function device X for the first time after the occurrence of the error On the other hand, the error is not enlarged and displayed.
When the user authentication function is installed in the multi-function device X, the enlargement condition may include execution of one or both of a login process and a logout process by the user authentication function. Thereby, using the number of executions of one or both of the login process and the logout process as an index, it is possible to grasp the number of times each user overlooked or ignored the error, and display according to the number of times An error can be displayed by size.

1: Image reading unit 2: ADF
3: Image forming unit 4: Paper feeding cassette 5: Control unit 6: Operation display unit 61: Liquid crystal display 62: Operation button 63: Error display area S1, S2,...: Processing procedure (step) numbers S21, S22, ...: Processing procedure (step) number X: Multifunction machine

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus that includes an error display control unit that displays an error on a display unit and executes an image forming process,
An authentication unit that executes user login processing at the start of use of the image forming apparatus and executes logout processing of the user at the end of use of the image forming apparatus;
Until the error is resolved after the error display control means displays the error in the area of the initial size for displaying the error existing at the end of the screen of the display means from before the error is displayed. Each time the setting condition that the image forming process has been executed a predetermined number of times is satisfied, the display size of the error on the display means is enlarged by a predetermined amount, thereby the initial value on the screen of the display means Expand the error display area to a size that covers the display content displayed outside the size area ,
The setting condition further includes a condition for executing one or both of the login process and the logout process by the authentication unit,
The error display control means determines the number of times the setting condition is satisfied for each user, and further performs the error with the display size corresponding to the number of executions of one or both of the login process and the logout process for each user. Is displayed on the display means .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error display control unit temporarily hides the error or temporarily reduces a display size of the error according to an operation on an operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error is that a remaining amount of developer used in the image forming process is reduced .