JP6281390B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming control method, and image forming control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming control method, and an image forming control apparatus, and in particular, a display screen controlled by an apparatus control firmware and a customizable display screen that can be customized by being controlled by a process. The present invention relates to a technique for performing appropriate control in various states during maintenance or the like.

  In the image forming apparatus, various operations are controlled by a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). And this control part controls each part which comprises an image forming apparatus according to the control program of an image forming apparatus based on the installed operating system (Operating System) or apparatus control firmware (Firmware) etc., The image forming apparatus is comprehensively controlled by performing various arithmetic processes.

Here, various display screens displayed on an operation display unit such as an operation panel of the image forming apparatus are managed by apparatus control firmware.
On the other hand, the content described in a markup language such as HTML can be drawn and displayed by operating the web browser as a process separate from the device control firmware on the operating system. Thus, the display screen displayed by the web browser can be arbitrarily customized by the user or the like, and can be called a customizable display screen.

Hereinafter, a display screen prepared and managed by the device control firmware is referred to as a “default display screen” in order to distinguish it from a customizable display screen.
That is, in the image forming apparatus, in addition to the existing default display screen created in advance by the device control firmware, a customizable display screen can be displayed on the display unit.

  As such a customizable display screen, in addition to the main purpose of displaying characters and images, such as a help screen (maintenance work procedure display screen) in maintenance work, etc., buttons and icons on the operation unit are displayed. It is possible to send a predetermined command in conjunction with the press, acquire the status of the apparatus and display it on the screen.

Note that the maintenance of the image forming apparatus includes a replacement operation of a unit or the like in which a current flows while a high voltage is applied.
In this case, the unit that is not included in the maintenance procedure or that is not in danger of electric shock (operation panel, control board, etc.) is turned on while the unit is included in the maintenance procedure and may cause an electric shock (fixing). Or the photosensitive member only) may be turned off. Then, after completion of the replacement of the unit to be maintained, a mode in which the replacement operation is performed while switching the power supply to a specific image forming apparatus process unit in the image forming apparatus, such as turning on the power to the unit and returning it to the normal state (hereinafter referred to as the power supply) Maintenance mode) is available.

However, when performing maintenance, it is necessary to go back and forth between deep setting screens in order to make settings while looking at the manual, and the procedure is complicated.
Therefore, it has been proposed to use a customizable display screen as a display screen that can be customized by the user, in addition to the normal default display screen.

  In other words, in order to solve this problem, UI data for a customizable display screen that guides maintenance procedures and the like of an image forming apparatus that can be arbitrarily created is read from an external storage device and customized on the display unit of the image forming apparatus to be maintained. In addition to being displayed as a possible display screen, the image forming apparatus is provided with a function (hereinafter referred to as “custom UI”) that enables an arbitrary screen to be displayed or a power source to be controlled in accordance with an instruction of UI data.

  The default display screen is managed by the device control firmware, whereas the customizable display screen is managed by a web browser or the like that is a separate process from the device control firmware, and the management method is completely different. It is different.

  In addition to the normal default display screen managed by the device control firmware, various proposals have been made in the following patent documents for attempts to display a customizable display screen.

JP 2009-123009

  In the above patent documents, in order to realize a system capable of realizing a user interface of each user's favorite user in a plurality of image forming apparatuses, screen customization information is provided when screen customization is performed and old and new image forming apparatuses are mixed. If there is a specification that cannot be used by the own device, the specification is deleted from the customization information so that only the available specification is automatically extracted and a custom screen is generated.

  By the way, the chart output at the time of maintenance of the image forming apparatus and it is normally used after maintenance, so the power status of the equipment must be in the normal state (all units are powered on) at the start and end of the maintenance work. There is.

  In the conventional maintenance mode, the screen can be changed only in the order determined on the image forming apparatus side, and the control to turn on the power to all units at the start and end of maintenance work is included. It is guaranteed that the situation is normal.

  However, since a custom UI managed by the user can give an arbitrary screen display instruction and power supply control instruction to the image forming apparatus, it is possible to transition to the screen at the start / end of maintenance work even when the power supply state is not normal. End up.

  Also, with the custom UI function, if the subsequent procedure cannot be displayed due to data corruption or removal of an external storage device after turning off the power of a specific unit, the unit turned off is turned on. There is a problem that cannot be returned to.

Also, if the UI data creator who provides guidance forgets to put the procedure for turning on the power of a specific unit, the power of the specific unit cannot be returned to the ON state.
In the case described above, there are problems such as chart output necessary for maintenance and normal use after maintenance. In the above-mentioned patent documents, no consideration is given to such a power supply problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and prevents work in an illegal power supply state in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, and outputs a chart during maintenance or normal after maintenance. An object is to realize an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming control method, and an image forming control apparatus that do not adversely affect use.

That is, one aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problems is as follows.
(1) An image forming unit that forms an image, a display unit that displays a display screen for displaying a status related to image formation and a display for receiving instructions, a power source unit that supplies power to each unit in the image forming apparatus, An image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming control method, and an image forming control apparatus, each including an image forming unit, an image forming unit, a control unit that controls display of the display unit and power supply by the power unit. The control unit includes a first display function for displaying a default display screen prepared in advance for a status display relating to image formation and a display for receiving instructions as a display function for displaying a display screen on the display unit, and a normal display A second display function for displaying a customizable display screen that can be arbitrarily changed for status display related to operations other than image formation and display for instruction reception. When a change in state occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus while the display screen is displayed on the display unit, the power supply status by the power supply unit for each part is confirmed, and The power supply status is controlled to a predetermined status.

  (2) In the above (1), when the control unit displays the customizable display screen on the display unit by the second display function, the control unit is connected to the image forming apparatus so as to be insertable / removable. When the detachment occurs as the state change, the power-off portion is controlled to be turned on.

(3) In the above (2), the element is a storage unit or a communication unit that transmits data for realizing the customizable display screen to the control unit.
(4) In the above (1) to (3), the control unit generates an instruction to start or end an operation other than normal image formation as the state change via the customizable display screen. In such a case, the power-off portion of the image forming apparatus is controlled to be turned on.

  (5) In the above (4), the control unit turns on the power-off portion in the image forming apparatus when an instruction to end the operation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen. Then, the customizable display screen is controlled to end.

  (6) In the above (1), when the instruction to start an operation other than normal image formation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the control unit A state change occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus when the power supply status of the part is detected and held and the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function. In such a case, control is performed to return to the power supply status held for each part.

  (7) In the above (6), the control unit removes a storage unit or a communication unit that transmits data for realizing the customizable display screen to the control unit, or via the customizable display screen. Control is made to return to the power supply status held for each of the parts, assuming that one of the operation end instructions is the state change.

  (8) In the above (1) to (7), the control unit controls the default display screen by a device control firmware and a web that controls the customizable display screen by a process different from the device control firmware. A display screen application.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present invention, as a display function for displaying a display screen on the display unit, a first display function for displaying a default display screen prepared in advance for a status display relating to image formation and a display for receiving an instruction, And a second display function for displaying a customizable display screen that can be arbitrarily changed for status display related to operations other than image formation and display for instruction reception, and a display unit that can be customized by the second display function When a state change occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus during the display, the power supply status by the power supply unit for each part is confirmed, and the power supply status is controlled to a predetermined situation. . As a result, in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and the chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance are not adversely affected.

  (2) In (1) above, when the control unit displays the customizable display screen on the display unit by the second display function, the state of the removal of the element connected to the image forming apparatus so as to be insertable / removable changes. If this occurs, the power-off part is controlled to be turned on. That is, when the control such as maintenance work is finished, the power source is returned to the normal state. As a result, in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and the chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance are not adversely affected.

  (3) In (2) above, the element is a storage unit or a communication unit that transmits data for realizing a customizable display screen to the control unit. That is, when the customizable display screen cannot be displayed and the control such as maintenance work is finished, the power supply is returned to the normal state. As a result, in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and the chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance are not adversely affected.

  (4) In the above (1) to (3), when an instruction to start or end an operation other than normal image formation is generated as a state change via the customizable display screen, the image forming apparatus It controls to turn on the power-off part of the inside. That is, the power source is returned to the normal state when the control such as maintenance work is started and ended. As a result, in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and the chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance are not adversely affected.

  (5) In the above (4), the control unit turns on the power-off portion in the image forming apparatus when an operation end instruction is generated as a state change via the customizable display screen. After control, control to end the customizable display screen. That is, control such as maintenance work is finished after the power supply is returned to a normal state. As a result, in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and the chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance are not adversely affected.

  (6) In the above (1), when an instruction to start an operation other than normal image formation is generated as a state change via the customizable display screen, the power supply status of each part in the image forming apparatus is detected. When a change in state occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus while the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, the part is held for each part. Control to return to the current power supply status. That is, the power supply state at the start of control such as maintenance work is held, and when the control such as maintenance work is finished, the state of the held power supply is restored. As a result, in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and the chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance are not adversely affected.

  (7) In (6) above, the control unit removes the storage unit or communication unit that transmits data for realizing the customizable display screen to the control unit, or terminates the operation through the customizable display screen. Control is made to return to the power supply status held for each part, assuming that any of the instruction generations is a state change. That is, the power supply state at the start of control such as maintenance work is held, and when the control such as maintenance work is finished, the state of the held power supply is restored. As a result, in control via a customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and the chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance are not adversely affected.

  (8) In the above (1) to (7), there is provided device control firmware for controlling the default display screen and a web display screen application for controlling the customizable display screen by a process different from the device control firmware. For this reason, linked control is executed between the default display screen managed by the device control firmware and the customizable display screen of another process in the screen call to the device control firmware by the web display screen application, and the default When the display screen and the customizable display screen can be displayed, various functions of the image forming apparatus can be easily controlled from the customizable display screen side.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an external configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of image forming apparatus and image forming system]
FIG. 1C shows a connection state and system configuration of an image forming system including the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Here, an image forming system is configured in which the sheet feeding device 50, the image forming apparatus 100, the post-processing apparatus 200, the post-processing apparatus 300, and the post-processing apparatus 400 are connected in series.
Here, the serial connection means that an image is formed on the recording paper fed from the paper feeding device 50 by the image forming apparatus 100, and the recording paper on which the image is formed is sequentially applied by the post-processing device 200 to the post-processing device 400. Means post-processing.

  The upstream side is referred to as the front stage and the downstream side is referred to as the rear stage along the flow of the recording paper. Here, a state in which three post-processing devices of the post-processing device 200 to the post-processing device 400 are connected in series is shown as a specific example, but the number of post-processing devices may be any number.

  The paper feeding device 50 sends out a control unit 51 that controls each unit in the paper feeding device 50, a communication unit 52 for communicating with other connected devices, and a stacked recording sheet at an instructed timing. The power supply unit 55 includes a power supply unit 57 that supplies power to each unit (unit) of the paper supply device 50.

  The image forming apparatus 100 controls each unit in the image forming apparatus 100 and controls the entire system as an image forming system, a communication unit 102 for communicating with other connected apparatuses, and various data Operation display that is configured by a storage unit 103 that stores information, a connection unit 104 for connecting an external storage unit that can be inserted and removed, a communication unit, a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel, etc. A power supply unit 107 that supplies power to each unit (unit) in the image forming apparatus 100, a transport unit 110 that transports paper in accordance with the timing of image formation, and a scanner unit 120 that reads an image of a document. A data storage unit 130 for storing image data and various types of information handled by the image forming apparatus 100 in a non-volatile storage device, and image data An image processing unit 150 that performs various image processing necessary for image formation such as compression / decompression processing and RIP processing, and an image forming unit 160 that executes image formation (printing) based on an image formation command and image data. It is prepared for.

  Note that an element that can be inserted and removed, such as an external storage device or a communication unit, can be connected to the connection unit 104. Here, examples of the external storage device that can be connected to the connection unit 104 include a USB memory, a USB hard disk device, an SD memory, and other various storage devices. Further, it may be a pluggable communication unit that communicates with an external storage device.

  The post-processing device 200 includes a control unit 201 that controls each unit in the post-processing device 200, a communication unit 202 that communicates with each device, and control of the control unit 201 on a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100. And a power supply unit 207 that supplies power to each unit (each unit) in the post-processing apparatus 200. Yes. When the post-processing unit 205 is directly operated by control from the image forming apparatus 100 or the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 201 can be omitted.

  The post-processing device 300 includes a control unit 301 that controls each unit in the post-processing device 300, a communication unit 302 that communicates with each device, and control of the control unit 301 on recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100. The post-processing unit 305 that performs various post-processing (punch processing, stapling processing, binding processing, etc.) and the power supply unit 307 that supplies power to each unit (each unit) in the post-processing apparatus 300 is configured. Yes. Note that in the case where the post-processing unit 305 is directly operated by control from the image forming apparatus 100 or the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 301 can be omitted.

  The post-processing device 400 includes a control unit 401 that controls each unit in the post-processing device 400, a communication unit 402 that communicates with each device, and control of the control unit 401 on recording paper on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 100. , A post-processing unit 405 that performs various post-processing (punch processing, stapling processing, binding processing, etc.), and a power supply unit 407 that supplies power to each unit (unit) in the post-processing apparatus 400. Yes. Note that when the post-processing unit 405 is directly operated by the control from the image forming apparatus 100 or the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 401 can be omitted.

The power supply units 207, 307, and 407 can be omitted when the power supply unit 107 supplies power to the post-processing apparatus 200 to the post-processing apparatus 400.
Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration and functions of the internal functions of the control unit 101 will be schematically described with respect to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected about the same component as FIGS. 1-3, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4, a control unit 101 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and controls each unit in the image forming apparatus 100 based on device control firmware on an operating system or an application. Control the operation of the program.

  In the following description, the operating system is simply referred to as “OS”. The OS is software that provides an interface that abstracts hardware to application software for the purpose of improving computer utilization efficiency through hardware abstraction, resource management, and resource allocation. A type of system software. Firmware is software that controls a computer system (hardware) that is embedded in an electronic device. The software is written in an LSI such as a ROM and is embedded in the device. Means.

  The control unit 101 includes hardware 1011 that is an electronic device part such as a processor, an OS 1012 that operates on the hardware 1011 as a basis for various operations, and hardware resources (hardware 1011, a communication unit 102, and an operation display unit 105. , Data storage unit 130, image processing unit 150, image forming unit 160, etc.), device control firmware 1013 that performs processing relating to image formation, and web display screen application 1014 that controls display of a customizable display screen to be described later The state provided with is configured as a basic state.

  Here, the apparatus control firmware 1013 is prepared for status display and instruction reception display on the operation display unit 105 related to image formation in addition to performing control related to image formation using hardware resources. Control to display "default display screen".

  The web display screen application 1014 is a kind of application program that runs on the OS 1012 and can control the display screen. The web display screen application 1014 can be arbitrarily customized and controls a customizable display screen for status display and instruction reception display in the operation display unit 105 by a process different from the device control firmware 1013. This customizable display screen is a display screen that is drawn based on a description using a markup language, is displayed via a web browser, and can be arbitrarily customized.

  The customizable display screen is generated by the web display screen application 1014 based on the markup language as data stored in the external storage device connected to the connection unit 104 so as to be insertable / removable.

  Specifically, the customizable display screen is created by being described in a markup language such as HTML, XML, SGML, or XHTML, and is displayed on the operation display unit 105 by the web display screen application 1014 via the web browser. The web display screen application 1014 can communicate with the device control firmware 1013 using Javascript (trademark) or the like together with a web browser.

  The customizable display screen and the default display screen can be switched to each other by specifying a screen display request or a screen number. FIG. 5 shows an example of the default display screen 105Ga1. Here, when the service assistant tool (FIG. 5 (1)) as the custom UI function is designated, the screen is switched to the customizable display screen 105Ga2 in FIG.

  When (2) automatic gamma adjustment in the customizable display screen 105Ga2 in FIG. 6 is designated, the screen is switched to the default display screen 105Ga3 in FIG. 7 according to the screen number. Similarly, when the (3) test pattern output mode in FIG. 6 is designated, the screen is switched to a default display screen (not shown) according to the screen number.

When the close button (5) in FIG. 7 is designated, the customizable display screen 105Ga3 is closed and the display is switched to the default display screen 105Ga1 (FIG. 5).
Further, when the unit power-on button (FIG. 8 (6)) is designated on the customizable display screen 105Ga4 in FIG. 8, power is supplied to each unit according to an instruction from the web display screen application 1014. When the unit power off button (FIG. 8 (7)) is designated on the customizable display screen 105Ga4 in FIG. 8, the power to each unit is cut off by an instruction from the web display screen application 1014.

[Prerequisites for Image Forming Apparatus, Image Forming System, and Image Forming Control Method]
Here, a case where a procedure in maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed as a customizable display screen by the web display screen application 1014 will be described as a specific example.

  Here, as the maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 100, for example, in the case of poor image quality, it is necessary to deal with using many adjustment functions of the image forming apparatus 100 such as gamma adjustment, color resist adjustment, and toner density adjustment. There is.

  Conventionally, this maintenance work has been disclosed to engineers who repair the image forming apparatus 100. However, since there are a variety of adjustment screens that require work in the failure recovery procedure, there is a problem that the work of checking the operation procedure on each adjustment screen according to the manual is very complicated.

  In order to solve this problem, by creating a screen in which screens for executing functions necessary for maintenance work are gathered in one place as a default display screen managed by the device control firmware 1013, operability can be improved. A method of improving can be considered.

  However, this method has a problem that if the contents of the maintenance work are changed, it is necessary to change the default display screen, and thus the apparatus control firmware 1013 needs to be updated.

  Therefore, in order to cope with a change in the failure recovery procedure without updating the device control firmware 1013, a method of collecting a screen showing a procedure of maintenance work by using a customizable display screen by the web display screen application 1014. Can be considered.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming System, Procedure of Image Forming Control Method]
Hereinafter, the operations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the image forming system and the procedure of the image forming control method will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIG. In this embodiment, a case where a maintenance work procedure of the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed as a customizable display screen will be described as a specific example.

〔basic action〕
First, the basic operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The control unit 101 displays a default display screen managed by the device control firmware 1013 on the operation display unit 105 when the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 starts. The default display screen is created in advance so as to have various display contents according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 and is managed by the apparatus control firmware 1013. In addition, the control unit 101 receives an operator's operation via the operation display unit 105.

Here, an external storage device such as a USB memory is connected to the connection unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S101 in FIG. 9).
Here, the control unit 101 detects the connection of the external storage device to the connection unit 104, and displays a custom UI function start button on the default display screen displayed on the operation display unit 105 (FIG. 5 (1) “Service (See the Assistant Tool button). In response to this, the user presses a start button (“service assistant tool” button) of the custom UI function (step S102 in FIG. 9).

  Here, the control unit 101 reads custom UI data existing in the connected external storage device. Based on the custom UI data, the web display screen application 1014 displays a customizable display screen on the operation display unit 105 (step S103 in FIG. 9).

  If the user designates a default display screen on the customizable display screen, the device control firmware 1013 displays the default display screen on the operation display unit 105 (YES in step S105 in FIG. 9, S111).

  When an instruction to close the default display screen is issued, the device control firmware 1013 closes the default display screen, and the web display screen application 1014 displays a customizable display screen (steps S112 and S103 in FIG. 9). ).

  Further, when an instruction to change the power status of a specific unit (see FIG. 8) is issued from the customizable display screen, the control unit 101 changes the power status of the specified specific unit (step in FIG. 9). YES in S106, S121). At this time, the specific unit refers to an image forming process unit (photosensitive member, fixing device, etc.) that needs to be replaced.

  If the custom UI function end button is pressed on the customizable display screen, the custom UI function on the customizable display screen is ended and the screen returns to the original default display screen (YES in step S104 in FIG. 9) ).

[Characteristic operation (1)]
Here, the characteristic operation (1) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the characteristic operation (1) in FIG. 10 corresponds to a subroutine that periodically operates during the basic operation in FIG. 9 described above.

  The control unit 101 displays a default display screen managed by the device control firmware 1013 on the operation display unit 105 when the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 starts. The default display screen is created in advance so as to have various display contents according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 and is managed by the apparatus control firmware 1013. In addition, the control unit 101 receives an operator's operation via the operation display unit 105.

Here, an external storage device such as a USB memory is connected to the connection unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S201 in FIG. 10).
Here, the control unit 101 detects the connection of the external storage device to the connection unit 104, and displays a custom UI function start button on the default display screen displayed on the operation display unit 105 (FIG. 5 (1) “Service (See the Assistant Tool button). In response to this, the user presses a start button (“service assistant tool” button) of the custom UI function (step S202 in FIG. 10).

  Here, the control unit 101 reads custom UI data existing in the connected external storage device. Based on the custom UI data, the web display screen application 1014 displays a customizable display screen on the operation display unit 105 (step S203 in FIG. 10).

  At this time, the control unit 101 detects that the external storage device has been removed from the connection unit 104, or detects that the data in the external storage device is damaged and cannot be read normally as a state change ( Step S204 in FIG. 10).

  At this point, the control unit 101 checks the power status of each unit in the image forming apparatus 100 and each unit in the image forming system (whether each unit is powered on or powered off) (FIG. 10). Middle step S205).

  The power status of all the units is checked, and if all the power is on, the web display screen application 1014 closes the customizable display screen and ends the custom UI function (step S210 in FIG. 10).

  Here, when there is a power-off unit, the web display screen application 1014 needs to display a button for instructing to turn on the power of the unit whose power is off and to turn on the power. The user is notified of the presence of a unit via the customizable display screen (FIG. 11) (steps S206 and S207 in FIG. 10).

  At this time, UI data for generating a customizable display screen for notifying the user and instructing to turn on the power may be prepared in the storage unit 103 in the image forming apparatus 100 and read and displayed. good. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, it may be prepared and displayed on the default display screen side.

  When an instruction to change the power supply of the unit is given from the user via the customizable display screen, the control unit 101 determines whether the power status of the specified unit can be turned on (step S208 in FIG. 10).

  If the power can be turned on, the power of the designated unit is controlled to be turned on (YES in step S208 in FIG. 10, S209). The state in which the power can be turned on at this time indicates that the designated unit has not been removed and the power connector or the like has not been removed.

  On the other hand, if the specified unit cannot be powered on, the web display screen application 1014 notifies the user of the reason why the power cannot be turned on using the customizable display screen (FIG. 13) (step S211 in FIG. 10). At this time, a release method (unit attachment, connector connection method) for removing the cause may be displayed on the operation unit panel (step S212 in FIG. 10).

  At this time, UI data for generating a customizable display screen for notifying the user and notifying the reason why the power cannot be turned on is prepared in the storage unit 103 in the image forming apparatus 100, read, and displayed. Also good. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, it may be prepared and displayed on the default display screen side.

  The power status of all the units is checked, and if all the powers are on, the web display screen application 1014 closes the customizable display screen and ends the custom UI function (step S210 in FIG. 10).

  By doing so, in the control via the customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and there is no adverse effect on chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance. .

[Characteristic operation (2)]
Here, the characteristic operation (2) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The characteristic operation (2) shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to a modification of the basic operation shown in FIG.

  The control unit 101 displays a default display screen managed by the device control firmware 1013 on the operation display unit 105 when the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 starts. The default display screen is created in advance so as to have various display contents according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 and is managed by the apparatus control firmware 1013. In addition, the control unit 101 receives an operator's operation via the operation display unit 105.

Here, an external storage device such as a USB memory is connected to the connection unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S101 in FIG. 15).
Here, the control unit 101 detects the connection of the external storage device to the connection unit 104, and displays a custom UI function start button on the default display screen displayed on the operation display unit 105 (FIG. 5 (1) “Service (See the Assistant Tool button). In response to this, the user presses a start button (“service assistant tool” button) of the custom UI function (step S102a in FIG. 15).

  At this point, the control unit 101 checks the power status of each unit in the image forming apparatus 100 and each unit in the image forming system (whether each unit is powered on or powered off) (FIG. 15). Middle step S102b).

  The power status of all the units is checked, and if all the power is on (NO in step S102b in FIG. 15), the control unit 101 reads custom UI data existing in the connected external storage device. Based on the custom UI data, the web display screen application 1014 displays a customizable display screen on the operation display unit 105 (step S103 in FIG. 15).

  If the user designates a default display screen on this customizable display screen, the device control firmware 1013 displays the default display screen on the operation display unit 105 (YES in step S105 in FIG. 15, S111).

  When an instruction to close the default display screen is issued, the device control firmware 1013 closes the default display screen, and the web display screen application 1014 displays a customizable display screen (steps S112 and S103 in FIG. 15). ).

  Further, when an instruction to change the power status of a specific unit (see FIG. 8) is issued from the customizable display screen, the control unit 101 changes the power status of the specified specific unit (step in FIG. 15). YES in S106, S121). At this time, the specific unit refers to an image forming process unit (photosensitive member, fixing device, etc.) that needs to be replaced.

  Further, when the custom UI function end button is pressed on the customizable display screen (YES in step S104a in FIG. 15), the control unit 101 causes each unit in the image forming apparatus 100 and each unit in the image forming system. The power status of each unit (whether each unit is powered on or powered off) is checked (step S104b in FIG. 15). The power status of all units is checked, and if all the powers are on (NO in step S104b in FIG. 15), the custom UI function on the customizable display screen is terminated and the original default display screen is restored (in FIG. 15). End).

  When the custom UI function is started, the power status of all units is checked, and if any unit is powered off (YES in step S102b in FIG. 15), the control unit 101 performs power-on processing (FIG. 15). Step S102c) is executed.

  Similarly, when the custom UI function ends, the power status of all units is checked, and if any unit is powered off (YES in step S104b in FIG. 15), the control unit 101 performs power-on processing (FIG. Step S104c) in step 15 is executed.

  Here, when there is a power-off unit, the web display screen application 1014 needs to display a button for instructing to turn on the power of the unit whose power is off and to turn on the power. A user is notified of the presence of a unit via a customizable display screen (see FIG. 11) (steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 16).

  At this time, UI data for generating a customizable display screen for notifying the user and instructing to turn on the power may be prepared in the storage unit 103 in the image forming apparatus 100 and read and displayed. good. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, it may be prepared and displayed on the default display screen side.

  When an instruction to change the power supply of the unit is given from the user via the customizable display screen, the control unit 101 determines whether the power status of the specified unit can be turned on (step S303 in FIG. 16).

  If the power can be turned on, the power of the designated unit is controlled to be turned on (YES in step S303 in FIG. 16, S304). The state in which the power can be turned on at this time indicates that the designated unit has not been removed and the power connector or the like has not been removed.

  On the other hand, if the specified unit cannot be powered on, the web display screen application 1014 notifies the user of the reason why the power cannot be turned on using the customizable display screen (FIG. 13) (step S311 in FIG. 16). At this time, a release method for removing the cause (unit attachment, connector connection method) may be displayed on the operation unit panel (step S312 in FIG. 16).

  At this time, UI data for generating a customizable display screen for notifying the user and notifying the reason why the power cannot be turned on is prepared in the storage unit 103 in the image forming apparatus 100, read, and displayed. Also good. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, it may be prepared and displayed on the default display screen side.

  If the power status of all units is checked and all the powers are turned on, the web display screen application 1014 ends the power-on process (steps S102c and S104c in FIG. 15) in FIG. Return to the main routine and continue processing. That is, if the custom UI function is started, the process using the customizable display screen (step S103 in FIG. 15) is continued, and if the custom UI function is finished, the process using the customizable display screen is ended (FIG. 15). End in 15).

The next process may be performed while the power-on process (steps S102c and S104c in FIG. 15) is performed in the background.
By doing so, in the control via the customizable display screen such as maintenance, work in an unauthorized power supply state is prevented, and there is no adverse effect on chart output during maintenance and normal use after maintenance. .

[Characteristic operation (3)]
Here, the characteristic operation (3) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The feature operation (3) in FIG. 17 corresponds to a subroutine that operates periodically during the basic operation in FIG. 9 described above.

  The control unit 101 displays a default display screen managed by the device control firmware 1013 on the operation display unit 105 when the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 starts. The default display screen is created in advance so as to have various display contents according to the operation state of the image forming apparatus 100 and is managed by the apparatus control firmware 1013. In addition, the control unit 101 receives an operator's operation via the operation display unit 105.

Here, an external storage device such as a USB memory is connected to the connection unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S501 in FIG. 17).
Here, the control unit 101 detects the connection of the external storage device to the connection unit 104, and displays a custom UI function start button on the default display screen displayed on the operation display unit 105 (FIG. 5 (1) “Service (See the Assistant Tool button). In response to this, the user presses a start button (“service assistant tool” button) of the custom UI function (step S502 in FIG. 17).

  Here, the control unit 101 checks whether the power of each unit existing in the image forming apparatus 100 or in the image forming system is on or off, and stores it in the storage unit 103 or the like (in FIG. 17). Step S503). At this time, the power status of each unit is checked and stored in units that can control the power independently, for example, the fixing device is powered on, the photoconductor is powered off, and the like.

  Here, the control unit 101 reads custom UI data existing in the connected external storage device. Based on the custom UI data, the web display screen application 1014 displays a customizable display screen on the operation display unit 105 (step S504 in FIG. 17).

  At this time, the control unit 101 detects that the external storage device has been removed from the connection unit 104, or detects that the data in the external storage device is damaged and cannot be read normally as a state change ( Step S505 in FIG.

  At this point, the control unit 101 stores the power status (whether each unit is powered on or powered off) of each unit in the image forming apparatus 100 and each unit in the image forming system at the start. It is checked whether or not it matches the previously set power supply status (step S506 in FIG. 17).

  Check the power status of all units, and if all match the status at the start (NO in step S506 in FIG. 17), the web display screen application 1014 closes the customizable display screen and terminates the custom UI function. (Step S508 in FIG. 17, end).

  If there is a unit whose power status does not match that at the start (YES in step S506 in FIG. 17), the control unit 101 executes a power control process (step S507 in FIG. 17, FIG. 18).

  Here, when there is a unit that needs to change the power status, the web display screen application 1014 displays a button for instructing to change the power of the unit whose power is off and also changes the power. The user is notified through the customizable display screen (see FIG. 11) that there is a unit that needs to be performed (steps S601 and S602 in FIG. 18).

  At this time, UI data for generating a customizable display screen for notifying the user and instructing to change the power source is prepared in the storage unit 103 or the like in the image forming apparatus 100, read and displayed. Also good. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, it may be prepared and displayed on the default display screen side.

  When an instruction to change the power supply of the unit is given from the user via the customizable display screen, the control unit 101 determines whether the power supply status of the designated unit can be changed (step S603 in FIG. 18).

  If the power status can be changed, control is performed to change the power supply of the designated unit (YES in step S603 in FIG. 18; S604). The state in which the power source can be changed at this time indicates that the designated unit is not removed and the power connector is not disconnected.

  On the other hand, if the power supply of the specified unit cannot be changed, the web display screen application 1014 notifies the user of the reason why the power supply cannot be changed using the customizable display screen (FIG. 13) (step S611 in FIG. 18). . At this time, a release method (unit attachment, connector connection method) for removing the cause may be displayed on the operation unit panel (step S612 in FIG. 18).

  At this time, UI data for generating a customizable display screen for notifying the user and notifying why the power cannot be changed is prepared in the storage unit 103 or the like in the image forming apparatus 100 and read and displayed. May be. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, it may be prepared and displayed on the default display screen side.

  The power status of all units is checked, and if all the power is the same as at the start, the web display screen application 1014 ends the power control process of FIG. 18 (step S507 in FIG. 17), and FIG. Return to the main routine and continue processing. That is, the process on the customizable display screen is terminated when the custom UI function is terminated (END in FIG. 17). Note that the end process may be advanced while the power control process (step S508 in FIG. 17) is executed in the background.

  Note that, in step S505 described above, as an example of the state change, extraction of an external storage device or data corruption is taken as a specific example.

  By doing the above, in the control via the customizable display screen such as maintenance, the power status of each unit can be matched at the start and end, for chart output at maintenance and normal use after maintenance There will be no adverse effects. In addition, since the unit that was turned off for some purpose at the start is turned off at the end of the work on the customizable display screen, the state of each unit and the entire device is made consistent with the initial state. It becomes possible to cope with any state.

[Other Embodiments (1)]
Although the control unit 101 performs various controls in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a computer outside the image forming apparatus 100 can generate and display a default display screen and a customizable display screen as the image forming control device.

[Other embodiment (2)]
In the above embodiment, the maintenance work or the like is performed using the customizable display screen, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to another interruption work in a normal image forming work.

  In the above description, the device control firmware 1013 and the web display screen application 1014 operate independently in separate processes on the OS 1012, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the device control firmware 1013, a control function unit of a web display screen that is operated in a separate task independent of the control function unit of the default display screen is provided. The customizable display screen may be drawn based on a description in a markup language such as

[Other embodiment (3)]
In the above description, it is assumed that the default display screen and the customizable display screen are displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 105, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, screen data of a default display screen or screen data of a customizable display screen can be output from the image forming apparatus 100 to a display unit of an external device via the communication unit 102 and displayed as a remote panel. It is. In the case of the failure recovery procedure, it is desirable that the information can be displayed on a tablet computer displayed by the operator.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Control part 102 Communication part 103 Memory | storage part 105 Operation display part 120 Scanner part 130 Data storage part 150 Image processing part 160 Image forming part 1011 Hardware 1012 Operating system 1013 Apparatus control firmware 1014 Web display screen application

Claims (24)

An image forming unit for forming an image;
A display unit for displaying a display screen for status display related to image formation and display for receiving instructions;
A power supply unit for supplying power to each unit in the image forming apparatus;
A control unit that controls image formation of the image forming unit, display of the display unit, and power supply by the power unit;
An image forming apparatus having
The controller is
As a display function for displaying a display screen on the display unit, a first display function for displaying a default display screen prepared in advance for a status display relating to image formation and a display for accepting instructions;
A second display function for displaying a customizable display screen that can be arbitrarily changed for status display related to operations other than normal image formation and display for receiving instructions,
When a change in state occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus while the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, the power supply by the power supply unit for each part Check the supply status and control the power supply status to a predetermined status.
An image forming apparatus. The controller is
When the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, when the removal of an element that is detachably connected to the image forming apparatus occurs as the state change, the power is turned off. Controlling the part to be powered on,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The element is a storage unit or a communication unit that transmits data for realizing the customizable display screen to the control unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The controller is
When an instruction to start or end an operation other than normal image formation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the power-off portion in the image forming apparatus is turned on. To be controlled,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The controller is
When an instruction to end the operation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the customizable display screen is controlled after controlling the power-off portion of the image forming apparatus to be turned on. Control to finish,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The controller is
When an instruction to start an operation other than normal image formation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the power supply status of each part in the image forming apparatus is detected and held,
When the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, if a state change occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus, the power source held for each part Control to return to supply status,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The controller is
The state change is either the removal of the storage unit or the communication unit that transmits data for realizing the customizable display screen to the control unit, or the generation of an instruction to end the operation through the customizable display screen And control to return to the power supply status held for each part,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6. The controller is
Device control firmware for controlling the default display screen;
A web display screen application that controls the customizable display screen by a process separate from the device control firmware;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
At least one of a paper feeding device and a post-processing device connected to the image forming device;
An image forming system comprising:
The control unit included in the image forming apparatus confirms the power supply status by the power supply unit for each site when a state change occurs in any site in the image forming system, and determines the power supply status to a predetermined level. To control the situation,
An image forming system. An image forming unit that forms an image, a display unit that displays a display screen for status display and instruction reception display related to image formation, a power supply unit that supplies power to each unit in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming unit An image forming control method for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls image formation, display on the display unit, and power supply by the power supply unit,
The control unit includes a first display function for displaying a default display screen prepared in advance for a status display relating to image formation and a display for receiving instructions as a display function for displaying a display screen on the display unit, and a normal display A second display function for displaying a customizable display screen that can be arbitrarily changed for status display related to operations other than image formation and instruction acceptance display,
When a change in state occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus while the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, the power supply by the power supply unit for each part Check the supply status and control the power supply status to a predetermined status.
An image formation control method characterized by the above. When the display unit is displayed on the display unit by the second display function and the element connected to the image forming apparatus is detachably connected, the control unit Control to turn on the part of the power off,
The image formation control method according to claim 10. Removal of either the storage unit or the communication unit that transmits data for realizing the customizable display screen to the control unit is detected by the control unit as the state change due to the removal of the element.
The image formation control method according to claim 11 . When an instruction to start or end an operation other than normal image formation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the control unit may turn off the power in the image forming apparatus. Control the part to turn on,
13. The image formation control method according to claim 10, wherein the image formation control method is any one of the above. When an instruction to end the operation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the control unit controls the power-off portion of the image forming apparatus to turn on, Control to exit the customizable display screen,
The image formation control method according to claim 13. When an instruction to start an operation other than normal image formation occurs as the state change via the customizable display screen,
The control unit detects and holds the power supply status of each part in the image forming apparatus,
When the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, if a state change occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus, the control unit Control to return to the held power supply status,
The image formation control method according to claim 10. The state change is either the removal of the storage unit or the communication unit that transmits data for realizing the customizable display screen to the control unit, or the generation of an instruction to end the operation through the customizable display screen The control unit controls to return to the power supply status held for each part,
The image formation control method according to claim 15. An image forming control method for controlling an image forming system in which at least one of a paper feeding device and a post-processing device is connected to an image forming device,
The control unit included in the image forming apparatus confirms the power supply status by the power supply unit for each site when a state change occurs in any site in the image forming system, and determines the power supply status to a predetermined level. To control the situation,
The image formation control method according to claim 10, wherein the image formation control method is any one of the above. The default display screen is controlled by device control firmware,
Controlling the customizable display screen in a process separate from the device control firmware by a web display screen application;
The image formation control method according to claim 10, further comprising: An image formation control device for controlling an image formation device,
A display unit for displaying a display screen for status display related to image formation and display for receiving instructions;
A control unit that controls display of the display unit and power supply in the image forming apparatus;
The control unit
As a display function for displaying a display screen on the display unit, a first display function for displaying a default display screen prepared in advance for a status display relating to image formation and a display for accepting instructions, and an operation other than normal image formation A second display function for displaying a customizable display screen which can be arbitrarily changed for status display and instruction reception display;
With
When a change in state occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus while the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, each part of the image forming apparatus check the power supply status by the power of, for controlling the power source supply status to predetermined conditions,
An image formation control apparatus characterized by that.
The controller is
When an instruction to start or end an operation other than normal image formation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the power-off portion in the image forming apparatus is turned on. To be controlled,
The image formation control apparatus according to claim 19. The controller is
When an instruction to end the operation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the customizable display screen is controlled after controlling the power-off portion of the image forming apparatus to be turned on. Control to finish,
The image formation control apparatus according to claim 20. The controller is
When an instruction to start an operation other than normal image formation is generated as the state change via the customizable display screen, the power supply status of each part in the image forming apparatus is detected and held,
When the customizable display screen is displayed on the display unit by the second display function, if a state change occurs in any part of the image forming apparatus, the power source held for each part Control to return to supply status,
The image formation control apparatus according to claim 19. The controller is
Control to return to the power supply status held for each of the parts, assuming that the end of the operation through the customizable display screen is the state change,
The image forming control apparatus according to claim 22. An image forming control device for controlling an image forming system in which at least one of a paper feeding device and a post-processing device is connected to an image forming device,
When a state change occurs in any part in the image forming system, the power supply status by the power supply unit for each part is confirmed, and the power supply status is controlled to a predetermined situation.
The image formation control apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein