JP6692518B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  When a defect is detected in some of the functions of the image forming apparatus, the function of disconnecting the function is performed, and the function is disabled, while the other functions are enabled. is there.

  When an image forming apparatus detects a defect in an optional device, it restarts, and if the optional device does not operate normally after the restart, it disconnects the optional device (see Patent Document 1, for example). ).

JP 2012-51205 A

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, for example, when a defect is detected at the time of startup, the restart is performed, so that even a user who does not use the optional device can use the image forming apparatus until the disconnection process is executed. I will have to wait a long time before it becomes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image that suppresses a delay in start-up caused by a disconnection process, reduces an occurrence frequency of the disconnection process, and suppresses an unnecessary decrease in user convenience. The purpose is to obtain a forming device.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a state determination unit that determines whether a specific device is in an available state or an unusable state, a first process executed when the specific device is activated, and the specific device. And a control unit that executes a second process executed when the specific device is requested for the specific process selected by the user after the device is activated. (A) In the first process, the control unit sets the specific device to the disconnection state even if the specific device is determined to be in the unusable state when the specific device is activated. Without storing the device status data indicating that the specific device is in an unusable state, (b) in the second processing, based on the device state data, the specific device. When it is determined that was in the unusable state at startup, when the specific device is determined to be in the unusable state at the present time by the state determination unit, the specific device is set to the disconnection state, and the state determination unit When it is not determined that the specific device is in the unusable state at the present moment, the specific device is not set to the disconnected state. Here, the separated state is a state in which the selection of the specific process by the user is prohibited so that the specific device is not used.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that suppresses a delay in start-up due to a disconnection process, reduces a frequency of the disconnection process, and suppresses unnecessary deterioration of user convenience.

  The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 at the time of starting or returning from the sleep mode. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 when executing a job.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus such as a printer or a digital multi-function peripheral.

  The image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a user interface 11, an image reading unit 12, a printing unit 13, a controller 14, a storage device 15, a communication device 16, and a facsimile device 17.

  The user interface 11 includes a display device 11a such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various kinds of information to the user, and an input device 11b such as a key for detecting a user operation and a touch panel.

  The image reading unit 12 is an internal device that scans a document using an internal optical system and generates image data of a document image. The printing unit 13 is an internal device that prints an image based on image data on a recording sheet or the like by an electrophotographic method or the like.

  The controller 14 controls internal devices such as the user interface 11, the image reading unit 12, the printing unit 13, the communication device 16, and the facsimile device 17, and executes data processing such as image processing. The controller 14 is realized by, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a computer that operates according to a control program, or the like.

  The storage device 15 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or a non-volatile memory, and stores various data and control programs. For example, the storage device 15 stores the above-mentioned control program and device state data of the image forming apparatus.

  The communication device 16 is an internal device that performs data communication such as a network interface. The facsimile device 17 is an internal device that performs facsimile communication via a telephone line.

  Then, the controller 14 operates as the image reading processing unit 41, the print processing unit 42, the send processing unit 43, the facsimile processing unit 44, the state determination unit 45, and the control unit 46.

  The image reading processing unit 41 controls the image reading unit 12 and acquires image data of a document image from the image reading unit 12. The print processing unit 42 controls the printing unit 13 to cause the printing unit 13 to print an image. The send processing unit 43 controls the communication device 16 to send the image data and the like acquired by the image reading processing unit 41 to a predetermined destination. The facsimile processing unit 44 controls the facsimile device 17 to transmit / receive a facsimile signal, generate a facsimile signal based on image data of a document image, generate image data based on a received facsimile signal, and the like.

  The state determination unit 45 determines whether the specific device is in the usable state or the unusable state. Here, the specific device is the internal device described above or an optional device (finisher or the like) not shown. Further, the unusable state is a state that cannot be resolved by a normal manual operation by a general user (for example, replenishment or replacement of consumables) instead of a service person or the like due to a failure or the like.

  For example, the state determination unit 45 detects the dew condensation of the optical system in the image reading unit 12 or the communication error of the communication device 16 (for example, communication by a predetermined protocol although physically connected to the network. Detecting that there is no response from the other party).

  The control unit 46 controls the above-described internal device and also controls the image reading processing unit 41, the print processing unit 42, the send processing unit 43, the facsimile processing unit 44, and the state determination unit 45 to execute a job (that is, a specific job). Process).

  In addition, the control unit 46 performs the first process executed when the specific device is activated, and the specific process (various jobs) selected by the user after the specific device is activated when the specific device is requested. The second process to be executed is executed.

  The specific device is activated when the image forming apparatus is activated or when the image forming apparatus is returned from the sleep mode to the normal operation mode. In addition, the control unit 46 may not execute the first process when the power supply to the specific device is stopped and the specific device is activated before a predetermined time elapses. Further, the control unit 46 may not execute the second process if the second process has already been executed after the activation of the specific device.

  Specifically, (a) in the first process, the control unit 46 disconnects the specific device even if the state determining unit 45 determines that the specific device is in an unusable state when the specific device is activated. Instead, the device status data 15a indicating that the specific device is in the unusable state is stored in the predetermined storage device 15, and (b) in the second process, based on the device status data 15a, the specific device is stored. When it is determined that the specific device is in the unusable state at the time of startup, when the state determining unit 45 determines that the specific device is in the unusable state at the present time (that is, when the job is requested), the specific device is not activated. When the state determination unit 45 does not determine that the specific device is in the unusable state at the present time, the specific device is not set to the disconnected state. Here, the “disconnected state” is a state in which the user is prohibited from selecting a specific process so that a specific device is not used.

  For example, on the menu screen, an icon (soft key) corresponding to a specific process is grayed out, and the selection of the specific process is prohibited. The process that is not in the separated state can be selected by the user by pressing an icon (soft key), for example.

  Further, the control unit 46 (a) disconnects the specific device based on the device status data 15 a in the nonvolatile storage device 15 when the state determination unit 45 determines that the specific device is in the usable state at startup. When it is indicated that the device is in the state, the disconnection state of the specific device is released, the device state data 15a is updated, and (b) the state determining unit 45 determines that the specific device is in the unusable state at startup. In this case, when the device status data 15a in the non-volatile storage device 15 indicates that the specific device is in the disconnected state, the disconnected state of the specific device is continued.

  For example, when the state determination unit 45 detects the dew condensation of the image reading unit 12 and determines that the image reading unit 12 is in the unusable state, the control unit 46 puts the image reading unit 12 in the separated state and the state determination unit. When it is not determined by 45 that the image reading unit 12 is in the unusable state at this time, the control unit 46 does not disconnect the image reading unit 12. For example, when the image reading unit 12 is separated, the user cannot select a copy job, a scan-to-send job, or the like that uses the image reading unit 12.

  Further, for example, when the state determination unit 45 detects a communication error of the communication device 16 and determines that the communication device 16 is in the unusable state, the control unit 46 sets the communication device 16 in the disconnected state and the state determination unit. When it is not determined by 45 that the communication device is unavailable at this time, the control unit 46 does not disconnect the communication device 16.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 at the time of starting or returning from the sleep mode.

  When the image forming apparatus is activated or returned from sleep, the state determination unit 45 checks the state of a specific device (step S1). Then, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the unusable device is detected by the state determination unit 45 (step S2).

  When the state determination unit 45 detects a device in the unusable state, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the device is in the disconnected state based on the device state data 15a (step S3). If the device is not in the disconnected state, the control unit 46 stores the device state data 15a indicating that the unusable state is detected at the time of activation of the device in the storage device 15 (step S4).

  On the other hand, when the state determination unit 45 does not detect the device in the unusable state, the control unit 46 determines whether or not there is a function in the disconnected state based on the device state data 15a (step S5). If there is a device in the disconnected state in the device status data 15a, the control unit 46 releases the disconnected state of the device and updates the device status data 15a (step S6).

  When the state determination unit 45 detects a device in an unusable state, the control unit 46 does not notify the user to that effect. Further, since the disconnection processing of the device is not executed at this point, the job using the device can be selected by the user.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 when executing a job.

  When a job execution request is detected based on a user operation on the input device 11b, the control unit 46 identifies the device required for the job requested to be executed (step S11). For example, in the case of a print job, the printing unit 13 is specified, in the case of a copy job, the image reading unit 12 and the printing unit 13 are specified, and in the case of a scan-to-send job, the image reading unit 12 and the communication unit. The device 16 is identified.

  Then, the control unit 46 specifies whether or not the unusable state is detected at the time of activation of the specified device based on the device status data 15a (step S12).

  When the unusable state is not detected at startup for the specified device, the control unit 46 uses the specified device to execute the job (step S13).

  On the other hand, when the unusable state of the specified device is detected at startup, the state determination unit 45 checks the state of the specified device (step S14), and the control unit 46 specifies the specified device. It is determined whether or not the device is in the unusable state at the present time (step S15).

  When the specified device is still in the unusable state at the present time, the control unit 46 puts the device in the disconnected state and updates the device state data 15a (step S16). In this case, the requested job is not executed, and the control unit 46 displays a message indicating that the job cannot be executed on the display device 11a.

  On the other hand, when the specified device is not in the unusable state at the present time, the control unit 46 uses the specified device to execute the job (step S13).

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the control unit 46 controls the specific device even if the state determination unit 45 determines that the specific device is in the unusable state when the specific device is activated. The device status data 15a indicating that the specific device is in the unusable state is stored in the predetermined storage device 15 without being in the separated state, and (b) the specific device is activated based on the device status data 15a. When it is determined that the device is in the unusable state at some time, when the state determining unit 45 determines that the specific device is in the unusable state at the present time, the specific device is set to the disconnected state, and the state determining unit 45 determines the specific device at the present time. When it is not determined that the device is in the unusable state, the specific device is not brought into the disconnected state. Here, the disconnection state is a state in which the selection of a specific process by the user is prohibited so that the specific device is not used.

  As a result, even if the unusable state of a device is detected at startup, the device is not immediately disconnected, and if the unusable state is not detected again immediately before the job starts, the device is not disconnected. Even if a problem occurs at startup, if the problem is resolved before the job starts, the device will not be disconnected. Therefore, while suppressing the delay at the time of starting due to the disconnection process, the frequency of the disconnection process is reduced and unnecessary reduction of user convenience is suppressed.

  Various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. That is, such changes and modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral.

12 Image reading unit (an example of a specific device)
13 Printing section (an example of specific equipment)
15 storage device 15a device status data 16 communication device (an example of a specific device)
17 Facsimile machine (an example of specific equipment)
45 state determination unit 46 control unit

Claims (7)

A state determination unit that determines whether the specific device is in the usable state or the unusable state,
Executes a first process executed when the specific device is activated and a second process executed when the specific device is requested by the specific process selected by the user after the activation of the specific device. And a control unit,
(A) In the first process, the control unit sets the specific device to the disconnection state even if the state determination unit determines that the specific device is in an unusable state when the specific device is activated. Without storing the device status data indicating that the specific device is in an unusable state, (b) in the second process, based on the device state data, the specific device. When it is determined that was in the unusable state at the time of startup, when the specific device is determined to be in the unusable state at the present time by the state determination unit, the specific device is set to the disconnection state, and the state determination unit At this time, when it is not determined that the specific device is in the unusable state, the specific device is not separated,
The disconnection state is a state in which selection of the specific process by the user is prohibited so that the specific device is not used,
An image forming apparatus characterized by. The device status data is stored in a predetermined non-volatile storage device, and further indicates the specific function in the disconnected state,
The control unit (a) disconnects the specific device according to the device state data in the nonvolatile storage device when the state determination unit determines that the specific device is in the usable state at the time of startup. When it is indicated that the specific device is in the state, the disconnected state of the specific device is released, and (b) in the case where the specific device is determined to be in the unusable state at the time of startup by the state determination unit, When the device status data in the nonvolatile storage device indicates that the specific device is in the disconnected state, to continue the disconnected state of the specific device,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The specific device includes an image reading unit,
The state determination unit, when detecting the condensation of the image reading unit, determines that the image reading unit is in an unusable state,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The specific device includes a communication device,
The state determination unit, when detecting a communication error of the communication device, determines that the communication device is in an unusable state,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   5. The specific device is activated when the image forming apparatus is activated or when the image forming apparatus is returned from a sleep mode to a normal operation mode. The image forming apparatus according to the item.   The control unit does not execute the first process after the power supply to the specific device is stopped and the specific device is activated before a predetermined time elapses. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 5.   7. The control unit does not execute the second process if the second process has already been executed after the activation of the specific device, any one of claims 1 to 6. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.

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