JP7195971B2 - Image forming apparatus, information processing method and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a recording medium.

Image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, which are widely used today, have a paper storage unit (paper feed tray) that stores recording paper. An image is formed on a sheet of paper, and the sheet is discharged out of the image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus runs out of paper during job execution, the image forming apparatus suspends the job and waits for paper replenishment and user instructions. In addition, the image forming apparatus notifies the user that the job is being interrupted due to paper exhaustion and the paper replenishment procedure by pop-up. However, in the case of job input from the driver, the image forming apparatus displays a popup when a specific screen (confirmation of status) is displayed so as not to impair the operability of the user operating the device screen. The image forming apparatus displays guidance to a specific screen in a general-purpose notification area such as a status line.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-094311

However, since the area of the general-purpose notification area is narrow, it is difficult for the user to notice the content of the notification. There is also a technique of changing the notification method in association with login information, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200010, but the user cannot notice that the paper has run out without logging in.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus that conveys a sheet held by sheet holding means and forms an image on the conveyed sheet , wherein the display means and the above- mentioned When the user is not logged in to the image forming apparatus, a notification screen regarding the state of no sheet is displayed ; and display control means for controlling the display means so as to display a notification regarding a state in which there is no sheet in a status notification area having an area smaller than that of the notification screen .

According to the present invention, if the user is not logged in when there is no sheet in the sheet holding means, it is possible to immediately make the user aware that there is no sheet, and if the user is logged in, the user can It is possible to prevent the operation of the screen from being hindered.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the multifunction machine; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration example of an operation unit; 7 is a flow chart showing an example of paper-out state elimination processing according to the first embodiment; It is a figure which shows an example of a sheet empty screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying job status; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying words for guiding to a job status screen; FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of paper-out state elimination processing according to the second embodiment; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
(Configuration of MFP 100)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 100. As shown in FIG.
The CPU 101 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 107 according to control programs stored in the ROM 103 or HDD 104 and also comprehensively controls various processes performed inside the controller 125 . A RAM 102 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 101 and also a memory for temporarily storing image data. The ROM 103 stores a boot program of the device and the like. The HDD 104 is a hard disk drive and can store control programs and image data.
An operation unit I/F 105 is an interface unit for connecting the system bus 107 and the operation unit 121 . The operation unit I/F 105 receives image data for display on the operation unit 121 from the system bus 107 and outputs information input from the operation unit 121 to the system bus 107 .
A network I/F 106 connects the LAN and WAN 124 to the system bus 107 and bidirectionally exchanges data with other devices.
The image bus 120 is a transmission line for exchanging image data, and is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

The scanner image processing unit 112 corrects, processes, and edits image data received from the scanner unit 122 via the scanner I/F 111 . The embedded information extraction unit 110 performs processing for detecting a pattern embedded in a background image from image data and extracting additional information.
The compression unit 113 receives image data and compresses the data. The decompression unit 115 decompresses the data, rasterizes it, and sends it to the printer image processing unit 117 .
The printer image processing unit 117 receives the image data sent from the decompression unit 115 and performs image processing on the image data while referring to the attribute data attached to the image data. When instructed, the printer image processing unit 117 synthesizes the encoded image data generated by the encoded image generation unit 116 with the image data. The code image generation unit 116 generates code image data such as a two-dimensional code image, a barcode image, and an image generated by an information embedding technique. Note that the code image is generated by the CPU 101 executing a program stored in the RAM 102 . Image data after image processing is output to the printer unit 123 via the printer I/F 118 .
The image conversion unit 114 performs predetermined conversion processing such as rotation, color space conversion, binary multi-value conversion, image synthesis, and thinning on image data.
The RIP unit 108 receives intermediate data generated based on PDL code data and generates bitmap data (multilevel). The generated bitmap data is compressed by the compression unit 109 and sent to the image bus 120 .
The authentication processing unit 119 performs print job authentication in addition to user or work group authentication using user information input from the operation unit 121 . The authentication processing unit 119 also manages information on authenticated users and workgroups.
A finisher unit 126 performs various post-processing such as stapling, punching, and sorting on a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets discharged from the printer unit 123 are bundled.

(Structure of printer and scanner)
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the multifunction machine 100. As shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in FIG. The multifunction device 100 includes a scanner section 122, a printer section 123, a finisher section 126, and an operation section 121, as shown in FIG. Here, the scanner section 122 and the printer section 123 are configured integrally. Also, the finisher section 126 is configured to be detachable from the printer section 123 .
An original document feeder (ADF) 201 is mounted on the scanner unit 122 . The ADF 201 feeds the documents set face up on the document tray to the left one by one from the first page, and conveys the documents to a predetermined position on the platen glass 202 via a curved path. The document conveyed to a predetermined position on the platen glass 202 is scanned from left to right by the scanner unit 203 to read the image on the document. When the scanner unit 203 scans an original, the surface to be read of the original is illuminated with light from the lamp of the scanner unit 203, and reflected light from the original is guided to the lens via a mirror. Light passing through this lens forms an optical image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 204 . This optical image is converted into image data by the image sensor 204 and output. Image data output from the image sensor 204 is subjected to predetermined processing in the scanner image processing unit 112 and then input as a video signal to the exposure control unit 205 of the printer unit 123 .

Next, the case of forming an image on one side of a sheet will be described.
The exposure control unit 205 of the printer unit 123 modulates and outputs laser light based on the input video signal. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 206 while being scanned by a polygon mirror or the like. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 206 according to the scanned laser light.
The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 206 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 207 . Sheets are fed from the cassettes 208 and 209 or the manual feed tray 210 . After the leading edge of the fed sheet is abutted against the registration roller 211 and temporarily stopped, the sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 206 and the transfer section 212 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation. . Here, the leading edge of the fed sheet abuts against the registration roller 211 and the sheet is temporarily stopped, thereby correcting the skew of the sheet.

Next, the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 206 is transferred onto the fed sheet by the transfer unit 212 . The sheet onto which the developer image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing section 213 . A fixing unit 213 heat-presses the sheet to fix the developer image on the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 213 is conveyed toward the flapper 215 by the conveying roller 214 and conveyed toward the discharge roller 216 by the flapper 215 . Then, the sheet is discharged from the printer section 123 to the finisher section 126 via the discharge roller 216 . At this time, the sheet is discharged face up.
Also, the sheet can be discharged to the finisher section 126 in a face-down state. When performing this face-down discharge, the flapper 215 is switched so as to guide the sheet that has passed through the fixing section 213 to the reverse conveying path 217. 217. The sheet conveyed to the reversing conveying path 217 is switched back, whereby the front and back of the sheet are reversed. Then, the sheet whose front and back sides are reversed is discharged from the printer section 123 to the finisher section 126 via the discharge roller 216 .

The finisher section 126 has a first punch unit 220 and a staple stacker section 221, and uses these to perform various post-processing such as stapling, punching, sorting, etc. on a sheet bundle in which a plurality of sheets are bundled. It can be performed.
The first punch unit 220 is a unit for performing multi-hole punching. The first punch unit 220 has inlet transport rollers 222 for receiving sheets ejected from the printer section 123 into the first punch unit 220 . The sheet conveyed into the first punch unit 220 is conveyed toward the discharge roller 224 or toward the conveying roller 225 according to the switching operation of the flapper 223 . Here, when the sheet is conveyed toward the discharge roller 224 by the flapper 223 , the sheet passes through the first punch unit 220 and is directly conveyed to the staple stacker section 221 . Further, when the sheet is conveyed toward the conveying roller 225 by the flapper 223, the sheet is subjected to the multi-hole punching process.

A transport roller 226 , a sensor 227 , a punch section 228 and an abutment plate 229 are provided downstream of the transport roller 225 . A sensor 227 is a sensor for detecting the leading edge of the sheet. The punch unit 228 performs a multi-hole punching process of punching a large number of holes, for example, 30 holes, at the leading edge of the sheet (the leading edge in the sheet conveying direction). The abutment plate 229 is normally at a position to open the sheet conveying path. The abutment plate 229 is rotated at a π/2 (rad) angle at a predetermined timing, and protrudes onto the sheet conveying path so as to be able to abut against the leading edge of the sheet. By abutting the leading edge of the sheet against the abutment plate 229, the sheet can be positioned with a predetermined accuracy with respect to the punch portion 228. FIG.
Conveying rollers 230 to 233 are provided on the downstream side of the abutment plate 229 , and the conveying rollers 230 to 233 form a conveying path for guiding the sheet to the discharge roller 224 .
The staple stacker section 221 has entry rollers 234 for receiving sheets ejected from the first punch unit 220 into the unit. A sheet conveyed into the staple stacker section 221 via the inlet roller 234 is guided to the second punch unit 235 .

The second punch unit 235 punches a small number of holes, such as 2 to 4 holes, at the trailing edge of the sheet (a portion that is the trailing edge with respect to the conveying direction of the sheet) when the small number of hole punching process is set. A small number of hole punching is performed. Further, the second punch unit 235 operates to pass the sheet through and convey it to the downstream side when the small number of hole punching process is not set. A sensor 236 for detecting the trailing edge of the sheet and an abutment plate 237 against which the trailing edge of the sheet abuts are provided in the second punch unit 235 .
When the second punch unit 235 performs the small-hole punching process, the conveying rollers in the second punch unit 235 are reversed at a predetermined timing after the sensor 236 detects the trailing edge of the sheet. Also, the abutment plate 237 is rotated at an angle of π/2 (rad) to protrude onto the transport path. Then, the sheet is switched back toward the abutment plate 237 and stopped with the rear end of the sheet abutted against the abutment plate 237 . With the sheet thus positioned with respect to the trailing edge, a small number of holes are punched in the trailing edge of the sheet. After that, the sheet is conveyed toward the flapper 238 by the conveying rollers.
The flapper 238 performs a switching operation to guide the sheet to the non-sort path 239 or the conveying rollers 240 . Here, when the sheet is discharged as it is without setting post-processing such as sorting, punching, stapling, etc., the sheet is guided to the non-sorting path 239 by the flapper 238 . The sheet guided to the non-sort path 239 is discharged to the stack tray 242 by the conveying rollers 241 .

When post-processing such as sorting and stapling is set for the sheet, the printer unit 123 discharges the sheet to the finisher unit 126 face down. The sheet carried into the finisher section 126 is conveyed to the staple stacker section 221 through the first punch unit 220 and then guided to the conveying roller 240 by the flapper 238 . Next, the sheet is discharged onto the bundle discharge belt 243 by the conveying rollers 240 . Here, a low-friction intermediate processing tray is provided at a position several millimeters higher in parallel with the bundle discharge belt 243, and the sheets are actually discharged onto the intermediate processing tray. The discharged sheet falls downward and to the right under its own weight along the intermediate processing tray (bundle discharge belt 243). Further, the fan-shaped return roller 244 rotates counterclockwise, and the friction member provided on the outer edge thereof contacts the sheet. Due to the contact of the friction member, a force for dropping the sheet in the lower right direction acts on the sheet, and the edge of the sheet hits the stopper plate 245 . As a result, the sheets are aligned in the vertical direction (feed direction).

Alignment plates 246 are provided on the intermediate processing tray on the front side and the back side thereof. Each aligning plate 246 is driven each time a sheet is discharged onto the intermediate processing tray. As a result, the sheets on the intermediate processing tray are aligned in the lateral direction (width direction).
When a predetermined number of sheets are discharged and stacked on the intermediate processing tray, the bundle discharge belt 243 is driven and the sheets are discharged onto the stack tray 242 or 247 . When the staple mode is set, a bundle of sheets to be stapled is discharged onto the intermediate processing tray, and the alignment plate 246 aligns the sheets in the horizontal direction. After that, the staple unit 248 is driven to bind the sheet bundle, and the bound sheet bundle is discharged onto the stack tray 242 or 247 by the bundle discharge belt 243 . Here, each stack tray 242, 247 is configured to be vertically movable. Further, the stack trays 242 and 247 are provided with sensors 250 and 249 for detecting the presence or absence of sheets.
Further, the staple unit 248 can perform "corner binding" for binding the back end of the sheet at the far side position, and "double binding" for binding the rear end of the sheet at two locations. The binding position for the sheets is set by the user.

(Construction of operation unit)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration example of the operation unit 121. As shown in FIG. A start key 301 is a key for accepting an instruction to start scanning by the scanner unit 122 and to start printing by the printer unit 123 or the finisher unit 126 . A clear/stop key 302 functions as a clear key while the apparatus is on standby, and as a stop key during job execution. A numeric keypad 303 can be used to input numbers. A user mode key 313 can be used to transition to a user mode screen for installing the MFP 100 . A shortcut display area 314 is a display area for shortcut buttons that can be used in common for all functions. A status notification area 315 is an area for notifying the device or job status. A function screen area 304 is a function screen area for displaying a screen for performing various settings when copying, facsimile transmission, or the like is executed, and the copy function screen will be described as an example. A function screen area 340 is an example of a function screen area for performing settings related to image formation. A paper selection key 305 selects a paper for printing output from a paper feed tray or automatic paper selection. The same size key 306 is designated when printing out at the same size. A zoom key 307 can designate an arbitrary magnification. A color mode selection key 308 can select a color mode for print output. Shortcut keys 309 to 312 are shortcut keys for which keys corresponding to various processes can be set. For example, shortcut keys can be used to set finishing settings, double-sided mode, density settings, document types, and the like.

(Printing process and means for resolving out-of-paper state)
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of paper-out state resolution processing according to the first embodiment. The out-of-paper state elimination process is an example of information processing. S401 to S414 represent each step. The processing of each step is realized by the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 103 or HDD 104 . When the multifunction machine 100 is powered on and the CPU 101 of the multifunction machine 100 activates the ROM 103 or the HDD 104, the controller 125 enters a print execution instruction standby state in S401. In S401, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a print execution instruction (print execution instruction) has been received. If the CPU 101 determines that the print execution instruction has not been received, the process returns to S401, and if it determines that the print execution instruction has been received, the process proceeds to S402.
In S402, the CPU 101 issues a print execution instruction to the printer unit 123 to start printing the job. A print execution instruction to the controller 125 of the MFP 100 is performed by pressing the start key 301 displayed in the function screen area 304 in the case of copying, for example. A print execution instruction from another device is issued from the LAN or WAN 124 via the network I/F 106 .

In S403, the CPU 101 monitors the print status of the job and the amount of paper in each paper storage unit. The CPU 101 ends the no-paper state resolution process if the no-paper state has occurred, and advances to step S404 if the no-paper state has occurred.
In S404, the CPU 101 inquires of the authentication processing unit 119 about the authentication state, and determines whether login has been completed. If the CPU 101 determines that the user is logged in, the process proceeds to step S405, and if the CPU 101 determines that the user is not logged in, the process proceeds to step S407.
In S407, the CPU 101 displays the no paper screen 500 shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 101 performs the processes after S408. In the no paper screen 500, 501 to 503 are paper feed stage selection buttons. By selecting this button, the user can select a paper source for forced paper feeding. The user can instruct forced paper feeding by selecting one of the paper feed stage selection buttons 501 to 503 and selecting the OK button 504 . 505 is a stop button. By selecting this button, the user can cancel the out of paper interrupted job. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying job status. A job status screen 601 is a screen on which the user can check the status and history of jobs being executed by the MFP 100 . A job status screen call button 602 is a button for calling the job status screen 601 and is displayed in the shortcut display area 314 . Therefore, the user can display the job status screen 601 screen with one button by selecting the job status screen call button 602 even while using the copy function, for example.

In S<b>405 , the CPU 101 displays the message 701 in the status notification area 315 to guide the user to the job status screen. An example is shown in FIG. The CPU 101 displays a message 701 in the status notification area 315 to guide the user to the job status screen. Therefore, the logged-in user can continue to operate the function screen area 304 . The processing of S405 is an example of display control processing.
In S<b>406 , the CPU 101 determines whether or not the user has selected the job status screen call button 602 . If the CPU 101 determines that the user has selected the job status screen call button 602, the process proceeds to step S407, and if it determines that the user has not selected the job status screen call button 602, the process of step S406 is repeated. The user's operation of selecting the job status screen call button 602 is an example of a predetermined operation corresponding to information for guiding to the out-of-paper screen.
In S<b>407 , the CPU 101 displays the no paper screen 500 on the operation unit 121 . The processing of S407 is an example of display control processing.
In S408, the CPU 101 waits for an event.
In S409, the CPU 101 determines whether the received event is an operation unit event. If the CPU 101 determines that it is an operation unit event, it proceeds to S412, and if it determines that it is not an operation unit event, it proceeds to S410.

In S412, the CPU 101 determines whether the received operation unit event is a forced paper feed request or a cancellation request. If the CPU 101 determines that the operation unit event is a forced paper feed request, the process proceeds to step S414, and if it determines that the operation unit event is a cancellation request, the process proceeds to step S413.
In S413, the CPU 101 determines from which of the cassettes 208, 209, or the manual paper feed tray 210 the printer unit 123 should feed paper, according to the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray selection buttons 801 to 803 in FIG. The printer unit 123 is notified. In S<b>411 , the CPU 101 closes the out-of-paper screen 500 . Then, the CPU 101 returns to S402.
In step S<b>414 , the CPU 101 requests the printer unit 123 to cancel the job interrupted due to the out-of-paper error. In S<b>415 , the CPU 101 closes the out-of-paper screen 500 . Then, the CPU 101 terminates the out-of-paper state elimination process.
In S410, the CPU 101 determines whether the received event is paper supply detection. If the CPU 101 determines that the received event is paper supply detection, the process proceeds to step S411, and if it determines that the received event is not paper supply detection, the process returns to step S408.
In S<b>411 , the CPU 101 closes the out-of-paper screen 500 . Then, the CPU 101 returns to the processing of S402.

According to the processing described in the above embodiments, by switching between the no-paper screen display and the status line line according to the authentication status, screen operation is not hindered in the case of login status, and immediately when not in the login status. You can notice the out-of-paper condition.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of paper-out state resolution processing according to the first embodiment. If the CPU 101 determines in S401 that a print execution instruction has been received, the process advances to S801. In S801, the CPU 101 instructs the printer unit 123 to print a print job with owner information using data in the authentication processing unit 119, and starts printing the job. A print job is managed in the controller 125 in association with user information using data in the authentication processing unit 119 .
In S404, when the CPU 101 determines that login is in progress, the process proceeds to S802. In step S802, the CPU 101 inquires of the authentication processing unit 119 whether the user information of the logged-in user and the user information of the job owner are the same. As a result of the inquiry, if the CPU 101 determines that they are the same, it proceeds to S405, and if it determines that they are not the same, it proceeds to S407.
In S405, the CPU 101 notifies via the status line. In S<b>407 , the CPU 101 displays the out-of-paper screen 500 .

According to the processing described in the above embodiments, when a job submitted by the user is interrupted due to the lack of paper, the user can immediately notice the lack of paper. Also, if the logged-in user is different from the job owner, screen operations are not hindered.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium. It can also be realized by a process in which one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Although one example of the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment.

As described above, according to the processing of each of the embodiments described above, it is possible to immediately notify the user that there is no paper in the logged-in state without hindering the screen operation, and in the non-logged-in state.

100 MFP 101 CPU
104 HDDs

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus that conveys a sheet held by a sheet holding means and forms an image on the conveyed sheet,
display means;
When the user is not logged in to the image forming apparatus when there is no sheet in the sheet holding means, a notification screen regarding the no sheet state is displayed, and when no sheet is in the sheet holding means, the display control means for controlling the display means to display a notification regarding a state in which there is no sheet in a status notification area having a smaller area than the notification screen when a user is logged in to the image forming apparatus. image forming device. When the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus when there is no sheet in the sheet holding means, the display control means confirms the notification regarding the state in which there is no sheet in the status notification area and the notification screen. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means is controlled to display information for enabling the image forming apparatus. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when a predetermined operation corresponding to information for confirming the notification screen is performed, the display control means controls the display means to display the notification screen. image forming device. If a user is logged in to the image forming apparatus when there is no sheet in the sheet holding means, it is determined whether or not the owner of the job that received the print instruction is the same as the logged-in user. further comprising determination means;
When the determination means determines that the owner of the job and the logged-in user are the same, the display control means displays the notification screen,
When the determination means determines that the owner of the job and the logged-in user are not the same, the display control means controls the display means to display a notification regarding a state in which there is no sheet in the status notification area. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status notification area is provided separately from an area for displaying a screen for making settings related to image formation. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the status notification area is provided below an area for displaying a screen for setting the image formation. 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the notification screen includes information about sheets to be replenished. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the status notification area is an area capable of displaying a one-line character string. further comprising a plurality of sheet holding means;
If the user is not logged in to the image forming apparatus when there is no sheet in any of the plurality of sheet holding means, the display control means displays a notification screen regarding the state of no sheet, and When the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus when there is no sheet in any of the sheet holding means, a notification about the absence of the sheet is displayed in a status notification area having an area smaller than that of the notification screen. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is controlled. An information processing method executed by an image forming apparatus having display means, conveying a sheet held by a sheet holding means, and forming an image on the conveyed sheet, comprising:
a step of controlling the display unit to display a notification screen regarding the state of no sheet when the user is not logged in to the image forming apparatus when the sheet holding unit is in the state of no sheet;
When the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus when there is no sheet in the sheet holding means, the display is made to display a notification regarding the state of no sheet in a status notification area having a smaller area than the notification screen. and a step of controlling means. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to claim 10.

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