JPH0535029A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exactly avoid the danger of erroneously executing special process in the case of migrating to a maintenance mode again after the maintenance mode is released in an ON state of the switch for special processing. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with various keys to input copying modes, etc., a control panel 200 having a mechanical switch (not shown in diagram) to execute the maintenance mode, an operation control part 405 executing control of the control panel 200, a storage part 402 where a program and the presently set copying mode, etc., are stored, and a main control part 401 inhibiting procedure from the maintenance mode to an image forming mode in a state where the special process is allowed and executing control of the device as a whole.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a maintenance mode function for setting and displaying various control data necessary for an image forming operation, and more specifically to a transition to a maintenance mode. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that controls appropriately.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, in addition to an image forming mode function for performing a normal image formation, a maintenance mode (hereinafter referred to as a maintenance mode) used by a service person for adjusting and checking the apparatus. (Maintenance mode)
Some have the function of performing. This maintenance mode is a mode for individually driving each load inside the device, monitoring the output state of each sensor, setting various control data necessary for image forming operation, and displaying. is there. In addition, there is a special process in the maintenance mode, such as the initialization process of the device, which takes a lot of time for the restoration work if it is mistakenly performed. Therefore, a switch for switching the image forming mode and the maintenance mode is used. A safety measure is provided to prevent accidental execution of special processing by providing a switch for executing special processing.

[0003]

However, according to the image forming apparatus having the function of performing the conventional maintenance mode, the maintenance mode is selected and the special processing is executed by turning on the special processing switch. However, since the maintenance mode can be released while the special processing switch is still in the ON state, if the maintenance mode is released while the special processing switch is in the ON state, and then the maintenance mode is entered again, at that point There is a problem in that the special processing can be executed immediately and there is a high possibility that the special processing is executed by mistake.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and there is a risk that the special processing is erroneously executed when the maintenance mode is released while the special processing switch is in the ON state and then the maintenance mode is entered again. The purpose is to surely avoid.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function, and an image forming apparatus having a setting means for executing special processing in the maintenance mode. In the above, there is provided an image forming apparatus including control means for controlling so as to prohibit transition from the maintenance mode to the image forming mode when the special processing is set by the setting means in the maintenance mode.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function,
In an image forming apparatus having a switching means for switching modes and a setting means for executing special processing in the maintenance mode, after switching from the image forming mode to the maintenance mode by the switching means, the special processing is performed by the setting means. An image forming apparatus provided with a control means for controlling such that special processing can be executed only when setting is performed.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function,
In the image forming apparatus provided with the switching means for switching the mode and the setting means for executing the special processing in the maintenance mode, in the maintenance mode,
When the special processing is set by the setting means and the image forming mode is switched to the maintenance mode by the switching means, the control means controls the warning means to indicate that the special processing is being set by the setting means. An image forming apparatus including the above is provided.

[0008]

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the special processing switch is in the ON state, the transition from the maintenance mode to the image forming mode is prohibited so that the special processing switch is released when the maintenance mode is released. Prevent forgetting to turn off.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the special processing is executed only when the special processing switch is turned on after the maintenance mode is entered, and the special processing switch is turned on. In a situation where the maintenance mode is to be entered again, the special processing is disabled.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the maintenance mode is released while the special processing switch is in the ON state, it is confirmed by a buzzer, a lamp or the like that the special processing switch is ON. To prevent forgetting to turn off the switch for special processing.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a copying machine 100 to which an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied. A contact glass 101 on which a document is placed, and an image of the document arranged below the contact glass 101 are displayed. The optical system 102 for optically reading, the photoconductor 103 on which the reading light from the optical system 102 is projected, and the photoconductor 10 prior to the exposure process.
3, a charger 104 for charging the surface of the image forming device 3, an eraser 105 for erasing the charges charged outside the image forming area,
A developing unit 106 for adhering (developing) toner to the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure process, and a P sensor 107 for optically detecting the toner density of the reference toner image formed by a predetermined process outside the image forming area. A transfer charger 108 that transfers the toner image on the photoconductor 103 to the surface of the recording paper, a separation charger 109 that separates the recording paper after the transfer process from the photoconductor 103, and a cleaning margin to increase the cleaning margin. Pre-cleaning charger 110 for removing charge of residual toner on the photoconductor 103 after transfer processing
A cleaning unit 111 that removes the toner that has been discharged by the pre-cleaning charger 110, a discharge lamp 112 that erases the electric charge remaining on the photoconductor 103 that has completed the cleaning process, and a recording sheet that is set by size. Cassettes 113, 114, 115 and 11
6, a conveyor belt 117 that conveys the recording paper separated from the photoconductor 103, a fixing unit 118 that fixes the toner image transferred to the recording paper by applying heat, and a recording paper that has been fixed. A switching claw 119 whose direction is switched depending on the destination of conveyance, and a reversing guide 120 for temporarily conveying a recording sheet on which one-sided copying is completed when the double-sided mode is selected.
A discharge roller 121 that discharges the recording paper to the outside of the apparatus, a gate claw 122 that operates according to the size of the recording paper, and an intermediate tray 123 that stores the recording paper guided by the gate claw 122. ing. Although not shown, a paper discharge tray 121 is mounted with a paper discharge tray for storing recording paper discharged outside the apparatus.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The image of the document placed on the contact glass 101 is optically read by the optical system 102, and the read light is exposed on the photoconductor 103. The photoconductor 103 is charged by the charging charger 104 prior to the exposure process, and the charge is erased by the exposure process to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed in the developing unit 106 to form a toner image.
The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper conveyed from 116 by the action of the transfer charger. The recording paper on which the transfer process has been completed is separated from the photoconductor 103 by the action of the separation charger, and is conveyed to the fixing unit 118 by the conveyance belt 117. After the transfer process is completed, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 103 is removed by the cleaning unit 111, and the photoconductor 103 is further irradiated with the light of the charge eliminating lamp 112 to erase the remaining charges. The recording paper conveyed to the fixing unit 118 is
The recording paper on which the toner image is fixed by applying heat and the fixing process is completed is conveyed by the switching claw 119 to the reversing guide 120 or the discharge roller 121. The recording paper conveyed to the paper ejection roller 121 is ejected to the outside of the machine, and a series of steps is completed. The recording paper conveyed to the reversing guide 120 is stored in the intermediate tray 123 to prepare for the next copying process.

FIG. 2 is an operation panel 200 arranged on the upper portion of the copying machine 100 for inputting designations such as a copy mode.
Showing a plan view, 201 is a start key, 202 is an automatic paper selection key, 203 is a paper selection key, 204 is a delete key, 205 is a double-sided key, 206 is a sorter key, 207 is a binding margin adjustment key, 208 is a ten key, 209 Is a guidance key, 210 is a guidance display that lights up when the guidance key 209 is pressed, 211 is a display panel that displays copying conditions, and 212 is the selected recording paper size provided in the display panel 211. The paper size indicator 213 is a guidance display unit for displaying a method of copy operation to the user. Further, 214 is a hidden plate provided at the end of the operation panel 200.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the internal structure of the hidden plate 214. As shown, when the hidden plate 214 is removed, there is an inner lid 301, and a mechanical switch 302 for executing a maintenance mode is arranged further inside the inner lid 301. The mechanical switch 302 includes a maintenance mode switch 302a for switching between an image forming mode and a maintenance mode.
Special processing permission switch 302 for executing special processing
b, and the contents of the maintenance mode to be executed are specified by the combination with the other switches.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control system of the copying machine 100, and a main control section 40 for controlling the entire apparatus.
1, a program, a storage unit 402 that stores a copy mode currently set, an optical control unit 403 that controls the optical system 102, an AC control unit 404 that controls the image forming system, and an operation. The control unit 405 is configured to execute control of the panel 200. Reference numeral 406 denotes various sensors for detecting the P sensor 107 and the jam of the recording paper, and 407 collectively denotes solenoids and motors for controlling the operation of the apparatus. As described above, the contents operated by the operation panel 200 are the operation control unit
5 is output to the main control unit 401 via the operation control unit 405.
Control.

Next, the control by the main controller 401 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the mode control. The mode switching control between the image forming mode and the maintenance mode is first performed by the maintenance mode switch 30.
It is determined whether or not 2a is turned on (S501), and when it is determined that it is turned on, the maintenance mode is entered (S501).
502) On the contrary, if it is determined that the switch is not turned on, the normal operation (image forming mode) is performed (S503).

Here, the maintenance mode will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the processing contents of the maintenance mode. As shown in the figure, the maintenance mode is roughly classified into a general process and a special process. General processing is processing such as sensor input check, individual load individual drive check, display all lighting, buzzer ON / OFF switching, etc. Special processing clears the abnormality counter that stores jam information of recording paper etc. This is a process that cannot be restored after the execution of clearing all counters, clearing the non-volatile memory storing the control data of the device, etc. The numbers at the beginning of the processing contents are processing numbers for designating the processing with the mechanical switch 302.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the maintenance mode control according to the first embodiment, and this control corresponds to the processing in step S502 in FIG.
First, it is determined whether or not the maintenance mode switch 302a is ON (S701), if it is determined to be ON, then it is determined whether or not the processing number is input (S702), and if it is determined that the processing number is not input, the step is performed. It returns to the process of S701. On the contrary, if it is determined that the processing number is input, it is determined whether the next input processing number is the special processing number (S703). It is determined whether it is ON (S704).

When the special process permission switch 302b is determined to be ON, the process in the maintenance mode designated by the input is executed (S705), and the process proceeds to step S701. If it is determined that the special process permission switch 302b is not turned on even if the special process number is input, the process proceeds to step S701, and if it is determined that the input process number is not the special process, step S705.
Process shifts to.

On the contrary, if it is determined in step S701 that the maintenance mode switch 302a is OFF, then it is determined whether the special processing permission switch 302b is ON (S706). If the special process permission switch 302b is determined to be ON, the process proceeds to step S701, and conversely, the special process permission switch 302b is turned off.
When it is determined to be F, the series of processes is completed.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the special processing permission switch is in the ON state, it is impossible to shift to the image forming mode. Therefore, it is possible to avoid forgetting to turn off the special processing permission switch, and when shifting to the maintenance mode. It is possible to avoid accidentally executing special processing.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. Since the difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is only the maintenance mode control, only the maintenance mode control will be described. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the maintenance mode control according to the second embodiment. First, the special processing permission flag is set to 0 (S801), and then it is determined whether the maintenance mode switch 302a is ON (S802). If it is determined that the maintenance mode switch 302a is OFF, a series of processes is ended here. Conversely, if it is determined that the maintenance mode switch 302a is ON, it is then determined whether the special process permission switch 302b is ON (S803). Special processing permission switch 302b
If it is determined to be OFF, the special process permission flag is set to 1 (S804), and then it is determined whether or not there is a process number input (S805). If it is determined in step S803 that the special process permission switch 302b is ON, the process proceeds to step S805.

If it is determined in step S805 that the process number has not been input, the process proceeds to step S802,
On the contrary, if it is determined that the processing number is input, it is determined whether the next processing number is a special processing number (S80).
6). When it is judged that the processing number of special processing has been input,
Next, it is determined whether the special processing permission switch 302b is ON (S807), and the special processing permission switch 302b is OFF.
If so, the process proceeds to step S802. On the contrary, if the special process permission switch 302b is determined to be ON, then it is determined whether the value of the special process permission flag is 1 (S
808), if it is determined that the value of the special process permission flag is not 1, the process proceeds to step S802. If the value of the special process permission flag is judged to be 1, the process in the designated maintenance mode is executed (S809), and step S8
The processing moves to 02. If it is determined that the process number input in step S806 is not the special process number, the process proceeds to step S809.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the special processing permission switch is turned on and the maintenance mode is entered, the special processing cannot be executed unless the special processing permission switch is operated again. There is also an advantage that the special process is not erroneously executed at the time of transition, and if the special process does not need to be executed, the special process permission switch need not be conscious.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. Since the difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is only the maintenance mode control, only the maintenance mode control will be described. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the maintenance mode control according to the third embodiment. First, it is determined whether the maintenance mode switch 302a is ON (S
901), maintenance mode switch 302a is ON
Then, it is determined whether or not the processing number is input (S902). If it is determined that the process number has not been input, the process returns to step S901. Conversely, if it is determined that the process number has been input, it is determined whether or not the process number input next is a special process number (S903). If the entered process number is judged to be a special process number, then the special process permission switch 3
02b is ON (S904), and if the special process permission switch 302b is OFF, step S9
The processing moves to 01. On the contrary, special processing permission switch 3
If 02b is ON, the designated maintenance mode process is executed (S905), and then step S90.
The processing shifts to 1. If it is determined in step S903 that the input process number is not the special process number, the process proceeds to step S905.

When it is determined in step S901 that the maintenance mode switch 302a is OFF, it is then determined whether the special processing permission switch 302b is ON (S9).
06), if it is determined that the special process permission switch 302b is OFF, a series of processes ends here, and conversely, if it is determined that the special process permission switch 302b is ON, a warning is given via the guidance display unit 213 (S907). ), A series of processing ends. Here, the warning by the guidance display unit 213 is issued by displaying, for example, "Tokushoshiriga Kyokareta Mamades" in order to notify that the special process permission switch 302b is in the ON state.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when the special processing permission switch is in the ON state and the maintenance mode is entered, the special processing permission switch is turned on to warn that the special processing permission switch is in the ON state. It is possible to avoid forgetting to turn it off, and to avoid accidentally executing special processing when shifting to the maintenance mode. The warning that the special process permission switch is in the ON state may be issued by sounding a buzzer or turning on a lamp.

In the present embodiment, the mode switching between the image forming mode and the maintenance mode is performed by the mechanical switch, but the mode switching may be performed by operating the key on the operation panel.

[0029]

As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, the image forming mode and the maintenance mode function are provided,
In an image forming apparatus having a setting means for executing special processing in the maintenance mode, when the special processing is set by the setting means in the maintenance mode, the transition from the maintenance mode to the image forming mode is prohibited. Since the control means for controlling is provided, it is possible to surely avoid the risk of erroneously executing the special processing when the maintenance mode is released with the special processing switch being in the ON state and then the maintenance mode is entered again.

Further, as is clear from the above, according to the present invention, there are provided an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function, switching means for switching the mode, and setting means for executing special processing in the maintenance mode. In the image forming apparatus including the control means, the control means controls the special processing so that the special processing can be executed only when the special processing is set by the setting means after switching from the image forming mode to the maintenance mode by the switching means. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably avoid the risk of accidentally executing special processing when the maintenance mode is released while the special processing switch is in the ON state and then the maintenance mode is entered again.

Further, as is clear from the above, according to the present invention, it has an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function, a switching means for switching the mode, and a setting means for executing a special process in the maintenance mode. In the image forming apparatus equipped with, when the special processing is set by the setting means in the maintenance mode and the image forming mode is switched to the maintenance mode by the switching means, the special processing is set by the setting means via the warning means. Since the control means for controlling to indicate that it is in the middle is provided, there is a risk that the special processing is erroneously executed when the maintenance mode is released while the special processing switch is in the ON state and then the maintenance mode is entered again. Can be reliably avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a copying machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel of the copying machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and an installation location of a mechanical switch that performs a maintenance mode according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the copying machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing mode control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing processing contents of a maintenance mode according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing maintenance mode control according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing maintenance mode control according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing maintenance mode control according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Copier 200 Operation Panel 213 Guidance Display Section 214 Hidden Plate 302 Mechanical Switch 302a Maintenance Mode Switch 302b Special Processing Permission Switch 401 Main Control Section 402 Storage Section 405 Operation Control Section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function, and comprising setting means for executing special processing in the maintenance mode, wherein the special processing is set by the setting means in the maintenance mode. The image forming apparatus further comprises a control unit that controls so as to prohibit the transition from the maintenance mode to the image forming mode. 2. An image forming apparatus having an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function, comprising switching means for switching modes and setting means for executing special processing in the maintenance mode. After the image forming mode is switched to the maintenance mode by means of, the control means is provided so that the special processing can be executed only when the special processing is set by the setting means. Image forming apparatus. 3. An image forming apparatus having an image forming mode and a maintenance mode function, comprising switching means for switching modes and setting means for executing special processing in the maintenance mode, wherein the maintenance mode is used. When the special processing is set by the setting means, when the image forming mode is switched to the maintenance mode by the switching means, the special processing by the setting means is being set through the warning means. An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for controlling as suggested.