JPH1049004A - Image forming device connecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a plurality of image forming devices from simultaneously reaching the end of toner by detecting the fact that any of the image forming devices comes near the end of the toner, when the fact occurs and concentrating instructions to form an image issued from each electronic device on the image forming device coming near the end of the toner. SOLUTION: A printer 3 executes printing, based on printing instructions from a controller 2, in a state where a toner cartridge 14 is set and the quantity of the toner of the toner cartridge 14 is detected with the result of detection by a piezoelectric sensor, etc., set in the cartridge 14. When the quantity of the toner in the cartridge 14 is small, the fact is detected and the controller 2 is informed of the fact. Thus, when any of a plurality of digital copying machines 4 and 5, including the printer 3 comes near the end of the toner, the printing instructions are concentrated on these devices, to prevent the printer 3, the plurality of digital devices 4 and 5, etc., from being simultaneously damaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying machine, a printer,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus connecting system in which a plurality of independent electrophotographic apparatuses such as a facsimile apparatus are connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, offices and the like are often provided with a plurality of image forming apparatuses using electrophotography, such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines. At this time, as these image forming apparatuses, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
The systems shown in No. 1 have been proposed. In these systems, when the toner end is detected by the toner end detecting means, the developing device is deactivated and another copying operation is enabled, thereby enabling the machine to operate. Downtime is reduced and operability is improved. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In the system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 281851, a plurality of developing units are provided in the same image forming apparatus, and these developing units are selectively used in accordance with an image.

[0003]

By the way, in each of these image forming apparatuses, the so-called downtime, which is spent for exchanging the toner cartridge and exchanging the process cartridge at the time of toner end or when the process cartridge reaches the end of its life, is called. Inoperable time occurs. If such downtime occurs simultaneously in a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the user cannot use any of the image forming apparatuses, and thus the work becomes inoperable. When there is no stock, the order of toner cartridges and process cartridges from the manufacturer until the delivery of these toner cartridges and process cartridges,
There was a fatal situation where work became impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first aspect of the present invention prevents a plurality of image forming apparatuses from reaching the toner end at the same time, thereby preventing a fatal downtime from occurring. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus connecting system capable of performing the following operations. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus coupling system capable of preventing a plurality of image forming apparatuses from simultaneously reaching the life of a process cartridge and preventing a fatal downtime from occurring. The purpose is. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus connecting system capable of preventing a downtime from occurring during an output operation and preventing a complicated operation caused by the downtime from occurring. And According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a downtime from occurring during an output operation, to prevent a complicated operation caused by the downtime from occurring, and to minimize the number of image forming apparatuses in which the downtime occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus connecting system which can be reduced. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus connecting system that can inform an unspecified number of users using the system of the replacement timing of the toner cartridge and the replacement timing of the process cartridge. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus connection system capable of automatically ordering a replacement supply and thereby preventing inventory of a toner cartridge and a process cartridge from running out. And

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a controller device connects various electronic devices to various image forming devices using a toner cartridge. In the image forming apparatus connection system, when any one of the image forming apparatuses is close to the toner end, the controller detects this and approaches the image forming instruction output from each of the electronic devices. It is characterized by being concentrated on an image forming apparatus. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connecting system in which various electronic devices and various image forming apparatuses using a process cartridge are connected by a controller device.
When one of the process cartridges used in each of the image forming apparatuses has reached the end of its service life, the controller unit detects the end of the service life, and outputs an image forming instruction output from each of the electronic devices to the process cartridge. It is characterized in that it concentrates on the image forming apparatus that has reached the end of its useful life. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connection system according to the first or second aspect, when the image forming apparatus on which the image forming instruction is concentrated by the controller device has reached the toner end or the life of the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus is connected. It is characterized in that an image instruction is distributed to another image forming apparatus. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus coupling system according to the first or second aspect, when some of the toner cartridges used in each of the image forming apparatuses are near the toner end, and when some of the process cartridges are used. When the life of the image forming apparatus is near the end of its service life, the controller detects the end of the life and selects one of the image forming apparatuses whose toner life or the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life. In contrast, the image forming instructions output from the respective electronic devices are concentrated, and the image forming instructions are distributed to other image forming devices when the image forming device reaches the end of toner or the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life. And According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connection system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image forming apparatus in which the image forming instructions output from each electronic device are concentrated is a toner end or a process. It is characterized in that one or more of the above electronic devices indicate that the cartridge life has been reached. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus coupling system according to any one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects, the number of times each of the image forming apparatuses reaches the toner end state and the number of times that the process cartridge reaches the end of its service life are calculated. When each of the cumulative numbers becomes equal to or greater than a preset value, a device having a communication function is selected from the electronic devices or the image forming devices, and the communication function of the device is used to notify the sales company. It is characterized in that a toner cartridge or a process cartridge is ordered.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connection system in which various electronic devices are connected to various image forming apparatuses using a toner cartridge by a controller device. When the toner is near the toner end, the controller detects this and concentrates the image forming instruction output from each of the electronic devices on the image forming apparatus whose toner end is near, thereby forming a plurality of images. This prevents the image apparatus from reaching the toner end at the same time, thereby preventing a fatal downtime from occurring. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connection system in which various electronic devices and various image forming apparatuses using the process cartridge are connected by the controller device, any one of the process cartridges used in each of the image forming apparatuses is used. When the end of the life of the process cartridge is detected, the controller unit detects the end of the life of the process cartridge and concentrates the image forming instruction output from each of the electronic devices on the image forming apparatus near the end of the life of the process cartridge. A plurality of image forming apparatuses are prevented from reaching the life of the process cartridge at the same time, thereby preventing a fatal downtime from occurring. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connection system according to the first or second aspect, when the image forming apparatus on which the image forming instruction is concentrated by the controller device has reached the toner end or the life of the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus is connected. By distributing the image instruction to another image forming apparatus, according to the third aspect, it is possible to prevent a downtime from occurring during the output operation and prevent a troublesome operation caused by the downtime from occurring. In Claim 4, Claim 1
Or in the image forming apparatus coupling system according to 2, wherein when some of the toner cartridges used in each of the image forming apparatuses are near the toner end and some of the process cartridges are near the end of their service life. At this time, the controller device detects this, selects one of the image forming devices that are near the toner end or the process cartridge endurance life, and sends the image forming device to each of the electronic devices. When the image forming instructions output are concentrated and the image forming apparatus reaches the end of the toner or the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life, the above image forming instructions are distributed to other image forming apparatuses, thereby causing downtime during the output operation. To prevent troublesome work caused by downtime, As much as possible but the number of the image forming apparatus occurs,
Reduce. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus connection system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image forming apparatus in which the image forming instructions output from each electronic device are concentrated is a toner end or a process. By displaying the end of the cartridge life on one or more of the electronic devices, an unspecified number of users using the system are notified of the toner cartridge replacement time and the process cartridge replacement time. In claim 6, claim 1,
In the image forming apparatus connection system according to any one of 2, 3, 4, and 5, the number of times each image forming apparatus has reached the toner end state;
When the cumulative number of times at which the process cartridge endurance life has been reached is equal to or greater than a preset value, a device having a communication function is selected from the electronic devices or the image forming devices, and the device of this device is selected. By using a communication function to order a sales company to order a toner cartridge or a process cartridge, a replacement supply can be automatically ordered, thereby preventing the toner cartridge or the process cartridge from running out of stock. .

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. << Description of Device Configuration Commonly Used in Each Embodiment >> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus linking system 1 shown in FIG.
Comprises a controller device 2, a printer device 3, two digital copying machines 4, 5, a scanner device 6, a word processing device 7, three computer devices 8 to 10, and a connection line 11, The controller device 2 causes the printer device 3 to the computer device 10 to operate in cooperation with each other to perform image data capture processing, image data processing processing, document creation processing of various data formats, printout processing, and the like. At this time, these printer devices 3,
When any one of the plurality of digital copying machines 4, 5 and the like is near the toner end, the print instruction is concentrated on the apparatus near the toner end, and these printers 3,
This prevents a plurality of digital copying machines 4, 5 and the like from going down at the same time. In this case, the controller device 2 includes a disk device 12 used as a storage device, and a server 13 that is a source of information and commands for each part of the system. The printer 3 to the computer 10 are connected to the apparatus 3 to the computer 10 and operate in cooperation with each other. The printer device 3 includes the toner cartridge 1
When a print instruction is issued from the controller device 2 through the connection line 11 in a state in which the toner cartridge 4 is set, printing is performed based on the print information supplied with the print instruction, and the toner cartridge 14 is set in the toner cartridge 14. The toner amount of the toner cartridge 14 is detected based on the detection result of a piezoelectric sensor (toner detection sensor), the detection result of a reflection type sensor (P sensor) mounted near the photoconductor, and the like. When the amount of toner in the toner cartridge 14 becomes low (toner near end) or when the toner in the toner cartridge 14 runs out (toner end), this is detected and notified to the controller device 2.

The digital copying machine 4 includes a developing device 15
When the original to be copied is set in a state where the toner cartridge 16 is set in the printer and a print instruction is input or a print instruction is issued from the controller device 2 through the connection line 11, the original is Printing is performed based on print information obtained by reading the image and print information supplied together with the print instruction. When a facsimile transmission instruction is supplied,
The contents of the transmission document supplied together with the facsimile transmission instruction are fetched, and the facsimile line 17 (see FIG. 2)
Facsimile transmission to the transmission destination connected to.
In parallel with this operation, based on the detection result of the piezoelectric sensor (toner detection sensor) set in the toner cartridge 16 and the detection result of the reflection type sensor (P sensor) mounted near the photoconductor, etc. The amount of toner in the toner cartridge 16 is detected and detected when the amount of toner in the toner cartridge 16 is low (toner near end) or when the amount of toner in the toner cartridge 16 is low (toner end). Then, the controller device 2 is notified.

Further, the digital copying machine 5 includes
Process cartridge 2 in which charging device 18, developing device 19, photoconductor 20, cleaning device 21 and the like are integrated.
2, the original to be copied is set,
When a print instruction is input or a print instruction is issued from the controller device 2 via the connection line 11, based on print information obtained by reading an image of a document and print information supplied together with the print instruction. And print. In parallel with this operation, based on the detection result of the piezoelectric sensor (toner detection sensor) set in the process cartridge 22 and the detection result of the reflection type sensor (P sensor) mounted near the photoconductor 20, etc. When the amount of toner in the process cartridge 22 is detected, the amount of toner in the process cartridge 22 decreases (toner near end), when the amount of toner in the process cartridge 22 runs out (toner end), the amount of developer When it runs out, it detects this and notifies the controller device 2. Further, each time a printing operation is performed, the number of sheets used is counted, and the charging device 1 is counted based on the counted result.
8, developing device 19, photoconductor 20, cleaning device 21
For example, when the life of the device has expired, this is detected and notified to the controller device 2.

The scanner device 6 sets an original to be read, inputs a read instruction,
When a reading instruction is supplied via the connection line 11,
The image of the set document is read, and the obtained image information is supplied to the controller device 2. In addition, the word processing device 7 creates a document based on the operation contents of the keyboard, and supplies the stored document information to the controller device 2 when a high-speed document launch instruction is input. In addition, each computer device 8
10 to 10 are connected to the controller device 2 via a connection line 11, and perform a process of creating a document, a process of processing data, and the like based on the operation contents of a keyboard, and input a high-speed document launch instruction. Then, the stored document information is supplied to the controller device 2.

<< Description of Operation of First Embodiment >> Next, referring to the schematic configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, and the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of one embodiment will be described. First, the amount of toner in one of the printer device 3 and each of the digital copying machines 4 and 5, for example, the printer device 3, is reduced, and this is detected by the control unit 23 provided in the printer device 3 as shown in FIG. (Step ST1) If the toner near end detection signal is transmitted to the controller device 2,
This is fetched by the controller device 2 (step ST2), and information that the printer device 3 is in the toner near end is registered in the disk device 12 (step ST3). Thereafter, when a print command is output from any one of the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, and each of the computer devices 8 to 10, for example, the computer device 8, the print command is captured by the controller device 2 (step ST4), and the output destination is output. Is checked whether or not is forcibly specified (step S
T5) If there is no such designation, the disk drive 12
The print command is transferred to the printer 3 which is in the toner near end based on the contents registered in the printer, and printing is performed (steps ST7 and S7).
T8). At this time, if the output destination is forcibly specified (step ST5), the print command is transferred to the image forming apparatus forcibly specified by the controller device 2, for example, the digital copying machine 4, and the printing is performed. Is performed (step ST6), and if there is no image forming apparatus that has reached the toner near end (step ST7), the image forming apparatuses are selected in a preset priority order, for example, in order of proximity to the apparatus that issued the print instruction. In this procedure, an image forming apparatus to be subjected to print processing is selected, the print command is transferred to this image forming apparatus, and printing is performed (step ST9).

Thereafter, the controller device 2 sends the print instruction to the computer device 8.
The status display information is supplied, and the display section 24 of the computer device 8 displays “currently outputting to the printer device”.
Is displayed, and the user is notified of the output destination information (step ST10). As described above, in the first embodiment, when a print command is output from any of the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, and each of the computer devices 8 to 10, the printer device 3, the digital copiers 4, 5 and the like are output. Among the image forming apparatuses, the print processing is performed by the image forming apparatus having the toner end closest to the printer, and the print load of the other image forming apparatus is reduced by that amount, so that a plurality of image forming apparatuses simultaneously reach the toner end. And a fatal downtime can be prevented from occurring.

<< Explanation of Operation of Second Embodiment >> Next, referring to the schematic configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, and the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of the second embodiment will be described. First, the number of prints by the process cartridge 22 is determined based on the information of the number-of-uses counter set in one of the printer device 3 and each of the digital copying machines 4 and 5, for example, the digital copying machine 5 in which the process cartridge 22 is built. As the number of lifespans approaches the preset lifespan (for example, when the remaining life is about 100 before the set lifespan), FIG.
This is detected by the control unit 25 provided in the digital copying machine 5 as shown in FIG.
When a detection signal indicating that the life is near is transmitted to the controller device 2, the detection signal is received by the controller device 2 (step ST16), and it is determined that the life of the process cartridge 22 provided in the digital copying machine 5 is near. The information is registered in the disk device 12 (step ST17). Thereafter, the scanner device 6,
If a print command is output from any one of the word processing device 7 and each of the computer devices 8 to 10, for example, the computer device 8, this is taken in by the controller device 2 (step ST18) and whether the output destination is forcibly specified. Is checked (step ST
19) If there is no such designation, the disk drive 12
The print command is transferred to the digital copying machine 5 whose process cartridge 22 has a short life based on the contents registered in the printer and printing is performed (steps ST21 and ST22).

At this time, if the output destination is forcibly specified (step ST19), the controller device 2
The print command is transferred to an image forming apparatus forcibly designated by the printer, for example, the printer apparatus 3, and printing is performed (step ST20). (Step ST21) An image forming apparatus to be subjected to print processing is selected by a procedure of selecting an image forming apparatus in a preset priority order, for example, in the order of proximity to the apparatus that has issued the print instruction. , The print command is transferred and printing is performed (step ST2).
3). Thereafter, the controller device 2 supplies the status display information to the computer device 8 which has issued the print instruction, and displays “Status currently being output by the printer device” on the display unit 24 of the computer device 8. Is displayed, and the user is notified of the information of the output destination (step ST24). As described above, in the second embodiment, when a print command is output from any one of the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, and each of the computer devices 8 to 10, the printer device 3, the digital copiers 4, 5, and the like are output. Among the image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus having the process cartridge with the near life is subjected to the printing process, and the printing load of the other image forming apparatuses is reduced by that amount. , The occurrence of downtime can be prevented beforehand.

<< Description of Operation of Third Embodiment >> Next, referring to the schematic configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, and the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of the three embodiments will be described. First, any one of the printer device 3 and each of the digital copiers 4 and 5, for example, the toner of the printer device 3 becomes low or the toner is exhausted, and is provided in the printer device 3 as shown in FIG. 2. If this is detected by the controller 23 and a toner near end detection signal or a toner end detection signal is transmitted to the controller device 2 (step ST3).
0), these are fetched by the controller device (step ST31), and information that the printer device 3 is in the toner near end or toner end state is registered in the disk device 12 (step ST3).
2) If the signal captured at this time is a toner end detection signal (step ST33), the image forming apparatus (in this case, the printer apparatus 3) which is in the toner end is deleted from the transfer target of the print instruction (step ST33). Step ST3
4). Thereafter, the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7,
If a print command is output from one of the computer devices 8 to 10, for example, the computer device 8, the print command is fetched by the controller device 2 (step ST35), and it is checked whether the output destination is forcibly specified. (Step ST36) If there is no such designation, it is checked based on the contents registered in the disk device 12 whether or not there is an image forming device that is in the toner near end (Step ST3).
8) If there is an image forming apparatus that is in the toner near end, the print command is transferred to this image forming apparatus and printing is performed.

In the image forming process, if the image forming apparatus that has been in the toner near end becomes the toner end, the controller 2 will perform the image forming operation except for the image forming apparatus that is in the toner end state. In a procedure of selecting an image forming apparatus in a priority order set in advance, for example, in the order of proximity to the apparatus that has issued the print instruction, an image forming apparatus to be subjected to print processing is selected. The command is transferred and printing is performed (step ST39). At this time, if the output destination is forcibly specified (step ST36), the image forming apparatus forcibly specified by the controller device 2,
For example, the print command is transferred to the digital copying machine 4 and printing is performed (step ST37).
If there is no image forming apparatus that has reached the toner near end (step ST38), a preset priority order,
For example, among the image forming apparatuses that have not been deleted from the print instruction transfer target, in order of proximity to the apparatus that issued the print instruction,
In the procedure of selecting an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus to be subjected to a printing process is selected, the print command is transferred to this image forming apparatus, and printing is performed (step ST40).

After that, the controller device 2 sends a print instruction to the computer device 8 which has issued the print instruction.
The status display information is supplied, and the display section 24 of the computer device 8 displays “currently outputting to the printer device”.
Information such as is displayed to inform the user of the output destination information (step ST41). As described above, in the third embodiment, when a print command is output from any one of the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, and each of the computer devices 8 to 10, the printer device 3, the digital copiers 4, 5, and the like are output. Among the image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus having the toner end is removed, and the image forming apparatus having the toner close to the end is made to perform the printing process, so that the printing load of the other image forming apparatuses is reduced correspondingly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a fatal downtime from occurring during the output operation, and to prevent the occurrence of a complicated operation caused by the fatal downtime during the output operation. Also, this third
In the embodiment, the operation is described using the toner near end signal and the toner end signal as an example. However, the image forming apparatus is selected based on a detection signal indicating whether the life of the process cartridge 22 is near. Can obtain the same effect.

<< Explanation of Operation of Fourth Embodiment >> Next, referring to a schematic configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, a block diagram shown in FIG. 2, and a flowchart shown in FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention will be described. The operation of the four embodiments will be described. First, any one of the printer device 3 and each of the digital copying machines 4 and 5, for example, the toner of the printer device 3 and the toner of the digital copying machine 4 are reduced, and are provided in these printer devices 3 as shown in FIG. This is detected by the control unit 23 or the control unit 26 provided in the digital copying machine 4, and if a toner near-end detection signal is transmitted to the controller device 2 (step ST45), this is taken in by the controller device (step ST45). (Step ST46), the information that the printer device 3 and the digital copier 4 are in the toner near end and the time when the toner is near end are registered in the disk device 12 (step ST4).
7). Thereafter, the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7,
When a print command is output from one of the computer devices 8 to 10, for example, the computer device 8, this is read by the controller device 2 (step ST48), and it is checked whether the output destination is forcibly specified. (Step ST49) If there is no such designation, based on the contents registered in the disk device 12, of the printer device 3 which is a toner near end and the digital copier 4 which is a toner near end, It is determined which one has reached the toner near end first (step ST51).

At this time, if the printer device 3 has reached the toner near end first, the print command is transferred to the printer device 3 by the controller device 2 to perform printing. 4
If the printer has reached the toner near end first, the print command is transferred to the digital copying machine 4 by the controller device 2 and printing is performed. If the printer device 3 and the digital copying machine 4 are almost at the toner near end at the same time, either one of the printer device 3 and the digital copying machine 4 is selected by the controller device 2 and the printing is performed. The command is transferred and printing is performed (step ST5).
2). At this time, if the output destination is forcibly specified (step ST49), the print command is transferred to the image forming apparatus forcibly specified by the controller device 2, for example, the digital copying machine 5. Then, printing is performed (step ST50), and if there is no image forming apparatus in the toner near end (step ST5).
1) An image forming apparatus to be subjected to print processing is selected by a procedure of selecting an image forming apparatus in a preset priority order, for example, in an order close to the apparatus that has issued the print instruction,
The print command is transferred to this image forming apparatus,
Printing is performed (step ST53).

Thereafter, the controller device 2 sends a print instruction to the computer device 8 which has issued the print instruction.
The status display information is supplied, and the display section 24 of the computer device 8 displays “currently outputting to the printer device”.
Is displayed, and the user is notified of the output destination information (step ST54). As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the printer device 3, each digital copying machine 4,
5, when a print command is output from any one of the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, and each of the computer devices 8 to 10 in a state where there are a plurality of image forming devices near the toner end among the image forming devices such as 5 , Select the image forming apparatus that has reached the toner near end first, and perform print processing.
By reducing the printing load of other image forming devices by that amount, it is possible to prevent fatal downtime during output work, and to create complicated work caused by downtime during output work Can be prevented beforehand, and the number of image forming apparatuses in which downtime occurs can be reduced as much as possible. In the fourth embodiment, the operation is described using the toner near end signal and the toner end signal as an example. However, the detection signal indicating whether the life of the process cartridge 22 is near or the fact that the life has been reached is described. Similar effects can be obtained even when the image forming apparatus is selected based on the indicated signal.

<< Explanation of Operation of Fifth Embodiment >> Next, referring to the schematic configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, the block diagram shown in FIG. 2, and the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of the fifth embodiment will be described. First, any one of the printer device 3 and each of the digital copiers 4 and 5, for example, the printer device 3 runs out of toner, and this is detected by the control unit 23 provided in the printer device 3 as shown in FIG. When the toner end detection signal is transmitted to the controller device 2 (step ST60), the controller device 2 captures the signal (step ST61), and the information that the printer device 3 is in the toner end state is registered in the disk device 12. (Step ST62). Thereafter, the controller device 2 connects one of the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, and each of the computer devices 8 to 10 connected by the connection line 11.
A signal indicating that the printer device 3 is in the toner end state is supplied to one or more devices, for example, the computer device 8, and a “printer” is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 24 of the computer device 8 receiving the signal. "The device is out of toner" is displayed to notify the operator operating the computer device 8 and the surrounding workers that the printer device 3 is out of toner. ST63, ST64). As a result, one of the unspecified number of workers who saw this message allows the toner cartridge 14
Are exchanged, and the printer device 3 is returned to a printable state.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, when one of the image forming apparatuses such as the printer apparatus 3 and the digital copying machines 4 and 5 reaches the end of the toner or the process cartridge life, the scanner apparatus 6 and the word processor are used. A signal is sent to at least one or more of the device 7 and each of the computer devices 8 to 10 so that an unspecified number of workers are notified that there is an image forming device that is out of toner.
An unspecified number of users using the system can be notified of toner cartridge replacement or process cartridge replacement timing, and any of these users can replace toner cartridges or process cartridges. In the fifth embodiment, the operation is described using the toner end signal as an example. However, based on a detection signal indicating that the life of the process cartridge 22 has been reached, the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, The same effect can be obtained by displaying a message on at least one of the computer devices 8 to 10.

<< Explanation of Operation of Sixth Embodiment >> Next, referring to a schematic configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, a block diagram shown in FIG. 2, and a flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of the sixth embodiment will be described. First, when the toner in one of the printer device 3 and each of the digital copying machines 4 and 5 runs out or the process cartridge 22 reaches the end of its life, the control provided in the printer device 3 and each of the digital copying machines 4 and 5 is performed. When this is detected by the units 23, 25, and 26, and a toner end detection signal or a detection signal indicating that the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life is transmitted to the controller device 2 (step ST70), the controller device 2 captures these signals. Then, information indicating that the printer device 3 and each of the digital copying machines 4 and 5 are out of toner or the life of the process cartridge is registered in the disk device 12 (step ST72). Thereafter, the controller device 2 receives the toner end signal from the printer device 3 registered in the disk device 12, the toner end signal from the digital copier 4, and the digital copier 5. Are counted (step ST73), and the toner cartridges 14 and 16 used in the printer device 3 and the digital copying machine 4 registered in the disk device 12 are counted. Stock quantity, digital copier 5
From the inventory of the process cartridges 22 used in
The number of receptions is subtracted from each other, and whether or not the respective subtraction results (the current stock numbers of the cartridges 14 and 16 and the current stock numbers of the process cartridges 22) are equal to or less than a preset set value. Is determined (step ST74).

Then, the stock quantity of each of these cartridges,
If any of the process cartridge stocks is less than the set value (step ST75), the controller 2 orders a preset quantity based on the sales company information registered in the disk device 12. Is generated and supplied to a digital copying machine 4 having a facsimile function. The digital copying machine 4 calls a facsimile machine provided at a sales company, and supplies the missing toner cartridge 14,
An order slip of the order cartridge 16 or the process cartridge 22, for example, an order slip describing the name of a business office, the number of orders, and the name of a product is transmitted by facsimile. At this time, when any one of the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, and each of the computer devices 8 to 10 and the computer device of the sales company are connected online, the scanner device 6, the word processing device 7, An order for the missing toner cartridges 14 and 16 and the process cartridge 22 is placed online from one of the computer devices 8 to 10 to the computer device of the sales company (step ST76). Thereafter, the controller unit 2 marks the order of the ordered toner cartridges 14, 16 and the process cartridge 22 as "ordered", and returns the inventory to the initial set value (step ST7).
7).

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the stock quantity of the toner cartridges 14 and 16 and the stock quantity of the process cartridge 22 used in the image forming apparatus such as the printer 3 and the digital copying machines 4 and 5 are reduced. When the quantity is less than a preset quantity, the controller unit 2 detects this and sells the digital copier 4 having the facsimile communication function, or the scanner unit 6, the word processor unit 7, and the computer unit 8 among the units. The toner cartridges 14 and 16 that are out of stock at the sales company via a device that is connected online with the computer device of the company.
And the process cartridge 22 is automatically ordered by a designated amount.
4, 16 and the process cartridges 22 can be kept in stock. << Description of Other Embodiments >> Further, the effects of the above-described first to sixth embodiments are appropriately combined with each other according to the actual system provided in the office. You may make it obtain simultaneously. By doing so, it is possible to obtain an optimal system form according to the state of the system.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the output is concentrated on the image forming apparatus which is close to the toner end among the plurality of independent image forming apparatuses, so that the toner exchange is always performed. This can be prevented from occurring in only one image forming apparatus, thereby preventing downtime caused by a plurality of image forming apparatuses simultaneously reaching the toner end. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the output is concentrated on the image forming apparatus near the life of the process cartridge among the plurality of independent image forming apparatuses, so that the process cartridge replacement is always performed only in one image forming apparatus. In addition, it is possible to prevent downtime caused by a plurality of image forming apparatuses simultaneously reaching the life of the process cartridge.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, even if each image forming apparatus reaches the end of the toner or the life of the process cartridge, the other image forming apparatuses continuously perform the output operation, thereby replacing the toner cartridge or changing the process cartridge. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of downtime caused by replacing the cartridge, and to avoid complicated work such as changing the imaging device caused by the occurrence of the downtime and redoing the output work due to the downtime during the output. can do. Further, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are in the toner near end at the same time, each of these image forming apparatuses can be sequentially set to the toner end one by one,
As a result, the speed at which the number of operating image forming apparatuses decreases can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when at least one of the image forming apparatuses constituting the system is out of toner and goes down, this is displayed on the display unit of each apparatus, and an unspecified number of the image forming apparatuses are displayed. The operator can be made aware of this, and the toner cartridge and the process cartridge can be replaced more quickly and more reliably, thereby reducing the downtime caused by waiting for the toner cartridge or the process cartridge to be replaced. . Further, according to the present invention, when the stock quantity of the toner cartridge or the stock quantity of the process cartridge used in each image forming apparatus constituting the system becomes insufficient, this is automatically detected and an order is placed to the sales company. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the stock quantity of the toner cartridge and the stock quantity of the process cartridge from falling below the specified stock quantity for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of the image forming apparatus connection system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart used in the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart used in a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart used in a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart used in a fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart used in a fifth embodiment of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart used in a sixth embodiment of the image forming apparatus connection system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image-forming-device connection system, 2 ... Controller (image-forming), 3 ... Printer (image-forming), 4 ... Digital copying machine (image-forming), 5 ... Digital copying machine (image-forming) 6 scanner device (electronic device), 7 word processor device (electronic device), 8 computer device (electronic device),
9 Computer device (electronic device), 10 Computer device, 11 Connection line, 12 Disk device, 13 Server, 14 Toner cartridge, 15 Development device, 1
6: toner cartridge, 17: facsimile line, 1
8 ... Charging device, 19 ... Developing device, 20 ... Photoconductor, 21 ...
Cleaning device, 22 process cartridge, 23
... Control part, 24 ... Display part, 25 ... Control part, 26 ... Control part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location G06F 13/00 357 G06F 13/00 357 H04N 1/00 107 H04N 1/00 107A

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus connection system in which various electronic devices and various image forming apparatuses using a toner cartridge are connected by a controller device, wherein one of the image forming apparatuses is close to the toner end. When this is detected by the controller device,
An image forming apparatus connection system, wherein an image forming instruction output from each of the electronic devices is concentrated on an image forming apparatus near a toner end. 2. An image forming apparatus connection system in which various electronic devices and various image forming apparatuses using a process cartridge are connected by a controller device, wherein any one of the process cartridges used in each of the image forming apparatuses is used. When the end of the life of the process cartridge is approached, the controller device detects the end of the life of the process cartridge and concentrates the image forming instruction output from each of the electronic devices on the imaging device near the end of the life of the process cartridge. Image forming device connection system. 3. The image forming apparatus linking system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus on which the image forming instruction has been concentrated by the controller device has run out of toner or the life of the process cartridge. An image forming apparatus connection system for distributing an image instruction to another image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus connection system according to claim 1, wherein when some of the toner cartridges used in each of the image forming apparatuses are near the toner end, and when some of the process cartridges are used. When the battery life is approaching the endurance life, the controller device detects this, and selects one of the image forming apparatuses near the toner end or the process cartridge endurance life,
The image forming instruction output from each of the electronic devices is concentrated on this image forming apparatus, and when the image forming apparatus reaches the end of the toner or the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life, the image forming instruction is transferred to another image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus linking system characterized by sorting. 5. The image forming apparatus connection system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus in which image forming instructions output from each electronic device are concentrated is a toner end or a process. An image forming apparatus connection system, wherein the fact that the cartridge durable life has been reached is displayed on one or more of the electronic devices. 6. The image forming apparatus connection system according to claim 1, wherein the number of times each of the image forming apparatuses has reached the toner end state and the number of times that the process cartridge has reached the end of its service life are determined. When each of the cumulative numbers becomes equal to or greater than a preset value, a device having a communication function is selected from the electronic devices or the image forming devices, and the communication function of the device is used to notify the sales company. An image forming apparatus connection system, wherein a toner cartridge or a process cartridge is ordered.