JPS6017763A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exchange actively an information, to control a noise, and to improve a use efficiency of an image forming device by executing an operation by grasping an operating state without making a noise from a place separated from an image forming device. CONSTITUTION:A microprocessor 17 for controlling a copying sequence and an information transfer is provided, and a sound informing means connected to the microprocessor is provided. As for a bi-directional information transfer means using a high frequency signal, one is connected to the microprocessor 17, and the other is stored in an apparatus provided on the outside of a copying device. A transmitting part 27 forms an output of a frequency responding to an input item from an input part 28, and outputs a prescribed frequency from a microphone 4. This output is received by the microphone 4 of the copying device body 4, and a demodulating part 24 converts it to a corresponding digital code, and inputs it to the microprocessor 17. This digital code is controlled and discriminated, and outputted to the circumference in accordance with its result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus or system such as a copying machine that transmits information to an external device.

In conventional copying machines, users can learn the operating procedures and operating conditions of the machine through display means on the operation panel. Displays using patterns are designed to appeal visually and are an effective means of conveying information even for first-time users. However, if a large number of items are displayed, the structure of the display will become complicated, or there will be times when the user is careless or leaves the copying machine in the middle of continuous copying. In some cases, there was a disadvantage that the display effect was not fully exhibited. For this purpose, it is becoming an effective information transmission means to have a voice notification means using voice synthesis as a warning or as a guidance to notify people around the copying machine that the wait time has ended. However, in offices and the like where copying machines are generally used, frequent voice notifications have the disadvantage that they can become a source of noise for people other than the user. Furthermore, for a person who is away, the information is only one-sided information from the copying machine.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and also provides an image forming system or a console terminal that allows the image forming apparatus to be operated from a distance from the image forming apparatus without making noise. It's about making suggestions.

The present invention also resides in an image forming apparatus or system that is capable of transmitting information remotely from the image forming apparatus in a limited manner to a specific area or to a specific recipient.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can select limited notification or unrestricted notification depending on the information to be notified. The purpose of the present invention is to propose an image forming apparatus or system that can improve manageability.

Another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system that can obtain necessary information by making adjustments to the main body.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following examples. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment. In the figure, A indicates the main body of the copying machine, l indicates the document table on which the copied original is placed, 2 indicates the operation panel, which consists of various operation keys and a display, 03 indicates the speaker that generates voice synthesized sound, and 4 indicates the inaudible range. This is a high-frequency microphone that can transmit and receive high-frequency signals. Further, the copying apparatus A has an internal copying mechanism (not shown) based on the Naruko photographic method.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation panel 2. In the figure -1, 5 is a reduction key, 6 is an enlargement key, and 7 is a same magnification key, and the key corresponding to the desired magnification is selected and pressed. Numeral 8 is a copy density adjustment lever that can adjust the degree of darkness of the copy. Numeral 9 is a clear key for changing the number of copies, lO is a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, etc., 11 is a start key for starting copying, and 12 is a stop key for interrupting copying midway through continuous copying. Hereinafter, the period from when the start key 11 is turned on until the copying of the amount set using the numeric keypad 10 is completed will be referred to as a copy mode. Further, numeral 13 is an indicator that lights up to indicate an abnormality in paper feeding, 14 toner replenishment, and copy paper replenishment 15, respectively. Reference numeral 16 is a numeric display which is also used to display the number of close-up copies or to distinguish the abnormal state of the copying device @A by numerical value. Hereinafter, those displayed in numbers 13 to 16 will be referred to as trouble displays. The information displayed on the operation panel 2 includes various detection means (not shown) for detecting the status and operation of devices placed at appropriate locations inside and outside the copying apparatus A.
It is related to These are detection means such as jam detection for detecting an abnormality in paper feeding, toner detection for detecting the presence or absence of toner, and paper detection for detecting the presence or absence of copy paper.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a bidirectional information transmission means using a voice notification means and a high frequency signal in an inaudible range. In the figure, numeral 17 is a microprocessor stored in the copying apparatus A for controlling the copying sequence and information transmission.

The voice notification means is a peripheral device connected to the microprocessor 17, and includes a voice synthesis control section 18 and a voice synthesis section 1.
9. Phrase ROM20. Output 7 pumps 21. It is composed of a speaker 3.

The bidirectional information transmission means using the high frequency signal is a peripheral device connected to the microprocessor 17 on one side, and includes a variable frequency high frequency overlooking section 22. Modulation section 23. The transmitting/receiving microphone 4 is comprised of a demodulating section 24 that outputs a corresponding digital code to the microprocessor 17 in response to, for example, high-frequency received signals of different predetermined frequencies. The modulation section 23 amplitude-modulates the carrier wave of a predetermined frequency from the oscillation section 22 with the audio signal from the speech synthesis section 19, and the presence or absence of such modulation control is determined by the microprocessor 17 via the speech synthesis control section 18. It is done.

Amplitude modulation is used, for example, to broadcast a voice message in a specific area away from copying machine A.

The other of the two-way information transmission means is stored in a device provided independently outside the copying apparatus A. In this means, 4 is a microphone capable of transmitting and receiving, 25 is a demodulating section, and 27 is a frequency transmitting section of a predetermined frequency. The output section 26 connected to the demodulation section 25 can have various configurations depending on the usage form of the external device. For example, a lamp can be turned on when a high-frequency signal of a predetermined frequency is received.

Reference numeral 28 denotes an input section, and when the pushbutton switch S1 is pressed, the oscillation section 27 oscillates a high-frequency signal of a predetermined frequency. The oscillator 27 forms a frequency output responsive to input items from the input section 28, and outputs a predetermined frequency from the microphone 4'. This output is received by a microphone 4 disposed in the main body of the copying apparatus, and a demodulator 24 converts it into a corresponding digital code, which is input to the microprocessor 17.

The microprocessor 17 performs controls corresponding to the digital code from the demodulator 24, such as determining the operating state of the copying machine (copy mode, trouble mode, wait-up standby mode, etc.), and discriminating built-in settings for specific operating states. Run according to routines, power-up routines.

The execution result is determined by the microprocessor 17,
According to the determined event, an audio notification is made to the vicinity of the copying machine through the speaker 3, or a high frequency signal is output through the microphone 4.

If a plurality of such external devices are prepared and different frequencies are given to each device as a predetermined frequency, the copying apparatus A can selectively communicate with the plurality of external devices. In addition, although Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an external device that is capable of transmitting and receiving on one channel, there are other external devices that have multiple communication channels depending on the purpose, or that have only transmitting or receiving functions. It is also possible to configure Furthermore, it is also possible to configure an external device that has an audio detection section and detects and amplifies the received signal that has been amplitude modulated with the synthesized audio signal and outputs the amplified signal to a speaker.

Next, an embodiment in which a copying apparatus communicates information with an external device will be described.

When an abnormality or warning event occurs while the copying machine is in operation, output signals from detection means provided at various parts of the copying machine are input to the microprocessor 17. microprocessor 1
7 displays the content of the event on the corresponding display, and at the same time determines whether the event should be communicated to the surroundings (C voice warning or only to a specific recipient).

For example, the end of a copying machine's wait can be communicated to the entire office by voice, while copying abnormalities or the end of copying need only be communicated to users who are far away from the machine. Furthermore, it is also possible to notify only the person in charge of managing the apparatus (service center) of a fatal abnormality in the copying apparatus.

When the result of the above determination is that a voice notification is required, the microprocessor 17 energizes the voice synthesis control section 18 to generate the phrase R.
The text quantized and stored in the OM 20 is converted into an audio signal by the audio synthesis section, and the audio signal is announced via the speaker 3.

Further, when the result of the determination is that limited notification is required, a predetermined frequency of the corresponding external device is selected, the high frequency oscillation section 22 is energized, and a high frequency signal is transmitted via the transmitting/receiving microphone 4. The corresponding external device detects in the demodulation unit 25 that the received signal is on its own channel, and activates the output unit 26 to notify personnel in the specific area of the event.

Various forms of the output section 26 can be considered. For example, FIG. 4 shows an example in which a warning light 30 is arranged on the ceiling, and FIG. 5 shows an example in which an alarm sound generator 31 for personal use is shown.

Furthermore, if the received signal is image width modulated with a synthesized audio signal, a speaker 3 can be placed in an external device having a wave detector to output audio (FIG. 6). Incidentally, the information transmission medium can also be infrared rays, electromagnetic waves, etc., and aerial transmission is not convenient for exchanging information with a stationary object such as a copying machine.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart by the processor 17. When the main body A is powered on, the input port 10 is first sensed to check whether there is an external "request" (step l).

In the case of a request, a transmission flag is set in the memory of the processor 17 (step 2), and it is determined from where the request came from, and the destination X is set (step 3).
This sets the oscillation unit 22 to output a wave with a frequency that is in tune with the destination as a carrier. Next, check whether main unit A is copying (Step 4). If copying is in progress, set data C (Step 5). Also, check if there is a problem (Step 6). Set data E (step 7); if neither of these is true, set data S indicating copy OK (step 8). After that, send this data to the destination set earlier (step 9) o The receiving section sends the data c, g,
s allows you to select "Copying", "Trouble", or "Copy OK".
Each character J is displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like.

If there is no request from the terminal, main unit A automatically checks the main unit status and performs wide area information transmission. When the fixing device has reached a predetermined temperature, the transmission flag is reset, and the voice synthesis section 19 is set instead of the oscillation section 22 to enable operation (step 11). Then set the data W P,
Output the phrase data "You can copy" from ROM 20 and let the public know with -1 voice 0 If there is a problem, send destination y and data B to notify the service center.
(Step 12.13) o The service center calls the serviceman for this data gKj and increments the trouble counter. If copying is in progress, the fourth
．． 6. As shown in FIG. 6, destination data 2 and data C are set with the target as the destination (steps 14 and 15). Then, the transmission flag is determined (step 16), audio output (step 17), and data transmission (step 9) are performed.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which information can be transmitted bidirectionally between the copying apparatus and the external device 33. The external device 33 is placed on a desk, and its operation panel has a display surface as shown in FIG. The operation panel of the external device 33 displays information such as copying, abnormality, replenishment request,
It consists of a display section 34 having a maintenance display and a signal select key 35 for a response request signal.

For example, if an inquiry as to whether copying is in progress is entered using the select key 35, the timing can be determined by the high frequency transmitter 27. It is transmitted to the main body side from discretely installed devices having microphones 4'. On the other hand, the main body side receives an input from the microphone 4, and uses this input as a digital code from the demodulator 24, and the Yotte microprocessor 17 discriminates the shape J back and executes a discrimination routine. The state determined as a result is transmitted to the high frequency generator section 22. Audio modulation section 23° microphone 4
Answer via. The external device 33 receives this and lights up the display.

The display section 34. The signal selection key 35 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may include various command items that can be operated from a remote location, such as powering up/down the copying machine.

In this case as well, as described above, when the microprocessor 17 executes control in response to a command, it is desirable that the device 2 or 33 receive a signal confirming this and notify the user with a lighting display. Delicious.

A hand-type family computer can also be used as the external device 33. In that case, select key 35
You can ask a question (request an answer) to main unit A by using the alphabet keys.

In the case where the main body A is a word processor or a family computer, there is a state in which a program has been read from a floppy disk as a wait-up state, and a message corresponding to a copy mode can be transmitted. User convenience can be improved by discriminating information between the word processing state and the printing state.

As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, information can be transmitted from an image forming apparatus to external equipment 9 using a high frequency signal in an inaudible range. Therefore, even if the user is in a remote location, the user may be able to monitor the operating status of the device, such as the end of the wait state, the end of large-scale continuous copying, paper replenishment requests during continuous large-scale copying, jam errors, etc., and disturb other people in the office. You can know without knowing. Furthermore, the user can also make effective use of free time during copying.

Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, such information is reported using a high-frequency signal in the inaudible range or an audio frequency in the audible range, depending on the type, so that an arbitrary combination of restricted reporting and unrestricted reporting is possible. . This combination allows for active exchange of information and maintains a quiet office environment, and also improves the efficiency of use and manageability of Imaging Formation Mj.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the copying machine of the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a top view of the operation panel, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the mode of information transmission means of the embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a warning light installed on the ceiling. Figure 5 is an application diagram using a personal portable alarm sound generator, Figure 6 is an application diagram showing a case where remote voice notification is possible, and Figure 7 is an application diagram showing a case in which bidirectional information transmission is possible. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the operation panel of the external device, and FIG. 9 is an information transmission flowchart. In the figure, numeral 3 represents a copying machine, numeral 3 represents a speaker, and numeral 4 represents an image receiving section. Applicant Canon Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Now (1) The image forming device 1c 1IJ5 A plurality of □ signal generating devices that generate interpolation signals, which receive the timing signals from the signal generation devices and generate the timing signal. an image forming system comprising means for transmitting a signal indicating a state of the image forming apparatus to a signal generating apparatus that is configured to perform the image forming apparatus. (2') An image forming system according to item 1, wherein the signal indicating the state of the image forming apparatus indicates that image formation is possible.