Abstract:
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus provided with: An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section for forming an image based on image data; a user-interface for accepting inputs from an operator and for displaying a display screen for the operator; a memory for storing the display screen; a communication section for sending information to an external device; and a controller for sending information concerning the display screen to the external device through the communication section.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-370707 filed with Japan Patent Office on Dec. 22, 2004.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, that is, to an image forming apparatus which forms an image on a sheet by, for example, an electro-photographic method.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Conventionally, an image forming apparatus, for example, a digital copier is widely known. As an embodiment of this image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus of an electro-photographic system is known, and in this image forming apparatus, when a ray of light is projected on a photoreceptor layer of a photoreceptor, which is uniformly charged, the image is exposed and a latent image is formed, and when the toner is adhered onto the photoreceptor layer on which the latent image is formed, the image is developed, and when this is transferred onto the sheet, the image is formed.  
         [0006]     Recently, a system in which such an image forming apparatus is connected to the terminal devices through the network and from this terminal devices, the image forming apparatus is remote-controlled, is proposed.  
         [0007]     For example, in Tokkaihei No. 5-122424, the system in which the same user interface as the copier is realized on a observing apparatus, and from the observing apparatus, the copier can be remote-controlled, is disclosed.  
         [0008]     Further, in Tokkai No. 2000-357072, a circumstance in which other devices connected onto the network are remote-controlled, is disclosed.  
         [0009]     Further, in Tokkai No. 2002-281195, it is disclosed that the degree of freedom of the display content of the operation image screen of the remote operation device is improved, and the operation property when the remote device is operated from this remote operation device, is improved.  
         [0010]     However, the conventional technologies as written in the above Patent documents, have the following problems. That is, because the device can operated through the network from the remote place, for example, the service center, when the operator who operates the device is on the side of device and directly operates the device, and when the explanation about the operation method is desired, it does not become a help for the operator who is on the side of the device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention is attained in view of the above-described background, and in the image forming apparatus connected to the network, the object of the present invention is to use the circumstance connected to the network, and to provide the image forming apparatus in which points for which the operator who directly operates the image forming apparatus, desires to know can be adequately known by a working man in the service center.  
         [0012]     To achieve the least one of the above-mentioned or other objects of the present invention, an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises: an image forming section for forming an image based on image data; a user-interface for accepting inputs from an operator and for displaying a display screen for the operator; a memory for string the display screen; a communication section for sending information to an external device; and a controller for sending information concerning the display screen to the external device through the communication section.  
         [0013]     The controller preferably sends the information concerning the display screen to the external device when the user-interface accepts a sending command from the operator.  
         [0014]     The controller preferably sends the information concerning the display screen as an attachment of the electronic mail.  
         [0015]     Preferably, the user-interface accepts an input of the text message from the operator, and the controller sends the text message with the information concerning the display screen by the electronic mail.  
         [0016]     The controller preferably sends the information concerning the display screen in accordance with a file transfer protocol.  
         [0017]     The controller preferably transfers data of the display screen stored in the memory in a form of portable network graphics format and sends the transferred data of the display screen to the external device.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a structural example of a system sending an image displayed on an image screen of a display operation section of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the structure of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing an outline of the display operation section of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a view showing a content displayed on a touch panel image screen  30  when the operator presses an inquiry button  32  displayed on the touch panel  30  of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a processing in which the operator of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  makes an inquiry to a service center;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing another structural example to  FIG. 2  which is the system sending the image displayed on the image screen of the display operation section of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of the processing in which the operator of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  makes an inquiry to a service center. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     Hereinbelow, typical embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Definitions of terms described below are given by way of explanation of terms only, and thus the definitions of the terms of the inventions are not limited thereto.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the present example, as the image forming apparatus, a copier of an electro-photographic system is described as an example, however, it may also be a so-called printer not having an image reading section. Further, in the present example, the image forming apparatus by which the image formation of a color image can be conducted, is described, however, it may also be an image forming apparatus by which only the monochromatic image formation can be conducted.  
         [0029]     Initially, a structure and a basic operation of an image forming apparatus  100  will be described. In the image forming apparatus main body  100 , a plurality of sets of document writing units  153 Y,  153 M,  153 C are provided for a color image forming section and a document writing unit  154 K is provided for a monochromatic image forming section. The document writing units  153 Y,  153 M,  153 C and  153 K respectively conduct the document writing (exposing) of a yellow color element, magenta color element, cyan color element, black color element.  
         [0030]     Respectively corresponding to the document writing units  153 Y,  153 M,  153 C and  153 K, photoreceptors  6 Y,  6 M,  6 C,  6 K charging sections  7 Y,  7 M,  7 C,  7 K, developing sections  8 Y,  8 M,  8 C,  8 K are provided. Further, an intermediate transfer unit  9  common to the color image forming section, monochromatic image forming section, is provided, and this intermediate transfer unit  9  has an intermediate transfer body  9   a,  and primary transfer sections  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C,  9 K. The intermediate transfer body  9   a  is an endless belt shape, and wound by a plurality of rollers and rotatably supported. The primary transfer sections  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C,  9 K respectively bring the intermediate transfer body  9   a  into contact with photoreceptors  6 Y,  6 M,  6 C,  6 K, and transfer images (toner images) formed on these photoreceptors onto the intermediate transfer body  9   a.    
         [0031]     Next, when the other structure is described, on the upper side of the image forming apparatus  100 , a document reading unit  1  which functions as a scanner section, is provided, and by this unit, the document set on a platen of a glass surface is scanned. In the document reading unit  1 , a CCD image sensor  131  on which the reflection light obtained by this scanning is incident, is arranged. Hereupon, it is preferable that an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)  1   a  is connected to the document reading unit  1 , and a structure by which double sides of the document can be read, is adopted.  
         [0032]     Further, in the lower part of the image forming apparatus  100 , sheet feed trays  2 ,  3 ,  4  are arranged and each of sheet feed sections  2   a,    3   a,    4   a,  is provided to them. Further, on the outer wall part of the side of the image forming apparatus  100 , a manual sheet feed tray  5  is provided and a sheet feed section  5   a  for the manual sheet feed tray  5  is provided. In this manner, because a plurality of sheet feed trays and manual sheet feed tray are provided, different sized plurality of kinds of sheets can be used.  
         [0033]     On the downstream side of the sheet feed direction of the sheet feed sections  2   a - 5   a,  a register roller  15  is arranged and further on its downstream side, a secondary transfer roller  16  by which the sheet can be pressed onto the intermediate transfer body  9   a,  is arranged. On the downstream side of the secondary transfer roller  16 , a fixing section  17  is provided, and on the downstream side of the fixing section  17 , a sheet delivery roller  18  is provided.  
         [0034]     In the image forming apparatus  100 , according to an image forming command, at the time of the printing of the color, each color image formed at need by the document writing units  153 Y,  153 M,  153 C,  154 K, the photoreceptors  6 Y,  6 M,  6 C,  6 K, charging sections  7 Y,  7 M,  7 C,  7 K, developing sections  8 Y,  8 M,  8 C,  8 K, is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body  9   a  by the primary transfer sections  9 Y,  9 M,  9 C,  9 K. On the one hand, at the time of the monochromatic printing, an image formed by the document writing unit  154 K, the photoreceptor  6 K, charging section  7 K, developing section  8 K, is transferred onto the intermediate transfer body  9   a  by the primary transfer section  9 K.  
         [0035]     On the one hand, the sheet necessary for the image formation is fed from any one of the sheet feed trays  2 ,  3 ,  4 , or the manual sheet feed tray  5 , by the sheet feed sections  2   a,    3   a,    4   a,  or  5   a,  and reaches the secondary roller  16  via the register roller  15 . The sheet is pressed onto the intermediate transfer body  9   a  by the secondary transfer roller  16 , and the image on the intermediate transfer body  9   a  is transferred onto the sheet. In the sheet onto which the image is transferred, the image is fixed in the fixing section, and the sheet is delivered outside the image forming apparatus  100  via the sheet delivery roller  18 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a structural example of a system for sending the image displayed on the image screen of the display operation section of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0037]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the system of this example, is structured by providing with the image forming apparatus  100 , network  200 , a mail server  300  for managing an electronic mail sent from the image forming apparatus  100 , a mail server  400  for managing the electronic mail sending to the service center, and the terminal device  500  for reading the electronic mail sending to the service center.  
         [0038]     As a communication path to whom each device is connected, at least, the image forming apparatus  100  and the mail server  300  are connected, the mail server  300  and the mail server  400  are connected, and the mail server  400  and the terminal device  500  are connected. Further, this communication path, that is, the network  200  may also be structured by only a wire-network, or may also be a network through the aid of a wireless network (for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wireless mobile phone network)) on the way, or may also be structured by only a wireless network.  
         [0039]     As the mail server  300  or mail server  400 , it is not limited to a desk-top type personal computer or a workstation, but may also use a larger-sized or smaller sized device. Further, as the terminal device  500 , other than the personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a mobile phone can also be used.  
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a structure of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the image forming apparatus  100  is structured by providing with a communication section  101  which is an interface with the network  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , the control section  103  for controlling the operations of the whole image forming apparatus  100 , the document reading unit  1 , and the image reading section  104  for reading the image from the document, the document writing units  153 Y,  153 M,  153 C,  154 K, and the image forming section  105  for forming the image on an image forming sheet, for example, paper, the image data read by the image reading section  104  or other software programs conducted in the control section  103 , parameters necessary for the operations of the image forming apparatus  100 , the memory section  106  for storing the data for structuring the image data for displaying on the display section  108 , the input section  107  for inputting operations, directions to the image forming apparatus  100  of the operator, and the display section  108  for displaying the various information to the operator.  
         [0041]     Hereupon, in the present embodiment, a touch-panel image screen  30  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) in which the input section  107  and the display section  108  are integrated with each other, and a display operation section  26  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) having a hard key input section  40  which is a component of the input section  107 , are provided.  
         [0042]     Further, the control section  103  makes the image data to be displayed on the display section  108  according to the data stored in the memory section  106 , developed it in the VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), and the display section  108  displays the image data of this VRAM.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the outline of a display operation section of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . This display operation section  26  is structured by providing with a touch panel image screen  30  which is a touch panel type operation panel and a hard key input section  31  which is a fixed button type input section such as a pressing button. Hereupon, in the present embodiment, the touch panel image screen  30  is used, however, as the display section  108 , it may also be a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), ELD (Electro Luminescent Display), or a display panel such as an organic EL. This display operation section  26  is not shown in  FIG. 1 , however, it is preferable that it is provided at a position at which the operator is easily operable.  
         [0044]     In this example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the touch panel image screen  30  which is used for both the input section  107  and the display section  108  is provided on the left side, and the hard key input section  31  is provided on the right side. Further, in the hard key input section  31 , for example, a copy button  41  by which the operator directs the execution of the copy is provided.  
         [0045]     Further, on the touch panel image screen  30 , an error message  31  which is displayed when the image forming apparatus  100  is in the error status, or an inquiry button  32  used when the operator wants to make an inquiry, for example, to the service center, are displayed. This inquiry button  32  may also allow that it is displayed on each of all image screens displayed on the touch panel image screen  30 , or may also allow that it is displayed on only the image screen on which the error massage  31  is displayed.  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a view showing the content which is displayed on the touch panel image screen  30  when the operator presses the inquiry button  32  displayed on the touch panel image screen  30  in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0047]     When the operator presses the inquiry button  32  in  FIG. 4 , the control section  103  receives it, and confirms a comment that sends the image on the image screen, and together with that, as shown in  FIG. 5 , switches the display content of the touch panel image screen  30  to the image screen which urges the input of the content wanted to inquire in the sentence at the time of that.  
         [0048]     The touch panel image screen  30  shown in this  FIG. 5  is provided with a text input column  35  into which the operator inputs sentences of inquiry, or a transfer button  36  by which the operator indicates the transfer execution of a mail for inquiry.  
         [0049]     Next, referring to the drawings, operations of the present embodiment will be detailed.  FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of the processing in which the operator in the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  inquires to the service center.  
         [0050]     In the case where the operator uses the image forming apparatus  100 , when the operation is unknown, or there is any point wanted to inquire, the operator presses the inquiry button  32  displayed on the touch panel image screen  30 .  
         [0051]     The control section  103  received this, switches the display content of the touch panel image screen  30  to the image screen shown in  FIG. 5 . On this touch panel image screen  30  shown in  FIG. 5 , the operator inputs a sentence at need into the text input column  35 , and after that, presses the transfer button  36 . At the time of the character input into the text input column  35 , a virtual keyboard having the character arrangement may be displayed on the touch panel image screen  30 , and the character input may also be conducted by using it.  
         [0052]     When the transfer button  36  is pressed on the touch panel image screen  30 , the control section  103  detects it, and executes the processing of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0053]     Initially, the control section  103  judges (A- 1 ) whether the text input is made in the text input column  35  of the touch panel image screen  30  of this time, and when there is a text input, the control section  103  makes the body of a letter of the electronic mail (A- 2 ) based on the inputted sentence.  
         [0054]     Next, the control section  103  acquires (A- 3 ) the image data stored in VRAM of the control section  103 , that is, the image data of the image screen on which the operator presses the inquiry button  32 , and converts the image data into, for example, PNG data (data of PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format)(A- 4 ), and makes the electronic mail (A- 5 ) with an attached file of this PNG data.  
         [0055]     Next, the control section  103  transmits (A- 6 ) the electronic mail made in step (A- 5 ), through the communication section  101  and the network  200 , to a predetermined mail address in (for example, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). The address may be previously registered in the memory section  106 . The transmitted electronic mail is sent to the mail server  400  through the mail server  300  and received by the terminal device. When the mail transfer is successively made, a message that the transmission is completed, is displayed on the touch panel image screen  30  (A- 8 ).  
         [0056]     Hereupon, in steps (A- 3 ), (A- 4 ), (A- 6 ), when the transmission is failed by device fault, memory shortage, circuit line down, the message of error is displayed on the touch panel image screen  30  (A- 7 ).  
         [0057]     According to the present embodiment, because the image data of VRAM is converted into PNG format, it can be easily read by, for example, the terminal device  500  in the service center.  
         [0058]     Next, another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.  FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing another structural example which is different from  FIG. 2  of the system in which the image displayed on the image screen of the display operation section of the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is transmitted.  
         [0059]     In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the image data of the image screen is transmitted by being attached to the electronic mail, however, in this example, the image data is transmitted in ftp (File Transfer Protocol).  
         [0060]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the system of this example is structured by having the image forming apparatus  100 , network  600 , network  700 , network  800 , server  900  which structures a firewall between the network  700  and the network  800 , ftp server  1000  which receives the file transmitted in ftp from the image forming apparatus  100 , and terminal device  500  which reads the file transmitted in ftp to the ftp server  1000 .  
         [0061]     Also in the communication route in this case, it may also be structured by only the wired network, may also be the network through the wireless network (for example, wireless LAN, wireless mobile phone-use circuit line) in the midway, or may also be a network structured by only the wireless network.  
         [0062]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing an example of a flow of the processing in which the operator in the image forming apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  inquires to the service center.  
         [0063]     In the case where operator uses the image forming apparatus  100 , when the operation is unknown or the operator wants to inquire about any point, the operator presses the inquiry button displayed on the touch panel image screen. In this example of  FIG. 8 , because only the image data of the image screen is transmitted in ftp, the text input as in the step (A- 1 ) in  FIG. 6  is not conducted.  
         [0064]     The control section  103  received the pressing of the inquiry button acquires the image data stored in VRAM of the control section  103 , that is, the image data of the image screen on which the operator presses the inquiry button (B- 1 ), the image data is converted into for example the PNG data (data of PNG format) (B- 2 ), and transmits the file of this PNG data to the ftp server  1000  (B- 3 ). The address may be previously stored in the memory section  106 . The transmitted file is sent to the ftp server  1000  through the server  900 , and received by the terminal device  500 . When the ftp transmission is succeeded, a message that the transmission is completed is displayed on the touch panel image screen (B- 5 ).  
         [0065]     In steps (B- 1 ), (B- 2 ), (B- 3 ), when the transmission is failed by device fault, memory shortage, circuit line down, the message of error is displayed on the touch panel image screen (B- 4 ).  
         [0066]     According to this example, because the ftp protocol is used, even in the case where the image forming apparatus is connected to the internal network in which the firewall is provided between the external network and it, the image data of the image screen can be transmitted over the firewall to the addressed ftp server  1000 .  
         [0067]     Hereupon, in the above example, the format of the image data to be transmitted is PNG, however, the present invention is not limited to this, but any format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) system, GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), PDF (Portable Document Format), BITMAP, furthermore, original format, may also be used. Further, as the communication protocol, other than SMTP, ftp, any protocol such as HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), SHTTP (Secure HTTP), furthermore, original protocol, may also be used.  
         [0068]     In the above-described 2 examples, in the network-connected image forming apparatus, the network-connected circumstance is used, and an image forming apparatus by which the worker in the service center can adequately know a point wanted to be known by the operator who directly operates the image forming apparatus, can be provided. That is, according to these examples, because the image displayed on the image forming apparatus for the operation guide to the operator can be transmitted through the network, in the service center received the image, the worker can look the same image as the image which is looked by the operator, and can accurately advice to the operator.  
         [0069]     Although the present intention has been fully described by way of examples with the reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that variouys changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.