DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

According to one embodiment, a display control device includes a memory, a processor, and a display interface. The memory stores display information. The processor gives a command to display a detachment menu for accepting detachment of a trouble-occurred target unit based on the trouble occurrence of the unit included in an image forming apparatus. The display interface outputs display information in response to the display command from the processor.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a display control device, an image forming apparatus, and methods related thereto.

BACKGROUND

As one form of an image forming apparatus, a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) using an electrophotographic process is known. A multi-functional peripheral includes a scanner that reads an image and a printer that prints an image. The convenience of a multi-functional peripheral can be further improved by connecting an optional device.

For example, when a trouble such as a failure or damage of a part of a multi-functional peripheral occurs, the multi-functional peripheral detects the troubled occurrence, stops the operation, and transitions to a service call state. A user then waits for a serviceman and cannot use the multi-functional peripheral during that time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a display control device includes a memory, a processor, and a display interface. The memory stores display information. The processor gives a command to display a detachment menu for accepting detachment of a trouble-occurred target unit based on the trouble occurrence of the unit included in an image forming apparatus. The display interface outputs display information in response to the display command from the processor. According to another embodiment, a method for an image forming apparatus involves displaying a detachment menu for accepting detachment of a trouble-occurred target unit based on trouble occurrence information from at least one of a printer, a scanner, a finisher, and a facsimile; displaying the detachment menu; and accepting a detachment input of the trouble-occurred target unit from the detachment menu.

Hereinafter, an example of an image forming apparatus including a display control device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations.

FIG. 1is an external view illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming apparatus M according to an embodiment. The image forming apparatus M is, for example, a multi-functional peripheral (MFP). The image forming apparatus M includes an image reading unit (scanner)1, an image output unit (printer)3, a control panel unit (a display and a user interface)5, a sheet accommodation unit8, and a card reader9. The image output unit3of the image forming apparatus M includes a fixing device that fixes a toner image. The control panel unit5includes a display51and an input interface52.

The image forming apparatus M forms an image on a sheet using a developer such as a toner. The sheet is, for example, a paper or a label sheet. The sheet may be anything as long as the image forming apparatus M can form an image on the surface thereof.

The control panel unit5accepts an operation from a user. The control panel unit5outputs a signal in response to the operation performed by the user to a system processing unit of the image forming apparatus M.

The image output unit3forms an image on a sheet based on image information generated by the image reading unit1or image information received via a communication line. The image output unit3forms an image through, for example, the following process. An image forming device of the image output unit3forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum based on the image information. The image forming device unit of the image output unit3forms a visible image by attaching the developer to the electrostatic latent image. As a specific example of the developer, there is a toner. A sheet feeding device of the image output unit3feeds a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation unit8or a sheet manually fed and a transferring device of the image output unit3transfers the visible image to the sheet. A fixing device of the image output unit3fixes the visible image to the sheet by heating and pressurizing the sheet. The sheet accommodation unit8accommodates sheets to be used to form images in the image output unit3. The card reader9receives card identification information stored in a wireless card through wireless communication with the wireless card.

The image reading unit1reads regarding target image information as brightness and darkness of light. The image reading unit1records the read image information. The recorded image information may be transmitted to another information processing apparatus via a network. The recorded image information may be formed as an image on the sheet by the image output unit3.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of the image forming apparatus M according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the image forming apparatus M includes the image reading unit1, an image processing unit2, the image output unit3, a system processing unit4, the control panel unit5, an external interface control unit6, an information management unit7, the card reader9, an option10, and a communication unit11.

The image reading unit1reads an image of a document set in a document table and outputs image data in accordance with the execution of a scanner mode or a copy mode, or reads an image of a document set in the document table and outputs image data when sheets are conveyed one by one from an automatic document feeding device called an auto document feeder (ADF).

The image processing unit2corrects grayscales of image data output from the image reading unit1or the external interface control unit6and improves the quality of the image data. The image output unit3outputs an image based on the image data processed in the image processing unit2. The system processing unit4controls the entire image forming apparatus based on a program stored in advance and information from each unit. For example, the system processing unit4forms at least a part of a display control device that controls display which will be described in detail below.

The control panel unit5performs guidance display of information related to the operation on the image forming apparatus for a user. The control panel unit5receives an operation input from the user and sets various kinds of information based on the operation input. For example, the control panel unit5sets setting information based on the operation input from the user.

The external interface control unit6is connected to an input and output device (a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) such as a local area network (LAN) adapter or a universal serial bus (USB) memory for input and output of image data. The external interface control unit6can input a program or the like through the input and output device. The information management unit7manages (stores) setting information set with the control panel unit5. The card reader9reads card identification information from a card carried by a user who attempts to use the image forming apparatus M.

For example, the option10includes a detachably mounted device called a finisher and the finisher punches in a punching unit and staples in a stapling unit. The punching unit holes the sheets to bind the sheets in a file or the like at designated positions on the sheets on which images are formed. In the stapling process, a plurality of sheets are collected and stapled to bind the plurality of sheets. The option10includes a facsimile. The fax transmits an image to a fax number of a transmission destination and prints out an image received from a fax number of a transmission source.

The communication unit11communicates with an external apparatus via a network. The network is a local area network and a wide area network. The communication unit11transmits and receives various kinds of information to and from an external apparatus via the network.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the system processing unit4or the like of the image forming apparatus M according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the system processing unit4includes a processor41, a page memory42, a storage unit43, a work memory44, a program memory45, an internal interface control unit46, and the like. The processor41is a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like.

The processor41receives various kinds of signals and information from the image reading unit1, the image output unit3, the control panel unit5, and the card reader9via the internal interface control unit46and transmits various kinds of signals and information. For example, the internal interface control unit46functions as a card reader interface, and notifies the processor41of card identification information read by the card reader9. The internal interface control unit46functions as a display interface and outputs display information corresponding to a display command of the processor41to the control panel unit5(a display51).

The processor41operates based on a program stored in the program memory45or the like. For example, the processor41controls activation using an activation command from a user via the control panel unit5as a trigger and controls detachment using a detachment command from the user via the control panel unit5as a trigger. For example, a display control unit411controls display in accordance with the display command. A detachment control unit412controls detachment in accordance with the detachment command. The work memory44temporarily stores a program stored in the program memory45or the like and temporarily stores data to be handled by the program.

The procedure of processes and control to be described in the embodiment can be performed by software. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the processes and the control by merely installing a program for performing the procedure of the processes and the control in the image forming apparatus via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

For example, the program can be read from the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium via the external interface control unit6, the read program can be stored in the storage unit43or the like, and the installation of the program can be completed. Thus, the processor41of the image forming apparatus can easily realize the processes and the control based on the installed program.

The page memory42temporarily stores image data read by the image reading unit1and passing through the image processing unit2. The page memory42temporarily stores image data output from the external interface control unit6and passing through the image processing unit2. The image data stored in the page memory42is developed in YMCK image data through a process by a raster image processor (RIP) in accordance with the execution of a print mode. The image processing unit2improves the quality of the YMCK image data and the image output unit3forms an image based on the YMCK image data with the improved quality.

The storage unit43is an information storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) and stores the image data transmitted from the page memory42. The storage unit43may store some or all of the programs causing the processor41to operate.

The control panel unit5includes the display51and an input interface52. The display51is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. The display51displays various kinds of information regarding the image forming apparatus M. The input interface52is an input device such as a touch panel provided to correspond to the display51. The input interface52detects a touch input from the user and outputs the touch input in association with positional information of X and Y coordinates on the display51. The control panel unit5may further include an input device such as a hard key.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the image processing unit2includes an input processing unit21and an image improvement processing unit22. The input processing unit21includes a lookup table (LUT) processing unit that corrects grayscale reproduction and corrects grayscale reproduction of image data input from the image reading unit1or the external interface control unit6. The image improvement processing unit22performs high-quality processing based on a filtering process, a magnification process, a density adjustment process, and a grayscale process on the image data.

Next, the display control and the detachment control by the system processing unit4of the image forming apparatus M according to the embodiment will be described. The processor41of the system processing unit4controls display based on a display control program or the like stored in the program memory45or the like. For example, the display control unit411outputs a display command in accordance with an instruction from the processor41. The detachment control unit412controls detachment in accordance with an instruction from the processor41. The information management unit7is a memory that stores management information. The management information stores display information for displaying on the display of the control panel unit5, trouble occurrence history of a unit, or the like.

For example, the processor41of the system processing unit4detects trouble occurrence such as a failure or damage in each unit such as the image reading unit1, the image output unit3, and the option10, which are included in the image forming apparatus M. For example, each unit monitors trouble occurrence and outputs a trouble occurrence signal corresponding to the trouble occurrence. The processor41detects trouble occurrence in each unit based on the trouble occurrence signal from each unit.

The image reading unit1includes an automatic document feeding device (feeder). When sheet jam or the like occurs in the automatic document feeding device, a trouble occurrence signal indicating trouble occurrence of the automatic document feeding device is output. The image output unit3includes a sheet feeding device (feeder). When a trouble such as a sheet jam occurs in the sheet feeding device, a trouble occurrence signal indicating trouble occurrence of the sheet feeding device is output. The finisher included in the option10includes a punching unit and a stapling unit. When a trouble such as a sheet jam occurs in the punching unit, a trouble occurrence signal indicating trouble occurrence in the punching unit is output. When a trouble such as a sheet jam occurs in the stapling unit, a trouble occurrence signal indicating trouble occurrence in the stapling unit is output.

The processor41stops the operation of each process in the image forming apparatus M when trouble occurrence is detected. When trouble occurrence is detected, the processor41gives a command to display information regarding the trouble occurrence. The internal interface control unit46serving as a display interface outputs display information regarding trouble occurrence in response to the display command from the processor41. The display51displays the display information regarding the trouble occurrence.

FIG. 4Ais a diagram illustrating a display example of an initial screen including an initial menu. For example, when the processor41activates the image forming apparatus M (based on an activation instruction), the display51displays the initial screen. When the processor41detects trouble occurrence and gives a command to display information regarding the trouble occurrence, the display51additionally displays information regarding the trouble occurrence on the initial screen.

Further, the processor41determines whether the detected trouble is a target of a serviceman request, requests a serviceman based on a determination result, and gives a command to display a serviceman call including a detachment menu. The internal interface control unit46outputs display information of the serviceman call in response to the display command from the processor41. The display51displays the display information of the serviceman call.

FIG. 4Bis a display example of a serviceman call screen including a detachment menu. The detachment menu is a menu for accepting detachment of a trouble-occurred target unit. Here, for example, the trouble-occurred target unit is assumed to be a finisher. As illustrated inFIG. 4B, the display51displays a detachment menu for accepting detachment of the finisher in which the trouble occurs.

When the user selects an item of detachment displayed on the display51, the input interface52accepts an input of detachment and notifies the processor41of the input of detachment. The processor41gives a command to display a check screen based on the input of detachment.

FIG. 4Cis a display example of a detachment check screen. For example, the detachment check screen checks detachment of the trouble-occurred target finisher. When the user selects an item of YES displayed on the display51, the input interface52accepts the input of YES and notifies the processor41of the input of YES. The processor41virtually detaches the trouble-occurred target finisher based on the input of YES and invalidates the function related to the trouble-occurred target finisher. The processor41switches sheet conveyance from the image output unit3to the finisher of the option10to sheet conveyance from the image output unit3to a sheet discharge tray. The finisher continues the physically attached state.

The processor41gives a command to display a unit state indicating units that are not detached (that is, attached units) and units that are detached (detached units) after processing the detachment. The display51displays the unit state.

FIG. 4Dis a display example of a unit state screen indicating units that are not detached (attached units) and units that are detached (detached units). For example, on the unit state screen, the attached units and the detached units are identified for display by changing color. The attached units are displayed with a color other than gray and the detached units are displayed with gray. The unit state screen may be applied to the initial screen. Thus, when the image forming apparatus M is activated, the user can check the detached units.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating examples of display control and detachment control by the image forming apparatus M according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the processor41monitors a trouble occurrence signal from each unit in operation (ACT101). When the trouble occurrence signal is detected (YES in ACT102), the operation stops (ACT103). The processor41updates the trouble occurrence history stored in the information management unit7based on the trouble occurrence signal. The trouble occurrence history includes information indicating what kind of troubles occurs in which unit when. Further, the processor41gives a command to display the detachment menu for accepting the detachment of the trouble-occurred target unit (ACT104). The internal interface control unit46serving as a display interface outputs display information for displaying the detachment menu in response to the display command from the processor41(ACT105). The display51displays the detachment menu based on the display information (ACT106).

When the input interface52accepts the detachment of the trouble-occurred target unit (YES in ACT107), the processor virtually detaches the trouble-occurred target unit (ACT108) and reboots each unit (ACT109). Thus, the function of the trouble-occurred target unit is invalidated.

After the processor41processes the detachment, the processor41gives a command to display a unit state indicating the attached units and the detached units (ACT110). The display51displays the unit state (ACT111).

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating an example of the display control and the detachment control corresponding to trouble occurrence in the finisher of the image forming apparatus M according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the processor41monitors trouble occurrence during operation (ACT101). When the trouble occurrence such as sheet jam is detected (YES in ACT102), the operation stops (ACT103). The processor41gives a command to display the detachment menu for accepting the detachment of the trouble-occurred target unit (ACT104). The internal interface control unit46serving as a display interface outputs the display information regarding the trouble occurrence in response to the display command from the processor41(ACT105). The display51displays the display information regarding the trouble occurrence (ACT106).

When the input interface52accepts the detachment of the trouble-occurred target unit (YES in ACT107), the processor virtually detaches the trouble-occurred target unit (ACT108) and reboots each unit (ACT109). Thus, the function of the trouble-occurred target unit is invalidated.

After the processor41processes the detachment, the processor41gives a command to display a unit state indicating the attached units and the detached units (ACT110). The internal interface control unit46outputs the display information to display the unit state in response to the display command from the processor41(ACT111). The display51displays the unit state (ACT112).

Next, a case in which the processor41determines detachment necessity in the command to display the detached menu (ACT104) will be described. Here, a case of sheet conveyance jam inside the finisher will be described.

FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating an example of the determination of detachment necessity of the image forming apparatus M according to the embodiment. The processor41detects the trouble occurrence signal (YES in ACT102), stops the operation (ACT103), and performs a jam troubleshooting guidance (ACT1041). The display51displays the jam troubleshooting guidance.

For example, the user opens the cover of the finisher, troubleshoots the jam, and closes the cover (ACT1042). When the jam troubleshooting is completed (YES in ACT1043), the processor41clears a jam history included in the trouble occurrence history (ACT1044). When the jam troubleshooting is not completed (NO in ACT1043) and a detachment condition is not satisfied (NO in ACT1045), the jam troubleshooting guidance continues (ACT1041).

The management information of the information management unit7includes the detachment condition. For example, the processor41determines whether the jam occurs 5 times or more in total at the current jam based on the trouble occurrence history and determines that the detachment condition is satisfied (the detachment is necessary) based on the determination result that the jam occurs 5 times or more (YES in ACT1045). Alternatively, the processor41determines whether the current jam is jam occurring within 5 minutes from the previous jam based on the trouble occurrence history and determines that the detachment condition is satisfied (the detachment is necessary) based on the determination result that the jam occurs within 5 minutes (YES in ACT1045). In this way, when a jam occurrence frequency in the finisher is high, the processor41determines that the finisher is a detachment target. When the processor41determines that the detachment condition is satisfied (YES in ACT1045), the processor gives the command to display the detached menu (ACT1046) and the process transitions to ACT105.

In the embodiment, the processor41processes a certain entire unit as a trouble-occurred target unit based on trouble occurrence of the certain unit. A sub-unit included in a certain unit may be processed as a trouble-occurred target. For example, when trouble occurrence is accepted from the finisher, the processor41detects sub-units such as a punching unit and a stapling unit included in the finisher as detachment candidates and gives a command to display a detachment menu including the detachment candidates of the punching unit and the stapling unit. The internal interface control unit46outputs display information to display the detachment menu including the detachment candidates of the punching unit and the stapling unit. The display51displays a detachment menu including the detachment candidates of the punching unit and the stapling unit.

The input interface52accepts the detachment candidates selected from the user. The processor41detaches a detachment candidate in response to the acceptance of the detachment of the detachment candidate. When the entire unit is detached, the entire unit is unusable. However, by detaching some of the sub-units among a plurality of sub-units included in the unit, it is possible to continuously use the remaining sub-units.

The image forming apparatus M may display a relationship between detachment and a detachment operator. The image forming apparatus M includes the card reader9. The processor41accepts an operation input from the control panel unit5when card identification information read by the card reader9matches card identification information registered in the management information of the information management unit7. The processor41stores detachment management information in which the card identification information read from the card reader9is associated with detachment (operation) accepted with the detachment menu in the information management unit7. User identification information such as a user name is associated with the card identification information stored in the management information of the information management unit7.

Further, the processor41gives a command to display the detachment management information based on a display request for the detachment management information from the control panel unit5. The internal interface control unit46outputs the display information of the detachment management information. The display51displays the detachment management information. The display51may display the initial screen including the detachment management information. The detachment management information may be information in which the card identification information is associated with the detachment accepted with the detachment menu or may be information in which the user identification information is associated with the detachment accepted with the detachment menu. When the detachment management information on the initial screen or the like is displayed, the user who attempts to use the image forming apparatus M can also understand a detachment situation and which user performs the detachment. By knowing the user performing the detachment, it is possible to inquire about the detachment situation.

Next, the use of a network function will be described.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of a network connection configuration of the image forming apparatus M according to the embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the image forming apparatus M is connected to a network. A user PC200, an administrator PC300, a service center server400, and the like are connected to the network.

As described above, the processor41detaches a trouble-occurred target unit based on an input of detachment. Further, the processor41instructs to output detachment information indicating detachment of the trouble-occurred target unit to the outside. The detachment information includes information regarding trouble occurrence in the trouble-occurred target unit. The communication unit11transmits the detachment information to the user PC200(ACT200). The communication unit11transmits the detachment information to the administrator PC300(ACT300). The communication unit11transmits the detachment information to the service center server300(ACT300).

For example, since an administrator of the administrator PC300can know the trouble occurrence in the image forming apparatus M and the detachment, the administrator can contact with a serviceman timely. By transmitting the detachment information to the service center server300, it is possible to transfer the detachment information to the serviceman in advance. Thus, the handling of the serviceman becomes smooth and it is possible to expect a downtime reduction effect of the image forming apparatus M.

According to the above-described embodiment, when a trouble occurs in the image forming apparatus M, a user can designate a detachment target unit or sub-unit. Thus, the processor41detaches the designated detachment target unit or sub-unit. Thus, the user can use functions of the remaining valid units or functions of the remaining valid sub-units.

Since the display51distinguishes and displays units that are detached (detached units) and units that are not detached (attached units) from each other, the user can know a detachment situation and use functions of valid units. For example, the display51can distinguish and display these units on the initial screen at the time of activation. The user can know such information initially.

The processor41determines the necessity for acceptance of detachment of a trouble-occurred target unit based on the trouble occurrence history, and then gives a command to display the detachment menu based on the determination result. For example, a unit whose trouble occurrence frequency is high can be handled as a detachment target.

The information management unit7stores the detachment management information in which the card identification information is associated with detachment of the trouble-occurred target unit or stores the detachment management information in which the user identification information is associated with the detachment of the trouble-occurred target unit. The display displays the detachment management information on the initial screen. By displaying the detachment management information, the user who does not perform a detachment operation can grasp a detachment situation when the user attempts to use the image forming apparatus M.

Since the communication unit11transmits the detachment information to an external apparatus, handling of a serviceman can be efficient for recovery based on the information obtained from the external apparatus.