Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides an image forming apparatus in which, compared to illuminating a light-emitting portion of a discharge end located in a position difficult for surrounding users to visually perceive, residual recording medium on the discharge end can be easily detected by nearby users. The image forming apparatus includes: a first discharge end for discharging recording medium; a second discharge end located in a position even more difficult for surrounding users to visually perceive than the first discharge end; a memory; and a processor, which controls the illumination of a first light-emitting portion located in a position wider than the second discharge end, where residual recording medium is found on the second discharge end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a network printer, which has detection units on multiple paper trays to detect whether there is any recording paper being discharged. When the detection unit detects recording paper on the paper tray, it lights up the LED corresponding to the paper tray on which the recording paper was detected to inform the user that the paper tray has been discharged.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-191128 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which, compared to illuminating a light-emitting portion of a discharge end located in a position that is difficult for a user in the vicinity to visually perceive, a user in the vicinity can easily notice that a recording medium being discharged remains on the discharge end.

[0005] The present invention involved in Scheme 1 is an image forming apparatus, which includes:

[0006] The first discharge end discharges the recording media;

[0007] The second discharge end is positioned in a location that is more difficult for surrounding users to visually identify than the first discharge end;

[0008] Memory; and

[0009] processor,

[0010] The processor controls the first light-emitting part to illuminate when there is residual discharged recording medium on the second discharge end, and the first light-emitting part is located in a position that is wider than the second discharge end and can be visually recognized from the surroundings.

[0011] The present invention involved in Scheme 2, in the image forming apparatus described in Scheme 1, further comprises:

[0012] The second light-emitting part is disposed at the second discharge end.

[0013] If there is residual discharged recording medium on the second discharge end, the processor and the first light-emitting unit together illuminate the second light-emitting unit.

[0014] In the image forming apparatus described in Scheme 2, the processor in Scheme 3 illuminates the first light-emitting part and the second light-emitting part in different illumination methods.

[0015] The present invention according to embodiment 4, in the image forming apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, further comprises:

[0016] The third light-emitting unit is located on the control panel.

[0017] While maintaining the recording medium being discharged to the second discharge end for a preset time, the processor illuminates the third light-emitting part.

[0018] In the image forming apparatus described in Scheme 4, the processor in Scheme 5 turns off the first light-emitting part when the third light-emitting part is lit.

[0019] In the image forming apparatus of any one of Schemes 1 to 5, according to Scheme 6, the first light-emitting part is disposed at the first discharge end.

[0020] In the image forming apparatus described in Scheme 6, the first discharge end of Scheme 7 is a discharge tray disposed on the central axis of the apparatus between the main body of the apparatus and the image reading device.

[0021] In the image forming apparatus of any one of Schemes 1 to 7, the second discharge end of Scheme 8 is a discharge tray disposed on the side of the apparatus.

[0022] The invention described in Scheme 9, in the image forming apparatus of Scheme 1, further comprises:

[0023] A distance sensor measures the distance to a user located in front of the device.

[0024] If the distance sensor detects that a user is within a preset distance of the device, the processor controls the first light-emitting part not to be lit even if there is recording medium remaining on the second discharge end.

[0025] Invention Effects

[0026] According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is provided in which, compared to the case where a light-emitting portion of a discharge end disposed in a position that is difficult for a user in the vicinity to visually perceive, is illuminated, the user in the vicinity can easily perceive that there is a recording medium that has been discharged on the discharge end.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is provided that enables a wider range of surrounding users to perceive the presence of discharged recording media remaining on a discharge end located in a position that is difficult for surrounding users to visually identify among multiple discharge ends.

[0028] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the user can be notified of the discharge end of the recording media.

[0029] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to notify a wider range of surrounding users that a predetermined time has elapsed since the recording medium was discharged from the second discharge end.

[0030] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the number of illuminated light-emitting parts can be reduced without changing the visual recognition ease for surrounding users.

[0031] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a first light-emitting unit for notifying surrounding users that there is residual recording medium on the first discharge end can be used to notify surrounding users that there is residual recording medium on the second discharge end.

[0032] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a first light-emitting part, which is provided on the central axis of the device for notifying surrounding users that there is residual recording medium on the second discharge end, can be used to notify surrounding users that there is residual recording medium on the second discharge end.

[0033] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is provided in which, compared to the case where a light-emitting portion of a discharge end, which is located on the side of a plurality of discharge ends and is positioned in a position that is difficult for a user in the surrounding area to visually perceive, is easily noticed by a user in the surrounding area that there is residual recording medium on the discharge end.

[0034] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the user is in a position where the discharged recording medium remains on the second discharge end, it is possible to prevent the first light-emitting part from being unnecessarily illuminated. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 It is used for explanation Figure 1 A diagram showing the structure of each part of the image forming apparatus 10;

[0038] Figure 3 This diagram shows the state in which the LED 21, which is set in the central tray 41, is lit up to illuminate the central tray 41.

[0039] Figure 4 This diagram shows the LED 23 located at the top of the operation panel 43;

[0040] Figure 5This diagram shows the situation where only LED22 is lit when there is paper residue on the side tray 42;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the hardware structure for controlling the illumination of LEDs 21-23 in the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 7 It is used for explanation Figure 6 A diagram showing the hardware structure of the device control unit 50;

[0043] Figure 8 It means stored in Figure 6 A diagram showing an example of the setting information in the setting information storage unit 52;

[0044] Figure 9 It is used to explain what has been done, such as Figure 8 The flowchart shows the operation of controlling the LED lighting under the set state.

[0045] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates the lighting status of LEDs 21 and 22 during and after printing when the printing process is performed with the side tray 42 as the discharge end.

[0046] Figure 11 This diagram illustrates the situation where LED 22 of the side tray 42 and LED 21 of the central tray 41 are lit when there is paper residue on the side tray 42.

[0047] Figure 12 It means stored in Figure 6 A diagram showing another example of setting information in the setting information storage unit 52;

[0048] Figure 13 It is used to explain what has been done, such as Figure 12 The flowchart shows the operation of controlling the LED lighting under the set state.

[0049] Figure 14 This diagram illustrates the lighting status of LED 22 on the side tray 42, LED 21 on the central tray 41, and LED 23 on the control panel 43 when paper remains on the side tray 42.

[0050] Symbol Explanation

[0051] 10-Image forming apparatus, 11-CPU, 12-Memory, 13-Storage device, 14-Communication interface, 15-User interface device, 16-Control bus, 20-Terminal device, 21-23-LED, 30-Network, 31-Residual paper sensor (central tray), 32-Residual paper sensor (side tray), 41-Central tray, 42-Side tray, 43-Operation panel, 44-Distance sensor, 50-Device control unit, 51-LED control unit, 52-Setting information storage unit. Detailed Implementation

[0052] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an image forming apparatus 10 and a terminal device 20 connected to each other via a network 30. The terminal device 20 generates print data and sends the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 30. The image forming apparatus 10 receives the print data sent from the terminal device 20 and outputs an image corresponding to the print data on paper. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 is a device known as a multifunction printer, which has multiple functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.

[0055] Next, refer to Figure 2 right Figure 1 The structure of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 shown will be explained.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment has two discharge ends, a central tray 41 and a side tray 42, which are used to discharge recording media such as printed paper.

[0057] Here, the central tray 41 is disposed on the central axis of the device between the main body of the device and the image reading device, and is an ejection tray for discharging recording media such as paper, corresponding to the first ejection end. Furthermore, the side tray 42 is an ejection tray disposed on the side of the device, corresponding to the second ejection end. Normally, the side tray 42 is not installed on the image forming apparatus 10, and can be added as an option according to user requirements, but some devices also come standard with the side tray 42.

[0058] In the case where a fax is received and used for direct printing, if the fax receiver is discharged to the central tray 41, there is a risk that the user who is copying or printing may mistakenly take it away, resulting in the loss of the received fax paper.

[0059] Therefore, by adding a side tray 42 to the image forming apparatus 10 to provide two discharge trays, a central tray 41 and a side tray 42, it is possible to configure the discharge end to be changed according to the type of printing job, such that the paper discharged when receiving a fax is discharged to the side tray 42 and the paper discharged when copying or printing is discharged to the central tray 41.

[0060] And, as Figure 2 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes an operation panel 43 for the user to perform various operations and a ranging sensor 44 for determining whether a user is present in front of the apparatus.

[0061] Here, the ranging sensor 44 is a sensor capable of measuring the distance between approaching objects, configured to measure the distance between it and a user located in front of the device.

[0062] Furthermore, the side tray 42 is provided with an LED 22 on its side, which is controlled to flash during the process of paper being discharged into the side tray 42, allowing the user to monitor the discharge process. This LED 22 corresponds to the second light-emitting part.

[0063] Similarly, an LED 21 is positioned directly above the central tray 41. During the discharge process into the central tray 41, this LED 21 is controlled to flash, allowing the user to monitor the discharge status. The state of the central tray 41 being illuminated by the LED 21 is shown below. Figure 3 This LED21 corresponds to the first light-emitting part.

[0064] Moreover, such as Figure 4 As shown, an LED 23 is also provided on the upper part of the operation panel 43 to control its on / off state. Additionally, the operation panel 43 has a tilt mechanism, allowing for angle adjustment. Alternatively, the LED 23 can be located on the lower part, side, or outer frame of the operation panel 43, instead of the upper part. This LED 23 corresponds to the third light-emitting part.

[0065] By controlling LEDs 21 to 23, for example, LED 21 is kept lit continuously when there is paper left on the central tray 41, and LED 22 is kept lit continuously when there is paper left on the side tray 42, thereby notifying the user not to forget to pick up the paper.

[0066] However, since the side tray 42 is located on the side of the device, it is positioned in a location that is less visually noticeable to surrounding users than the central tray 41. Furthermore, the side tray 42 is located on the left side of the device, thus placing it in a position that is not visually noticeable to users from the specific location on the right side of the device.

[0067] Therefore, as Figure 5 As shown, even if LED 22 is lit to remind the user not to forget to take the paper when there is paper left on the side tray 42, users around, especially those on the opposite side from the side where the side tray 42 is located, will not notice the paper on the side tray 42 or the lit LED 22.

[0068] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, by adopting the structure described below, the surrounding users can perceive that there is paper left on the side tray 42, which is located in a position that is difficult for the surrounding users to visually identify, in the two discharge ends, the central tray 41 and the side tray 42.

[0069] First, refer to Figure 6 The hardware structure for controlling the illumination of LEDs 21 to 23 in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0070] The device control unit 50 controls various operations of the image forming apparatus 10. Furthermore, in the following description, only the structures within the device control unit 50 related to the lighting control of LEDs 21 to 23 will be described.

[0071] like Figure 6 As shown, the device control unit 50 includes an LED control unit 51 for controlling the lighting / extinguishing of LEDs 21 to 23 and a setting information storage unit 52.

[0072] The setting information storage unit 52 stores the user's settings for controlling the LEDs 21-23 to be turned on / off as setting information. Further details of this setting information will be described later.

[0073] The LED control unit 51 controls the lighting / turning off of LEDs 21 to 23 based on the residual paper sensor 31 installed on the central tray 41, the residual paper sensor 32 installed on the side tray 42, the detection signal from the distance sensor 44, and the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 52.

[0074] For example, when LEDs 21 and 22 are set to light up when paper remains on the side tray 42, the LED control unit 51 controls the LED 21, which is located on the central tray 41 in a wider area than the side tray 42, to light up when ejected paper remains on the side tray 42. Furthermore, when ejected recording media remains on the side tray 42, the LED control unit 51 lights up LED 22 along with LED 21.

[0075] Here, the LED control unit 51 can illuminate LEDs 21 and 22 in the same way, or in different ways. For example, the LED control unit 51 can make LED 21 flash at a predetermined interval and illuminate LED 22 with the same amount of light. By changing the illumination method in this way, a flashing LED indicates that there is paper residue at the discharge end, and an illuminated LED indicates that there is paper residue at a certain discharge end even though the printing process has been completed.

[0076] Furthermore, when there is paper remaining on the side tray 42, and the setting is to illuminate all LEDs 21, 22, and 23, the LED control unit 51 illuminates LED 23 on the operation panel 43 after a preset time (e.g., 30 seconds) while maintaining the paper being discharged to the side tray 42.

[0077] When performing this control, the LED control unit 51 can turn off LED 21 when LED 23 is lit. This is because it is believed that LED 23, which is located on the operation panel 43, is positioned higher than LED 21 on the central tray 41 and can be visually recognized by users at a greater distance. Therefore, as long as LED 23 is lit, the ease of visual recognition for the user will not change much even if LED 21 is turned off.

[0078] Furthermore, if the LED lighting mode is changed according to the time from when the paper is discharged to the side tray 42 as described above, and if the LED lighting color is configured to be able to change, the lighting color can also be changed according to the time from when the paper is discharged, such as lighting the LED yellow immediately after the paper is discharged, and switching to red after a preset time has elapsed.

[0079] Furthermore, if the distance sensor 44 detects that a user is within a preset distance from the device, the LED control unit 51 can control the LED 21 of the central tray 41 to remain off even if there is paper left on the side tray 42.

[0080] The rationale for this control is that the situation where the ranging sensor 44 detects a user near the device can be considered as the user being in a position where the side tray 42 can be visually identified. Therefore, if there is paper left on the side tray 42, the situation can be detected.

[0081] Next, refer to Figure 7 right Figure 6 The hardware structure of the control unit 50 of the device shown will be explained. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the device control unit 50 includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as IF) 14 for transmitting and receiving data between the unit and external devices, and a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) device 15 including a touch panel or liquid crystal display and a keyboard. These components are interconnected via a control bus 16.

[0082] CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of image forming apparatus 10 by executing predetermined processes according to a control program stored in memory 12 or storage device 13. In this embodiment, CPU 11 is described as a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in memory 12 or storage device 13, but the program may also be stored in a storage medium such as CD-ROM and provided to CPU 11.

[0083] By adopting this structure, the device control unit 50 achieves, for example... Figure 6 The functional structure shown.

[0084] Next, the storage will be... Figure 6 An example of the setting information in the setting information storage unit 52 shown is as follows: Figure 8 .exist Figure 8 The image shows an example of setting information indicating that the setting for preventing LED lighting control has been forgotten.

[0085] Here, in Figure 8 In this configuration, LED 21 of the central tray 41 is set to illuminate when there is paper residue on the side tray 42, but not when there is paper residue on the central tray 41. Similarly, LED 22 of the side tray 42 is set to illuminate when there is paper residue on the side tray 42. Furthermore, by setting it to "disable," LED 23 of the operation panel 43 is set not to illuminate even if there is paper residue on the central tray 41 or the side tray 42.

[0086] refer to Figure 9 The flowchart describes how this was performed. Figure 8 The operation of controlling the LED's illumination under the shown settings will be explained. Additionally, Figure 9 The flowchart illustrates the actions performed during printing with the side tray 42 as the discharge end.

[0087] When printing begins in step S101 with the side tray 42 as the discharge end, the LED control unit 51 causes the LED 22 of the side tray 42 to blink in step S102. Here, the LED control unit 51 blinks the LED 22 using a blinking method called breathing, which gradually switches between on and off, similar to color gradation, rather than simply repeating the on / off blinking of the LED 22.

[0088] In addition, while paper is being discharged into this side tray 42, the LED 21 of the central tray 41 neither flashes nor lights up.

[0089] Then, if the printing process is completed in step S103, the LED control unit 51 illuminates the LED 22 on the side tray 42 and the LED 21 on the central tray 41 in step S104.

[0090] Then, while paper remains on the side tray 42, the LED control unit 51 continues to illuminate the LEDs 21 and 22 through the process of step S105.

[0091] Then, when the paper is removed from the side tray 42, the LED control unit 51 turns off the LED 22 of the side tray 42 and the LED 21 of the central tray 41 in step S106.

[0092] Next, refer to Figure 10 The following will be explained: By implementing this control, how will the illumination status of LEDs 21 and 22 change during and after the printing process when the printing process is performed with the side tray 42 as the discharge end?

[0093] refer to Figure 10 It can be seen that during the printing process, LED22 of the side tray 42 flashes, while LED21 of the central tray 41 remains off. Then, it can be seen that when the printing process is completed, both LED22 of the side tray 42 and LED21 of the central tray 41 will be lit.

[0094] After such a process was carried out... Figure 8 In the setup shown, if paper remains on the side tray 42, as Figure 11 As shown, not only are the LEDs 22 on the side tray 42 continuously lit, but the LEDs 21 on the central tray 41 are also continuously lit.

[0095] Therefore, even a user located in a position where the side tray 42 cannot be visually seen, such as on the right side of the image forming apparatus 10, can still be aware that there are forgotten papers on the side tray 42. For example, if the side tray 42 is set as the output end of the fax receiver, even a user located in a position where the LED 22 of the side tray 42 cannot be visually seen can still be aware that there are papers output via the fax receiver on the side tray 42.

[0096] Next, refer to Figure 13 The flowchart shows how Figure 12 The operation of controlling the LED's illumination under the shown settings will be explained. Additionally, Figure 13 The flowchart is only for Figure 9 The flowchart adds steps S201 and S202 and replaces step S106 with step S106a, so only the different processes will be described.

[0097] In addition, Figure 12 In addition to the LED21 on the central tray 41 and the LED22 on the side tray 42, the LED23 on the operation panel 43 is also set to light up when there is paper residue on the side tray 42.

[0098] exist Figure 13 In the flowchart, if printing begins with the side tray 42 as the discharge end, LED 22 flashes; if printing is completed, LEDs 21 and 22 remain lit. The processing steps S101 to S104 are similar to... Figure 9 The flowcharts are the same.

[0099] Subsequently, if the paper remains on the side tray 42 for, for example, for 30 seconds, the LED control unit 51 controls the LED 23 of the operation panel 43 to be lit through the processing of steps S201 and S202.

[0100] In addition, here we will describe LED 23 on the operation panel 43 as an LED that lights up when there is paper left on the side tray 42 for 30 seconds, but it can also be controlled to light up at the same time as LED 21 on the central tray 41.

[0101] Then, when the paper is removed from the side tray 42, the LED control unit 51 turns off all the LEDs 22 of the side tray 42, 21 of the central tray 41, and 23 of the operation panel 43 in step S106a.

[0102] After such a process was carried out... Figure 12 In the setup shown, if paper remains on the side tray 42, as Figure 11As shown, not only is LED22 on the side tray 42 continuously lit, but LED21 on the central tray 41 is also continuously lit. Furthermore, after a preset time has elapsed since the paper has been discharged to the side tray 42, as... Figure 14 As shown, LED23 on the operation panel 43 is also illuminated.

[0103] Furthermore, when the operation panel 43 is in the upright position via the tilt mechanism, illuminating the LED 23 of the operation panel 43 can notify the user, who is further away, that there is paper left on the side tray 42, compared to illuminating the LED 21 of the central tray 41.

[0104] In addition, when the LED23 of the operation panel 43 is lit as described above, the LED21 of the central tray 41 can also be turned off.

[0105] In the above embodiments, processor refers to processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and special-purpose processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0106] Furthermore, the actions of the processors in the above embodiments can be performed not only by a single processor, but also by a plurality of processors physically located at adjacent positions. Moreover, the order of the processor's actions is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified.

[0107] [Variation Example]

[0108] In the above embodiments, an example of using an LED as a light-emitting part was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to any light-emitting part that has the function of notifying the user by lighting up or flashing.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a structure was described using an LED 21 that illuminates the central tray 41 when paper remains on the side tray 42, but the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a structure in which an LED is installed at the lower part of the device, i.e., around the user's feet, and the LED installed at the lower part of the device illuminates when paper remains on the side tray 42.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the side tray 42 is disposed on the left side of the device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can also be applied in a structure where the side tray 42 is disposed on the right side of the device. In this case, the side tray 42 will be disposed in a position that cannot be visually recognized by the user from the specific position on the left side of the device.

[0111] The embodiments of the present invention described above are provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes. Furthermore, these embodiments do not exhaustively encompass the present invention, nor do they limit the invention to the disclosed methods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations will be readily understood. These embodiments were chosen and described to most readily explain the principles and applications of the present invention. Thus, others skilled in the art can understand the present invention through various modifications that are assumed to be optimized for different embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the foregoing claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: The first discharge end is located on the central axis of the device between the main body of the device and the image reading device, and is used to discharge the recording medium; The second discharge end is positioned on the side of the device, in a position that is more difficult for surrounding users to visually identify than the first discharge end; A first light-emitting part is disposed at the first discharge end and is used to illuminate the first discharge end; The third light-emitting part is located on the operation panel; Memory; and processor, The processor controls the first light-emitting part to light up when there is residual recording medium on the second discharge end, and the third light-emitting part to light up after a preset time while the recording medium is being discharged to the second discharge end.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The second light-emitting part is disposed at the second discharge end. If there is residual discharged recording medium on the second discharge end, the processor and the first light-emitting unit together illuminate the second light-emitting unit.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The processor illuminates the first light-emitting part and the second light-emitting part in different ways.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The processor turns off the first light-emitting part when the third light-emitting part is lit.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A distance sensor measures the distance to a user located in front of the device. If the distance sensor detects that a user is within a preset distance of the device, the processor controls the first light-emitting part not to be lit even if there is recording medium remaining on the second discharge end.

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