Image forming system, image forming device, static elimination device, and program

Abstract

To solve a problem with conventional image forming systems that the status of static elimination means is not reported on an image forming device, and as a result, it is difficult for a user working near the image forming apparatus to notice when the static elimination means require maintenance, and there is a risk that the formed sheets are not neutralized, resulting in sticking or stacking problems.SOLUTION: The status of static elimination means is reported on an image forming device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system having a static eliminator that eliminates static electricity from a recording medium output from an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes multiple static elimination means and a high-voltage power supply unit that supplies power to the static elimination means. An abnormality may occur in the static elimination means due to toner adhesion or the like. If an abnormality in the static elimination means is detected, the output of the high-voltage power supply unit with the highest output is reduced, and a determination is made as to whether or not the static elimination means to which the high-voltage power supply unit supplies power is abnormal, the result is notified, and the user is prompted to perform cleaning or the like. If no abnormality is determined, the output of the high-voltage power supply unit with the next highest output is reduced.

[0003] Here, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a static elimination unit in itself, and notifies an abnormality in the static elimination unit on a display unit of the image forming apparatus itself. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-15168 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines that use electrophotography or electrostatic recording, sheets (recording media) become charged during image formation, and the sheets may stick together or stacking problems may occur due to electrostatic forces generated between discharged sheets. Therefore, an image forming system has been proposed that includes an image forming apparatus and a static eliminator that eliminates static electricity from the sheets formed thereby.

[0006] In the above image forming system, the state of the static elimination means in the static elimination device and the contents of the necessary measures are not notified on the image forming device. As a result, a user working near the image forming device is unlikely to notice when maintenance is required for the static elimination means, and there is a risk that the sheets on which images are formed will not be neutralized and will stick together or cause stacking problems. In particular, if the sheets stick together, there is a risk that they will not be transported properly when transported and processed in another sheet processing device.

[0007] The present invention aims to notify the status of the static elimination means on the image forming apparatus so that a user can immediately notice when maintenance is required for the static elimination means and can take action before sticking or loading problems occur. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an image forming system according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a static elimination device that eliminates static electricity from a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, The static eliminator comprises: a conveying means for receiving a sheet from the image forming apparatus and conveying the sheet; a charge removing unit that removes charge from the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit; a signal transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined signal based on a state of the static eliminator, The image forming apparatus includes: a signal receiving means for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means; a notification means for notifying a notification content corresponding to the signal received by the signal receiving means; The image forming system is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, by notifying the status of the discharge means on the image forming apparatus, a user can immediately notice when maintenance is required for the discharge means and can take action before sticking or loading problems occur. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] Schematic diagram of a static eliminator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus and a static electricity removing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance necessity notification setting screen displayed for receiving a notification setting of whether or not maintenance of the static eliminator is necessary in the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance necessity notification screen displayed to notify a user of the necessity of maintenance of the static eliminator in the first embodiment; [Figure 6] A list of messages explaining the relationship between the necessity of maintenance of the ionizer, the pair of static elimination rollers, and the high voltage board and the display contents displayed on the image forming apparatus and the static elimination device in the first embodiment [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart for explaining a maintenance necessity notification executed by the static eliminator according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] A flowchart for explaining a maintenance necessity notification executed by an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance procedure notification screen displayed to notify a user of a maintenance procedure for the static eliminator in the second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. Note that the image forming apparatus in the following embodiments may also be called a multifunction device, a multifunction peripheral, or an MFP.

[0012] A first embodiment will be described. The image forming system of this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 and a static eliminator 200. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet) using an electrophotographic process. As shown in FIG. 1, photosensitive drums (latent image carriers) 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K are uniformly charged by the charging devices 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K. The exposure devices 103Y, 103M, 103C, and 103K expose the uniformly charged surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K according to image information to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing devices 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K develop the electrostatic latent images with yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, respectively, to form toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. In this embodiment, the developing devices 104Y, 104M, 104C, and 104K use a reversal development method in which toner is deposited on an exposed portion of the electrostatic latent image to develop it.

[0013] The primary transfer rollers 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K are disposed facing the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K via the intermediate transfer belt 106. As a result, the primary transfer rollers 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K form primary transfer nips (primary transfer portions) between the intermediate transfer belt 106 and the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. In synchronization with the conveyance of the toner images of each color on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K to the respective primary transfer nips, a constant voltage controlled transfer bias of a polarity opposite to that of the toner images is applied to the primary transfer rollers 105Y, 105M, 105C, and 105K. As a result, the toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K are transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 106. The intermediate transfer belt 106 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and transports the transferred toner images to the secondary transfer nip.

[0014] The intermediate transfer belt 106 is disposed so as to contact the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101Y, 101M, 101C, and 101K. The intermediate transfer belt 106 is stretched around a plurality of tension rollers 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 and rotates at a speed of 150 to 470 mm / sec. In this embodiment, the tension roller 112 is a tension roller that keeps the tension of the intermediate transfer belt 106 constant. The tension roller 115 is a drive roller that drives the intermediate transfer belt 106. The tension roller 114 is an inner roller for secondary transfer.

[0015] The outer roller 117 for secondary transfer is disposed opposite to the tension roller 114 via the intermediate transfer belt 106. The outer roller 117 for secondary transfer conveys the sheet S by nipping it in a secondary transfer nip (secondary transfer portion) between the outer roller 117 for secondary transfer and the intermediate transfer belt 106.

[0016] The paper feed tray 131 is a tray for storing sheets S, and the sheets S stored therein are transported to the registration rollers 118. The registration rollers 118 transport the sheets S to the secondary transfer nip in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 106 being transported to the secondary transfer nip. The secondary pre-transfer transport guide 121 improves the transport accuracy when transporting the sheets S to the secondary transfer nip. The high voltage application means 122 applies a constant voltage controlled transfer bias of opposite polarity to the toner image to the outer roller 117 for secondary transfer. As a result, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 106 is transferred onto the sheet S (secondary transfer).

[0017] The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 124 by a pre-fixing transport device 123. The pre-fixing transport device 123 has a rotating belt body, on which the sheet S is placed and transported. The fixing device 124 applies heat and pressure to the sheet S to fix the toner image onto the sheet S.

[0018] The belt cleaning device 107 electrostatically collects and cleans the secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 106. The cleaned intermediate transfer belt 106 is repeatedly used for image formation.

[0019] 2 is a schematic diagram of a static eliminator 200 in this embodiment. The static eliminator 200 is disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus 100 in the conveying direction C of the sheet S. The static eliminator 200 eliminates static from the sheet S, which is received from the image forming apparatus 100 and serves as a medium to be static eliminated. The static eliminator 200 may be directly connected to the image forming apparatus 100, or may be connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a post-processing device such as an inserter. The image forming apparatus 100 and the static eliminator 200 are each operated by an independent power source.

[0020] The static eliminator 200 has a frame (housing) 221. The frame 221 houses a static eliminator roller pair 202, a high-voltage substrate 203, an ionizer pair 212, and a transport guide 213. The static eliminator roller pair 202, the high-voltage substrate 203, and the ionizer pair 212 are examples of a static eliminator that is provided in plurality. The static eliminator 200 has one or more contact-type static eliminators such as the static eliminator roller pair 202 and / or non-contact-type static eliminators such as the ionizer pair 212.

[0021] The discharge roller pair 202 includes a discharge roller 201a and a discharge counter roller 201b disposed opposite thereto. The discharge roller 201a and the discharge counter roller 201b are pressed against each other to form a discharge nip. A high voltage substrate 203 generates a high voltage and applies the high voltage to the discharge counter roller 201a. The high voltage applied to the discharge roller 201a has a polarity opposite to that of the voltage applied to the outer roller 117 for secondary transfer. The discharge roller 201a and the discharge counter roller 201b sandwich the sheet S in the discharge nip to discharge it. The discharge roller pair 202 also serves as a conveying means for receiving and conveying a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0022] In this embodiment, the ionizer pair 212 is disposed downstream of the charge removing roller pair 202 in the conveying direction C. The ionizer pair 212 has an ionizer 211a and an opposing ionizer 211b disposed above and below the conveying guide 213 that forms the conveying path. The ionizer 211a is disposed facing the upper surface (first surface) of the sheet S being conveyed. The opposing ionizer 211b is disposed facing the lower surface (second surface) opposite to the upper surface of the sheet S being conveyed. The ionizer 211a and the opposing ionizer 211b of this embodiment remove charge from the sheet S using a corona discharge method that applies an AC high voltage (AC voltage) to an electrode needle (discharge needle) to alternately generate positive ions and negative ions. The corona discharge method removes charge from the front and back surfaces of the sheet S at the same time, regardless of the polarity of the charge on the sheet S. The neutralized sheet S is discharged to the outside of the charge removing device 200. In this specification and drawings, the ionizer 211a may be referred to as the ionizer (upper), and the counter ionizer 211b may be referred to as the ionizer (lower).

[0023] The LED (light emitting diode) 222 is an example of another notification means, and indicates to the user the states of the ionizer pair 212, the static electricity removing roller pair 202, and the high voltage substrate 203 by lighting or blinking. The LED 222 is disposed on the exterior surface of the frame 221 so that the user can check the display contents from outside the frame 221. Note that the LED 222 may be a display, or may be configured to notify by sound instead of display, as long as it can notify the user of the states of the ionizer pair 212, the static electricity removing roller pair 202, and the high voltage substrate 203.

[0024] The operation unit 223 receives instructions from the user to perform or not perform the static elimination operation, and settings for the output value of the high voltage output by the high voltage board 203. The operation unit 223 is disposed on the exterior surface of the frame body 221 so that the user can operate it from outside the frame body 221.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the static eliminator 200 in this embodiment.

[0026] First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. The image forming apparatus 100 has a communication I / F 141, a CPU 142, a memory 143, a HDD 144, an image forming unit 145, a display unit 146, an operation unit 147, and a LAN I / F 148. The communication I / F 141 is an example of a signal receiving means, and is connected to the static elimination device 200 via a communication cable 301, and communication required for control is performed. The HDD 144 is a storage device in which programs and data are stored. The CPU 142 loads the program stored in the HDD 144 into the memory 143, and comprehensively controls image processing and printing by executing the program. The memory 143 stores programs and image data required when the CPU 142 performs various processes, and operates as a work area. The operation unit 147 accepts various settings and operation instructions from a user. The display unit 146 is an example of a notification means, and displays setting information of the image forming apparatus 100, the processing status of a print job, the state of the static elimination means, and the like. 1 based on instructions from the CPU 142, the image forming unit 145 forms an image on the sheet S. The LAN I / F 148 is a communication interface that enables communication with an external information processing apparatus via wire or wirelessly.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the static elimination device 200 will be described. The static elimination device 200 has a communication I / F 241, a CPU 242, a memory 243, an LED 222, an operation unit 223, a static elimination roller pair 202, a high-voltage board 203, a high-voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 244, an ionizer 211a, and an opposing ionizer 211b. The communication I / F 241 is an example of a signal transmission means, and is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication cable 301, and performs communication required for control. When an instruction to perform a static elimination operation is given by the operation unit 223, the CPU 242 executes a control program stored in the memory 243 to perform various controls required for static elimination. The static elimination roller pair 202, the high-voltage board 203, the ionizer 211a, and the opposing ionizer 211b eliminate static electricity from the sheet S by the operation described in FIG. 2 based on an instruction from the CPU 242.

[0028] Based on instructions from CPU 242, high voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 244 determines whether there is an abnormality in the high voltage output of static electricity removal roller pair 202 and high voltage board 203. If the difference between the high voltage output value of high voltage board 203 and the high voltage output value set by operation unit 223 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it determines that there is an abnormality in the high voltage output. If high voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 244 determines that there is an abnormality in the high voltage output, CPU 242 stops the static electricity removal operation of static electricity removal device 200 and allows only paper transport.

[0029] The ionizer 211a includes an ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a. The ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a determines whether the ionizer 211a needs cleaning and whether there is a malfunction, based on instructions from the CPU 242. The opposing ionizer 211b includes an opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245b. The opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245b determines whether the opposing ionizer 211b needs cleaning and whether there is a malfunction, based on instructions from the CPU 242.

[0030] The determination of whether cleaning is necessary and whether there is a malfunction can be performed, for example, by the following method. The ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a determines that cleaning is necessary when the voltage supplied to the ionizer 211a falls below a first threshold. The ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a also determines that there is a malfunction when the voltage supplied to the ionizer 211a falls below a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. The same applies to the opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245b.

[0031] Even when the ionizer maintenance necessity determining unit 245a or the opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determining unit 245b determines that cleaning is required, the CPU 242 does not stop the static elimination operation of the static elimination device 200. Furthermore, when the ionizer maintenance necessity determining unit 245a or the opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determining unit 245b determines that a malfunction has occurred, the CPU 242 stops the static elimination operation of the static elimination device 200 and allows only the transport of paper to be performed.

[0032] Further, CPU 242 lights and blinks LED 222 based on the judgment results of high voltage maintenance necessity judgment unit 244, ionizer maintenance necessity judgment unit 245a, and counter ionizer maintenance necessity judgment unit 245b. Also, CPU 242 transmits a maintenance necessity signal including information on the judgment results to image forming apparatus 100 via communication I / F 241. Here, the maintenance necessity signal is a signal that enables image forming apparatus 100 to distinguish which maintenance is required for which static elimination means. Note that the configuration may be such that one maintenance necessity signal including information on the judgment results of multiple maintenance necessity judgment units is transmitted, or that multiple maintenance necessity signals including information on the judgment result of one maintenance necessity judgment unit are transmitted.

[0033] When the CPU 142 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives a maintenance necessity signal from the static eliminator 200, the CPU 142 displays a maintenance necessity message on the display unit 146 based on the signal.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to include a transmission means (LANI / F 148) that converts the received maintenance necessity signal into a signal that can be analyzed by an information processing apparatus connected via a network and transmits the signal to the information processing apparatus. When the image forming apparatus 100 includes the transmission means, the status of the static eliminator can be displayed on the information processing apparatus used by the user, improving convenience.

[0035] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance necessity notification setting screen 400 displayed to receive notification settings of whether or not maintenance is required for the ionizer pair 212, the static elimination roller pair 202, and the high voltage board 203 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, this screen is displayed on the display unit 146 of the image forming apparatus 100, but a display unit may be provided in place of the LED 222 of the static elimination device 200, and the screen may be displayed there. In that case, settings from the user may be received by the operation unit 223. The maintenance necessity notification setting screen 400 has a maintenance necessity notification location setting 401 and a countermeasure notification setting 402.

[0036] Maintenance necessity notification location setting 401 is an example of a second receiving means, and is an item for setting a location for notifying whether or not maintenance is necessary for ionizer pair 212, static elimination roller pair 202, and high voltage board 203. When the setting is "static elimination device", the maintenance necessity is displayed on LED 222 of static elimination device 200. When the setting is "static elimination device and image forming device", the maintenance necessity is displayed on LED 222 of static elimination device 200 and display unit 146 of image forming device 100.

[0037] The countermeasure notification setting 402 is an example of a first receiving means, and is an item for setting whether or not to display a countermeasure together with whether maintenance of the static eliminator 200 is required. If the setting is "Yes", the countermeasure is displayed in addition to a message indicating whether maintenance is required. The countermeasure displayed when the setting is "Yes" may be a message instructing the user to contact the vendor / service of the static eliminator 200 or the image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 6), or a maintenance procedure (second embodiment, FIG. 9).

[0038] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance necessity notification screen displayed to notify a user of the necessity of maintenance of the ionizer pair 212, the static electricity removal roller pair 202, and the high voltage board 203 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the display unit 146 and the operation unit 147 of the image forming apparatus 100 are configured as an integrated unit that receives instructions by a user's touch operation on a screen displayed on the display, and the maintenance necessity notification screen is displayed on the display.

[0039] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a maintenance-necessary notification screen 500. The maintenance-necessary notification screen 500 has an operation area 501 and a message area 502. The operation area 501 is an area that can receive instructions such as a predetermined operation and settings for the image forming apparatus 100. The message area 502 is an area that displays the status of the image forming apparatus 100 and the static elimination device 200. A maintenance-necessary message based on a maintenance-necessary signal received from the static elimination device 200 is displayed in this area. The maintenance-necessary notification screen 500 is an example of a screen that is displayed when the ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a determines that cleaning is required. When multiple maintenance necessity messages are displayed, the display of the messages is switched every predetermined time (for example, every few seconds).

[0040] 5(B) is a diagram showing a no-maintenance notification screen 510. The no-maintenance screen 510 is an example of a screen displayed when it is determined that no maintenance is required by any of the maintenance necessity determination sections. In this embodiment, no message is displayed in the message area 502 to notify that no maintenance or action is required.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a list of messages explaining the correspondence between the necessity of maintenance of the ionizer 211a, the opposing ionizer 211b, the pair of static electricity removing rollers 202, and the high voltage board 203 and the notification contents displayed on the image forming apparatus 100 and the static electricity removing apparatus 200 in this embodiment.

[0042] Message (no solution) 601 is a column showing a message to be displayed in the message area 502 when the maintenance necessity notification location setting 401 is set to "static removal device and image forming device" and the solution notification setting 402 is set to "no." The message is determined by a combination of the maintenance necessity determination unit and the maintenance necessity determination result.

[0043] Message (with solution) 602 is a column showing a message to be displayed in the message area 502 when the maintenance necessity notification location setting 401 is set to "static removal device and image forming device" and the solution notification setting 402 is set to "yes". In the example of Fig. 6, the maintenance necessity message is followed by a message on the solution that the user should implement (contact the vendor / service). The message is determined by a combination of the maintenance necessity determination unit and the maintenance necessity determination result.

[0044] LED display 603 is a column showing the display of LED 222 for each maintenance necessity determination result by high-voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 244, ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a, and opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245b. When it is determined that both lighting and blinking should be performed (for example, when high-voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 244 determines that there is an output abnormality and ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a determines that cleaning is required), lighting is prioritized. Note that multiple LEDs 222 may be provided to display the necessity of maintenance for ionizer 211a, opposing ionizer 211b, static electricity removal roller pair 202, and high-voltage board 203, respectively.

[0045] In this embodiment, if any of the maintenance necessity determination units determines that maintenance is unnecessary, no message is displayed in the message area 502 and the LED 222 is turned off, but the means for notifying the user that maintenance is unnecessary is not limited to this. For example, a message that there is no abnormality in the static eliminator may be displayed in the message area 502, or the status of the static eliminator, such as the expected time when the next maintenance is required, may be displayed. Also, the LED 222 may not be turned off, but the color that it is lit may be changed to notify that maintenance is unnecessary.

[0046] 7 is a flowchart for explaining the maintenance necessity notification executed by the static eliminator 200 in this embodiment. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are started when one or more of the high-voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 244, the ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a, and the opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245b determine whether or not maintenance is necessary. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are realized by the CPU 242 of the static eliminator 200 executing a control program stored in the memory 243.

[0047] In S701, the CPU 242 acquires the maintenance necessity determination results of one or more of the high-voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 244, the ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a, and the opposing ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245b. After acquiring the determination results, the process proceeds to S702.

[0048] In S702, the CPU 242 turns on, blinks, or turns off the LED 222 according to the LED display 603 in Fig. 6 based on the maintenance necessity determination result acquired in S701. Then, the process proceeds to S703.

[0049] In S703, the CPU 242 generates a maintenance necessity signal from the maintenance necessity determination result acquired in S701, and transmits the signal to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication I / F 241. After transmitting the signal, this flow ends.

[0050] 8 is a flowchart for explaining a maintenance necessity notification executed by image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment. Note that a series of processes shown in this flowchart are realized by CPU 142 of image forming apparatus 100 expanding a control program stored in HDD 144 into memory 143 and executing it.

[0051] In S801, the CPU 142 checks whether or not a maintenance necessity signal has been received in S703 from the static eliminator 200. If a maintenance necessity signal has been received, the process proceeds to S802.

[0052] In S802, the CPU 142 determines whether or not to display a maintenance necessity message based on the maintenance necessity signal received in S801. If the maintenance necessity notification location setting 401 is set to "static charge removal device", it determines not to display the message and ends this flow. If the maintenance necessity notification location setting 401 is set to "static charge removal device and image forming device", it determines to display the message and proceeds to S803.

[0053] In S803, the CPU 142 identifies the determination part of whether or not maintenance is required from the maintenance necessity signal received in S801. If the determination part is the ionizer maintenance necessity determination part 245A, the process proceeds to S804. If the determination part is the ionizer maintenance necessity determination part 245B, the process proceeds to S812. If the determination part is the high-voltage maintenance necessity determination part 244, the process proceeds to S814.

[0054] In S804, the CPU 142 identifies the state of the ionizer 211a from the maintenance necessity signal received in S801. If the voltage supplied to the ionizer 211a is equal to or lower than the second threshold (the ionizer 211a is broken), the process proceeds to S805. If the voltage supplied to the ionizer 211a is equal to or higher than the second threshold and equal to or lower than the first threshold (the ionizer 211a needs cleaning), the process proceeds to S808. If the voltage supplied to the ionizer 211a is equal to or higher than the first threshold (the ionizer 211a is normal), the process proceeds to S811, where the process ends without displaying a message.

[0055] In S805, the CPU 142 determines the content of the message. If the countermeasure notification setting 402 is "No", the process proceeds to S806, where a message "The ionizer (upper) of the static eliminator needs to be inspected" is displayed. If the countermeasure notification setting 402 is "Yes", the process proceeds to S807, where a message "The ionizer (upper) of the static eliminator needs to be inspected (contact the distributor / service)" is displayed.

[0056] In S808, as in S805, the CPU 142 determines the content of the message. If the countermeasure notification setting 402 is "No", the process proceeds to S809, where a message "It is time to clean the ionizer (upper) of the static eliminator" is displayed. If the countermeasure notification setting 402 is "Yes", the process proceeds to S810, where a message "It is time to clean the ionizer (upper) of the static eliminator (contact your distributor / service)" is displayed.

[0057] In addition, the process (S812 and onward) when the determination location is ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245B is the same as that of ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245A, so the description will be omitted. In S813, the same process as in S805 to S810 is performed, but the up / down of the ionizer in the message is different (FIG. 6).

[0058] Then, in S814, the CPU 142 identifies the state of the pair of charge removal rollers 202 and the high voltage board 203 from the maintenance necessity signal received in S801. If there is an abnormality, the process proceeds to S815, and if there is no abnormality (normal), the process proceeds to S818, where the process ends without displaying a message.

[0059] In S815, the CPU 142 determines the content of the message. If the solution notification setting 402 is "No", the process proceeds to S816, where the message "The static electricity removal roller and high-voltage board of the static electricity removal device need to be inspected" is displayed. If the solution notification setting 402 is "Yes", the process proceeds to S817, where the message "The static electricity removal roller and high-voltage board of the static electricity removal device need to be inspected (contact your distributor / service)" is displayed.

[0060] After the messages are displayed in S806, S807, S809, S810, S816, and S817, this flow ends.

[0061] The condition for ending the display of the message may be, for example, when it is determined that maintenance is not required, or when the power supply to the static eliminator is turned off and then turned on again.

[0062] A second embodiment will be described. Explanation of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted. The second embodiment is an embodiment that assumes that the user himself performs maintenance, and the screen displayed on the display unit 146 of the image forming apparatus 100 when the solution method notification setting 402 is set to "Yes" is different from that of the first embodiment. Note that, if the static eliminator 200 is provided with a display unit instead of the LED 222, the display unit of the static eliminator 200 may display the information.

[0063] 9(A) shows a maintenance required notification screen 900 displayed on the display unit 146 when the ionizer maintenance necessity determination unit 245a determines that cleaning is required and the countermeasure notification setting 402 is set to "Yes" (S803: Yes in FIG. 8). The maintenance required notification screen 900 has an operation area 901 and a message area 902, similar to the maintenance required notification screen 500. In FIG. 9(A), a message "Please clean the ionizer (upper) of the static eliminator" is displayed in the message area 902.

[0064] Fig. 9(B) is a maintenance procedure notification screen 920 that is displayed when the message area 902 in Fig. 9(A) is touched. Maintenance procedure 921 is an illustration and text that explains the maintenance procedure. Previous button 922 is a button that accepts an instruction to display the procedure previous to the procedure displayed in maintenance procedure 921. Next button 923 is a button that accepts an instruction to display the procedure following the procedure displayed in maintenance procedure 921.

[0065] In this embodiment, the user presses the previous button 922 / next button 923 to display the previous / next procedure, but the configuration may be such that the maintenance procedure 921 is automatically switched. For example, the CPU 242 detects the progress of maintenance, and transmits a signal indicating the progress to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication I / F 241 (maintenance progress transmission means) and the communication I / F 141 (maintenance progress reception means). Then, the maintenance procedure 921 may be switched based on the information received by the CPU 142.

[0066] The maintenance procedure displayed in the maintenance procedure 921 may include how to power off the static eliminator before maintenance, how to use tools used in maintenance, and how to start up the static eliminator after maintenance. According to this embodiment, even if the static eliminator 200 is powered off before maintenance, the maintenance procedure notification screen 920 is displayed on the display unit 146 of the image forming apparatus 100, so that the maintenance procedure can be referred to while working, without having to prepare a paper manual or the like.

[0067] As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the state of the static eliminator of the static eliminator is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus to notify the user, so that a user working near the image forming apparatus can immediately notice an abnormality in the static eliminator and take action.

[0068] <Other Examples> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 100 Image forming device 141 Communication I / F 146 Display section 200 Static eliminator 202 Antistatic roller pair 203 High Voltage Board 212 Ionizer vs. 241 Communication I / F 244 High-voltage maintenance necessity determination unit 245a Ionizer maintenance necessity judgment part 245b Opposite ionizer maintenance necessity judgment unit

Claims

1. An image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a static elimination device that eliminates static electricity from a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, The static eliminator comprises: A conveying means for conveying the sheet; a charge removing unit that removes charge from the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit; a signal transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined signal based on a state of the static eliminator, The image forming apparatus includes: a signal receiving means for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal transmitting means; a notification means for notifying a notification content corresponding to the signal received by the signal receiving means; An image forming system comprising:

2. The static eliminator includes a plurality of the static eliminators, 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the notification content indicates which maintenance is required for which charge removing means.

3. The static eliminator includes a plurality of the static eliminators, 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said notification means, when notifying the states of a plurality of said static eliminators, switches notification contents at predetermined time intervals.

4. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the state of the charge removing means is a state in which maintenance of the charge removing means is required.

5. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus further comprises a transmission unit for transmitting the state of said static eliminator to an information processing apparatus connected via a network.

6. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the charge eliminating device includes non-contact charge eliminating means for eliminating charge from the sheet conveyed by the conveying means in a non-contact state.

7. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the non-contact type charge removing means is an ionizer.

8. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the charge eliminating device includes contact-type charge eliminating means for eliminating charge from the sheet conveyed by the conveying means while being in contact with the sheet.

9. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the contents notified by said notifying means include a maintenance procedure for said static eliminating means.

10. 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the maintenance procedure includes a method for handling a tool used for maintaining the static eliminator.

11. 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the maintenance procedure includes turning off the power to the static eliminator.

12. 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the maintenance procedure includes starting up the static eliminator.

13. 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the maintenance procedure includes powering off the static eliminator before maintenance, handling a tool used for maintenance of the static eliminator, and starting up the static eliminator after maintenance.

14. the static eliminator includes a maintenance progress transmission means for transmitting a predetermined signal based on a progress of the maintenance procedure, the image forming apparatus includes a maintenance progress receiving unit that receives a signal transmitted by the maintenance progress transmitting unit; 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the notification means notifies the user of a maintenance procedure corresponding to the signal received by the maintenance progress receiving means.

15. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a first reception unit that receives a setting as to whether or not a countermeasure method is to be included in the contents of the notification by the notification unit.

16. The static eliminator includes another notification means, The image forming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the image forming apparatus is provided with a second reception means for receiving a setting as to whether to notify the notification content based on the need for maintenance of the de-electrification means by the other notification means, or to notify by the other notification means and the notification means.

17. A static elimination device that eliminates static electricity from a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, A conveying means for conveying the sheet; a charge removing unit that removes charge from the sheet transported by the transport unit; a signal transmitting unit configured to transmit a predetermined signal to the image forming apparatus based on a state of the static eliminator.

18. An image forming apparatus that discharges a sheet on which an image is formed toward a static elimination device having a static elimination means for the sheet, a signal receiving means for receiving a predetermined signal based on a state of the static eliminator from the static eliminator; a notification unit that notifies a notification content corresponding to the signal received by the signal receiving unit.

19. A program executed in an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a static elimination device having a static elimination unit for a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, causing the static eliminator to transmit a predetermined signal to the image forming apparatus based on a state of the static eliminator; A program for causing the image forming apparatus to notify a notification content corresponding to a signal received from the static elimination unit.

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