Image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus in a novel form that grasps the use state of a user and proposes options.SOLUTION: An image forming system includes: an image forming apparatus that receives print jobs including print number information, print size information and print date and time information, forms images on recording materials and includes a storage unit that stores the recording materials; an acquisition unit that acquires the number information, size information, date and time information in the received print job, and capacity information indicating the storage possible number being the maximum number that can be stored in the storage unit; a determination unit that determines the number of print jobs whose print number exceeds the storage possible number in a plurality of the print jobs received by the image forming apparatus in a predetermined period on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit and determines whether the number is equal to or greater than a predefined threshold; and a notification unit that notifies the user of content related to the addition of the new storage unit when the determination unit has determined that the number has exceeded the predefined threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system that forms an image on a recording material.

Background Art

[0002] The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 grasps the monthly print count of the user and the number of recording materials that can be accommodated in a cassette as the usage status of the user's image forming apparatus, and proposes options to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When proposing options, it is desirable to grasp various usage situations of the user, not limited to the usage situations described above. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new type of image forming apparatus that grasps the usage situation of the user and proposes options.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0006] An image forming apparatus that receives a print job including count information indicating the number of prints, size information indicating the size of the recording material to be printed, and date and time information indicating the date and time of printing, and forms an image on the recording material based on the print job, the image forming apparatus comprising a housing unit that houses the recording material, an acquisition unit that acquires, in the received print job, the count information, the size information, the date and time information, and capacity information indicating the maximum number of sheets of the recording material of the size indicated in the print job that can be accommodated in the housing unit; Based on the number information, size information, date and time information, and capacity information obtained by the acquisition unit, among the plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus during a predetermined period, the number of print jobs whose print count exceeds the accommodatable number is obtained, and a determination unit that determines whether the number is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value; A notification unit that notifies content regarding the addition of a new storage unit when the determination unit determines that the number exceeds the predetermined threshold value; An image forming system characterized by comprising:

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new type of image forming apparatus that grasps the usage status of a user and proposes options.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <Example 1> [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus] The configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is a laser beam printer that forms an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic method. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem type color laser beam printer, and outputs a color image by overlapping four colors of toner, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In FIG. 1, the Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference numerals indicate that the colors of the toner handled by the corresponding members are yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish colors, reference numerals with the trailing characters omitted are used.

[0010] The process cartridge 5 has a toner container 6, a photoreceptor 1, a charging roller 2, a developing roller 3, a drum cleaning blade 4, and a waste toner container 7. The charging roller 2 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1 to a predetermined potential. The laser unit 8 is disposed below the process cartridge 5, and exposes the photoreceptor drum 1 based on an image signal to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing roller 3 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1 using the toner stored in the toner container 6 to form a developer image.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 100 further includes an intermediate transfer member 11, a primary transfer roller 10, a secondary transfer roller 14, and a counter roller 15. The primary transfer roller 10 is a transfer member that outputs a primary transfer bias and transfers the developer image on the photoreceptor 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 11. The toner images formed on the photoreceptors 1Y to 1K are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer member 11 in the order of Y, M, C, and K.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a paper feeding unit 20 and an option 40. The paper feeding unit 20 includes a main body housing unit 21 and a housing 20a. The main body housing unit 21 can be inserted into or pulled out from the housing 20a. The housing 20a includes a paper feed roller 22, a conveyance roller 23, and a separation roller 24. The main body housing unit 21 is a housing unit that houses the recording material (S). The paper feed roller 22 is a paper feeding unit that feeds the recording material from the main body housing unit 21. The recording material fed by the paper feed roller 22 is separated into single sheets by the separation roller 24 and conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 14 by the conveyance roller 23.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 can connect at least one or more options below the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the option 40 is connected below the image forming apparatus 100 as a housing unit (housing device) capable of housing the recording material. The option 40 includes an option housing unit 41 and a first housing 40a. The option housing unit 41 can be inserted into or pulled out from the first housing 40a. The first housing 40a includes a first paper feed roller 42, a first conveyance roller 43, and a first separation roller 44. The option housing unit 41 houses the recording material (S). The first paper feed roller 42 is a paper feeding unit that feeds the recording material from the option housing unit 41. The recording material fed by the first paper feed roller 42 is separated into single sheets by the first separation roller 44 and conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 14 by the first conveyance roller 43.

[0014] In the following description, the main body housing unit 21 or the option housing unit 41 may be referred to as a housing unit respectively.

[0015] The secondary transfer roller 14 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 11 to the recording material conveyed from the paper feeding unit 20 or the option 40. The fixing unit 30 heats and presses the recording material and fixes the toner image transferred to the recording material by the secondary transfer roller 14. The recording material fixed by the fixing unit 30 is discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 by the paper discharge roller pair 33.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper type detection unit 50 that detects the type of a recording material fed from a paper feed roller 22. The paper type detection unit 50 is provided so as to face the conveyance path of the recording material. Further, the paper type detection unit 50 is provided between the paper feed roller 22 and the secondary transfer roller 14 in the conveyance direction of the recording material. The paper type detection unit 50 detects the type of the recording material that has passed through the paper type detection unit 50. In the present embodiment, the paper type detection unit 50 includes a basis weight detection unit 51 that detects the basis weight of the recording material S and a surface property detection unit 52 that detects the surface property of the recording material. The basis weight detection unit 51 includes a transmission unit that transmits ultrasonic waves and a reception unit that receives ultrasonic waves. The basis weight detection unit 51 detects the basis weight of the recording material by transmitting ultrasonic waves from the transmission unit to the recording material and receiving the ultrasonic waves transmitted through the recording material by the reception unit, and detects the type of paper. On the other hand, the surface property detection unit 52 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The surface property detection unit 52 irradiates light from the light emitting unit onto the recording material and receives the reflected light from the recording material by the light receiving unit to detect the surface property of the recording material (such as the roughness of the recording material), and detects the type of paper. The paper type detection unit 50 of the present embodiment includes both the basis weight detection unit 51 and the surface property detection unit 52, but the paper type detection unit 50 may be configured to include at least one of the basis weight detection unit 51 and the surface property detection unit 52.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is capable of detecting the size of the recording material stored in the main body housing unit 21. The main body housing unit 21 includes a regulating plate 27 and a pressing member 26. The housing 20a has a size detection unit 25. The regulating unit 27 is a regulating unit that regulates the upstream end (rear end) of the recording material loaded in the main body housing unit 21 in the recording material conveyance direction. The user can regulate the rear end of recording materials of various sizes such as A4 and A3 by moving the regulating unit 27. The pressing member 26 moves along with the movement of the regulating unit 27 and presses the pressed portions 25a to 25d described later.

[0018] The size detection unit 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the size detection unit 25. The size detection unit 25 detects the size of the recording material accommodated in the main body accommodation unit 21. The size detection unit 25 includes pressed parts 25a to 25d. When the main body accommodation unit 21 is inserted into the housing 20a and the restricting unit 27 is further moved, the pressing member 26 presses at least one or more of the pressed parts 25a to 25d. That is, depending on the position where the restricting unit 27 is moved, the combination of the pressed parts 25 of the pressed parts 25a to 25d that are pressed is different, and thus the paper size can be detected. When the main body accommodation unit 21 is pulled out from the housing 20a, none of the pressed parts 25a to 25d is pressed. Therefore, the size detection unit 25 can detect the state where the main body accommodation unit 21 is pulled out from the housing 20a (pulled-out state). On the other hand, when at least one or more of the pressed parts 25a to 25d are pressed, it can be detected that the main body accommodation unit 21 is in the state of being inserted into the housing 20a (inserted state). That is, the size detection unit 25 can also be called a state detection unit that detects whether the main body accommodation unit 21 is in the inserted state or the pulled-out state with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0019] The method of detecting the size of the recording material accommodated in the option accommodation unit 41 is the same as that of the main body accommodation unit 21, so the description will be omitted. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the option accommodation unit 41 has a first regulating plate 47 and a first pressing member 46. Further, the first housing 40a includes a first size detection unit 45 that detects the size of the recording material accommodated in the option accommodation unit 41, and the first size detection unit 45 includes first pressed parts 45a to 45d.

[0020] [Configuration of Image Forming System] Next, the configuration of the image forming system 1000 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system 1000. The image forming system 1000 is a system composed of an image forming apparatus 100, an option 40, a server 200, and a management apparatus (information processing apparatus) 300. First, the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job and forms an image on a recording material based on the received print job. The print job includes date and time information, size information, and number of sheets information, which will be described later. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a transmission unit 120, a display unit 130, and a control unit 100. The transmission unit 120 transmits the print job transmitted from the host computer 400 to the control unit 110. The display unit 130 includes a display capable of displaying information and an operation unit capable of operating the image forming apparatus 100. The user can set print conditions from the operation unit.

[0022] The control unit 100 controls the image forming operation. The control unit 100 includes an engine control unit 111, an IO port 112, and a system bus 113. The engine control unit 111 includes a CPU 80, a ROM 81, and a RAM 82. The CPU 80 loads a program and various data into the ROM 81 and executes the program using the RAM 82 as a work area. The ROM 81 is a storage member for storing data. The engine control unit 111 can communicate with the IO port 112 via the system bus 113. A paper type detection unit 50, a size detection unit 25, and a paper feed roller 22 are connected to the IO port 112. The CPU 80 controls the paper type detection unit 50, the size detection unit 25, and the paper feed roller 22 via the IO port 112. Also, the engine control unit 111 can communicate with an option control unit 48 of an option 40, which will be described later, via a serial communication 140 capable of two-way communication, and controls a first paper feed roller 42. That is, when the engine control unit 111 receives a printer instruction (print job), it can drive the paper feed roller 22 or the first paper feed roller 42 to feed the recording material.

[0023] Next, Option 40 will be described. Option 40 includes an option control unit 48, a first IO port 49, and a first system bus 213. The option control unit 48 controls the paper feeding operation of Option 40. The option control unit 48 includes a first CPU 83, a first ROM 84, and a first RAM 85. The first ROM 84 is a storage member that stores data. The first CPU 83 loads a program and various data into the first ROM 84 and executes the program using the first RAM 85 as a working area. The option control unit 48 can communicate with the first IO port 49 via the first system bus 213. A first size detection unit 45 and a first paper feed roller 42 are respectively connected to the first IO port 49. That is, the first CPU 83 controls the first size detection unit 45 and the first paper feed roller 42 via the first IO port 49. The engine control unit 110 instructs the first CPU 83 to control the first IO port 49 via the serial communication 140. Also, the information recorded in the first RAM 85 can be recorded in the RAM 82 via the serial communication 140.

[0024] Next, the server 200 will be described. The server 200 includes a server control unit 210 capable of communicating with the transmission unit 120, and a notification unit 88. The server control unit 210 includes a determination unit 86 and a storage unit 87. The storage unit 87 stores information (data) transmitted from the transmission unit 120 of the image forming apparatus 100. The determination unit 86 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU that executes a program stored in the storage unit 87. As will be described later, the determination unit 86 determines whether it is necessary to add a paper feed option using the data transmitted from the transmission unit 120. The server 200 can communicate with an information processing apparatus 300 described later and can transmit information to the first control unit 310. Specifically, when the determination unit 86 determines that it is necessary to add a paper feed option, the notification unit 88 notifies the information processing apparatus 300 described later of the information.

[0025] Next, the information processing apparatus 300 will be described. Specifically, the information processing apparatus in this embodiment is a personal computer. Note that the information processing apparatus is not limited to a personal computer, and may be a tablet terminal. The information processing apparatus 300 includes a first control unit 310 and a first display unit 320. The first control unit 310 receives the data transmitted from the server control unit 210 and controls the first display unit 320 to display various information. The first display unit 320 includes a display capable of displaying information and an operation unit capable of operating the information processing apparatus 300.

[0026] [Data collection] Next, the configuration related to data collection of the image forming system 1000 will be described. The engine control unit 111 is an acquisition unit that acquires various information regarding the image forming apparatus 100 and the option 40, and the acquired information is transmitted to the server 200 and used for analysis described later. Further, the engine control unit 111 stores the various information acquired in the RAM 82.

[0027] The engine control unit 111 acquires date and time information, which is information regarding the date and time of printing such as the reception date and time of the print job and the date and time of printing, and stores it in the RAM 82. Further, the engine control unit 111 acquires sheet number information such as the number of sheets of the recording material scheduled in the print job and the number of sheets actually printed, and stores it in the RAM 82. Further, the engine control unit 111 acquires size information, which is information indicating the size of the recording material specified in the print job, and stores it in the RAM 82. Further, the engine control unit 111 stores information on the paper feed unit 20 or the option 40 driven by the engine control unit 111 based on the print job.

[0028] As described above, the size detection unit 25 and the first size detection unit 45 respectively detect whether the main body housing unit 21 and the option housing unit 41 are in the pulled-out state or the inserted state. The engine control unit 111 acquires state information such as the state of the housing unit and the date and time when the state of the housing unit changes from the detection results of the size detection unit 25 and the first size detection unit 45, and stores it in the RAM 82.

[0029] The engine control unit 111 communicates regularly with the option 40 via the serial communication 140. The engine control unit 111 acquires option connection information such as the presence or absence of connection of the option 40 and the number of connected options, and stores it in the RAM 82. Further, the engine control unit 111 acquires the maximum number of options (option capacity information) that can be connected to the image forming apparatus 100, and stores it in the RAM 82.

[0030] When the engine control unit 111 determines that the option 40 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, the engine control unit 111 stores in the RAM 82 the maximum number of sheets (capacity information) that the option storage unit 41 of the option 40 can store the recording material. More specifically, the maximum number of sheets is the maximum number of sheets of recording material of any size that can be stored. For example, if the option 40 can store up to 300 sheets of A4 paper, the maximum number of sheets of A4 paper in the option 40 is 300 sheets. Note that the maximum number of sheets that can be stored may be determined based on the detection result of a sensor that detects that the recording material stored in the storage unit exceeds a predetermined amount, or may be the number of sheets described in the product manual of the option 40.

[0031] Similarly, the engine control unit 111 also stores in the RAM 82 the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the main body storage unit 21 of the paper feeding unit 20. In this embodiment, the engine control unit 111 stores the maximum number of sheets in the RAM 82, but the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the option 40 and the paper feeding unit 20 may be stored in the RAM 82 in advance.

[0032] In addition, the engine control unit 111 stores in the RAM 82 the sizes of the recording materials stored in the paper feeding unit 20 and the option 40 detected by the size detection unit 25 and the first size detection unit 25, and the detected date and time.

[0033] The information acquired by the engine control unit 111 described above and stored in the RAM 82 is transmitted by the transmission unit 120 to the server control unit 210 and stored in the storage unit 87. The server control unit 210 can also be called an acquisition unit that acquires information.

[0034] Various information is stored in association with each event such as a print job or a change in the state of the storage unit. Examples of the information stored in the storage unit 87 are shown in (Table 1), (Table 2), and (Table 3).

[0035] In Table 1, the date and time of the occurred event (operation) and the type of the event are stored in association. When a print job is received and printed, it is denoted as "Print", and when the storage unit is pulled out or inserted, it is denoted as "Pull out" or "Insert". Further, when the operation is printing, the number of printed sheets specified in the print job, the size of the recording material instructed in the print job, and the storage unit where paper feeding is performed are denoted.

[0036]

Table 1

[0037] Table 2 shows information regarding the configurations of the main body storage unit 21 and the option storage unit 41. The number of sheets that can be stored for each paper size in each of the main body storage unit 21 and the option storage unit 41, the number of options connected to the image forming apparatus 100, and the maximum number of options that can be connected to the image forming apparatus 100 are denoted.

[0038]

Table 2

[0039] Table 3 shows the date and time when the size detection unit 25 and the first size detection unit 45 performed detection, and the sizes of the recording materials stored in the main body storage unit 21 and the option storage unit.

[0040]

Table 3

[0041] [Judgment of Option Expansion] Next, a method proposed by the image forming system 1000 for adding options in this embodiment will be described. In the following description, a system including the main body housing portion 21 and the option housing portion 41 may be referred to as a housing unit.

[0042] There is a case where the number of printed sheets instructed in one print job specified by the user is more than the number of sheets that can be accommodated in the housing unit of the image forming system 1000. For example, in a print job, 600 sheets of A4 recording material are instructed, but the total number of A4 sheets that can be accommodated in the main body housing portion 21 and the option housing portion 41 is 500 sheets. In this case, the user needs to replenish the recording material in the housing unit. In this embodiment, for a user in whom such a case occurs a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period, content regarding the addition of a new housing portion (option) is notified. In this embodiment, the information acquired by the engine control unit 111 described above and stored in the RAM 82 is transmitted to the server control unit 210 and used for the analysis described later.

[0043] Table 4 shows the date and time for each print job, the number of printed sheets instructed (P1), and the size of the instructed recording material in the information of Tables 1 to 3. Table 4 also shows the size of the recording material accommodated in the main body housing portion 21 and the size of the recording material accommodated in the option housing portion 41, which are detected by the size detection unit 25 and the first size detection unit 45, respectively. Table 4 also shows the number of sheets that can be accommodated in the housing unit for the recording material of the size specified in the print job. For example, at 11:00:00 on June 1, 2023, the size of the specified recording material is A4. Since the size of the recording material in the main body housing portion 21 is A4 and the size of the recording material in the option housing portion 41 is A5, the number of sheets that can be accommodated in the housing unit is 300 sheets. Table 4 also indicates whether the number of printed sheets instructed (P1) is larger than the number of sheets that can be accommodated in the housing unit (P2) for the recording material of the size specified in the print job.

[0044]

Table 4

[0045] The determination unit 86 calculates the number (α) of print jobs that satisfy P1 > P2 among the print jobs performed within a predetermined period, and determines whether the number of print jobs that satisfy P1 > P2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (β). That is, based on the sheet number information, size information, date and time information, and capacity information, the determination unit 86 obtains the number (α) of print jobs among the plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus 100 within a predetermined period, where the number of printed sheets exceeds the accommodable number of sheets, and determines whether α is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (β). The predetermined period can be, for example, one day. Taking Table 4 as an example, the number of print jobs that satisfy P1 > P2 is 4. If the predetermined threshold value (β) is 3, then α > β.

[0046] Also, when the determination unit 86 determines that the number of print jobs that satisfy P1 > P2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the determination unit 86 determines whether it is possible to add an option to the image forming apparatus 100 using the information in Table 2. Specifically, the determination unit 86 determines whether the number (γ) of options connectable to the image forming apparatus 100 is greater than the number (δ) of the options connected to the image forming apparatus based on the option capacity information and the option connection information. In this embodiment, since the number of connected options is 1 and the maximum number of connectable options is 2, it is possible to add an option. Therefore, the determination unit 86 determines that it is possible to add an option to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0047] Next, the notification of information will be described. When the determination unit 86 determines that it is necessary to add an option to the image forming apparatus 100 by the method described above, the notification unit 88 notifies the first control unit 310 of the information processing apparatus 300 of the information regarding the addition of the option. That is, when the determination unit 86 determines that α exceeds β and γ is greater than δ, the notification unit 88 notifies the content regarding the addition of the option.

[0048] The first control unit 310 that has received a notification from the notification unit 88 causes the first display unit 320 to display information regarding the addition of an option notified by the notification unit 88. In this embodiment, a dealer manages the state of the image forming apparatus 100 using the information processing apparatus 300, and based on the information displayed on the first display unit 320, it is possible to propose the addition of an option to the user who uses the image forming apparatus 100.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the information displayed on the first display unit 320. As shown in FIG. 4, the first display unit 320 displays content regarding the user's printing tendency, such as that printing has been performed to instruct a number of printed sheets exceeding the accommodable number of sheets in the storage unit. Further, the first display unit 320 displays information on the content proposing the addition of an option. Further, the first display unit 320 proposes the type and number of recommended options. That is, the first display unit 320 displays at least one or more pieces of information among the content proposing the addition of an option or the user's printing tendency.

[0050] Note that in this embodiment, the notification unit 88 notifies the information processing apparatus 300 of information regarding the addition of an option, but the first control unit 310 that has received a notification from the notification unit 88 may cause the first display unit 320 to display the information stored in the information processing apparatus 300.

[0051] Note that in this embodiment, the notification unit 88 notifies the information processing apparatus 300 of information, but the notification unit 88 may notify the image forming apparatus 100, and the image forming apparatus 100 that has received the notification may display the information on the display unit 130.

[0052] [Judgment Flow] Next, the determination flow in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When the transmission unit 120 receives a print job, the engine control unit 111 drives the paper feeding unit 20 or the option 40 to start the paper feeding operation (S001). The engine control unit 111 stores the information regarding the received print job in the RAM 82 (S002). Also, the engine control unit 111 periodically acquires the above-described information and stores it in the RAM 82. Next, the transmission unit 120 transmits this information to the server 200, and the storage unit 87 stores the information (S003). That is, the transmission unit 120 transmits the number of sheets information, size information, date and time information, capacity information, etc. to the server 200. The transmission frequency is, for example, once a day, but it may be transmitted at any timing.

[0053] The server 200 determines whether the data necessary for the determination by the determination unit 86 has been collected (S004). If the data has not been sufficiently collected, no determination is made. If the data has been sufficiently collected, the determination is started. In this embodiment, the determination is made when the data for one day has been collected, but the timing of the analysis may be changed as necessary. Next, as described above, the determination unit 86 calculates the number α of print jobs that satisfy P1 > P2, and determines whether α is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value β (S006). If α is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value β, the analysis is terminated. If α is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value β, the determination unit 86 determines whether it is possible to add an option to the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, it is determined whether the maximum number γ of connectable options is greater than the number δ of connected options (S007). If δ is greater than γ, the determination is terminated. If γ is greater than δ, the notification unit 88 notifies the information processing apparatus 300 of the information regarding the addition of the option (S008). The information processing apparatus 300 that has received the notification causes the first display unit 320 to display the information regarding the addition of the option notified by the notification unit 88.

[0054] As described above, the invention according to this embodiment can grasp the usage status of the user and propose options.

[0055] <Example 2> Next, Example 2 will be described. A user may frequently take out the recording material stored in the storage unit and replenish the storage unit with a different type of recording material from the stored recording material. In Example 2, such a user is notified of the content regarding the addition of options.

[0056] Also, in Example 2, it is different from Example 1 in that the information on the paper type of the recording material obtained from the paper type detection unit 50 and the storage unit information indicating the storage unit where paper feeding is instructed in the print job and paper feeding is performed are used. When the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job and paper feeding is performed, the paper type detection unit 50 detects the type of the recording material. Then, the engine control unit 111 acquires the information on the type of the recording material fed based on the detection result of the paper type detection unit 50. The engine control unit 111 specifies the type of the recording material fed by comparing the basis weight and surface property for each type of recording material stored in the RAM 82 with the detection result of the paper type detection unit 50. The engine control unit 111 acquires the information (paper type information) on the type of the recording material detected by the paper type detection unit 50 and stores it in the RAM 82. Also, the engine control unit 111 acquires the storage unit information indicating the storage unit where paper feeding is instructed in the print job and paper feeding is performed and stores it in the RAM 82. The information on the type of the recording material stored in the RAM 82 and the information on the storage unit where paper feeding is performed are transmitted to the server 200 by the transmission unit 120 and stored in the storage unit 87.

[0057] Note that the information acquired by the engine control unit 111 described in Example 1 and stored in the RAM 82 is also transmitted to the server 200 and stored in the storage unit 87 in the same manner in Example 2. For example, the information described in Table 5 is stored in the storage unit 87. The description of the information described in Table 5 and explained in Example 1 is omitted. In Table 5, different from Table 1 of Example 1, the information on the type of the recording material fed detected by the paper type detection unit 50 is described. Also, the storage unit information indicating the storage unit where paper feeding is instructed in the print job and paper feeding is performed is described.

[0058]

Table 5

[0059] [Judgment on Option Proposal] Next, the judgment on option proposal in this embodiment will be described. As an example, the case where the information in Table 5 is transmitted to the server control unit 210 and stored in the storage unit 87 will be described. First, from the data in Table 5, the determination unit 86 obtains the number of times (α) that the detection results of the paper type detection unit 50 are different between the print jobs before and after the state of the storage unit changes in a plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus 100 during a predetermined period, and determines whether or not the number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (β). In this embodiment, a plurality of storage units (main body storage unit 21, option storage unit 41) are provided, and using the data for one day, the number of times the paper type is changed in the main body storage unit is obtained, and α = 4 is calculated. That is, the determination unit 86 obtains the number of times that the detection results of the paper type detection unit 50 are different between the print jobs before and after the state of the storage unit changes in a plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus 100 during a predetermined period and in a plurality of print jobs fed from the same storage unit (main body storage unit 21).

[0060] Then, the determination unit 86 determines whether α exceeds the predetermined threshold value β. In this embodiment, since β is 3, α > β, and the determination unit 86 determines that α exceeds the threshold value β.

[0061] Next, the determination unit 86 determines whether an option can be added to the image forming apparatus 100, and if it is determined that an option can be added, a notification is made. Since this process is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the information displayed on the first display unit 320. As shown in FIG. 6, the first display unit 320 displays information regarding the user's printing tendency, such as that the paper type is frequently changed. Further, the first display unit 320 displays information proposing an addition of an option. Further, the first display unit 320 proposes the type and number of recommended options. That is, the first display unit 320 displays at least one or more pieces of information of the content proposing the addition of an option or the user's printing.

[0063] [Judgment Flow] Next, the judgment flow in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When the transmission unit 120 receives a print job, the engine control unit 111 drives the paper feed unit 20 or the option 40 to start the paper feed operation (S011). The engine control unit 111 stores the information regarding the received print job in the RAM 82 (S012). Also, the engine control unit 111 periodically acquires the above-described information and stores it in the RAM 82. Next, the transmission unit 120 transmits this information (data) to the server 200, and the storage unit 87 stores the information (S013). The frequency of transmitting the information to the server 200 is, for example, once a day, but it may be transmitted at any timing.

[0064] The server 200 determines whether the data necessary for the analysis by the determination unit 86 has been collected (S014). If the data has not been sufficiently collected, the analysis is not performed. If the data has been sufficiently collected, the analysis is started. In this embodiment, the analysis is performed when the data for one day has been collected, but the timing of the analysis may be changed as needed.

[0065] Next, the determination unit 86 obtains the number of times (α) that the detection results of the paper type detection unit 50 are different between the print jobs before and after the state of the storage unit changes in a plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus 100 during a predetermined period, and determines whether the number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (β).

[0066] Next, as described above, the determination unit 86 calculates the number of times α that the paper type has been switched in the storage unit, and determines whether α is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value β (S016). If α is not equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value β, the analysis is terminated. If α is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value β, the determination unit 86 determines whether it is possible to add an option to the image forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the maximum number of connectable options γ is greater than the number of connected options δ (S017). If γ is greater than δ, the analysis is terminated. If γ is greater than δ, the notification unit 88 notifies the information processing apparatus 300 of information regarding the addition of an option (S018). The information processing apparatus 300 that has received the notification causes the first display unit 320 to display the information regarding the addition of the option notified by the notification unit 88.

[0067] As described above, the invention according to the present embodiment can grasp the usage status of the user and propose an option.

[0068] Note that the configuration of the image forming system 1000 described in the first and second embodiments is merely an example. For example, the image forming system 1000 may not include the option 40, or may include at least one or more options. Further, it may include at least one or more servers.

[0069] Note that in the first and second embodiments, the server 200 includes the determination unit 86 and the notification unit 88. However, the image forming apparatus 100 may include the determination unit 86 and the notification unit 88, and the above-described determination and notification may be performed by the image forming apparatus 100 alone.

[0070] Note that the determination unit 86 in the first and second embodiments makes different determinations, but the determination unit 86 may make both determinations in the first and second embodiments.

[0071] Note that the determination unit 86 in the first and second embodiments compares the maximum number of connectable options with the number of connected options, but the determination unit 86 may not perform this comparison.

[0072] In addition, in the first embodiment, since the sizes of the recording materials stored in the main body storage unit 21 and the option storage unit 41 are different, the number of sheets that can be stored in the size (A4) specified in the print job is the number of sheets that can be stored in the main body storage unit 21. However, when both the main body storage unit 21 and the option storage unit 41 store A4-sized recording materials, the number of sheets that can be stored in the size (A4) specified in the print job is the total number of sheets that can be stored in the main body storage unit 21 and the option storage unit 41.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1000 Image forming system 100 Image forming apparatus 200 Server 300 Information processing apparatus 111 Engine control unit 86 Judgment unit 88 Notification unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus that receives a print job including the number information indicating the number of prints, the size information indicating the size of the recording material to be printed, and the date and time information indicating the date and time of printing, and forms an image on the recording material based on the print job, the image forming apparatus comprising a housing unit for housing the recording material, an acquisition unit that acquires, from the received print job, the number information, the size information, the date and time information, and capacity information indicating the maximum number of sheets of the recording material of the size indicated in the print job that can be housed in the housing unit; a determination unit that, based on the number information, the size information, the date and time information, and the capacity information acquired by the acquisition unit, determines the number of the print jobs among the plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus within a predetermined period in which the number of prints exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be housed, and determines whether or not the number is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; a notification unit that, when the determination unit determines that the number exceeds the predetermined threshold, notifies the content regarding the addition of a new housing unit; An image forming system, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the housing unit has a size detection unit that detects the size of the recording material housed in the housing unit.

3. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of the housing units, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the maximum number of sheets that can be housed is the total number of the maximum number of sheets of the recording material of the size indicated in the print job that can be housed in the plurality of housing units.

4. The acquisition unit acquires option capacity information indicating the number of options connectable to the image forming apparatus and option connection information indicating the number of options connected to the image forming apparatus, The determination unit determines, based on the option capacity information and the option connection information, whether or not the number of options connectable to the image forming apparatus is greater than the number of options connected to the image forming apparatus, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the content regarding the addition of a new housing unit when the determination unit determines that the number exceeds the threshold and further that the number of options connectable to the image forming apparatus is greater than the number of options connected to the image forming apparatus.

5. A server that is communicable with the image forming apparatus and has the determination unit and the notification unit, The image forming apparatus has the acquisition unit and a transmission unit that transmits information to the server, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the sheet number information, the size information, the date and time information, and the capacity information to the server.

6. The notification unit gives a notification to an information processing apparatus communicable with the server, The information processing apparatus has a display unit that displays information, and the information processing apparatus that has received the notification displays the content regarding the addition of a new storage unit on the display unit. The image forming system according to claim 5.

7. The image forming apparatus has a display unit that displays information, The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the notification unit gives a notification to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus that has received the notification displays the content regarding the addition of a new storage unit on the display unit.

8. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has the acquisition unit, the determination unit, the notification unit, and a display unit that receives a notification from the notification unit and displays the content regarding the addition of a new storage unit.

9. The image forming system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the content has at least one of the content proposing the addition of a new storage unit or the printing tendency of the user.

10. An image forming apparatus that receives a print job including date and time information indicating the date and time of printing and forms an image on a recording material based on the print job, the image forming apparatus including: a storage unit that stores the recording material; a paper type detection unit that detects the type of the recording material fed from the storage unit; and a state detection unit that detects whether the storage unit is in an inserted state or a pulled-out state with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus. An acquisition unit that acquires the date and time information, which is information regarding the date and time of printing in the received print job, paper type information indicating the type of the recording material detected by the paper type detection unit, and state information indicating the state of the storage unit detected by the state detection unit. Based on the date and time information, paper type information, and status information acquired by the acquisition unit, in a plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus within a predetermined period, the number of times the detection results of the paper type detection unit are different between the print jobs before and after the state of the storage unit changes is obtained, and a determination unit that determines whether the number is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value; A notification unit that notifies content regarding addition of a new storage unit when the determination unit determines that the number exceeds the predetermined threshold value; An image forming system, characterized by comprising the same.

11. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the paper type detection unit includes at least one of a basis weight detection unit that detects the basis weight of a recording material or a surface property detection unit that detects the surface property of the recording material.

12. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of the storage units, The acquisition unit acquires storage unit information indicating the storage unit instructed to supply paper in the print job, Based on the date and time information, paper type information, status information, and storage unit information, the determination unit determines, in a plurality of print jobs received by the image forming apparatus within a predetermined period and fed from the same storage unit, the number of times the detection results of the paper type detection unit are different between the print jobs before and after the state of the storage unit changes, and determines whether the number is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. The image forming system according to claim 10, characterized in that.

13. The acquisition unit acquires option capacity information indicating the number of options connectable to the image forming apparatus and option connection information indicating the number of options connected to the image forming apparatus, Based on the option capacity information and the option connection information, the determination unit determines whether the number of options connectable to the image forming apparatus is greater than the number of options connected to the image forming apparatus, The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the notification unit notifies the content regarding addition of a new storage unit when the determination unit determines that the number exceeds the threshold value and further determines that the number of options connectable to the image forming apparatus is greater than the number of options connected to the image forming apparatus.

14. A server that is communicable with the image forming apparatus and has the determination unit and the notification unit, The image forming apparatus has the acquisition unit and a transmission unit that transmits information to the server, The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the date and time information and the paper type information to the server.

15. The notifying unit notifies an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the server, The information processing apparatus has a display unit for displaying information, and the information processing apparatus that has received the notification displays the content regarding the addition of a new storage unit on the display unit. The image forming system according to claim 14.

16. The image forming apparatus has a display unit for displaying information, The notifying unit notifies the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus that has received the notification displays the content regarding the addition of a new storage unit on the display unit. The image forming system according to claim 14.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, comprising an acquisition unit, a determination unit, a notification unit, and a display unit that receives a notification from the notification unit and displays the content regarding the addition of a new storage unit.

18. The content according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized by having at least one of the content proposing the addition of a new storage unit or the printing tendency of the user.

Images