Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that enables a user to easily purchase appropriate sheets when usage information relating to sheets used for image formation, such as types of sheets frequently used or types of sheets in which sheet jams are occurring, is displayed on a display unit.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 1 comprises display means 54, and control means 100 that causes usage information relating to sheets used for image formation by an image forming apparatus 1 and purchasing source information for sheets used for image formation to be displayed on a same screen of the display means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a multi-function digital multifunction peripheral called an MFP, or a terminal device capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] As an image forming apparatus, there is known an image forming apparatus that can display, on a display unit such as an operation panel, information about paper usage such as the type of paper used in image formation, such as what types of paper are frequently used, or an image forming apparatus that can display, on a display unit such as an operation panel, what types of paper are causing paper jams.

[0003] When such paper usage information is displayed on the display unit, it is convenient for the user if paper supplier information is also displayed. For example, if frequently used paper types are displayed together with paper supplier information, the user can easily purchase that paper. Also, if paper supplier information is displayed together with a paper type that is causing a paper jam, the user can purchase the appropriate paper that will not cause paper jams.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an ordering system for replenishing consumables such as paper and toner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-18742 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The ordering system described in Patent Document 1 allows for ordering consumables at an appropriate timing when supplies are running low.

[0007] However, in the ordering system described in Patent Document 1, even if usage information regarding the paper used in image formation is displayed on a display unit such as an operation panel when it is not the time to replenish paper, the user cannot easily purchase paper.

[0008] To provide an information processing device that allows a user to easily purchase appropriate paper when usage information about paper used in image formation, such as frequently used paper types and paper types that have caused paper jams, is displayed on a display unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above object can be achieved by the following means: (1) a display means; a control means for displaying, on the same screen of the display means, usage information regarding the paper used in image formation by the image forming apparatus and supplier information of the paper used in image formation; An information processing device comprising: (2) The information processing device according to paragraph 1, wherein the usage information is history information of paper used in the past. (3) The information processing device according to the preceding paragraph 2, wherein the history information is information for each paper type. (4) An information processing device as described in the preceding paragraph 3, in which the information for each paper type is information on the paper type set by the user and information on the paper type detected by the sensor, and the control means causes the display means to display the information on the paper type set by the user and the information on the paper type detected by the sensor separately. (5) The information processing device according to the preceding paragraph 2, wherein the control means divides the history information into predetermined periods and causes the display means to display the divided history information. (6) The information processing device according to paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the usage information is history information of paper that has previously caused paper jams. (7) The information processing device according to the preceding paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the usage information includes information on the number of days for which the usage information has been collected. (8) The information processing device according to the preceding paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the supplier information is link information to the supplier on the web. (9) The information processing device according to the preceding paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the control means causes the display means to display model information of the image forming device. (10) The information processing device according to the preceding paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the control means causes the display means to display information about the installation location and / or installation date of the image forming device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In this invention, usage information about the paper used in image formation by the image forming device and supplier information for the paper used in image formation are displayed on the same screen of the display means. Therefore, when usage information such as frequently used paper types or paper types that have caused paper jams is displayed, the user can easily purchase the appropriate paper based on the displayed supplier information, which is convenient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part of a transport path of a sheet on which an image is printed in an image forming apparatus that is an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an optical sensor. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic sensor. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] 10 is a display screen for displaying paper usage history information for a service technician. [Figure 6] 10 is a display screen for a service technician showing information about a paper jam. [Figure 7] 10 is a display screen for customer paper usage history information. [Figure 8] 10 is a display screen for paper jam information for customers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a part of a transport path for a recording medium on which an image is printed in an image forming apparatus 1, which is an example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 may be, but is not limited to, a copier, printer, MFP, or the like. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a user setting mode in which the user can set information about the type of paper (also called paper type) on which an image is printed. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 also has an automatic detection mode in which the image forming apparatus automatically determines information about the paper type without the user having to set information about the paper type.

[0015] In FIG. 1, a paper feed unit 60 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. This paper feed unit 60 has a first-stage paper feed cassette 60a at the top and a second-stage paper feed cassette 60b at the bottom. A paper transport path 8 is formed in the vertical direction, communicating with the paper feed opening 8a of the first-stage paper feed cassette 60a and the paper feed opening 8b of the second-stage paper feed cassette 60b. Paper fed into the paper transport path 8 from the paper feed opening 8a of the first-stage paper feed cassette 60a or the paper feed opening 8b of the second-stage paper feed cassette 60b is transported upward along the paper transport path 8 as indicated by arrow A. The paper transported upward is transported to a pair of skew correction rollers 72 located at an upper position of the paper transport path 8. A manual feed tray (not shown) is provided on the opposite side of the paper transport path 8 from the first-stage paper feed cassette 60a. The paper sheets set in the manual feed tray are supplied to the paper transport path 8 through the manual feed slot 8c. Note that reference numeral 71 shown in Fig. 2 denotes a transport roller for transporting the paper sheets fed from the second-stage paper feed cassette 60b.

[0016] The skew correction roller 72 is a roller for correcting the skew (inclination) of the paper being transported along the paper transport path 8.

[0017] Between the paper feed opening 8a of the upper first-stage paper feed cassette 60a and the skew correction roller 72, two media detection sensors 91, 92 are arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the paper transport path 8 in the transport direction. These media detection sensors 91, 92 detect identification parameters for determining information about the paper type. The upstream media detection sensor 91 is an optical sensor that detects light irradiated onto the paper as the identification parameter. The downstream media detection sensor 92 is an ultrasonic sensor that detects ultrasonic waves output toward the paper as the identification parameter. Note that the optical sensor 91 may be arranged upstream and the ultrasonic sensor 92 may be arranged downstream.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the optical sensor 91. The optical sensor 91 is composed of a transmission light source 91a such as an LED, a reflection light source 91b, and a light receiving element 91c such as a photodiode. The light receiving element 91c detects the amount of transmitted light 93, which is light emitted from the transmission light source 91a and transmitted through the paper M transported along the paper transport path 8, and the amount of reflected light 94, which is light emitted from the reflection light source 91b and reflected by the paper M. Based on the detected levels of transmitted light and reflected light, the control unit 100 (described later) determines information about the paper type, including the type of paper M (basis weight, OHP, recycled paper, coated paper, etc.). The optical sensor 91 may also be composed of multiple sensor groups corresponding to the colors red, green, and blue, for example.

[0019] 3 is an explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic sensor 92. The ultrasonic sensor 92 has a pair of ultrasonic transmitter 92a and ultrasonic receiver 92b arranged diagonally opposite each other across the paper transport path 8 in the direction in which the paper M passes (see FIG. 1). In the ultrasonic sensor 92, the ultrasonic transmitter 92a emits ultrasonic waves toward the paper M as it passes, and the ultrasonic receiver 92b receives the ultrasonic waves that have passed through the paper M. The control unit 100, which will be described later, then determines whether the paper M is a single sheet or an envelope based on the amount of ultrasonic wave attenuation by the paper M.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 4, image forming apparatus 1 includes control unit 100, storage device 110, image reading device 120, operation panel unit 50, image forming unit 10, paper feed unit 60, the above-mentioned optical sensor 91, and ultrasonic sensor 92. Image forming apparatus 1 also includes printer controller 150 and network interface (network I / F) 160, etc. These units and devices are connected to one another via system bus 175.

[0021] The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, an S-RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 103, an NV-RAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 104, a clock IC 105, and the like.

[0022] The CPU 101 executes operating programs stored in the ROM 102 and the like to comprehensively control the entire image forming apparatus 1. For example, in addition to controlling functions such as copying, printing, and scanning, the CPU 101 also performs the following controls, particularly in this embodiment. That is, in the automatic detection mode described above, the CPU 101 controls the optical sensor 91 to detect light intensity and the ultrasonic sensor 92 to detect ultrasonic waves. The CPU 101 then determines information about the paper type based on the detection results, and during printing, automatically sets image formation conditions corresponding to the paper type based on the results of the paper type information determination, and executes printing. Furthermore, in the user setting mode, the CPU 101 accepts print job settings, including paper type settings, entered by the user through operation of the operation panel 50. Alternatively, the CPU 101 accepts print job settings, including paper type settings, entered by the user via a network from a terminal device such as a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone. The CPU 101 then sets image formation conditions corresponding to the accepted paper type and executes printing.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 101 also causes the optical sensor 91 to detect light intensity and the ultrasonic sensor 92 to detect ultrasonic waves for paper whose paper type has been set by the user in the user setting mode. The CPU 101 also determines the paper type based on the detection results. The CPU 101 then stores and accumulates information such as the received paper type and the determined paper type as history information of previously used paper, sorted by paper type, in the storage device 110. The CPU 101 also counts the number of paper jams that have occurred for each paper type and stores this information together with the location of the paper jam in the storage device 110 as paper history information. Furthermore, the CPU 101 displays the received paper type, the determined paper type, the number of paper jams, etc. on the display 54 of the operation panel 50. When displaying this information, the CPU 101 also displays paper supplier information on the same screen.

[0024] The ROM 102 stores the programs executed by the CPU 101 and other data.

[0025] The S-RAM 103 serves as a work area when the CPU 101 executes a program, and temporarily stores the program, data used when the program is executed, and the like.

[0026] The NV-RAM 104 is a non-volatile memory backed up by a battery, and stores various settings related to image formation, the number of pixels of the display unit 54, various screen data displayed on the display unit 54, and the like.

[0027] The clock IC 105 keeps time and also functions as an internal timer to measure processing time.

[0028] The storage device 110 is made up of a hard disk or the like, and stores programs, various data, etc. In particular, as described above in this embodiment, it stores information about the paper type input by the user, information about the paper type determined based on the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and the ultrasonic sensor 92, and information about paper jams, etc. The storage device 110 also stores paper supplier information. This supplier information should preferably be a supplier of genuine paper that is recommended by the manufacturer of the image forming device 1 and is suitable for image formation by the image forming device 1.

[0029] The image reading device 120 includes a scanner and the like, and reads an original document set on a platen glass by scanning it, and converts the read original document into image data.

[0030] The operation panel unit 50 is used by the user when giving instructions such as jobs and making various settings to the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel unit 50 includes a reset key 51, a start key 52, a stop key 53, a display unit 54, a touch panel 55, etc.

[0031] The reset key 51 is used to reset the settings. The start key 52 is used to start operations such as scanning. The stop key 53 is pressed to interrupt an operation.

[0032] The display unit 54 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays messages, various operation screens, and the like. In this embodiment, the display unit 54 displays history information about the paper used in image formation and paper supplier information on the same screen. As described above, the history information about the paper used in image formation is information about the paper type input by the user. Furthermore, the history information includes information about the paper type determined based on the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92, and information about paper jams, etc. Specific display examples will be described later.

[0033] The touch panel 55 is formed on the screen of the display unit 54 and detects touch operations by the user.

[0034] The image forming unit 10 prints on paper image data of an original read by the image reading device 120 or a copy image generated from print data transmitted from an external terminal device 3 or the like. The image forming unit 10 is equipped with a print engine 18 consisting of hardware components for image formation such as a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer belt, and a transfer roller. The image forming unit 10 also includes a fixing unit 19 that applies heat and pressure to the paper on which the image has been formed to fix the image.

[0035] The network I / F 160 functions as a communication means for transmitting and receiving data via the network 4 to and from an external server, a terminal device, another image forming apparatus, and the like.

[0036] Next, a display example in which paper history information and paper supplier information are displayed on the same screen of the display unit 54 will be described.

[0037] In this embodiment, the display screen for the service person and the display screen for the customer can be displayed separately by operating operation buttons (not shown) or the like.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows the display screen G1 for service personnel. This screen G1 displays history information about the paper type used under the title 201 "Paper type history, number of jammed sheets, and JAM code display." Specifically, machine information and printing information are displayed in an area labeled "Customer settings (manual settings)" at the top of screen G1 in Fig. 5.

[0039] The machine information is information related to the image forming device 1. As the machine information, the model information of the image forming device 1 indicated by the "serial number (SERIAL NO)" and the installation date are displayed. The installation location may be displayed together with or separately from the installation date.

[0040] Print information is historical information about the paper used in image formation. The example screen in Figure 5 displays the number of days totaled and the number of sheets used for each paper type. The paper type is the paper type set by the user. The number of days totaled is the total number of days from the start date of the count. The number of sheets used for each paper type set by the user is divided by paper feed slot, and the number of sheets for each paper type for each paper feed slot is displayed in a table format.

[0041] In the example screen shown in Figure 5, the paper feed ports are divided into a manual feeder, a first-tier feeder, a second-tier feeder, a third-tier feeder, a fourth-tier feeder, an external large-capacity feeder tray (LCT), and a transfer large-capacity feeder tray.Paper types are divided into thin paper, plain paper, plain paper+, thick paper 1, ..., envelopes, single-sided paper, etc.

[0042] Machine information and printing information are displayed in the area at the bottom of screen G1 in Figure 5 that is labeled "Paper Type Detection (Media, Active) Determination." Media and active determination refers to the paper type determined based on the detection results of the optical sensor 91 and ultrasonic sensor 92 in automatic detection mode and user setting mode. The machine information and printing information are the same as the machine information and printing information displayed in the area at the top of the screen that is labeled "Customer Settings (Manual Settings)." However, the paper types "index," "long paper," and "single-sided only paper" are grayed out because they are not subject to paper type determination by the optical sensor 91 or ultrasonic sensor 92.

[0043] On screen G1 in Fig. 5, three period specification buttons 202, 203, and 204, "3 months," "6 months," and "1 year," are displayed in the upper right corner. By pressing any of the buttons 202, 203, and 204, the number of sheets used by paper type for each period of 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year can be switched and displayed. Note that in the display example in Fig. 5, the number of sheets used by paper type for all total days is displayed.

[0044] 5, the top right corner of screen G1 displays the name of the paper supplier 205 and online link information 206. In this example, a QR code (registered trademark) is displayed as the online link information 206. By taking a photo of this link information 206 with a smartphone or other device, the user can easily access the supplier online.

[0045] In this way, paper usage history information and link information 206 for paper suppliers are displayed on the same screen G1. Therefore, for example, when a service technician is explaining to a customer (user) while looking at the display screen G1, the user can immediately access the supplier of frequently used types of paper and purchase the paper, which is convenient. By displaying paper suppliers recommended by the manufacturer of the image forming device 1 as the supplier, the user can purchase the appropriate paper.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a display screen G2 for a service technician that displays paper jam information (jam information). On this screen G2, jam information is displayed under the title 201, "Paper type history, number of jammed sheets, and jam code display." The jam information includes the jam code, the location of the jam linked to the jam code, and the number of jammed sheets for each jam code. The number of jammed sheets is tallied by paper type.

[0047] As with the display screen G1 in Fig. 5, the number of jammed sheets for each of the most recent periods is displayed using the period specification buttons 202 to 204, "3 months," "6 months," and "1 year." Also, as with the display screen G1 in Fig. 5, the name of the supplier 205 and link information 206 are displayed in the upper right corner of screen G2 as information indicating the supplier of paper.

[0048] In this way, paper jam information and link information 206 for paper suppliers are displayed on the same screen G2. For example, when a service technician is explaining to a customer (user) while looking at display screen G2, the user can immediately access the supplier of the type of paper that frequently jams and purchase the paper, which is convenient. By displaying paper suppliers recommended by the manufacturer of image forming device 1 as the supplier, the user can purchase the appropriate paper.

[0049] In this embodiment, the screen G1 shown in Fig. 5 and the screen G2 shown in Fig. 6 are displayed on a single screen, and the service technician can switch between the screens by scrolling on the screen. Note that the screen G1 and the screen G2 may also be switched between by operating a switching button (not shown).

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a customer display screen G3 that displays historical information about paper types used, and corresponds to the service technician display screen G1 in FIG. 5. Compared to the service technician display screen G1, the customer display screen G3 simplifies the classification of paper types for each paper feed slot, setting up fewer paper type groups. For example, the "Plain Paper" and "Plain Paper+" displayed on the service technician display screen G1 are combined into "Plain Paper." "Cardboard 1," "Cardboard 1+," "Cardboard 2," "Cardboard 3," and "Cardboard 4" are combined into "Cardboard." While service technicians need to know detailed information about paper types when maintaining the image forming apparatus 1, such detailed information can be difficult for customer users to understand, so the classification of paper types has been simplified.

[0051] The display contents other than the paper type classification are the same as those displayed on the display screen G1 for the service technician in Fig. 5. Therefore, the display screen G3 for the customer also displays paper usage history information and link destination information 206 for paper suppliers on the same screen. Therefore, the user can display the display screen G3 for the customer and immediately access the supplier of frequently used paper types to purchase paper.

[0052] Fig. 8 shows a customer display screen G4 that displays jam information, and corresponds to the service technician display screen G2 in Fig. 6. As with the display screen G3 shown in Fig. 7, the customer jam information display screen G4 simplifies the classification of paper types for each paper feed slot compared to the service technician display screen G2 in Fig. 6, and is set up into fewer paper type groups. The paper type classification is the same as on screen G3 in Fig. 7.

[0053] Furthermore, the display contents other than the paper type classification are the same as those displayed on the jam information display screen G2 for service personnel in Fig. 6. Therefore, the jam information display screen G4 for customers also displays paper usage history information and link destination information 206 for paper suppliers on the same screen. Therefore, the user can display the customer display screen G4 and immediately access the supplier of paper that frequently jams, and purchase the appropriate paper.

[0054] In this embodiment, screen G3 shown in Fig. 7 and screen G4 shown in Fig. 8 are displayed on a single screen, and the customer user can switch between the screens by scrolling on the screen. Note that screen G3 and screen G4 may also be switched between by operating a switching button (not shown).

[0055] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a case has been described in which paper usage information and paper supplier information are output and displayed on the display unit 54 of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the image forming apparatus 1 may output the paper usage information and paper supplier information to another information processing apparatus such as a terminal device, and the other information processing apparatus may receive this information and display it on the same screen of the display unit. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 may print out the paper usage information and paper supplier information on paper, such as an apparatus management list, or output and save it on a storage medium such as a USB memory. Furthermore, the configuration may be such that a user can select whether or not to display the supplier information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Image forming device 3 Terminal Devices 4 Network 8 Paper transport path 10 Image forming unit 50 Operation panel 54 Display section 60 Paper feed section 72 Deskew Roller 91 Optical sensor (media detection sensor) 91a, 91b light source 91c Light receiving detector 92 Ultrasonic sensor (media detection sensor) 91a Ultrasonic transmitter 91b Ultrasonic receiver 100 control section 201 Display Title 202~204 Period specification button 205 Supplier name 206 Purchasing Information (Link Information) G1~G4 screen

Claims

1. A display means; a control means for displaying, on the same screen of the display means, usage information regarding the paper used in image formation by the image forming apparatus and supplier information of the paper used in image formation; An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the usage information is history information of paper sheets used in the past.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the history information is information for each paper type.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the information for each paper type is information on the paper type set by the user and information on the paper type detected by the sensor, and the control means causes the display means to display the information on the paper type set by the user and the information on the paper type detected by the sensor separately.

5. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means causes the display means to display the history information divided into predetermined periods.

6. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage information is history information of paper that has previously caused paper jams.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the usage information includes information on the number of days for which the usage information has been collected.

8. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supplier information is link information to the supplier on the web.

9. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the display means to display model information of the image forming apparatus.

10. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means causes the display means to display information about the installation location and / or installation date of the image forming apparatus.

Images