Image forming apparatus and program

Abstract

To allow information indicating the state of units removed from a provision source device to be suitably taken over to a provision destination device.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises units and an image forming apparatus body on which the units are mounted. The image forming apparatus comprises: an image forming section 17 that forms an image on a sheet; and a control section 11 that causes the image forming section 17 to form, on the sheet, a print image including state information that indicates the state of the units and is taken over from the image forming apparatus from which the units are removed in refurbishment operations to an image forming apparatus on which the units are mounted, and stores, in an external storage, at least a portion of the print image (QR code (registered trademark) image) indicating the state information of the units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, an image forming apparatus is configured by attaching a plurality of units to the image forming apparatus main body, and each unit is a consumable item that needs to be replaced at appropriate times.

[0003] In this regard, Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that acquires information indicating the usage status of a part before replacing the part in the image forming apparatus and stores the information in its own nonvolatile storage unit. Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus in which information indicating usage information of a replacement part is stored in a memory provided in the replacement part.

[0004] In recent years, in order to realize a recycling-oriented society, it is desirable to eliminate wasteful waste. Therefore, a recycling process is performed in which a reusable unit with remaining life is removed from the image forming apparatus main body to be discarded and the unit is installed in the image forming apparatus main body of another image forming apparatus as a recycled device. In the recycling process, when the used unit is installed in the recycled device, counter information related to the usage history of the used unit needs to be transferred. If counter information is stored in the storage device of the image forming apparatus main body, the worker transfers the counter information during the recycling process using the following method. Specifically, the worker prints a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) containing the counter information of the unit to be removed on a piece of paper in the image forming apparatus that provided the unit. Next, the worker reads the QR code printed on the paper in the image forming apparatus that will receive the unit, thereby obtaining the counter information of the unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-64190 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-41193 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, if there is a problem with the image forming unit of the image forming device that provided the product, the QR code containing the counter information cannot be printed on the paper. In this case, there is a problem that the counter information of the used unit cannot be efficiently transferred when the image forming device is refurbished.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program that can suitably transfer information indicating the status of a unit removed from a source apparatus to a destination apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprises: An image forming apparatus including a unit and an image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a control unit that causes the image forming unit to form, on the paper, a printed image including status information indicating the status of the unit that will be transferred from an image forming apparatus from which the unit is removed to an image forming apparatus to which the unit is to be installed during refurbishing work, and that stores at least a portion of the printed image that indicates the status information in an external storage device; Equipped with.

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, When the image forming unit is unable to form an image, the control unit stores at least a portion of the print image that indicates the status information in the external storage device.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, When there are a plurality of units to be removed from the image forming apparatus, the control unit stores, in the external storage device, a single file containing a plurality of pieces of status information corresponding to the plurality of units.

[0011] The invention described in claim 4 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 1, The image forming apparatus further includes a limiting unit that limits image forming processing by the image forming unit after the control unit stores the portion indicating the state information in the external storage device.

[0012] The program according to claim 5 comprises: The unit and an image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached; an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; The image forming unit forms a printed image on the paper including status information indicating the status of the unit that will be transferred from the image forming device from which the unit is removed during the refurbishing work to the image forming device to which the unit is installed, and functions as a control unit that stores at least the portion of the printed image that indicates the status information in an external storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, information indicating the state of a unit removed from a source device can be suitably handed over to a destination device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a counter information output process. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a paper on which handover information is printed. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of counter information output processing in Modification 1. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of counter information output processing in Modification 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0016] <1. Configuration of image forming device> 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) that has a copy function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to an image forming function. In the work of recycling the image forming device 1, a worker at the manufacturer removes a reusable used unit from the image forming device 1 (discarded device) whose main body is to be discarded. Next, the worker installs the used unit removed from the discarded device into another reusable image forming device 1. The manufacturer sells or rents the other image forming device 1 with the used unit installed as a recycled device.

[0017] The image forming device 1 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a communication unit 14, a memory unit 15, a document reading unit 16, an image forming unit 17, a conveying unit 18, a waste toner collection unit 19, a detachment detection unit 20, and an I / F unit 21.

[0018] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU of control unit 11 reads out a program stored in storage unit 15, loads it into RAM, and controls each unit of image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the loaded program. For example, control unit 11 performs image processing on the image data of a job based on job settings input from the outside via communication unit 14. Next, control unit 11 causes paper feed unit 18 to feed a paper, and causes image forming unit 17 to form and fix an image on the paper.

[0019] The operation unit 12 includes operation keys 12A, a touch panel integrally formed with the display unit 13, and the like, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 11 in response to the operations of these keys.

[0020] The display unit 13 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel 13A and the like, and displays display information such as an operation screen according to instructions from the control unit 11.

[0021] The communication unit 14 includes a network card and is connected to a communication network, and transmits and receives information to and from external devices on the communication network.

[0022] The storage unit 15 includes a storage device such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 15 stores programs, files, etc. that can be read by the control unit 11. The storage unit 15 stores status information indicating the status of each detachable unit included in the image forming apparatus 1. The status information of the unit is, for example, counter information of the unit. For example, when the unit is replaced with a new unit, the counter information of the unit is initialized and becomes "0" again. The counter information of the unit will be described in detail later. The status information of the unit may be a value detected by a sensor to indicate the deterioration of a main part of the unit.

[0023] The document reading unit 16 includes an automatic document transport unit, a scanner unit 161, a tray 162 on which documents are placed, a platen glass 163, and the like. The automatic document transport unit includes a mechanism for transporting document paper, document transport rollers, and the like, and transports the document paper along a predetermined transport path under the control of the control unit 11. The scanner unit 161 includes a light source, an optical system such as a reflecting mirror, and an image pickup element, and reads an image of a document sheet conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path or a document sheet placed on the platen glass 163 .

[0024] The image forming unit 17 forms and fixes an image made up of four colors on a sheet according to the pixel values ​​of the four colors C, M, Y, and K of each pixel of the image data that has undergone image processing. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming section 17 includes four writing units 171, an intermediate transfer belt 172, a secondary transfer roller 173, and a fixing unit 174.

[0025] The four writing units 171 are arranged in series (tandem) along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 172, one for each of the four monochrome colors C, M, Y, and K, and form images of each of the C, M, Y, and K colors on the paper. The writing unit 171 includes an exposure unit 171a, a photosensitive drum unit 171b, a developing unit 171c, a charging unit 171d, a cleaning unit 171e, and a primary transfer roller 171f.

[0026] The photosensitive drum unit 171b includes a rotating conductive cylinder (photosensitive element). The charging unit 171d charges the photosensitive element. The exposure unit 171a includes a semiconductor laser light source, and under the control of the control unit 11, drives the semiconductor laser light source based on image data to scan and irradiate the photosensitive element charged by the charging unit 171d with laser light, thereby exposing it to light. Under the control of the control unit 11, the developing unit 171c supplies toner onto the photosensitive element using a charging developing roller, and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive element by exposure. The images formed on the photosensitive elements of the four writing units 171 are transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 172 in a sequentially overlapping manner by the respective primary transfer rollers 171f. A color toner image consisting of each color is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 172. After the primary transfer, the cleaning unit 171e removes any toner remaining on the photosensitive element.

[0027] The intermediate transfer belt 172 is an endless belt stretched over a plurality of rollers, and is rotated in accordance with the rotation of each roller under the control of the control unit 11. Under the control of the control unit 11, the secondary transfer roller 173 transfers (secondary transfers) the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 172 onto a sheet of paper conveyed from the manual feed tray T1 or the paper feed tray T2.

[0028] The fixing unit 174 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing unit 174, under the control of the control unit 11, applies heat and pressure to the paper on which the image has been formed, thereby fixing the image to the paper.

[0029] Conveyance unit 18 includes a paper feed roller and the like, and conveys paper from manual tray T1 or paper feed tray T2 to image forming unit 17 using the paper feed roller in accordance with instructions from control unit 11. Conveyance unit 18 ejects paper onto paper output tray T3 after the image has been fixed by fixing unit 174. Conveyance unit 18 also includes a reversing unit that serves as a paper reversing path, and when performing double-sided printing, reverses the paper with the image fixed on the front side and conveys it to image forming unit 17 again.

[0030] The waste toner collection section 19 includes a waste toner transport unit, a waste toner collection container, and the like. The waste toner recovery section 19 transports the waste toner removed in the image forming section 17 by a waste toner transport unit, and collects the waste toner in a waste toner recovery container.

[0031] The attachment / detachment detection unit 20 detects, for each detachable unit, that the unit is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and that the unit is detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The attachment / detachment detection unit 20 outputs the detection result to the control unit 11.

[0032] The I / F unit 21 is an interface (for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface) for connecting to an external device.

[0033] <2. Unit counter information> The counter information of the unit stored in the storage unit 15 is information indicating the degree of wear of the unit. The units that can be detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 include the operation key 12A, the LCD panel 13A, the photosensitive drum unit 171b, the developing unit of the developing unit 171c, the toner unit of the developing unit 171c, the transfer belt unit having the intermediate transfer belt 172, the transfer roller unit having the secondary transfer roller 173, the fixing unit 174, the waste toner conveying unit of the waste toner collection unit 19, etc.

[0034] The counter information of the unit includes at least one of the number of pressing times, travel distance, travel time, predetermined temperature cumulative time, maximum paper passing distance, number of printed (image formed) sheets, and power supply time.

[0035] The number of times of pressure contact is the total number of times that the unit has been in pressure contact since it was new up to the present time. The number of times of pressure contact is information corresponding to, for example, the fixing unit 174. The travel distance is the cumulative travel distance from the time the unit was new to the present time. The travel distance is information corresponding to, for example, the photosensitive drum unit 171b, the transfer belt unit, the transfer roller unit, the fixing unit 174, etc. The running time is the total running time from when the unit is new to the present time. The running time is information corresponding to, for example, the photosensitive drum unit 171b, the transfer belt unit, the transfer roller unit, the fixing unit 174, etc. The predetermined temperature cumulative time is the cumulative time of the predetermined temperature from the time when the unit is new to the present time. The predetermined temperature cumulative time is information corresponding to, for example, the fixing unit 174. The maximum paper passing distance is the maximum distance that paper has passed since the unit was new up to the present time. For example, this is information corresponding to the fixing unit 174, etc. The number of printed sheets is the total number of sheets printed since the unit was new up to the present time. The number of printed sheets is information corresponding to, for example, the photosensitive drum unit 171b, the developing unit, the toner unit, the transfer belt unit, the transfer roller unit, the fixing unit 174, the waste toner conveying unit, etc. The power-on time is the total operating time from when the unit was new to the present time. The power-on time is information corresponding to, for example, the operation keys 12A, the LCD panel 13A, etc.

[0036] <3. Operation of image forming device> Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the counter information output process executed by the image forming apparatus 1 (disposal apparatus) whose main body is to be disposed of.

[0037] (Counter information output processing) In the refurbishment of the image forming apparatus 1, the worker sets the operation mode of the disposal apparatus to the refurbishment mode. The refurbishment mode is a special mode that is not available to general users and is exclusively used for the reuse of units of the image forming apparatus 1. Next, the worker removes the unit to be reused from the main body of the disposal device. When the unit is removed, the control unit 11 of the disposal device acquires a detection result indicating that the unit has been removed from the attachment / detachment detection unit 20 (step S1). Next, the control unit 11 of the disposal device acquires the counter information of the removed unit from the storage unit 15 (step S2).

[0038] Next, the control unit 11 of the disposal device determines whether or not to print a QR code containing the counter information of the unit obtained in step S2 on paper using the image forming unit 17, based on the user's instruction operations received via the operation unit 12 (step S3). If a QR code including the counter information of the unit acquired in step S2 is not to be printed (step S3; NO), the control unit 11 of the disposal device ends the counter information output process.

[0039] On the other hand, when a QR code including the counter information of the unit acquired in step S2 is to be printed (step S3; YES), the control unit 11 of the disposal device generates a QR code including the counter information of the unit acquired in step S2. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 of the disposal device causes the image forming unit 17 to print handover information A including the generated QR code Q on a sheet of paper P. The control unit 11 of the disposal device also generates an electronic file including a print image for printing the handover information A, and outputs (saves) the file to an external storage device (e.g., a USB memory) via the I / F unit 21 (step S4), thereby completing the counter information output process. In step S4, the control unit 11 of the disposal device may save a QR code image, which is a portion of the print image for printing the handover information A that includes at least the unit's status information, in the external storage device. 4, the handover information A includes a QR code Q containing the counter information of the unit acquired in step S2, the date the handover information A was printed on paper P, the name of the unit, its serial number, counter information, storage location, etc. The handover information A may also include the expiration date of the unit. That is, in step S4, the control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 17 to form a print image on paper that includes status information indicating the status of the unit that will be passed from the image forming apparatus (disposal apparatus) from which the unit is removed to the image forming apparatus (recycling apparatus) to which the unit is attached. The control unit 11 also stores, in an external storage device, a QR code image that is at least a portion of the print image that indicates the status information of the unit. The worker may use another printing means to print the print image output to the external storage device in step S4. This allows the counter information of the unit to be handed over to the recycling device even if a malfunction occurs in the image forming unit 17 of the disposal device and handover information A cannot be printed.

[0040] In step S2 of the counter information output process, the control unit 11 of the disposal device may perform the following process. Specifically, the control unit 11 displays the counter information of the removed unit on the display unit 13. Next, the control unit 11 accepts an operation by the user via the operation unit 12 to select counter information to be handed over to the playback device from the counter information of the removed unit. In this case, in step S4, the control unit 11 generates a QR code including the counter information selected by the user. Next, the control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 17 to print handover information including the generated QR code on paper P. The control unit 11 also generates an electronic file including a print image for printing the handover information and stores it in an external storage device via the I / F unit 21.

[0041] In the counter information output process, if a plurality of units have been removed, in step S4, the control unit 11 of the disposal device generates a QR code including the counter information for each of the removed units. Next, the control unit 11 of the disposal device compiles each piece of handover information, including each QR code, into an electronic file. Next, the control unit 11 saves the electronic file in an external storage device via the I / F unit 21. That is, when there are multiple units to be removed from the image forming device 1, which is the disposal device, the control unit 11 saves the portions (QR code images) indicating multiple pieces of status information corresponding to the multiple units as one file in the external storage device.

[0042] After the counter information output process, the worker attaches the printed paper to the corresponding unit in step S4 and stores it as an inventory of used units. Next, the worker takes out the used unit that was stored as inventory and a sheet of paper on which the handover information for that unit is printed from the storage location. Next, the worker attaches the taken-out used unit to the main body of another image forming apparatus 1 (recycling apparatus). Next, the worker reads the QR code printed on the sheet of paper using the document reading unit 16 of the recycling apparatus. As a result, the recycling apparatus obtains counter information for the used unit and stores the obtained counter information in the memory unit 15. By performing the above-described regeneration process, the counter information of the installed used unit can be taken over in the regeneration device.

[0043] <4. Modifications> Although the present embodiment has been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified within the scope of the gist of the invention. Modifications of the present embodiment will be described below. In the modifications, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0044] (Variation 1) FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the counter information output process executed by the discarding device of the first modification. In the counter information output process of the first modification, the control unit 11 of the disposal device executes steps S11 to S13 similar to steps S1 to S3 of the above embodiment. When printing a QR code including the counter information of the unit acquired in step S12 (step S13; YES), the control unit 11 of the disposal device determines whether the image forming unit 17 is in a state where printing is possible (step S14). If a malfunction or the like has occurred in the image forming unit 17 and image formation is not possible (step S14; NO), the control unit 11 of the disposal device does not execute the printing process by the image forming unit 17. Furthermore, the control unit 11 generates an electronic file including a print image for printing the handover information, outputs it to an external storage device via the I / F unit 21 (step S15), and ends the counter information output process. That is, when image formation by the image forming unit 17 is impossible, the control unit 11 stores in an external storage device at least the QR code image, which is a portion indicating the unit status information, of the print image including the unit status information.

[0045] On the other hand, if the image forming unit 17 is in a state where image formation is possible (step S14; YES), the control unit 11 of the disposal device causes the image forming unit 17 to print handover information including a QR code containing the counter information of the unit acquired in step S12 on paper (step S16), and terminates the counter information output process.

[0046] (Variation 2) FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the counter information output process executed by the discarding device of the second modification. In the counter information output process of the second modification, the control unit 11 of the disposal device executes steps S21 to S24 similar to steps S1 to S4 of the above embodiment. Next, the control unit 11 of the disposal device determines whether or not the output of the electronic file including the print image to the external storage device has been completed, that is, whether or not the electronic file has been saved in the external storage device (step S25). If the output of the electronic file is not complete (step S25; NO), the control unit 11 of the disposal device returns the counter information output process to step S25. On the other hand, if the output of the electronic file is completed (step S25; YES), the control unit 11 of the disposal device sets the operating mode of the disposal device to a print prohibition mode that prohibits (restricts) printing by the image forming unit 17 (step S26), and terminates the counter information output process. That is, in the counter information output process of the third modification, the control unit 11 of the disposal device stores the portion (QR code image) indicating the unit's status information in an external storage device, and then restricts the image formation process by the image forming unit 17. The control unit 11 functions as a restriction unit. This prevents incorrect counter information from being passed on to the playback device due to differences between the counter information contained in the electronic file stored in the external storage device and the counter information after the printing process performed after the electronic file is stored in the external storage device.

[0047] <5. Effects> As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an image forming apparatus that includes a unit and an image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming section 17 that forms an image on a sheet. The image forming device 1 has an image forming unit 17 that forms a printed image on paper, the printed image including status information indicating the status of the unit that will be transferred from the image forming device from which the unit is removed during refurbishing work to the image forming device to which the unit is installed, and a control unit 11 that stores at least the portion of the printed image that indicates the status information of the unit (QR code image) in an external storage device. Therefore, even if a malfunction occurs in the image forming unit 17 of the disposal device and handover information cannot be printed, the worker can hand over the counter information of the unit to the reproduction device based on the QR code image stored in the external storage device. This allows information (counter information) indicating the status of the unit removed from the providing device to be conveniently handed over to the receiving device.

[0048] In the image forming device 1 of this embodiment, when image formation by the image forming unit 17 is impossible, the control unit 11 stores at least the portion of the printed image containing the unit's status information (QR code image) that indicates the status information in an external storage device. Therefore, if a malfunction occurs in the image forming unit 17 of the disposal device and handover information cannot be printed, the worker can hand over the unit's counter information to the playback device based on the QR code image stored in an external storage device.

[0049] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when there are multiple units to be removed from the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 11 stores the portions (QR code images) indicating multiple pieces of status information corresponding to each of the multiple units as one file in an external storage device. Therefore, a plurality of pieces of state information corresponding to a plurality of units can be stored in an external storage device at one time.

[0050] The image forming device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a restriction unit (control unit 11) that restricts the image forming process by the image forming unit 17 after the control unit 11 stores the part (QR code image) indicating the unit's status information in an external storage device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent incorrect counter information from being inherited by the playback device due to differences between the counter information contained in the QR code stored in the external storage device and the counter information after the printing process performed after the QR code is stored in the external storage device.

[0051] The description of the above embodiment is an example of the image forming apparatus and program according to the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the system may also be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0052] For example, in the above embodiment and modified examples, instead of the QR code including the counter information of the unit removed from the image forming apparatus main body, the control unit 11 may generate a two-dimensional code other than the QR code including the counter information of the unit. In the above-described embodiment and modifications, the programs for executing the processes in the respective devices may be stored on a portable recording medium, and a carrier wave may be used as a medium for providing the program data via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Image forming device 11 Control section (restriction section) 12 Control section 12A Operation Key 13 Display section 13A LCD panel 14 Communications Department 15 Storage section 16 Document reading unit 17 Image forming unit 18 Conveyor 19 Waste Toner Collection Section 20. Detachment detection unit 21 I / F section

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus including a unit and an image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a control unit that causes the image forming unit to form, on the paper, a printed image including status information indicating the status of the unit that will be transferred from an image forming apparatus from which the unit is removed to an image forming apparatus to which the unit is to be installed during refurbishing work, and that stores at least a portion of the printed image that indicates the status information in an external storage device; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stores at least a portion of the print image indicating the status information in the external storage device when the image forming unit is unable to form an image.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there are multiple units to be removed from the image forming apparatus, the control unit stores the portions indicating the multiple status information corresponding to each of the multiple units as a single file in the external storage device.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a limiting unit that limits image forming processing by the image forming unit after the control unit has saved the portion indicating the status information in the external storage device.

5. The unit and an image forming apparatus main body to which the unit is attached; an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; A program that causes the image forming unit to form a printed image on the paper sheet, the printed image including status information indicating the status of the unit that will be transferred from the image forming device from which the unit is removed during refurbishing work to the image forming device to which the unit is installed, and that functions as a control unit that stores at least the portion of the printed image that indicates the status information in an external storage device.

Images