Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that more effectively prevents a problem caused by a user moving a main body during a load operation such as warm-up than before.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a main body including an image forming unit, a storage unit that stores a setting of whether a predetermined load operation of the image forming unit is to be set to a permitted state or a suppressed state, a cover that is openably and closably provided in the main body, a cover opening / closing sensor that detects an opening / closing state of the cover, and a control unit that controls the image forming unit and the cover opening / closing sensor. Wherein, when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is changed from an open state to a closed state, the load operation is switched to the suppression state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals have maintenance mechanisms, such as a means for removing jammed paper when a paper jam occurs and a toner cartridge insertion port, provided on the rear or side of the main body.

[0003] As a technology related to such a maintenance mechanism, an image forming apparatus has been proposed that, even if a standby operation that temporarily interrupts the warm-up operation occurs, such as turning off the main power or opening and closing the exterior cover, if the startup operation is interrupted midway, the apparatus is provided with a control means that re-executes the color shift correction operation when the startup operation is resumed, thereby performing appropriate color shift correction and ensuring the reliability of the color shift correction (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-157413 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, if the installation location of the image forming apparatus does not have enough space for maintenance, the main body must be moved to a larger space before maintenance can be performed. In this case, based on the detection results of a cover open / close sensor equipped in the maintenance mechanism, when the cover is opened, load operations such as warm-up are prohibited, and when the cover is closed, load operations are permitted. For example, the state transitions are made in the following order: machine movement, cover open, maintenance, cover close, warm-up.

[0006] On the other hand, when the user has completed maintenance on the image forming apparatus, he or she returns the main body to its original position. However, if the main body is moved during a load operation during warm-up, various adjustment controls may be affected.

[0007] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus that more effectively prevents problems caused by a user moving the main body during load operations such as warming up after maintenance than conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image processing device according to this disclosure comprises a main body having an image forming unit, a memory unit that stores settings for whether a predetermined load operation of the image forming unit should be in an allowed state or a suppressed state, a cover that is openable and closable on the main body, a cover opening / closing sensor that detects the open / closed state of the cover, and a control unit that controls the image forming unit and the cover opening / closing sensor, wherein the control unit sets the load operation to an allowed state as an initial state, in which the load operation should be permitted, and when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from open to closed, switches the load operation to the suppressed state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus that more effectively prevents problems caused by a user moving the main body during a load operation such as warm-up than ever before.

[0010] In this disclosure, an "image forming device" is a device that forms and outputs an image, such as a copier with a copying function, such as a printer that uses an electrophotographic method to form an image with toner, or an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) that also has functions other than copying.

[0011] Further, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0012] The image forming apparatus of this disclosure may further include a display unit that displays a predetermined operation screen to the user, and an operation unit that accepts user operations, and when the control unit sets the load operation to the suppressed state, the control unit may display a predetermined inquiry dialog on the display unit indicating that the load operation is set to the suppressed state, and when the operation unit accepts user operation on the inquiry dialog, the control unit may switch the load operation from the suppressed state to the permitted state.

[0013] In this way, when the load operation is set to the suppressed state, a specified inquiry dialog is displayed on the display unit, and when a user operation on the inquiry dialog is received, the load operation is switched from the suppressed state to the permitted state, thereby realizing an image forming device that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main unit during load operations such as warm-up than before.

[0014] In the image forming apparatus of this disclosure, after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the load operation is in the permitted state and the cover is in the closed state, the control unit may cause the image forming unit to start the load operation.

[0015] In this way, the load operation is started after detecting that the load operation is permitted and the cover is closed, thereby realizing an image forming device that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main body during load operations such as warm-up than before.

[0016] In the image forming device disclosed herein, the operation unit may accept a setting operation to enable or disable the suppression setting of the load operation, and when the suppression setting is set to enabled, the operation unit may be configured to switch between the permitted state and the suppression state information of the load operation, while when the suppression setting is set to disabled, the operation unit may always be configured to be in the permitted state.

[0017] In this way, the device accepts the setting operation of enabling / disabling the load operation suppression setting, and when the suppression setting is set to enabled, the information on the load operation permission state and the suppression state can be switched, while when the suppression setting is set to disabled, the load operation is always set to the permission state, thereby realizing an image forming device that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main unit during load operations such as warming up than before.

[0018] In the image forming apparatus of this disclosure, when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from closed to open, the control unit may switch the load operation to the permitted state, cause the display unit to display a predetermined dialog indicating that the cover should be closed, and not cause the image forming unit to start the load operation until the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in the closed state.

[0019] In this way, when the cover is opened, a dialog box is displayed instructing the user to close the cover, and the load operation is not initiated until the cover is closed, thereby realizing an image forming device that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main body during load operations such as warm-up than before.

[0020] In the image forming apparatus of this disclosure, when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from closed to open, the control unit may switch the load operation to the permitted state, display a predetermined dialog on the display unit indicating that the cover should be closed, and after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in the closed state, cause the image forming unit to start the load operation.

[0021] In this way, when the cover is opened, a dialogue box and an OK button are displayed instructing the user to close the cover, and after the cover is closed, the load operation is initiated when the OK button is pressed, thereby realizing an image forming device that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main body during load operations such as warm-up than before.

[0022] The image forming apparatus disclosed herein may include a main body having an image forming unit, a cover that is provided on the main body so as to be openable and closable, a cover opening / closing sensor that detects the open / closed state of the cover, a display unit that displays a predetermined operation screen to the user, an operation unit that accepts user operations, and a control unit that controls the image forming unit, the cover opening / closing sensor, the display unit, and the operation unit, and when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from open to closed, the control unit may display a predetermined inquiry dialog on the display unit, the operation unit may accept user operations on the inquiry dialog, and after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in a closed state, the control unit may start a predetermined load operation on the image forming unit.

[0023] In this way, when it is detected that the cover has changed from open to closed, a specified inquiry dialog is displayed, user operation on the inquiry dialog is accepted, and after it is detected that the cover is in the closed state, the load operation is initiated, thereby realizing an image forming device that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main body during load operations such as warm-up than before.

[0024] In the image forming device of this disclosure, the operation unit accepts a setting operation to determine whether or not to display the inquiry dialog, and if it is set to display the inquiry dialog on the display unit, it accepts a user operation on the inquiry dialog and causes the image forming unit to start the load operation after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in a closed state; on the other hand, if it is set not to display the inquiry dialog on the display unit, it causes the image forming unit to start the load operation after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in a closed state, without displaying the inquiry dialog on the display unit.

[0025] In this way, the device accepts a setting operation as to whether or not to display the inquiry dialog, and if it is set to display the inquiry dialog, it accepts a user operation on the inquiry dialog and starts the load operation after detecting that the cover is in a closed state; on the other hand, if it is set not to display the inquiry dialog, it starts the load operation after detecting that the cover is in a closed state without displaying the inquiry dialog, thereby realizing an image forming device that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main body during load operations such as warm-up than before. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the mechanical configuration of a main body of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1 with the rear cover open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a load operation suppression / permission setting process according to a change in the cover state of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a load operation inquiry process of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an inquiry dialog displayed on a display unit of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a cover dialog display process of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a cover dialog displayed on a display unit of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a full cover state determination flag of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a load operation start determination process of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display settings of an inquiry dialog for starting a load operation, which is displayed on the display unit of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] This disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure.

[0028] [Embodiment 1] An overview of a digital multifunction peripheral 100 as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the mechanical configuration of the main body of a digital multifunction peripheral 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of Fig. 1 with the rear cover open.

[0030] The digital multifunction peripheral 100 has a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and is a device that digitally processes image data read from an original and outputs the processed image data.

[0031] 1, digital multifunction peripheral 100 forms multicolor and monochrome images on a predetermined sheet (recording paper) in accordance with image data transmitted from the outside, and is composed of a device main body 110 and an automatic document processing device 120. Device main body 110 is composed of an exposure unit 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner unit 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt unit 6, a fixing unit 7, a paper feed cassette 81, a paper discharge tray 91, etc.

[0032] An original document table 92 made of transparent glass on which an original document is placed is provided on the top of the device main body 110, and an automatic document processing device 120 is attached above the original document table 92. The automatic document processing device 120 automatically transports an original document onto the original document table 92. The automatic document processing device 120 is also configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow M, and by opening the top of the original document table 92, an original document can be placed manually. An operation panel 107 is provided above the device main body 110.

[0033] The image data handled by the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of the first embodiment of this disclosure corresponds to a color image using the colors black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Therefore, four developing devices 2, four photosensitive drums 3, four chargers 5, and four cleaner units 4 are provided to form four types of latent images corresponding to each color, and are set to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, to form four image stations.

[0034] The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. In addition to a contact roller type charger as shown in Figure 1, a charger type or brush type charger may also be used.

[0035] The exposure unit 1 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) equipped with a laser emission section, a reflecting mirror, etc. The exposure unit 1 is equipped with optical elements such as a polygon mirror that scans the laser beam, and lenses and mirrors that guide the laser light reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 3. Alternatively, the exposure unit 1 may be configured using an array of light-emitting elements, such as an EL or LED writing head.

[0036] The exposure unit 1 exposes the charged photosensitive drum 3 to light according to input image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 in accordance with the image data. The developing unit 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on each photosensitive drum 3 using four-color (YMCK) toner. The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

[0037] The intermediate transfer belt unit 6, which is disposed above the photosensitive drum 3, includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided, one for each of the YMCK colors.

[0038] Intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62, intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and intermediate transfer roller 64 tension and rotate intermediate transfer belt 61. Each intermediate transfer roller 64 also applies a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on photosensitive drum 3 onto intermediate transfer belt 61.

[0039] The intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided so as to come into contact with each photosensitive drum 3, and has the function of forming a color toner image (multicolor toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by sequentially transferring the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61 in a superimposed manner. The intermediate transfer belt 61 is formed in an endless shape using a film having a thickness of, for example, about 100 μm to 150 μm.

[0040] The toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61 by an intermediate transfer roller 64 that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 61. A high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage with a polarity (+) opposite to the toner's charged polarity (-)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 64 to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 64 is a roller based on a metal (e.g., stainless steel) shaft with a diameter of 8 to 10 mm, the surface of which is covered with a conductive elastic material (e.g., EPDM, urethane foam, etc.). This conductive elastic material allows a high voltage to be applied uniformly to the intermediate transfer belt 61. In this embodiment, a roller-shaped transfer electrode is used, but a brush or other similar device can also be used.

[0041] As described above, the electrostatic images visualized according to each hue on each photosensitive drum 3 are layered on the intermediate transfer belt 61. In this way, the layered image information is transferred onto the paper by the transfer roller 10, which is disposed at the contact position between the paper and the intermediate transfer belt 61, as the intermediate transfer belt 61 rotates, as will be described later.

[0042] At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the transfer roller 10 are pressed together at a predetermined nip, and a voltage is applied to the transfer roller 10 to transfer the toner to the paper (a high voltage of the opposite polarity (+) to the toner's charged polarity (-)). Furthermore, in order to steadily obtain the nip, either the transfer roller 10 or the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62 is made of a hard material (metal, etc.), and the other is made of a soft material such as an elastic roller (elastic rubber roller, foamed resin roller, etc.).

[0043] As described above, toner that has adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 61 by contacting the photosensitive drum 3, or toner that remains on the intermediate transfer belt 61 without being transferred onto paper by the transfer roller 10, can cause toner color mixing in the next process, so it is set to be removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 is provided with, for example, a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 61, and the intermediate transfer belt 61 that the cleaning blade comes into contact with is supported from the back side by an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63.

[0044] The paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing sheets (recording paper) used for image formation, and is provided below the exposure unit 1 of the apparatus main body 110. Sheets used for image formation can also be placed in the manual paper feed cassette 82. The paper output tray 91, provided above the apparatus main body 110, is a tray for collecting printed sheets face down.

[0045] The device main body 110 is also provided with a substantially vertical paper transport path S for sending sheets from the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 91 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. Near the paper transport path S from the paper feed cassette 81 or the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 91, pickup rollers 11a and 11b, a plurality of transport rollers 12a to 12d, a registration roller 13, the transfer roller 10, the fixing unit 7, etc. are arranged.

[0046] Conveyance rollers 12a to 12d are small rollers for facilitating and assisting sheet conveyance, and a plurality of them are provided along paper conveyance path S. Pickup roller 11a is provided near the end of paper feed cassette 81 and picks up sheets one by one from paper feed cassette 81 and supplies them to paper conveyance path S. Similarly, pickup roller 11b is provided near the end of manual paper feed cassette 82 and picks up sheets one by one from manual paper feed cassette 82 and supplies them to paper conveyance path S.

[0047] The registration roller 13 temporarily holds the sheet being transported along the paper transport path S. The registration roller 13 also has the function of transporting the sheet to the transfer roller 10 at a timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 and the leading edge of the sheet are aligned.

[0048] The fixing unit 7 includes a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72, which rotate while sandwiching a sheet between them. The heat roller 71 is set to a predetermined fixing temperature by a control unit based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown), and works together with the pressure roller 72 to thermally and pressure-bond the toner onto the sheet, thereby melting, mixing, and pressing the multicolor toner image transferred onto the sheet and thermally fixing it to the sheet. An external heating belt 73 is also provided to heat the heat roller 71 from the outside.

[0049] Next, the sheet transport path will be described in detail. As described above, the image forming apparatus is provided with paper feed cassette 81, which stores sheets in advance, and manual paper feed cassette 82. To feed sheets from paper feed cassettes 81 and 82, pickup rollers 11a and 11b are provided, respectively, to guide the sheets one by one to paper transport path S.

[0050] Sheets conveyed from each paper feed cassette 81, 82 are conveyed to registration rollers 13 by conveyance rollers 12a of paper conveyance path S, and are conveyed to transfer rollers 10 at a timing when the leading edge of the sheet is aligned with the leading edge of the image information on intermediate transfer belt 61, and the image information is written onto the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet passes through fixing unit 7, where unfixed toner on the sheet is melted and fixed by heat, and the sheet is discharged onto discharge tray 91 via conveyance rollers 12b arranged behind it.

[0051] However, when double-sided printing is requested, after single-sided printing is completed as described above and the trailing edge of the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 7 is gripped by the final conveying roller 12b, the conveying roller 12b rotates in the reverse direction to guide the sheet to the conveying rollers 12c and 12d. After that, the sheet passes through the registration rollers 13, where printing is performed on the rear side, and the sheet is then discharged to the paper output tray 91.

[0052] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of Fig. 1 with the rear cover of the main body open. When a jam occurs, the user opens the rear cover and removes the jammed paper inside the main body.

[0053] Next, the schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the digital multifunction peripheral 100 includes an image reading unit 101, an image forming unit 102, a storage unit 103, an image processing unit 104, a communication unit 105, a paper feeding unit 106, an operation panel 107, a cover 108, and a control unit 109.

[0055] Each component of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 will be described below.

[0056] The image reading unit 101 is a part that scans a scanner that reads a document, detects and reads a document placed on the document tray 92 or a document transported from the automatic document processing device 120, and generates image data.

[0057] The image forming unit 102 is a part that prints out the image data generated by the image processing unit 104 onto printing paper. The image forming unit 102 includes an exposure unit 1, a developing unit 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaning unit 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt unit 6, a fixing unit 7, a transfer roller 10, an intermediate belt drive roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65, a heat roller 71, a pressure roller 72, and an external heating belt 73.

[0058] The storage unit 103 is an element or storage medium that stores system programs required to realize various functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 100, control programs for the control unit 109, and the like.

[0059] The storage unit 103 holds user data, temporarily stores image data such as read data and print data, and stores various setting values. For example, a semiconductor element such as at least one RAM (Random Access Memory) or at least one ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, a flash storage unit, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or other storage medium may be used.

[0060] Furthermore, the program and the data may be stored in different devices, such as by configuring the area for storing data as a hard disk drive and the area for storing the program as a flash memory unit.

[0061] The image processing unit 104 converts the image of the document read by the image reading unit 101 into an appropriate electrical signal to generate image data. It is also a part that processes image data input from the image reading unit 101 in accordance with instructions from the display unit 1071 so that it is suitable for output, such as enlargement or reduction.

[0062] The communication unit 105 communicates with computers, mobile information terminals, external information processing devices, facsimile machines, etc. via a network such as a wired or wireless LAN, and transmits and receives various information such as emails and faxes to and from these external communication devices.

[0063] The paper feed unit 106 is a part that conveys sheets (recording paper) stored in the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the image forming unit 102. The paper feed unit 106 includes pickup rollers 11a and 11b, transport rollers 12a to 12d, registration rollers 13, and a paper transport path S.

[0064] The operation panel 107 is a unit equipped with a liquid crystal display (LCD), and includes a display unit 1071 and an operation unit 1072 .

[0065] The display unit 1071 displays various information and receives instructions from the user via a touch panel function. The display unit 1071 is a display device such as a monitor or line display, which is configured by, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an EL display, and which displays electronic data such as the processing status of the operating system and application software. The control unit 109 displays the operation and status of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 through the display unit 1071 .

[0066] The operation unit 1072 is an interface for operating the digital multifunction peripheral 100, and is a part that accepts input operations (commands) from the user. The digital multifunction peripheral 1 executes jobs such as scanning, printing, copying, or image transmission based on instructions received from a user via the operation unit 1072 .

[0067] The cover 108 is at least one cover that is openably provided on the back or side of the device body 110. The cover 108 can be opened, for example, to replace toner, clear a paper jam, or when a service technician performs repairs.

[0068] The cover 108 is provided with a cover open / close sensor 1081 . The cover open / close sensor 1081 is a sensor that detects whether or not the cover 108 is opened. If there are multiple covers 108, the cover open / close sensor 1081 detects whether or not each of the covers 108 is opened.

[0069] The control unit 109 is a part that controls the digital multifunction peripheral 100 in an integrated manner, and is made up of at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit), at least one RAM, at least one ROM, various interface circuits, and the like.

[0070] The control unit 109 monitors and controls all loads such as the detection of each sensor, motor, clutch, operation panel 107, etc., in order to control the overall operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 100. The control unit 109 controls, for example, whether to display or hide the operation unit power switch 1711 on the display unit 1071 .

[0071] In addition, the control unit 109 stores input data from the image reading unit 101 in the memory unit 103, retrieves data from the memory unit 103, issues transmission instructions to the image processing unit 104, issues print instructions to the image forming unit 102, and controls copying, etc.

[0072] <Load Operation Suppression / Permission Setting Processing Due to Change in Cover State of the Digital Multifunction Peripheral 100> Next, an example of the load operation suppression / permission setting process according to a change in the cover state of the main body according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a load operation suppression / permission setting process according to a change in the cover state of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

[0074] In step S1 of FIG. 4, the control unit 109 of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 initializes the storage variables of all cover states of the main body to "closed" (step S1). Furthermore, the control unit 109 initializes the predetermined restriction / permission of the load operation to "permission." In step S1, the inquiry dialog non-display time is initialized to "elapsed state" and the cover N dialog non-display time is initialized to "elapsed state." (Details of the inquiry dialog non-display time and the cover N dialog non-display time will be described later.)

[0075] Here, examples of the "predetermined load operation" include warm-up after maintenance, warm-up when returning from an energy saving state, and the like.

[0076] Next, in step S2, control unit 109 determines whether or not operation unit 1072 has received an initialization request (step S2). Here, an example of an "initialization request" is a return from an energy saving state. In other words, it is determined whether a return operation (operation of the return button) from the user has been received from the operation unit 1072 during the energy saving state.

[0077] If the operation unit 1072 has accepted the initialization request (if the determination in step S2 is Yes), the control unit 109 returns the process to step S1.

[0078] On the other hand, if the operation unit 1072 does not accept the initialization request (if the judgment in step S2 is No), in step S3, the control unit 109 sets the sensor state (open or closed) detected by the cover opening / closing sensor 1081 to the temporary storage variable of the state of each cover after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (step S3).

[0079] Next, in step S4, it is determined whether the stored variable (close) is the same as the temporary stored variable (step S4).

[0080] If the stored variable is the same as the temporarily stored variable (if the determination in step S4 is Yes), the control unit 109 returns the process to the determination in step S2.

[0081] On the other hand, if the stored variable is different from the temporary stored variable (if the determination in step S4 is No), in step S5, the control unit 109 sets the temporary stored variable (open) as the stored variable (step S5).

[0082] In the next step S6, the control unit 109 sets the sensor state detected by the cover open / close sensor 1081 to the temporary storage variable of each cover state after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S6).

[0083] Next, in step S7, the control unit 109 determines whether the storage variable (open) is the same as the temporary storage variable (step S7). If the stored variable is different from the temporarily stored variable (if the determination in step S7 is No), the control unit 109 returns the process to step S5.

[0084] On the other hand, if the stored variable is the same as the temporary stored variable (if the judgment in step S7 is Yes), in step S8, the control unit 109 judges whether a predetermined period of time has passed without any change in the stored variable (step S8).

[0085] If a certain period of time has not elapsed without any change in the stored variable (if the determination in step S8 is No), the control unit 109 returns the process to step S6.

[0086] On the other hand, if a certain time has passed without any change in the stored variables (if the judgment in step S8 is Yes), in step S9, the control unit 109 judges whether the all cover states are closed and the suppression setting is enabled (step S9).

[0087] The operation unit 1072 may be configured to accept a setting operation for switching the load state suppression setting between enabled and disabled. In this way, when the suppression setting is disabled, the load operation is always permitted, so that the load operation becomes possible when the cover close is detected without accepting an operation on the dialog, as in the past.

[0088] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display settings of an inquiry dialog for starting a load operation displayed on the display unit 1071 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of FIG.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 11, the inquiry dialog of FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 1071 so that it can be set to either "display" or "do not display" as "display setting of inquiry dialog for starting load operation" in "system settings."

[0090] If the user sets it to "display", the suppression setting will take effect. On the other hand, if the user sets it to "Do not display," the suppression setting is disabled.

[0091] If all cover states are closed and the suppression setting is enabled (if the judgment in step S9 is Yes), in step S10, load operation suppression / permission is set to "suppression" (step S10), and then the process returns to the judgment in step S2.

[0092] On the other hand, if all cover states are not closed and the suppression setting is not set to enabled (if the judgment in step S9 is No), that is, if any cover state is open, or if all cover states are closed but the suppression setting is set to disabled, in step S11, load operation suppression / permission is set to "permission" (step S11), and then the process returns to the judgment in step S2.

[0093] Even if the load operation suppression / permission is set to "permission" when the cover state is open, the load operation cannot be performed when the cover state is open.

[0094] <Load Operation Inquiry Processing of Digital MFP 100> Next, the load operation inquiry process of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0095] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a load operation inquiry process of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

[0096] 5, the control unit 109 determines whether or not the load operation suppression / permission is "suppressed" and the predetermined inquiry dialog non-display time has elapsed (step S21). As described above, in step S1, the initial state of the inquiry dialog non-display time is set to the "elapsed state."

[0097] If the load operation suppression / permission is set to "suppressed" and the predetermined inquiry dialog non-display time has not elapsed (if the judgment in step S21 is No), that is, if the load operation suppression / permission is set to "permitted" or the inquiry dialog non-display time has elapsed, in step S27, the control unit 109 causes the display unit 1071 to hide the inquiry dialog (step S27), and then performs the processing of step S31 in Figure 7 (described below).

[0098] On the other hand, if the load operation suppression / permission is "suppressed" and the predetermined time for hiding the inquiry dialog has elapsed (if the judgment in step S21 is Yes), in step S21, the control unit 109 judges whether the cancel button has been pressed (step S22).

[0099] If the cancel button is pressed (if the determination in step S22 is Yes), in step S23, the control unit 109 starts a timer for hiding the inquiry dialog (step S23).

[0100] Thereafter, in step S27, control unit 109 causes display unit 1071 to hide the inquiry dialog (step S27), and then performs the process of step S31 in FIG.

[0101] On the other hand, if the cancel button has not been pressed (if the determination in step S22 is No), in step S24, the control unit 109 determines whether or not the OK button has been pressed (step S24).

[0102] If the OK button has not been pressed (if the determination in step S24 is No), in step S25, control unit 109 causes display unit 1071 to display an inquiry dialog (step S25), and then performs the process of step S31 in FIG.

[0103] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an inquiry dialog displayed on the display unit 1071 of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG. In the example of Figure 6, the message "If you moved the machine, please return it to its original position and then press [OK]. Pressing [OK] will resume. Do not move the machine after resuming." along with "Cancel" and "OK" buttons are displayed on the display unit 1071.

[0104] On the other hand, if the OK button is pressed (if the determination in step S24 is Yes), in step S26, the control unit 109 sets the load operation suppression / permission to "permission" (step S26), and then performs the process of step S27.

[0105] <Cover dialog display process of the digital multifunction device 100> Next, a cover dialog display process of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0106] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the cover dialog display process of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

[0107] In step S31 of FIG. 7, the control unit 109 sets the initial value of the cover N to 1 (step S31).

[0108] Next, in step S32, the control unit 109 determines whether the state of the cover N is open and whether the predetermined cover N dialogue non-display time has elapsed (step S32). As described above, in step S1, the initial state of the cover N dialogue non-display time is set to the "elapsed state."

[0109] If the state of the cover N is open and the predetermined cover N dialogue non-display time has elapsed (if the determination in step S32 is Yes), in step S33, the control unit 109 determines whether or not the OK button has been pressed (step S33).

[0110] If the OK button has not been pressed (if the determination in step S33 is No), in step S34, the control unit 109 causes the display unit 1071 to display a cover N dialog (step S34).

[0111] On the other hand, if the OK button is pressed (if the determination in step S33 is Yes), in step S35, the control unit 109 starts a cover N dialog non-display timer (step S35).

[0112] Thereafter, in step S36, the control unit 109 causes the display unit 1071 to hide the cover N dialogue (step S36), and then makes a determination in step S37 (described later).

[0113] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the cover dialogue displayed on the display unit 1071 of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG. In the example of FIG. 8, the message "Please close the cover on the back of the main unit." and an "OK" button are displayed on the display unit 1071.

[0114] For example, if multiple covers are open, such as the back cover and the side cover of the main body, multiple dialogs are displayed. In this case, multiple dialogs may be displayed in accordance with a predetermined priority order. For example, if the rear cover of the main body has a higher priority than the side covers of the main body, the dialog for the rear cover of the main body is displayed on display unit 1071 above the dialog for the side covers of the main body. When the rear cover of the main body is closed, the dialog for the rear cover of the main body is hidden, and the user can view the dialog for the side covers below it.

[0115] Thereafter, in step S37 of FIG. 7, the control unit 109 determines whether or not N has reached the maximum number Nmax of the number of covers (step S37). If N has reached the maximum number Nmax of covers (if the determination in step S37 is Yes), the control unit 109 returns the process to step S21.

[0116] On the other hand, if N is not the maximum number Nmax of covers (if the judgment in step S37 is No), in step S38, the control unit 109 inputs N+1 to N, and then returns the processing to step S32 and performs the same processing for the next cover.

[0117] <Full Cover State Flag Processing and Load Operation Start Determination Processing of Digital MFP 100> Next, the full cover state flag processing and load operation start determination processing of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the full cover state flag processing of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

[0119] After the digital multifunction peripheral 100 is powered on, in step S41 of FIG. 9, the control unit 109 determines whether or not all covers are in the closed state (step S41).

[0120] If the full cover state is closed (if the determination in step S41 is Yes), in step S42, the full cover state flag F is set to 1 (step S42). Thereafter, the control unit 109 returns the process to the determination in step S41.

[0121] If all cover states are not closed (if the determination in step S41 is No), that is, if there is at least one open cover state, in step S43, the all cover state flag F is set to 0 (step S43). Thereafter, the control unit 109 returns the process to the determination in step S41.

[0122] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a load operation start determination process of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

[0123] In step S51 of FIG. 10, if the full cover state flag F=1 and the load operation is permitted (step S51), the control unit 109 starts the load operation in step S52 (step S52). Thereafter, the control unit 109 ends the process.

[0124] In this way, when the load operation is set to the suppressed state, a predetermined inquiry dialog is displayed on the display unit 1071, and when the cover is opened, a dialog instructing the user to close the cover and an OK button are displayed, and after the cover is closed, the load operation is started when the OK button is pressed, thereby realizing a digital multifunction peripheral 100 that more effectively prevents problems caused by the user moving the main unit during load operations such as warm-up than ever before.

[0125] Preferred aspects of the present disclosure also include any combination of the above-described aspects.

[0126] In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modifications of this disclosure are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not belonging to the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1: exposure unit, 2: developing unit, 3: photosensitive drum, 4: cleaning unit, 5: charging unit, 6: intermediate transfer belt unit, 7: fixing unit, 10: transfer roller, 11a, 11b: pickup rollers, 12a to 12d: transport rollers, 13: registration roller, 101: image reading unit, 102: image forming unit, 103: storage unit, 104: image processing unit, 105: communication unit, 106: paper feeding unit, 107: operation panel, 62: intermediate transfer belt drive roller, 63: intermediate transfer belt driven roller, 64: intermediate transfer roller, 65: intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit, 71: heat roller, 72: pressure roller, 73: external heating belt, 81: paper feed cassette, 82: manual paper feed cassette, 91: paper output tray, 92: document placing table 100: Digital multifunction peripheral, 110: Device body, 120: Automatic document processing device, 1071: Display unit, 1072: Operation unit, 1081: Cover open / close sensor, S: Paper transport path, M: Arrow

Claims

1. a main body including an image forming unit; a storage unit that stores a setting as to whether a predetermined load operation of the image forming unit should be permitted or inhibited; a cover provided on the main body in an openable and closable manner; a cover open / close sensor that detects whether the cover is open or closed; a control unit that controls the image forming unit and the cover open / close sensor, The control unit sets the load operation to an allowed state as an initial state, and when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from open to closed, switches the load operation to the suppressed state.

2. a display unit that displays a predetermined operation screen to a user; further comprising an operation unit that accepts user operations, The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the control unit sets the load operation to the suppressed state, the control unit displays a predetermined inquiry dialog on the display unit indicating that the load operation is being set to the suppressed state, and when the operation unit accepts a user operation on the inquiry dialog, the control unit switches the load operation from the suppressed state to the permitted state.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the cover open / close sensor detects that the load operation is in the permitted state and the cover is in the closed state, the control unit causes the image forming unit to start the load operation.

4. The image forming device of claim 2, wherein the operation unit accepts a setting operation to enable or disable the suppression setting of the load operation, and when the suppression setting is set to enabled, the information on the permitted state and the suppression state of the load operation can be switched, while when the suppression setting is set to disabled, the load operation is always set to the permitted state.

5. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from closed to open, the control unit switches the load operation to the permitted state, causes the display unit to display a predetermined dialog indicating that the cover should be closed, and does not cause the image forming unit to start the load operation until the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in the closed state.

6. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from closed to open, the control unit switches the load operation to the permitted state, causes the display unit to display a predetermined dialog indicating that the cover should be closed, and after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in the closed state, causes the image forming unit to start the load operation.

7. a main body including an image forming unit; a cover provided on the main body in an openable and closable manner; a cover open / close sensor that detects whether the cover is open or closed; a display unit that displays a predetermined operation screen to a user; an operation unit that accepts user operations; a control unit that controls the image forming unit, the cover open / close sensor, the display unit, and the operation unit; The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, when the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover has changed from open to closed, the control unit displays a predetermined inquiry dialog on the display unit, the operation unit accepts user operation on the inquiry dialog, and after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in a closed state, the control unit starts a predetermined load operation on the image forming unit.

8. the operation unit accepts a setting operation for determining whether or not to display the inquiry dialog, and when it is set that the inquiry dialog is to be displayed on the display unit, accepts a user operation on the inquiry dialog, and after the cover open / close sensor detects that the cover is in a closed state, causes the image forming unit to start the load operation; On the other hand, when the inquiry dialog is set not to be displayed on the display unit, the image forming device according to claim 7 starts the load operation on the image forming unit after the cover opening / closing sensor detects that the cover is in a closed state without displaying the inquiry dialog on the display unit.

Images