Display device

Abstract

To solve the problem that a degree of dirt before cleaning is displayed even though cleaning work is executed.SOLUTION: An operation panel 300 includes a housing in which a CCD line sensor 205 and an optical system (a lens 204) are accommodated, and a white reference plate 211, and is capable of communicating with a reading device 200 that reads a document 202, the operation panel including a display 301 that displays a degree of contamination of the optical system based on a reading result of the white reference plate 211 read by the CCD line sensor 205, and an CPU405 that acquires information indicating that the optical system has been cleaned, wherein the display 301 does not display the degree of contamination until a predetermined period elapses after the information is acquired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device that displays the degree of contamination of an optical system. [Background technology]

[0002] Customer engineers (hereafter referred to as CEs) who maintain image forming devices such as copiers regularly visit the locations where users' image forming devices are installed to perform maintenance on the devices. In addition to regular visits, CEs may also be called out on an emergency basis if an abnormality occurs in the image forming device. During an emergency or regular visit, CEs must immediately assess the status of the image forming device and take appropriate action to minimize disruption to the user's use of the image forming device.

[0003] The conventional method of checking the device status is to display the component status, error history, and jam history in a menu format on the service mode screen dedicated to CEs. In this case, the CE must go back and forth between menus to obtain the necessary information, which is inefficient.

[0004] For example, the optical system of a reading device attached to an image forming apparatus accumulates dirt as it is used. When a large amount of dirt has accumulated, the document cannot be read with a sufficient amount of light, and the document cannot be read with high accuracy when copying or scanning. To address this problem, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the reading device displays the dirt level based on the results detected during reading. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-229786 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, maintenance of an image forming device includes cleaning the optical system of the reading device, for example. This is a time-consuming task for the user, as it requires removing screws from the reading device to clean it, so in many cases the CE goes to the location where the image forming device is installed to perform the cleaning.

[0007] However, even if the cleaning work is completed, if the reading device does not perform a reading operation, the dirt level before cleaning will continue to be displayed as the value, which is a problem. Therefore, the present invention aims to prevent the dirt level before cleaning from being displayed even if the cleaning work has been performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, the display device described in the present invention is a display device that has a sensor, an optical system that guides reflected light from a document to the sensor, a housing that houses the sensor and the optical system, and a reference member used to correct the output value of the sensor, and is capable of communicating with a reading device that reads the document, and has a display means that displays the degree of dirt on the optical system based on the reading result of the reference member read by the sensor, and an acquisition means that acquires information indicating that the optical system has been cleaned, and is characterized in that the display means does not display the degree of dirt until a predetermined period has elapsed since the information was acquired. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the dirt level before cleaning from being displayed even though a cleaning operation has been performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an image reading device in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display unit in an image forming apparatus; [Figure 4] Hardware configuration diagram of image forming device [Figure 5] Image reading device hardware configuration diagram [Figure 6] A diagram showing luminance values ​​when using a white reference plate [Figure 7] Control flow for calculating the detection of soiling status [Figure 8] Control flow for mask period setting control and control flow for displaying a confirmation screen for checking the contamination status [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows one example of a display screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 shows one example of a display screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one example of a display screen in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one example of a display screen in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one example of a display screen in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one example of a display screen in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] Illustrative example of diagram after state transition in the fifth embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined in any desired manner.

[0012] Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In the following embodiment, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described as an example.

[0013] (Image forming device) 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment, which employs an intermediate transfer belt and has multiple image forming units arranged in parallel. The image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem color laser beam printer that can form (print) color images by overlapping toners of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0014] 1, the configuration of the image forming unit corresponding to each color is indicated by adding the suffixes Y, M, C, and K to the reference numerals. In the following explanation, for components that do not need to be distinguished between yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, the suffixes Y, M, C, and K will be omitted for convenience of explanation. Each process cartridge 5 has a toner container 6, a photosensitive drum 1 which is an image carrier, a charging roller 2, a developing roller 3, a drum cleaning blade 4, and a recovered toner container 7.

[0015] A laser unit 8 is disposed below the process cartridge 5, and exposes the photosensitive drum 1 based on an image signal. The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged to a predetermined negative potential by applying a predetermined negative voltage to the charging roller 2, and then an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color is formed by the laser unit 8. This electrostatic latent image is reverse-developed by applying a predetermined negative voltage to the developing roller 3, and toner images of Y, M, C, and K are formed on the photosensitive drum 1, respectively. Note that the toner used in this embodiment is negative toner.

[0016] The intermediate transfer unit has an intermediate transfer body 11, a drive roller 12, a tension roller 13, and an opposing roller 15. A primary transfer roller 10 is disposed inside the intermediate transfer body 11, facing the photosensitive drum 1, and a transfer voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 10 by a voltage application means (not shown). The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 11 as each photosensitive drum and the intermediate transfer body 11 rotate in the direction of the arrow and a positive voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 10.

[0017] The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 11 in the order of Y, M, C, and K, and the four color toner images are transported to the secondary transfer roller 14 in a superimposed state.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 100 has a transport path for transporting the recording material S. A paper feed cassette 21 stores a stack of recording materials S. The paper feed mechanism 20 has a paper feed roller 22 that feeds the recording material S from the paper feed cassette 21, a transport roller 23 that transports the recording material S fed by the paper feed roller 22 to a transport path, and a separation roller 24 that separates and transports the recording materials S one by one. The recording material S transported from the paper feed mechanism 20 is transported to a secondary transfer roller 14 by a pair of registration rollers 25. A positive voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 14 to transfer the toner image from the intermediate transfer body 11 to the recording material S.

[0019] As a result, the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 11 is secondarily transferred onto the conveyed recording material S. The recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 30, where it is heated and pressed by the fixing film 31 and pressure roller 32 of the fixing device 30, and the toner image is fixed onto the surface of the recording material S. The recording material S onto which the image has been fixed is then discharged by a pair of discharge rollers 33.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 100 is also connected to an image reading apparatus 200 (described later) via a communication line, and image signal information read by the image reading apparatus 200 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0021] (Image reader) Next, the image reading device 200 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the image reading operation in the image reading device 200 according to this embodiment.

[0022] The image reading device 200 has a light source 203 that irradiates light onto an original 202 placed on an original glass table 201 , and mirrors 206 , 207 , and 208 that guide reflected light from the original 202 to a lens 204 and a CCD line sensor 205 .

[0023] The light source 203 and mirror 206 are attached to a first mirror stand 209. Furthermore, mirrors 207 and 208 are attached to a second mirror stand 210. The mirror stands 209 and 210 are connected to a drive motor (not shown) by a wire (not shown), and move in parallel with the platen glass 201 when rotated by the drive motor. Furthermore, a white reference plate 211 is attached to an end of the platen glass 201. The white reference plate 211 functions as a reference member used for shading correction.

[0024] The reflected light from the original 202 is guided to the lens 204 via mirrors 206, 207, and 208, and is focused by the lens 204 on the light receiving portion of the CCD line sensor 205. The CCD line sensor 205 photoelectrically converts the focused reflected light with a light receiving element, and outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of incident light.

[0025] (display) Next, the operation panel 300, which functions as a display means, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel 300. The operation panel 300 of this embodiment is composed of a display 301 and a combination of key buttons. The key buttons include a setting key 303, a power saving key 304, a group of hard keys 305, a reset key 306, a stop key 307, and a start key 308. An operation screen is displayed on the display 301 under the control of the CPU 405 in the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, a screen for numerically expressing the state of accumulated dirt on the image reading device 200 is displayed on the display 301.

[0026] By operating a key button or a software key displayed on the operation screen, information corresponding to the operated key is transmitted to the CPU 405 via the display means I / F 407. The start key 308 is used to issue an instruction to start a process such as a copy process or a print process.

[0027] The start key 308 incorporates a two-color LED (Light-Emitting Diode), green and red (not shown). When the LED is lit green, it indicates that it is possible to start, and when it is lit red, it indicates that it is not possible to start. The stop key 307 is used to stop an operation that is in progress. The hard key group 305 includes a numeric keypad, a clear key, and an authentication key.

[0028] The power-saving key 304 is used to switch the image forming apparatus 100 into sleep mode or to return from sleep mode. When the power-saving key 304 is pressed in normal mode, the image forming apparatus 100 switches into sleep mode, and when the power-saving key 304 is pressed in sleep mode, the image forming apparatus 100 switches back to normal mode.

[0029] The setting keys 303 are used to set functions, etc. The operation panel 300 is also used to input information necessary for creating job information, such as a user name, the number of copies to be printed, and output attribute information.

[0030] (Hardware configuration diagram) Next, the hardware configuration according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 and peripheral devices. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 300, a controller 400, an image reading device 200, and a printer 425.

[0031] The controller 400 is connected to the operation panel 300, the image reading device 200, and the printer 425. The controller 400 controls the operations of the operation panel 300 (display 301), the image reading device 200, and the printer 425, and communicates with an external operation device 401 and a general-purpose computer 402 via a network 408.

[0032] The operation panel 300 is a user interface and includes an input interface for receiving instructions and input of setting values ​​from the user, and an output interface for outputting various information to the user. The input interface is, for example, key buttons, a touch panel, etc. The output interface is a display 301, a speaker, etc. The display may be a touch panel display that serves as both an input interface and an output interface. The operation panel 300 is communicably connected to the image reading device 200. The image reading device 200 reads an original image in accordance with instructions from the operation panel 300.

[0033] The image reading device 200 includes a processor that controls the image reading device 200, a light source for reading an image, and a scanning mirror.

[0034] The printer 425 refers to all the hardware required for image formation within the image forming apparatus 100, and prints an image on paper.

[0035] The controller 400 includes a system bus 426 and an image bus 427. The system bus 426 and the image bus 427 are communicatively connected via a bus I / F 416. The bus I / F 416 is a bus bridge that performs processes such as data structure conversion between the system bus 426 and the image bus 427.

[0036] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 405, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 406, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 414, and a storage 415 are connected to the system bus 426. The CPU 405 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing computer programs stored in the ROM 414 and HDD 415. A boot program is stored in the ROM 414. The storage 415 stores system software, image data, software counter values, etc.

[0037] The RAM 406 provides a work area when the CPU 405 executes processing, stores temporary data, etc. The RAM 406 stores image formation conditions, control tables, conversion tables, etc. The storage 415 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0038] The RAM 406 or storage 415 records output attribute information, including the user name, number of copies, color printing, etc., when a print job or copy job is executed, and the job execution history as job log information.

[0039] A display means I / F 407, a wired communication I / F 408, a modem 410, a wireless communication I / F 412, an image reading device, and a printer communication I / F 418 are connected to the system bus 426 as interfaces.

[0040] The display means I / F 407 is connected to the operation panel 300 , acquires instructions and the like from the operation panel 300 , transmits them to the CPU 405 , and outputs various information from the operation panel 300 in response to instructions from the CPU 405 .

[0041] The wired communication I / F 408 and the wireless communication I / F 412 are communication interfaces for performing communication via the network 403. The wireless communication I / F 412 can control communication with the network 403 via a wireless line 413.

[0042] The modem 410 is connected to a public line 411 and performs data communication (transmission and reception) with an external facsimile machine (not shown). The image reading device / printer communication I / F 418 controls communication between the image reading device 200 and the printer 425.

[0043] A graphics processing unit (GPU) 404 and a timer 417 are connected to the system bus 426. The GPU 404 is capable of performing efficient calculations by processing large amounts of data in parallel, and is therefore effective when processing large amounts of data multiple times.

[0044] In this embodiment, when detecting the degree of dirt, the CPU 405 and the GPU 404 cooperate to execute the process. However, the detection of the degree of dirt may be performed by the CPU 405 or the GPU 404 alone.

[0045] To the image bus 427, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 419, an image reading device image processing unit 420, a printer image processing unit 421, an image rotation unit 422, an image compression unit 423, and a device I / F 424 are connected.

[0046] The RIP unit 419 develops a PDL (Page Description Language) record included in the print job acquired from the general-purpose computer 402 into a bitmap image. The image reading device image processing unit 420 performs image processing such as correction, processing, and editing on the image data acquired from the image reading device 200. The image data acquired from the image reading device 200 is read data representing an image read by the image reading device 200 from a document.

[0047] The printer image processing unit 421 performs image processing such as correction and resolution conversion on image data representing an image to be output (printed) by the printer 425. The image rotation unit 422 performs processing on the image data to rotate the image.

[0048] The image compression unit 423 performs compression and decompression processing of images. For example, the image compression unit 423 performs compression and decompression processing of multi-value image data based on the JPEG standard, and compression and decompression processing of binary image data based on the JBIG, MMR, or MH standard.

[0049] The device I / F 424 performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data between the image reading device 200 and the controller 400, and between the printer 425 and the controller 400.

[0050] (Shading correction processing when scanning a document) Next, based on this embodiment, a processing circuit for image data (read image) read by CCD line sensor 205 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. A sensor driving unit 502 controlled by CPU 501 outputs a CCD drive signal to CCD line sensor 205. Upon receiving the CCD drive signal from sensor driving unit 502, CCD line sensor 205 outputs the image of the document reading unit as analog image data in accordance with the drive signal. An A / D converter 503 is controlled by CPU 501 and sequentially converts the analog image data from CCD line sensor 205 into digital image data.

[0051] The image data is input to an image processing ASIC 504 controlled by a CPU 501, and the effects of uneven sensor sensitivity and the like are corrected by a shading circuit 505 based on shading coefficients stored in a shading memory 506. The image data is then transferred to a printer 425.

[0052] Here, a method for obtaining the shading coefficient will be described. When an image reading operation is started, the white reference plate 211 is read before reading the original 202. The shading circuit 505 performs the following calculation based on the read luminance value (sensor output) of the white reference plate 211, and determines the shading coefficient SHD, which is the gain value for each pixel of the CCD line sensor 205 (for example, 1 to 7500 pixels × 3 colors). SHD(x)=WHtrg÷WHIMGin(x) WHtrg is the target luminance value (target output) of the white reference plate 211, WHIMGin is the read luminance value (sensor output) of the white reference plate 211, and x represents the pixel position of the CCD line sensor 205 (1 to 7500).

[0053] The calculated shading coefficients are stored in shading memory 506. Thereafter, the original 202 is read and the sensor output values ​​from each pixel of the CCD line sensor 205 are corrected in the shading circuit 505 using the shading coefficients calculated above according to the following formula: IMGout(x)=IMGin(x)×SHD(x) IMGin is the luminance value (sensor output) of the scanned image of the original 102, IMGout(x) is the luminance value (sensor output) after shading correction, and x represents the pixel position of the CCD line sensor 205 (1 to 7500).

[0054] By performing this process, the influence of uneven sensitivity of the CCD line sensor 205 can be suppressed, and the original 202 can be read with high accuracy.

[0055] (Detecting the degree of dirt on image reading devices) Next, based on this embodiment, control related to detection of the state of dirt in the image reading device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. In this embodiment, detection of the state of dirt in the optical system (lens 204, mirrors 206, 207, 208) is performed using the reading result (read luminance value) of the white reference plate 211 read by the CCD line sensor 205.

[0056] The state of contamination of the optical system is determined using the read luminance value WHIMGin(x) when the CCD line sensor 205 reads the white reference plate 211. The read luminance value WHIMGin(x) of the white reference plate 211 by the CCD line sensor 205 is data for all pixels of the CCD line sensor 205. The degree of contamination of the optical system is detected by treating a pixel of interest in the image data and a predetermined number of its surrounding pixels (for example, 128 pixels) as one region. The CCD line sensor 205 is divided into multiple regions (15 regions in this example) at equal intervals (for example, every 500 pixels) in the longitudinal direction, and the average read luminance value in each region is calculated to make the determination.

[0057] The optical system (lens 204, mirrors 206, 207, 208) is housed within the housing of the image reading device 200, which is a certain amount of sealed space, so it is rare for large particles of dirt that could cause localized contamination to adhere to it. Generally, contamination is mainly caused by tiny dust particles and dirt floating in the air, and contamination caused by such particles often adheres uniformly to the surfaces of the optical system (lens 204, mirrors 206, 207, 208).

[0058] Therefore, when the optical system (lens 204, mirrors 206, 207, 208) is dirty, the read luminance value of the white reference plate 211 drops uniformly in the longitudinal direction of the CCD line sensor 205 compared to when there is no dirt.

[0059] The above situation is illustrated in Figure 6, where the horizontal axis indicates the pixel position (called the main scanning position) of the CCD line sensor 205 when reading the white reference plate 211, and the vertical axis indicates the read luminance value WHIMGin(area(x)). Each solid line indicates the read luminance value WHIMGin(area(x)) of the white reference plate 211 for all pixels (1 to 7500, a total of 7500 data points) in the main scanning direction. The white circles indicate the average luminance value in each area when the optical system is not soiled, and the gray circles indicate the average luminance value in each area when the optical system is slightly soiled.

[0060] The dashed-dotted line in the figure indicates the target luminance value, WHtrg, of the white reference plate 211.

[0061] If the optical system is only slightly dirty, the drop in brightness can be compensated for by the shading correction described above, and so cleaning the optical system is not necessary. However, if the dirt progresses and becomes severe, as shown by the black circles in the figure, cleaning the optical system is necessary.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, a system is provided that calculates how much the average brightness value obtained by reading the detected state of dirt has decreased compared to a state without dirt, and notifies the CE of the current state.

[0063] If P is defined as a value indicating the state of contamination, it can be expressed by the following formula. P=1-(WHIMGin(area(x)_min)÷WHtrg) Here, WHtrg is the target luminance value of the white reference plate 211 described above, and WHIMGin(area(x)_min) is the minimum value selected from the average luminance value of each area.

[0064] 7 shows a control flow for calculating the detected state of dirt in this embodiment. An explanation will be given along with the control flow. S701: The CPU 405 determines whether the job uses the image reading device 200. If not in use, the process goes to a standby state, and if in use, the process goes to step S702. S702: When the image reading device 200 is used, the CPU 501 proceeds to a control sequence for detecting the state of contamination before the reading operation of the document. S703: The CPU 501 reads the white reference plate 211 before reading the original 202, and acquires luminance value data for designated pixels. S704: The CPU 501 determines whether data for the desired number of pixels is stored in the memory 507. If normal, the process proceeds to S705, and if abnormal data due to loss or the like is found, the process proceeds to S711. In this embodiment, it is determined whether data for 7,500 pixels is stored. S705: The CPU 501 divides the data stored in the memory 507 into multiple regions at equal intervals, calculates an average luminance value from the data in each region, and stores the calculated average luminance value in the memory 507. In this embodiment, 15 regions were created in the main scanning direction, each region consisting of 500 pixels, and the average luminance value for each region was calculated. S707: The CPU 501 acquires the smallest average brightness value from the average brightness values ​​of the respective regions. S708: The CPU 501 calculates the state P of the dirt from the acquired average brightness value. The calculated state P of the dirt is transmitted via the image reading device and printer I / F 418 and stored in the ROM 414. S709: The CPU 405 acquires the acquired state P of dirt from the ROM 414, and performs processing to reflect the state P on the display 301. For example, in this embodiment, the state P of dirt is normalized, converted into a percentage notation, and displayed. S710: The processing result determined by the CPU 405 is displayed on the operation panel 300 via the display unit I / F 407. S711: If an abnormality is found in the acquired data, the CPU 501 proceeds to an abnormal termination processing sequence, transmits the result of the process via the image reader and printer I / F 418, and stores the data in the ROM 414. S712: The CPU 501 checks whether the previous normal data is stored in the memory 507. S713: If the previous normal data is stored in the memory 507 and the current control count is defined as the nth time, the CPU 501 acquires the previous value P(n-1). With this result, the process proceeds to S709. S714: If the previous normal data is not stored in the memory 507, and if the current control count is defined as the nth time, the CPU 501 acquires the default value P(0) = 0. With this result, the process proceeds to S709.

[0065] As an application example of the above control, we will explain the case where the uniformly contaminated optical system is prepared, contamination state detection control is performed based on the above control flow, and normal processing is performed. Before reading the original 202, the white reference plate 211 is read and the result is stored in the memory 507 as (1). WHIMGin(x)=[50,55,52,…,54,50,53],x=1~750 (1) Based on the result of (1), the image is divided into 15 regions, and the average brightness value of each region is calculated by the CPU 501, resulting in (2), which is stored in the memory 507. WHIMGin(area(x))=[51,58,57,...,53,54,55],area(x)=1~15 (2) By obtaining the minimum average luminance value from the results of (2), (3) is obtained. WHIMGin(area(x)_min)=

[51] ,area(x)=1 (3) (3) is used to calculate the state of contamination P, where WHtrg=255. P=1-(WHIMGin(area(x)_min)÷WHtrg) P=1-(51÷255)=0.8 In this example, the CPU 501 performs a reflection process so that the result of P=0.8 is appropriately displayed on the display 301.

[0066] (Control processing in the controller 400 for the display means in response to the soiling state detection result) In this embodiment, a process for displaying a different value is required during a period when the dirt detection control is not being read, for example, from when maintenance is performed until the dirt detection control is performed. Fig. 8(a) is a flowchart for explaining the mask period setting control that transitions to the mask period due to maintenance by the CE. Fig. 8(b) is a flowchart for explaining the display control of a confirmation screen for checking the dirt state.

[0067] The CPU 405 determines whether maintenance has been performed (S800). In step S800, if a "Processed" button 1201 indicating that maintenance work has been completed is pressed on a screen used for maintenance displayed on the display 301, the CPU 405 determines that maintenance (cleaning) has been performed. The "Processed" button 1201 can be said to be information indicating that cleaning of the optical system has been performed. The CPU 405 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating that cleaning has been performed. The CPU 405 repeats the determination in step S800 until it is determined that maintenance has been performed.

[0068] If it is determined in step S800 that maintenance is to be performed, CPU 405 initializes past data indicating the degree of dirt stored in memory 507 (S802). Then, CPU 405 applies masking processing. CPU 405 performs masking processing to not display indicator 1301, which indicates the detected state of dirt, until a predetermined time (e.g., 7,200 minutes) has elapsed since treatment completed button 1201 was pressed. As a result, display 301 does not display the degree of dirt until a predetermined period of time has elapsed since information indicating that cleaning has been performed was acquired. Here, the time period during which indicator 1301 is not displayed is determined based on the median value (number of days) of the interval between CE maintenance dispatches for image forming apparatus 100.

[0069] Next, the display of the confirmation screen is controlled based on Fig. 8(b). When the CPU 405 receives an input instructing to display the confirmation screen, it causes the display 301 to display a screen (confirmation screen) including the indicator 1301. At this time, the CPU 405 determines whether the time elapsed since the treatment completed button 1201 was pressed is within a period (mask processing period) until a predetermined time (for example, 7200 minutes) is reached (S811).

[0070] If it is a mask processing period, CPU 405 determines whether or not contamination state detection control has been performed within the mask processing period (S812). If contamination state detection control has been performed in step S812, CPU 405 cancels mask processing (S813), acquires the value of V(n), and controls the display of indicator 1031 based on V(n) (S814). At this time, indicator 1301 is displayed on the confirmation screen of display 301 to notify that the contamination detection state is V(n)%. CPU 405 then ends the display control process.

[0071] On the other hand, if the contamination state detection control is not being performed in step S812, the CPU 405 does not cancel the masking process, and instead of the indicator 1301, displays a message notifying that data is being acquired (S815).Then, the CPU 405 ends the display control process.

[0072] Furthermore, if it is not the mask processing period in step S811, CPU 405 cancels the mask processing (S816) and determines whether contamination state detection control has been performed after data initialization (S817). If it is determined in step S817 that contamination state detection control has been performed after data initialization, CPU 405 acquires the value of V(n) and controls the display of indicator 1031 based on V(n) (S818). Then, CPU 405 ends the display control process.

[0073] On the other hand, if the contamination state detection control has not been performed after the data initialization in step S817, the CPU 405 controls the display of the indicator 1031 based on 0% (S819). Then, the CPU 405 ends the display control process.

[0074] Example 1 In this embodiment, the result of the soiling state P=0.8 is normalized in step S709 so that the CPU 501 can appropriately display the result on the display 301, and the result is reflected as a percentage on the display 301. The display value V shown as a percentage is defined by the following formula. Display value V = P ÷ 1 × 100 (5) Referring to the result of the above-mentioned contamination state P, the display value V becomes 80% and this value is applied to the display screen. By applying the above-mentioned control, the contamination state detection result can be displayed on the display 301 with appropriate timing for the CE.

[0075] 9 shows an example of the screen displayed on the display 301 after step S709 based on the above embodiment. In FIG. 9, a selection screen for the image reading device 200 is displayed on the display 301 according to the state P of the dirt received from the CPU 501.

[0076] The selection screen is displayed, for example, by pressing a software key for starting the selection of the image reading device 200 from the menu screen, which is the initial screen. The selection screen displays the part name, the part corresponding to the status series, and the status value, so that the status of the part corresponding to the CE can be confirmed. In this embodiment, the display screen when the above-mentioned display value V is applied is shown.

[0077] In addition, Fig. 9 presents a display screen assuming that the contamination status value P has been calculated. As shown in Fig. 8, when masking is performed, the CPU 405 receives a specific defined value Pm, and the "status" is displayed as blank, for example, as shown in Fig. 10. By displaying it in a format different from the display value V, it is possible to clearly indicate to the CE that the status is unknown.

[0078] It is also possible to have these displays on the display 301 hidden from the user so that only the CE can see them. In addition to displaying on the display 301, it is also possible to display on the CE's terminal via a network using an application on the external operation device 401. This allows the CE to understand the state of the image reading device 200, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency of its maintenance plan.

[0079] Example 2 When mask processing is applied based on the above embodiment, the CPU 405 receives a specific defined value Pm. As a result, as shown in Figures 11(A) and 11(B), by displaying the "status" in a manner other than the blank display shown in Figure 10, for example, by displaying the numerical portion as "--%" or "data collection in progress", it is possible to more clearly indicate to the CE that the status is unknown.

[0080] Example 3 When mask processing is applied based on the above embodiment, it is expected that the function of the image reading device 200 will be restored when the CE performs maintenance in order to accurately grasp the timing of the previous control execution. For this reason, it is essential to initialize the past data in the memory 507 as well.

[0081] Therefore, by providing a button icon on the display screen 302 of the display 301 for initializing the past data in the memory 507, it becomes possible to provide a display screen that is suitable for irregular maintenance of the CE.

[0082] 12 is a schematic diagram of a "Treatment Completed" button 1201 displayed on the confirmation screen. When the CE presses this button icon after performing maintenance, the past data in the memory 507 is initialized.

[0083] Example 4 Based on the above embodiment, there is no problem if the CE adds an indicator to the operation screen to notify the state of contamination, like machine gauges. Figures 13(A) and (B) show screens in which the contamination detection state is additionally displayed as indicator 1301 on the screen displayed on display 301 in comparison with Figure 12. Figure 13(A) shows the indicator display in a normal state, and Figure 13(B) shows the indicator display during mask processing.

[0084] In this embodiment, the state of dirt is expressed as an icon, some of which change and some of which do not, corresponding to a numerical value. By applying indicators such as meters, progress bars, and icons that change, the CE can immediately understand the current progress at a glance.

[0085] Example 5 Based on the above embodiment, there is no problem in displaying the change in the state of contamination over time on the screen, and by visualizing the change in the target parts for the CE, the efficiency of the next maintenance plan can be improved.

[0086] By providing a button icon on the display screen 302 of the display 301 to display the past data in the ROM 414, it becomes possible to provide the CE with a screen showing the state of contamination over time.

[0087] 14 shows a screen when a button icon 1401 (defined as "status details," for example) for displaying a time-varying screen is provided on the display 301. When the CE presses this button icon 1401 before or after maintenance, a screen is displayed that displays the degree of dirt in chronological order based on past data in the ROM 414. This screen shows the results of dirt detection on the vertical axis, with the horizontal axis representing values ​​related to the time series (in this embodiment, information on the date and time when dirt detection was performed), and is displayed in a separate window.

[0088] 15 shows the screen that appears after pressing button icon 1401. On screen 1501, the display unit is set using spin button 1502, based on the last update date. This defines the range on the horizontal axis, and on the vertical axis, the status V value corresponding to the date on which control for detecting the status of dirt was carried out in each date and time unit is obtained from ROM 414, and the CPU 405 plots this as a scatter diagram.

[0089] In this example, the last update date is 2024 / 10 / 18, and by setting the display to one month, the horizontal axis is displayed from 2024 / 09 / 18 to 2024 / 10 / 18, and the vertical axis is a scatter plot of the results corresponding to the date and time when control was performed within that period. To close Figure 15, press the x icon in the upper right corner to move to the previous screen.

[0090] In this embodiment, the results output from the CPU 405 are sent to the operation panel 300, and messages and the like are displayed on the display 301. Note that messages and the like do not necessarily have to be displayed on the display means, but may also be used to notify the CE using the external operation device 401 via the network. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 204 Lens 205 CCD line sensor 211 White reference plate 301 Display 405 CPU

Claims

1. A display device that has a sensor, an optical system that guides reflected light from a document to the sensor, a housing that houses the sensor and the optical system, and a reference member that is used to correct an output value of the sensor, and that is capable of communicating with a reading device that reads the document, a display means for displaying the degree of contamination of the optical system based on the reading result of the reference member read by the sensor; and acquiring means for acquiring information indicating that the optical system has been cleaned, The display device is characterized in that the display means does not display the degree of dirt until a predetermined period has elapsed since the information was acquired.

2. 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said display means displays a message indicating that data is being collected.

3. the display means displays a screen showing a change in the degree of contamination; 2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means does not display the transition of the period from when the information is acquired until the predetermined period has elapsed.

Images