Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and program therefor

Abstract

An object is to be able to monitor consumables of an image forming apparatus so that printing can be performed when desired. 【Solution means】 An image forming apparatus having a cassette for storing paper, which compares the amount of paper in the cassette before and after opening and closing the cassette, and if the amount has decreased by a predetermined amount or more, notifies that the amount of paper has decreased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] It relates to the management of consumables used for image formation.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus forms an image on paper by using toner or ink. To form an image, the image forming apparatus requires a number of consumables. For example, paper, toner (ink), and in the case of a staple-compatible product, the needles used for staples. These consumables must be replenished when they run out.

[0003] Therefore, it has been conventionally proposed to transmit log information regarding the state and abnormalities of an image forming apparatus to an external management server. By sending the log information to the server, for example, the administrator can know the maintenance timing without directly visually inspecting the image forming apparatus. In the above example, the replenishment timing of the consumables can be known from the information from the server, and the delivery timing can be predicted.

[0004] In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-31590), a configuration is disclosed in which various abnormalities occurring in a paper conveyance unit and a paper feeding unit of an image forming apparatus are detected, the occurred abnormalities are registered in log information, and a warning of the abnormality is displayed on an operation display unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Normally, when using an image forming apparatus, replenishment is performed, for example, when consumables such as paper in cassette 3002 run out. However, if there is removal of consumables that the user does not expect during a period when the image forming apparatus is not forming an image, the user may not notice that the consumables are gone, and there is a risk that printing cannot be performed when the user wants to print.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is to be able to monitor consumables of the image forming apparatus so that printing can be performed when desired.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] In view of the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on paper, and includes a cassette that stores paper fed to the image forming unit, detection means for detecting the amount of paper stored in the cassette, storage means for storing the amount of paper detected by the detection means, and when the amount of paper in a second closed state where the cassette is closed after passing through an open state where the cassette is opened from the first closed state is less than a predetermined amount compared to the amount of paper in the first closed state where the cassette is closed, notification means for notifying that the amount of paper has decreased.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] By monitoring the consumables of the image forming apparatus, printing can be performed immediately when the user wants to print.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the entire system. A data collection server 200 (management server) and a multifunction device 300 as an image forming apparatus are connected to the network 100. The multifunction device 300 has a function of event-notifying the data collection server 200 of data on the remaining amounts of paper and toner in the image forming apparatus and the history of error occurrences.

[0012] The cross-sectional configuration of the multifunction device 300 is shown in FIG. 10. The multifunction device 300 functions as an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has an image forming unit 3001 for forming an image on paper. The image forming unit 3001 is a unit for forming an image on paper. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10 is shown as an example of an apparatus that forms an image using toner. The image forming unit 3001 forms a toner image on paper by drawing an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, performing transfer, and performing fixing. It may be an inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image using ink instead of toner.

[0013] The multi-function device 300 has a cassette 3002 for feeding paper. The cassette 3002 stores paper, and the paper is fed from the cassette 3002 to the image forming unit 3001 to form an image. The presence or absence and amount of paper in the cassette 3002 are detected by a detecting means for detecting the paper in the cassette 3002. A detailed description of the detecting means will be given later.

[0014] FIG. 11 is a view of the cassette 3002 in an open state with the cassette 3002 pulled out. Side regulating plates 3002a and 3002b as regulating members for restricting the movement of paper are arranged in the cassette 3002. A pair of side regulating plates 3002a are provided and are movably provided in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording material. The other side regulating plate 3002b is movably provided in the conveyance direction of the recording material. The side regulating plate 3002b is arranged to contact the rear end of the paper in the conveyance direction. The movement of the paper in the cassette 3002 is restricted by the side regulating plates 3002a and 3002b, making it easier to feed the paper. Further, the side regulating plates 3002 are moved by the user according to the size of the paper. That is, the positions of the side regulating plates 3002a and 3002b are reflected in the size of the paper. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the size of the paper in the cassette 3002 is detected by size detecting means for detecting the positions of the side regulating plates 3002a and 3002b described above. The configuration of the side regulating plates 3002a and 3002b only needs to be configured to contact a predetermined side of the paper. Also, although a pair of the side regulating plates 3002a of this embodiment are provided, it may be one.

[0015] The data collection server 200 described in FIG. 1 is connected to the multifunction device 300 through the network 100. The data collection server 200 has the functionality of storing information notified of events from a plurality of multifunction devices 300 in a storage. The information accumulated in the storage within the data collection server 200 is used for device monitoring, usage analysis, and the like. In this embodiment, the data collection server 200 will be described as a general information processing device such as a computer that can have data storage, information processing calculation, and network communication functionality. Of course, it is also possible to implement it with a cloud service having equivalent functions.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data collection server 200. The data collection server 200 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201. To the CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HDD 204, a Network I / F 207, and a system clock 208 are connected via a system bus 209. The CPU 201 starts an OS (Operating System) by a boot program stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 202. The CPU 201 executes an application program stored in the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204 on this OS, thereby executing various processes. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 is used as the working area of this CPU 201, and variable values and the like used during the execution of the application program are also temporarily stored.

[0017] The HDD 204 stores the above application program and the data managed by the application program. The Network I / F 207 is connected to the network 100, and the application program performs input / output of information with each device on the network 100 via the network 100. The system clock 208 is referred to when the control of the application program requires processing related to the current time or timer notification. Further, the operation unit I / F 205 and the display unit I / F 206 are connected to the system bus 209. The operation unit I / F 205 is an interface with the operation unit 220 composed of a mouse, keyboard, etc., and sends the operation information input by the user through the operation unit 220 to the CPU 201. The display unit I / F 206 outputs the display screen data generated by the CPU 201 to the display unit 230 composed of a display, etc.

[0018] When the composite machine 300 performs event notification communication with the data collection server, the program operating on the CPU 201 of the data collection server 200 receives the event through the Network I / F 207 and saves it as a file in the HDD 204.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine 300. The multifunction machine controller unit 310 is a controller that centrally controls information processing for the operation of the multifunction machine 300, and is connected to the operation unit 360. Further, a printer controller unit 320 that controls the printer 340, which is an image output device, and a scanner controller unit 330 that controls the scanner 350, which is an image input device, are connected. Among the components in the multifunction machine controller unit 310, the functions of the CPU 311, ROM 312, RAM 313, HDD 314, Network I / F 315, system clock 317, and system bus 319 are the same as those of the computer 200 described above. In the multifunction machine 300, predetermined history and the like are stored by any of the storage means of the ROM 312, RAM 313, and HDD 314. The operation unit I / F 316 is an interface with the operation unit 360 having a touch panel, outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 360, and transmits information input from the operation unit 360 by the user to the CPU 311. The printer controller unit 320 and the scanner controller unit 330 are connected to the device controller I / F 318, and perform input / output conversion of image data according to the instructions of the program operating on the CPU 311.

[0020] The printer controller unit 320 can collect data indicating the operating state of the printer 340, the paper in the cassette 3002, the toner in the toner cartridge, and the status of consumables such as the binding needles used in the binding process after printing from the printer 340. Also, the scanner controller unit 330 can collect data indicating the operating state of the scanner 350 from the scanner 350. The multifunction device controller unit 310 can collect data indicating the operating state of the multifunction device controller unit 310. Specific examples of data indicating the operating state include the value of the electrical signal output from a sensor that measures the remaining amount of consumables in the printer 340, the remaining amount of consumables obtained by converting the value, and abnormal event data when an abnormality is determined from those values. As an example, in the cassette 3002 of the printer 340, a displacement sensor composed of a potentiometer or the like is arranged to measure the thickness of the total amount of stored paper, and the remaining amount of paper is detected by reading the electrical signal from the displacement sensor. Since the displacement sensor measures the thickness of the total amount of paper, it is not possible to accurately count the number of sheets, but it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of paper between "fully loaded" and "no paper" as a ratio to the fully loaded state. As another example, a device that measures the weight of the paper in the cassette 3002 or an optical sensor may be used. In the case of an optical sensor, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of paper. The type of paper in the cassette 3002 may be input from the operation unit 360 or the like, and means for detecting the number of sheets in the cassette 3002 from the weight may be employed. As described above, the configuration for counting the number of sheets of paper in the cassette 3002 is not limited to one type and may be combined.

[0021] Measure the amount of paper in the cassette 3002, and when the remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount, notify the operation unit or the like that the remaining amount of paper is decreasing. In this case, the display is different from the display performed when the amount of paper has decreased by more than a predetermined amount as described below. For example, when the remaining amount is low, notify that the remaining amount of paper is low, and when the amount of paper has decreased, notify that the amount of paper has decreased. Furthermore, do not use the past information in the cassette 3002, and perform the notification based on the current remaining amount of paper in the cassette 3002.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a software block diagram of the multifunction machine 300. The software operating on the CPU 311 is stored in a storage means such as the ROM 312, the RAM 313, or the HDD 314, and is executed by the CPU 311. The software uses the RAM 313 as a work memory and temporarily stores variable values used during execution. In the multifunction machine 300, software for realizing various functions using scanning, printing, and networks or storage operates. In the following description, the operations of each component when this software is executed by the CPU 311 will be exemplified.

[0023] The UI processing unit 401 has a function of displaying on the display unit a screen that the user operates on the operation unit 360 having the display unit, or transmitting the movement of the user when the user operates to the software.

[0024] There are a plurality of function applications 402 in the device, such as copy, print, and email transmission. The application functions of the multifunction machine are operated triggered by instructions from the user via the operation unit 360 or data reception via the Network I / F 315.

[0025] The job control unit 403 receives instructions from the function application 402 and controls the printer control unit 320 and the scanner control unit 330 to execute scanning and printing.

[0026] The error control unit 404 mainly receives notifications of abnormal states occurring in the job control unit 403, the printer control unit 320, the scanner controller unit 330, etc., and performs controls such as stopping the entire system or generating log information of the abnormal state.

[0027] The history / setting retention unit 405 manages non-volatile information within the device. It retains settings necessary for the control of the multifunction device and jobs, saves the user's operation history, job execution results, logs related to startup from a powered-off state and recovery from a power-saving sleep state, and log information on abnormal states such as errors. Also, it temporarily stores the remaining amount of consumables measured in the sensing unit 407 described later. Furthermore, it temporarily stores the information on the remaining amount abnormality warning events issued from the consumable state monitoring unit 408 described later. The entity of these non-volatile data is held in the HDD 314.

[0028] The counter management unit 406 manages counts such as the number of scans and prints generated within the device, and the entity of the non-volatile data is held in the HDD 314.

[0029] The sensing unit 407 collects sensing data measured on the state during the operation of the units from the printer controller unit 320, scanner controller unit 330, and multifunction device controller unit 310, and temporarily stores it. Also, it stores as sensing data the open / closed state of the plurality of cassettes 3002 and maintenance covers in each part of the multifunction device 300, and further the remaining amount of paper in each cassette 3002 within the printer 340.

[0030] The consumable state monitoring unit 408 acquires from the sensing unit 407 the open / closed state of the cassette 3002 and maintenance covers and the remaining amount of consumables, also detects from the job control unit 403 the presence or absence of print job execution, and performs a process of checking whether the relationships among them are appropriate.

[0031] Each part (401~408) of the in-device software configuration described above issues its operation status as an in-device event detectable by each other, and holds detailed information regarding the event.

[0032] The event collection unit 410 has the function of collecting detailed information on in-device events from each part (401 - 408) that issues in-device events, normalizing it, and storing it in the message buffer 420 for sending it to the data collection server 200. The message buffer 420 is a non-volatile storage area on the HDD 314 and stores the normalized event data. When the event collection unit 410 detects the occurrence of an event in each part (401 - 408) of the in-device software configuration, it collects information from each module in the device according to the detected event content and the information pre-associated with it. For example, in the case of an error event where an abnormality occurs, the error code, the name of the component or consumable where the abnormality occurred, the count value of the paper passed up to that time, etc. become the information to be collected. Then, the collected information is stored in the message buffer 420.

[0033] Note that a general-purpose data format such as JSON is used for recording the normalized event data. In addition to basic information such as the event name, occurrence time, and serial number of the information processing device, various additional information is given depending on the type of event. These additional information are collected by the event collection unit 410 from each part (401 - 408) of the in-device software configuration and the content held in the non-volatile area.

[0034] When the event sending unit 430 detects the writing of normalized event data to the message buffer 420, it reads the information from the message buffer 420 and sends the normalized event to the data collection server 200 via the network communication unit 431. The network communication unit 431 uses the Network I / F 315 to communicate with the data collection server 200 and sends the normalized event to the data collection server 200.

[0035] <Detect the paper in the cassette> FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the process of a program operating in the CPU 311 of the multifunction device 300 when checking the remaining amount of paper in the cassette 3002. Among FIG. 5, FIG. 5(a) is a flowchart showing a process of checking whether there is an abnormality between the opening / closing operation of the cassette 3002 and the remaining paper amount. FIG. 5(b) is a flowchart showing a process of checking the remaining paper amount in the cassette 3002 after the paper is consumed by the printing job at the time of printing completion. The above-mentioned printing job refers to a printing job that consumes the paper in the cassette by forming an image on the paper.

[0036] These processes operate in parallel in the CPU 311, and the consumable state monitoring unit 408 proceeds with the processes by monitoring a plurality of in-device events generated by each part (401 to 407) in the device.

[0037] The multifunction device 300 is assumed to be installed in various places. The cassette 3002 included in the multifunction device 300 stores paper and feeds the paper. Therefore, when the paper in the cassette 3002 runs out or decreases, the paper is replenished by the user or the like. However, it is assumed that the paper in the cassette 3002 decreases due to reasons other than the printing job. For example, theft is assumed. Then, when trying to perform a printing job with the paper in the cassette 3002 decreased or gone, there is a possibility that the printing job cannot be immediately performed. Therefore, the configuration for solving the above-mentioned problems will be described in detail below.

[0038] In step S501 of FIG. 5(a), the consumable state monitoring unit 408 waits for the generation of a device state notification event in the sensing unit 407.

[0039] When a machine status notification event is detected, at step S502, it is confirmed whether the content of the machine status notification is a close event of cassette 3002. If it is not a cassette 3002 close event, the process returns to step S501 to wait for a machine status notification event. In the case of a cassette 3002 close event, at step S503, as the remaining paper amount in cassette 3002 which is the source of the close event, the remaining paper amount previously stored by the storage means is read from the history / setting holding unit 405. This is the case where it changes from the closed state (first closed state), passes through the open state, and then becomes the closed state again (second closed state). Let this value be [Ro]. [Ro] is the value at the first closed state.

[0040] Furthermore, at step S504, the remaining paper amount in the current cassette 3002 is acquired from the sensing unit 407. Let this value be [Rc]. [Rc] is the value at the second closed state after passing through the open state. It is preferable that S504 is performed before the first print job performed in the second closed state. When a print job is performed in the second closed state, the remaining paper amount in cassette 3002 changes, so accurate comparison cannot be made. Therefore, S504 is performed before the first print job performed in the second closed state.

[0041] At step S505, the previously stored remaining paper amount [Ro] and the current remaining paper amount [Rc] are compared. Note that as described above, the remaining paper amounts [Rc] and [Ro] are the thicknesses of the total paper amount measured as a ratio to full load, and since they also include sensor errors, this comparison of the remaining paper amounts also performs a comparison determination considering the error difference. As a result of the determination, if the previously stored remaining paper amount [Ro] and the current remaining paper amount [Rc] are equal, the process proceeds directly to S507.

[0042] In step S505, if the current paper remaining amount [Rc] is less than the previously saved paper remaining amount [Ro], it can be determined that the paper has decreased due to reasons other than paper consumption by the print job. Therefore, in step S506, the consumable state monitoring unit 408 generates a remaining amount abnormality warning event. By generating this event, a notification is sent. The content of the notification is a notice that the remaining amount of paper is low / decreasing. By such a notification means, the user can recognize that the amount of paper in the cassette 3002 has decreased. The notification by the notification means is performed by displaying it on the display units of the operation units 229 and 360 as shown in FIG. 7. In addition to the notification to the operation units 220 and 360, a notification that the amount of paper has decreased may also be sent to the data collection server 200 to notify the administrator of the multifunction machine 300. Details will be described later.

[0043] [Ro] is stored by the storage means at the end of the print job. Therefore, [Ro] used for the comparison in S505 is the value at the end of the last print job performed in the first closed state.

[0044] A notification is made when the current paper remaining amount [Rc] has decreased from the previously saved paper remaining amount [Ro], and also when it has decreased by more than a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount or more is an amount considering the error. The predetermined amount or more may be a configuration that can be arbitrarily changed by the user.

[0045] At the same time, this remaining amount abnormality warning event is recorded in the non-volatile area of the history / setting holding unit 405. In step S507, the current paper remaining amount [Rc] is written to the history / setting holding unit 405 as the final paper remaining amount [Ro] to update the final paper remaining amount. Then, the process returns to step S501.

[0046] In step S511 of FIG. 5(b), the consumable state monitoring unit 408 waits for the generation of a device state notification event by the sensing unit 407. Further, in step S512, it is confirmed whether the content of the device state notification is a print execution completion event. If it is a print execution completion event, in step S513, the current remaining paper amount in the cassette 3002 is read from the sensing unit 407 and written to the history / setting holding unit 405 as the final remaining paper amount [Ro], thereby updating the final remaining paper amount. Then, the process returns to step S511.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of collecting information on events in the device and transmitting the normalized event data to an external data collection server 200 among the processes of the program operating in the CPU 311 of the multifunction device 300.

[0048] First, in step S601, the history / setting holding unit 405 checks the non-volatile area's temporary save abnormal event data, and in step S602, it determines whether there is abnormal event data. If there is no abnormal event data, it returns to step S601 and waits for the abnormal event data to be temporarily saved in the history / setting holding unit 405. If it is determined in step S602 that there is abnormal event data, then in step S603, it determines whether the abnormal event data is a remaining amount abnormal warning event. If it is not a paper remaining amount abnormality, it returns to step S601. If it is a remaining amount abnormal warning event, then in step S604, the abnormal event data related to the remaining amount abnormality is read from the non-volatile area of the history / setting holding unit 405, converted into normalized data, and then saved as transmission data in the message buffer 420. Further, in step S605, when the event sending unit 430 detects the writing of the normalized data to the message buffer 420, it sends it as a normalized event to the data collection server 200 via the network communication unit 431. After that, in step S606, the UI processing unit 401 displays on the operation unit 220 a screen indicating that event data showing an abnormality has been transmitted to the data collection server 200 due to the occurrence of a remaining amount abnormality. An example of the screen to be displayed at that time is shown in FIG. 7. 701 is an example of a screen when there is no abnormality in the remaining amount. The cassette 3002 for which paper should be replenished and the paper size information are displayed at the lower part of the screen. 711 is an example of a screen when there is an abnormality in the remaining amount. Separately from the display at the lower part of the screen, a pop-up display 712 displays a message notifying a significant decrease in the remaining amount. After displaying this pop-up display 712 for a certain period of time, the pop-up display is automatically erased.

[0049] By the above series of processes, it is possible to distinguish between the case where the paper remaining amount decreases normally with printing execution and the case where it decreases abnormally regardless of printing execution, and to make it possible to transmit as a normalized event to an external server in the case of abnormal decrease. Further, by displaying on the screen that an abnormal phenomenon has occurred and been reported externally, it is possible to prevent the user from removing the paper.

[0050] Regarding the processes of FIGS. 5 and 6, it may be configured to be performed only during a predetermined time period. The following is an explanation. If the above flow is performed based on each opening and closing operation of the cassette 3002, the number of processes will increase and the power consumption will become large. Therefore, for example, the user sets the time when theft is likely to occur, and the above flow is performed only during that time period. The multifunction device 300 can obtain the current time from the system clock 208 or the system clock 317. Also, the CPU 311 can arbitrarily set a predetermined time period (for example, from 23:00 to 3:00 at night) from the system clock. It may be configured such that when the cassette 3002 is opened or closed within the set time period, the above flow is executed.

[0051] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, as device state notification events, by monitoring the cassette 3002 close event and the print execution completion event, detection of a reduction in the remaining paper amount not related to print execution was performed. However, when the device is not powered on or is in a sleep state for power saving, the open / close state of the cassette 3002 cannot be detected, so detection of a reduction in the remaining paper amount cannot be performed. Furthermore, the printer 340 of the multifunction device 300 may be able to detect the remaining toner amount in the toner cartridge inside the printer 340 in addition to the remaining paper amount. Similarly, when the printer 340 of the multifunction device 300 is equipped with a finisher having a binding function, it may also be possible to detect and grasp the remaining amount of binding needles used in the binding process.

[0052] In the second embodiment, a method for detecting the removal of paper, toner, and binding needles will be described, including when the device is in a power-off state where the power is not turned on or in a power-saving sleep state.

[0053] The multifunction device 300 can transition to a plurality of states including a standby state (first power state) in which a print job can be immediately performed and a sleep state (second power state) in which power consumption is suppressed. The second power state is a state with lower power consumption than the first power state and is not limited to the sleep state. When the first power state is the standby state, the second power state includes the sleep state and the power-off state.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of detecting, as device state notification events, startup from a state where the power is off and return from the power-saving sleep state, and performing a process of detecting an abnormal paper remaining amount in the processing of the program operating in the CPU 311 of the multifunction device 300. Also, regarding the toner remaining amount and the staple remaining amount in the same way as the paper remaining amount, processing is performed as an object of remaining amount abnormality detection. The sensing unit 407 stores the remaining amounts of consumables such as toner and staples in the printer 340 as sensing data. The consumable state monitoring unit 408 acquires from the sensing unit 407 the open / close state of the cassette 3002 and the paper remaining amount, the open / close state of the toner cartridge cover and the toner remaining amount, and the open / close state of the staple replenishment cover and the staple remaining amount. Also, it detects from the job control unit 403 whether or not a print job is being executed, and further performs a process of confirming whether or not the relationships including the presence or absence of a device state notification event of startup or return from the power-saving sleep state are appropriate.

[0055] FIG. 8(a) is a flowchart showing a process of confirming whether there is an abnormality between the open / close operation of each consumable cover and the remaining amount of the consumable. FIG. 8(b) is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the remaining amount of the consumable after the consumable is normally consumed by printing at the end of printing. These processes operate in parallel in the CPU 311, and the consumable state monitoring unit 408 monitors a plurality of in-device events generated by each part (401 to 407) in the device to proceed with the process.

[0056] In step S801 of FIG. 8(a), the consumable state monitoring unit 408 waits for the generation of a device state notification event by the sensing unit 407. When a device state notification event is detected, in step S802, it is confirmed whether it is a return event from the power-saving sleep state. Also, in step S803, it is confirmed whether it is a startup completion event from a state where the power is off. If it is a return event from the power-saving sleep state or a startup completion event from a state where the power is off, in step S804, all of the remaining paper amount, remaining toner amount, and remaining staple amount are set as monitoring targets and the process proceeds to step S811. If it is neither a return event from the power-saving sleep state nor a startup completion event from a state where the power is off, in step S805, it is confirmed whether the content of the device state notification is a close event of cassette 3002. If it is a cassette 3002 close event, in step S806, the remaining paper amount is set as the monitoring target and the process proceeds to step S811. If it is not a cassette 3002 close event, in step S807, it is confirmed whether it is an event of closing the cover of the toner cartridge. If it is an event of closing the cover of the toner cartridge, in step S808, the remaining toner amount is set as the monitoring target and the process proceeds to step S811. If it is not an event of closing the cover of the toner cartridge, in step S809, it is confirmed whether it is an event of closing the replenishment cover of the staple. If it is an event of closing the replenishment cover of the staple, in step S810, the remaining staple amount is set as the monitoring target and the process proceeds to step S811. If it is not an event of closing the replenishment cover of the staple, the process returns to step S801 and waits for a device state notification event. In step S811, among the consumables paper, toner, and staple, the previously saved remaining amount of the consumable that is the monitoring target is read from the history / setting holding unit 405. Further, in step S812, the current remaining amount of the consumable that is the monitoring target is read from the sensing unit 407. In step S813, the previously saved remaining amount of the consumable is compared with the current remaining amount of the consumable. Since the value of the remaining amount of the consumable also includes the error of the sensor, this comparison of the remaining amount of the consumable also takes the error difference into account for the comparison determination.As a result of the determination, if the remaining amount of the consumable stored in the past is equal to the current remaining amount of the consumable, the process proceeds directly to step S815. In step S813, if the current remaining amount of the consumable is less than the remaining amount of the consumable stored in the past, it can be determined that the remaining amount of the consumable has decreased other than by consumption due to printing. Therefore, in step S814, the consumable state monitoring unit 408 generates a remaining amount abnormality warning event. At the same time, this remaining amount abnormality warning event is recorded in the non-volatile area of the history / setting holding unit 405. In step S815, the current amount of the consumable is written to the history / setting holding unit 405 as the final remaining amount of the consumable, thereby updating the final remaining amount of the consumable. Then, the process returns to step S801.

[0057] In step S821 of FIG. 8(b), the consumable state monitoring unit 408 waits for the generation of a device state notification event by the sensing unit 407. Further, in step S822, it is confirmed whether the content of the device state notification is a print execution completion event. If it is a print execution completion event, in step S823, the current remaining amount of paper in the cassette 3002 is read from the sensing unit 407 and written to the history / setting holding unit 405 as the final remaining amount of paper, thereby updating the final remaining amount of paper. Further, in steps S824 and S825, the current remaining amount of toner in the toner cartridge and the current remaining amount of staples in the staple replenishment unit are read from the sensing unit 407 and written to the history / setting holding unit 405 as the final remaining amounts, thereby updating the final remaining amounts. Then, the process returns to step S821.

[0058] By the above series of processes, it becomes possible to detect the removal of paper, toner, and staples at timings including when the device is powered off or in the power-saving sleep state.

[0059] <The Third Embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, the remaining paper amount in the cassette 3002 is checked. However, many multi-functional devices are equipped with a plurality of cassettes 3002, and papers of different paper sizes and paper types can be stored in each cassette 3002. Also, the paper size setting and paper type setting of the cassette 3002 can be switched by the user, and the set papers can be stored (hereinafter, the combination of the paper size and the paper type is referred to as the paper type). Further, regarding the paper size of the cassette 3002, the setting may be automatically changed to the paper size measured by the paper size sensor in the cassette 3002. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the remaining paper amount for each paper type rather than for each cassette 3002 before and after switching the paper type setting of the cassette 3002. Also, when switching the paper type setting of the cassette 3002, as a normal user operation, the papers of the paper type before switching are taken out from the cassette 3002, and the papers of the paper type after switching are stored in the cassette 3002. Therefore, even if the remaining amount of a specific paper type decreases before and after the setting is switched, it is inappropriate to regard it as an abnormality in the remaining amount just because of that.

[0060] In the third embodiment, a method will be described in which, while checking the remaining paper amount in consideration of the paper type settings of a plurality of cassettes 3002, if it can be determined as a normal paper replacement before and after changing the paper type setting, it is not determined as a paper remaining amount abnormality.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of detecting the remaining paper amount for each paper type setting of the cassette 3002 and determining whether there is an abnormality in the remaining paper amount among the processes of the program operating in the CPU 311 of the multi-functional device 300. Also, when the paper type setting is changed, the paper storage state of the cassette 3002 of the paper type that did not exist before the setting change is detected, and an abnormality determination of the remaining amount is also made considering whether it is an appropriate paper replacement operation. In the history / setting holding unit 405, the final remaining paper amount of all the cassettes 3002 is stored together with the paper type setting, and the current paper type setting of all the cassettes 3002 is stored.

[0062] FIG. 9(a) is a flowchart showing a process for checking whether there is an abnormality between the opening / closing operation of the cassette 3002 and the remaining paper amount for each paper type. FIG. 9(b) is a flowchart showing a process for checking the remaining paper amount in the cassette 3002 after the paper has been normally consumed by printing at the time of printing completion. These processes operate in parallel in the CPU 311, and the consumable state monitoring unit 408 proceeds with the processes by monitoring a plurality of in-device events generated by each part (401 to 407) within the device.

[0063] In step S901 of FIG. 9(a), the consumable state monitoring unit 408 waits for the generation of a device state notification event in the sensing unit 407. When a device state notification event is detected, in step S902, it is checked whether the content of the device state notification is a close event of the cassette 3002. If it is not a cassette 3002 close event, the process returns to step S901 to wait for the device state notification event. If it is a cassette 3002 close event, in step S903, for all cassettes 3002, the paper type settings and the remaining paper amounts saved in the past are read from the history / setting holding unit 405. Further, in step S904, the remaining paper amount in the current cassette 3002 is read from the sensing unit 407, and the current paper type setting is read from the history / setting holding unit 405. In step S905, it is checked whether there is a cassette 3002 with the same paper type setting in the past saved cassette 3002 information and whether there is a cassette 3002 with the same paper type setting in the current cassette 3002 information. If there is a cassette 3002 with the same paper type setting, in step S906, the remaining paper amounts are totaled for each paper type setting. This totaling process is performed for both the past saved cassette 3002 information and the current cassette 3002 information respectively.

[0064] In step S907, the remaining paper quantity saved in the past and the current remaining paper quantity are compared for each paper type to check if there is an abnormality in the remaining quantity. As described above, the remaining paper quantity is the thickness of the total paper quantity measured as a ratio to full load and includes the error of the sensor. Therefore, this comparison of the remaining paper quantity also takes into account the error difference for comparison and determination. As a result of the determination, if the remaining paper quantity saved in the past and the current remaining paper quantity are equal for all paper types, it is determined that there is no abnormality in the remaining quantity, and the process proceeds directly to S911. If there is a paper type for which the current remaining paper quantity is less than the remaining paper quantity saved in the past in step S907, it can be determined that the remaining paper quantity has decreased due to reasons other than paper consumption for printing, so the process proceeds to step S908. In step S908, the final paper type saved in the past is compared with the current paper type to check if there is an increase or decrease in the paper type. If the paper type has increased or decreased, in step S909, it is checked if the current remaining quantity of the paper type that has increased is zero. If there is a change in the paper type and there is paper of the newly set paper type stored and there is a remaining quantity, it is determined as a normal paper replacement due to the change in the paper type, and the process proceeds to step S911. If the remaining quantity is zero in step S909, although the paper type setting of cassette 3002 has been changed and the paper that was stored until then has been taken out, the paper of the newly set paper type is not stored. In that case, the process proceeds to step S910. In step S910, the consumable state monitoring unit 408 generates a remaining quantity abnormality warning event. At the same time, this remaining quantity abnormality warning event is recorded in the non-volatile area of the history / setting holding unit 405. In step S911, the remaining paper quantity of all current cassettes 3002 is written as the final remaining paper quantity to the history / setting holding unit 405 to update the final remaining paper quantity. Then, the process returns to step S901.

[0065] In step S921 of FIG. 9(b), the consumable state monitoring unit 408 waits for the device state notification event generation by the sensing unit 407, and further in step S922, checks whether the content of the device state notification is a print execution completion event. If it is a print execution completion event, in step S923, the current paper remaining amount in all the cassettes 3002 is read from the sensing unit 407, and is written to the history / setting holding unit 405 together with the paper type as the final paper remaining amount, thereby updating the final paper remaining amount. Then, it returns to step S921.

[0066] By the above series of processes, while checking the paper remaining amount in consideration of the paper type settings of the plurality of cassettes 3002, if it is possible to determine normal paper replacement before and after changing the paper type setting, it is possible not to determine a paper remaining amount abnormality.

[0067] As the size detection means for detecting the paper size, although a sensor was taken as an example above, a configuration using the side regulation plate 3002ab may also be used. If the position of the side regulation plate 3002ab is different before and after opening the cassette 3002, it is determined that another paper is set, and even if the remaining amount decreases before opening the cassette 3002 and after opening and closing it, no notification is made by the notification means.

[0068] In the first to third embodiments, it was a configuration to grasp the decrease in the remaining amount of consumables due to print execution by detecting the remaining amount of consumables at that time at the completion of print execution and overwriting and saving it as the final remaining amount. On the other hand, it is also possible to count the actual number of consumed print papers and the number of consumed binding pins from the content of the print job to be executed, or to predict the toner consumption amount from the print image, in order to grasp the decrease in the remaining amount of consumables in such a way. If a configuration is adopted to grasp the decrease in the remaining amount of consumables in this way, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the remaining amount of consumables with higher accuracy.

[0069] It may also be a control program recordable on a computer-readable recording medium. A program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment can also be realized by a process in which the program is supplied to a device via a network or a recording medium and one or more processors in the computer of the device execute the program. The same applies to the system. A program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment can also be realized by a process in which the program is supplied to the system via a network or a recording medium and one or more processors in the computer of the system execute the program.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 100 Network 200 Data Collection Server (Management Server) 300 Multifunction Device 3002 Cassette 3002ab Side Regulation Plate

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on paper and a cassette that contains paper to be fed to the image forming unit, An acquisition means for acquiring an amount of paper contained in the cassette; A notification means, the acquisition means acquires an amount of paper accommodated in the cassette before an opening operation of the cassette is performed, and an amount of paper accommodated in the closed cassette as a result of the cassette being opened by the opening operation and being closed by a closing operation; The notification means notifies that the amount of paper has decreased when the acquired amount of paper contained in the cassette due to the cassette being opened by the opening operation and being closed by the closing operation is less than the acquired amount of paper contained in the cassette before the opening operation is performed by a predetermined amount or more.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. A display unit for displaying a screen is provided. The notification means notifies the user by displaying on the display unit that the amount of paper has decreased.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies a server via a network of the fact that the amount of paper has decreased.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the amount of paper contained in the cassette when the last print job executed before the opening operation is performed is completed.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the amount of paper contained in the cassette by the time the first print job to be executed after the closing operation to close the cassette opened by the opening operation is executed.

6. a detection means for detecting the size of the paper contained in the cassette; When the detected size of the paper contained in the cassette before the opening operation is performed differs from the detected size of the paper contained in the cassette when the cassette opened by the opening operation is closed by the closing operation, the notification means does not notify that the amount of paper has decreased even if the acquired amount of the paper contained in the cassette as a result of the cassette opened by the opening operation being closed by the closing operation is less than the acquired amount of the paper contained in the cassette before the opening operation is performed by a predetermined amount or more.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

7. the cassette has a regulating member that is movable in a direction along a predetermined side of the paper stored in the cassette and that regulates the movement of the paper stored in the cassette; 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the detection means detects the size of the paper contained in the cassette based on the position of the regulating member.

8. Having a setting means for setting the time, The notification means issues the notification when the current time is within the set time period in a case where the obtained amount of paper contained in the cassette as a result of the cassette being opened by the opening operation and being closed by the closing operation is less than the obtained amount of paper contained in the cassette before the opening operation is performed by a predetermined amount or more.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

9. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount is variable.

10. A program executed by an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on paper and a cassette that contains paper to be fed to the image forming unit, an acquisition step of acquiring the amount of paper contained in the cassette; A notification step, In the obtaining step, an amount of paper stored in the cassette before an opening operation of the cassette is performed and an amount of paper stored in the closed cassette due to the cassette being opened by the opening operation and being closed by a closing operation are obtained, In the notification step, when the acquired amount of the paper contained in the cassette due to the cassette being opened by the opening operation being closed by the closing operation is less than the acquired amount of the paper contained in the cassette before the opening operation is performed by a predetermined amount or more, a notification is given that the amount of the paper has decreased. A control program comprising:

11. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image on paper and a cassette that contains paper to be fed to the image forming unit, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring the amount of paper contained in the cassette; A notification step, In the obtaining step, an amount of paper stored in the cassette before an opening operation of the cassette is performed and an amount of paper stored in the closed cassette due to the cassette being opened by the opening operation and being closed by a closing operation are obtained, In the notification step, when the acquired amount of the paper contained in the cassette due to the cassette being opened by the opening operation being closed by the closing operation is less than the acquired amount of the paper contained in the cassette before the opening operation is performed by a predetermined amount or more, a notification is given that the amount of the paper has decreased. 2 is a control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

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