JP2021100178A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a user to refer to a management report, such as a transmission result report even if an image forming apparatus falls into an unprintable state.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: an image forming unit 12 that, based on image data, forms an image indicated by the image data on a recording medium and prints the image; a creation unit 101 that creates a management report; a control unit 100 that, based on image data indicated by the management report created by the creation unit 101, controls the image forming unit 12 to print the management report; a filing unit 102 that makes the management report created by the creation unit 101 into a file; and a transmission control unit 104 that, if the image forming apparatus 1 is in an unprintable state at a timing to print the management report, transmits the file that is made into a file by the filing unit 102 to a preset transmission destination through a network interface unit 91.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to printing a management report such as a transmission result report.

Some image forming devices such as multifunction devices have a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data to an external device. In addition, some image forming devices have a function of printing a transmission result report after facsimile transmission so that the user can confirm whether or not the image data has been transmitted normally.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-129786

In Patent Document 1 described above, "when a part of image data is added to a transmission result report as an additional color image and printed, if the color printing mechanism is out of order, the additional color image is transmitted as an additional color image. The transmission result report is printed without being added to the above. This makes it possible to use the transmission function even if a part of the printing mechanism fails while obtaining the transmission result report. " , It is described that when a failure occurs in a part of the printing mechanism, a transmission result report different from the normal time is printed to avoid stopping printing of the transmission result report.

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1 above, when the image forming apparatus falls into a state where printing cannot be performed at all (for example, a failure of the printing mechanism, a paper jam, a paper out, or a toner out), a transmission result report is output. The user cannot see the transmission result report.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to refer to a management report such as a transmission result report even if a state in which printing is not possible occurs.

The image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image indicated by the image data on a recording medium and prints the image based on the image data, a creating unit that creates a management report, and the above-mentioned creation. Based on the image data indicated by the management report created by the unit, the control unit that controls the image forming unit to print the management report, the communication unit that performs data communication with the external device, and the creation unit When the created management report is filed in a file-forming unit and the image forming unit cannot print at the timing of printing the management report, the file filed by the file-forming unit is created. A transmission control unit for transmitting data to a preset destination via the communication unit.

According to the present invention, when the image forming apparatus cannot print at the timing of printing the management report, the file in which the management report is filed is sent to a preset destination (for example, the image forming apparatus). It will be sent to the administrator's email address). As a result, a user such as an administrator can refer to the management report via a terminal device (for example, a personal computer or a smartphone) different from the image forming device. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus falls into a state in which printing cannot be performed, the user can refer to the management report.

It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic the main internal structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a management report. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing operation performed by the control unit in an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing operation performed by the control unit in an image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function, and is a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, and an image. It includes a forming unit 12, a storage 92, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 71, and a network interface unit 91.

A case where the document reading operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The document reading unit 5 optically reads the image of the document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or the document placed on the contact glass shown in the drawing, and generates image data. .. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory or the like (not shown).

A case where the image forming operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. Based on the image data generated by the document reading operation, the image data stored in the image memory, etc., the image data received from the computer as an external device connected to the network, the image forming unit 12 is the paper feeding unit. A toner image is formed on a recording paper as a recording medium to be fed from No. 14, and printing is performed.

The storage 92 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and stores various control programs or the like.

The fixing unit 13 heats and pressurizes the recording paper on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12 to fix the toner image on the recording paper. It is discharged to the tray. The paper feed unit includes a paper feed cassette.

The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as an image formation operation execution instruction from the operator for various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like to the operator. Further, the operation unit 47 receives an input of an instruction from the user based on an operation (touch operation) by the user on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473 via the touch panel of the display unit 473.

The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 473 includes a touch panel. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position.

The facsimile communication unit 71 is provided with a code / decryption unit, a modulation / demodulation unit, and an NCU (Network Control Unit), and transmits and receives facsimiles using a public telephone network or the like.

The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device 20 in the local area or on the Internet. The network interface unit 91 is an example of a communication unit within the scope of claims.

The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, a creation unit 101, a file conversion unit 102, a conversion unit 103, a transmission control unit 104, and a storage unit 105.

The control unit 10 serves as a control unit 100, a creation unit 101, a file conversion unit 102, a conversion unit 103, a transmission control unit 104, and a storage unit 105 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the storage 92. Function. However, the control unit 100 and the like can be configured by hardware circuits, regardless of the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a storage 92, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 71, and a network interface unit 91. , Drive control of each of these parts is performed.

The creation unit 101 creates a management report (for example, consisting of data consisting of a character group or an image indicating a transmission result for each transmission job). Examples of the transmission job include facsimile transmission, email transmission, folder transmission, and the like. For example, when the facsimile communication unit 71 executes facsimile transmission, the creation unit 101 creates a management report R1 with the title "transmission result report" as shown in FIG. 2.

An edited image G1 obtained by editing a facsimile transmission image actually transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 71 is attached to the management report R1. Examples of the edited image G1 include a part (equal magnification) or all (reduced) of the facsimile transmission image actually transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 71.

The file conversion unit 102 files the management report created by the creation unit 101. For example, the file conversion unit 102 compresses the data indicated by the management report created by the creation unit 101 by a compression method such as JPEG or TIFF and creates a file.

The conversion unit 103 converts the file filed by the file conversion unit 102 into a highly versatile, preset file format (for example, a PDF file).

When the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print at the timing of printing the management report, the transmission control unit 104 creates a file by the file conversion unit 102 and further converts the file converted by the conversion unit 103 into a network interface unit. It is transmitted to a preset destination (for example, the e-mail address of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1) via 91.

Examples of the state in which the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print include a failure of a printing mechanism such as an image forming unit 12, a paper jam, a paper out, and a toner out. The troubles such as the failure of the image forming apparatus 1 and the errors such as the paper jam, the paper out, and the toner out are known by the control unit 100 based on the signals from each sensor provided in the image forming apparatus 1, for example. The technology makes it detectable.

When the transmission of the file by the transmission control unit 104 is not successful, or when the destination of the file is not set, the storage unit 105 saves the file filed by the file conversion unit 102 in the storage 92. For example, the storage unit 105 stores the file in a folder for the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 provided in the storage 92. The file storage destination may be storage on the network instead of the storage 92 included in the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, an example of the processing performed by the control unit 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It should be noted that this process is a process performed immediately after the facsimile transmission by the facsimile communication unit 71 is executed.

First, the creation unit 101 creates an image for attaching a report (for example, the edited image G1 shown in FIG. 2) from the facsimile transmission image actually transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 71 (S1), and attaches the created report. A "transmission result report" (for example, the management report R1 shown in FIG. 2), which is a management report for facsimile transmission, is created by attaching an image for (S2). The processes shown in S1 and S2 are conventionally performed processes.

Subsequently, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is in a printable state (S3), and the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is in a printable state (in S3). YES), the image forming unit 12 is controlled to print the "transmission result report" based on the image data indicated by the "transmission result report" created by the creation unit 101 (S4). After this, the process ends.

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print (NO in S3), the file forming unit 102 files the "transmission result report" created by the creating unit 101 (NO). S5)

The control unit 100 determines whether or not the transmission destination of the management report is set (S6). When the control unit 100 determines that the destination of the management report is set (YES in S6), the conversion unit 103 converts the file filed by the file conversion unit 102 into a preset file format. (S7). The transmission control unit 104 transmits the file converted by the conversion unit 103 to the preset destination via the network interface unit 91 (S8).

Then, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the transmission of the file by the transmission control unit 104 is successful (S9), and when the control unit 100 determines that the transmission is successful (YES in S9), the process is performed. finish.

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the transmission has not been successful (NO in S9), the storage unit 105 saves the file filed by the file conversion unit 102 in the storage 92 (S10). After this, the process ends.

Further, even when the control unit 100 determines in S6 that the destination of the management report is not set (NO in S6), the storage unit 105 stores the file filed by the file file unit 102. It is stored in 92 (S10). After this, the process ends.

According to the above embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 cannot print at the timing of printing the management report (for example, the transmission result report), the file in which the management report is filed is the preset destination. Will be sent to. As a result, a user such as an administrator can refer to the management report via a terminal device (for example, a personal computer or a smartphone) different from the image forming device 1. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 1 becomes unable to print, the user can refer to the management report. Further, since the file transmitted to the destination is converted into a highly versatile file format, the terminal device can handle the file without any problem.

If the transmission of the file fails or the destination of the file is not set, the file is saved in the storage 92. Therefore, after the image forming apparatus 1 is restored to a printable state, the management in the file is performed. You can print the report. Therefore, even if the file cannot be sent to the outside, a user such as an administrator can refer to the management report.

Further, since the file is saved in the storage 92, a user such as an administrator can specify the destination of the file or instruct the re-transmission of the file via the operation unit 47 to display the file. It can be sent to the desired destination.

An upper limit is set on the number of files that can be stored in the storage 92, and when the control unit 100 determines that the number of files stored in the storage 92 exceeds the upper limit, the files stored in the storage 92 are old. You may delete them in order from the file.

Next, an example of the processing according to another embodiment performed by the control unit 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is performed when the image forming apparatus 1 is restored to a printable state.

First, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the file filed by the file file unit 102 is stored in the storage 92 (S11).

When the control unit 100 determines that the above files are stored in the storage 92 (YES in S11), whether or not the number of stored files is equal to or less than a preset threshold value T (for example, 5). Is determined (S12). On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the file is not stored in the storage 92 (NO in S11), this process ends.

When the control unit 100 determines that the number of stored files is equal to or less than the threshold value T (the number of files is relatively small) (YES in S12), the control unit 100 is an image forming unit based on the files stored in the storage 92. 12 is controlled to print the management report in the file (S13), and then erase the file from the storage 92 (S14). This process ends.

On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the number of saved files is not equal to or less than the threshold value T (the number of files is relatively large) (NO in S12), the file in which the management report is filed is saved in the storage 92. A message indicating that the image is displayed is displayed on the display unit 473, or the message is transmitted to a preset destination (for example, the e-mail address of the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1) (S15). As a result, the user is notified that the file in which the management report is filed is stored in the storage 92. After this, the process ends.

As a result, the management report in the file stored in the storage 92 is automatically printed when the image forming apparatus 1 is restored to a printable state, so that the user can refer to the management report without delay. Become.

However, if the number of files is relatively large, the management report will not be printed automatically, and the user will be informed that there are management reports that remain unprinted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the management report from being unnecessarily printed in large quantities.

Further, as another embodiment, the control unit 100 always displays an image or a message indicating that the file in which the management report is filed is stored in the storage 92 on the display unit 473, and displays an image image of the management report. It may be displayed on the display unit 473. As a result, the user can recognize that the file in which the management report is filed is stored in the storage 92 by looking at the display unit 473 without performing any operation.

As yet another embodiment, the operation unit 47 is made to accept the selection from the user of the management report that does not need to be saved through the image image displayed on the display unit 473, and the control unit 100 is the user accepted by the operation unit 47. Depending on the selection, the corresponding file may be deleted from the storage 92.

In the above embodiment, the transmission result report for facsimile communication is described as an example as the management report, but the management report is not only the transmission result report for facsimile communication, but also the facsimile reception result report and the network connection. It may be a communication management report or the like regarding transmission / reception to / from the external device 20. The facsimile transmission management report and the facsimile reception management report as communication management reports are created and printed when the latest outgoing or incoming call reaches a preset number of cases, respectively.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Further, in the above embodiment, the multifunction device is described as one embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, but this is only an example, and for example, another image having a scanner function and a copy function. It may be a forming device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and processing shown by the above-described embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

1 Image forming device 12 Image forming unit 71 Facsimile communication unit 91 Network interface unit 92 Storage 100 Control unit 101 Creation unit 102 File conversion unit 103 Conversion unit 104 Transmission control unit 105 Storage unit 473 Display unit

Claims (8)

An image forming unit that forms an image indicated by the image data on a recording medium and prints the image based on the image data.
The creation department that creates the management report and
A control unit that controls the image forming unit to print the management report based on the image data indicated by the management report created by the creating unit.
A communication unit that performs data communication with an external device,
A file-forming unit that files the management report created by the creation unit,
When printing by the image forming unit is impossible at the timing of printing the management report, the file filed by the file forming unit is sent to a preset destination via the communication unit. An image forming apparatus including a transmission control unit for transmission. The management report is a transmission result report for each transmission job.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission result report is printed by the control unit immediately after the execution of the transmission job. A conversion unit for converting a file filed by the file conversion unit into a highly versatile preset file format is further provided.
Claim 1 or claim that the transmission control unit is filed by the file conversion unit, and further, the file converted by the conversion unit is transmitted to the preset destination via the communication unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 2. When the transmission of the file by the transmission control unit is not successful, or when the destination of the file is not set.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a storage unit for storing a file filed by the file conversion unit in a storage. When the control unit recovers to a state in which printing by the image forming unit is possible, the control unit controls the image forming unit based on the file stored in the storage to display the management report in the file. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image is printed. When the number of files stored in the storage is equal to or less than a preset threshold value and the control unit recovers to a state in which printing by the image forming unit is possible, the control unit is based on the files stored in the storage. The image forming unit is controlled to print the management report in the file.
If the number of files stored in the storage is not equal to or less than the preset threshold value, the image forming unit is not allowed to print the management report even if the image forming unit recovers to a printable state. Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to item 5. When the control unit recovers to a state in which printing by the image forming unit is possible when the number of files stored in the storage is not equal to or less than the preset threshold value, the file in which the management report is filed becomes the file. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a process of notifying the user that the image is stored in the storage is performed. With a further display
A claim that the control unit always causes the display unit to display that a file obtained by converting the management report into a file is stored in the storage, and displays an image of the management report on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4 to 7.

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