Patent Application
20070177439
This patent application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese patent application Nos. 2006-023848, filed on Jan. 31, 2006, and 2006-072429 filed on Mar. 16, 2006, in the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, each capable of managing supply information of an image forming device provided in an image forming apparatus, and displaying the supply information.
2. Description of the Related Art
The background image forming apparatus, such as a printer, copier, etc., often provides the function of notifying a user when a supply of the image forming apparatus needs to be replaced, i.e., the supply is in the end state, and/or notifying the user when a supply of the image forming apparatus needs to be replaced soon, i.e., the supply is in the near end state.
However, since notification is automatically output only when the supply is in the near end state or end state, the user may not be given enough time to replace with a new supply or order a new supply. Further, since notification is usually output for one supply at a time, it may increase work of the user especially when timing for outputting notification for a first supply and timing for outputting notification for a second supply occur in a short time period. Further, timing at which the user prefers to replace with a new supply or order a new supply, or timing at which the user prefers to have information regarding a supply, may differ among users or under various situations.
On the other hand, in order to provide supply information to the user, the image forming apparatus is usually required to be in an operation mode even when image forming is not performed, for example, as described in the Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-316218. If the user requests for supply information when the image forming apparatus is in an energy save mode, the image forming apparatus is brought back to the operation mode. For this reason, electricity consumption may increase if the function of providing supply information is provided.
Example embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, each capable of storing supply information of an image forming device provided in the apparatus in a corresponding manner with display settings information, updating the supply information to generate updated supply information when updating of the supply information is detected, and generating a supply information screen including the updated supply information for display according to the display settings information. The contents or appearance of the supply information screen, or timing for displaying the supply information screen may be set according to the display settings information that may be input by a user.
In one example, the display settings information may be set such that the supply information screen including the updated supply information is automatically displayed when updating of the supply information is detected.
In another example, the display settings information may be set such that a selection key allowing the user to select whether to display the supply information screen including the updated supply information is automatically displayed when updating of the supply information is detected.
In another example, the display settings information may be set such that the supply information screen including supply status information indicating that the image forming device is in the near end state, with a level of the near end state being defined by the user.
Other example embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, each capable of displaying supply information of an image forming device provided in the apparatus without causing the apparatus to be in the operation mode.
In one example, when the apparatus is determined to be in an energy save mode, supply information that is stored in the apparatus, such as the last-updated supply information, may be displayed.
In another example, when the apparatus is determined to be in the energy save mode, electric power is supplied to a selected portion of the apparatus that is necessary for obtaining updated supply information without bring the apparatus back to the operation mode.
In addition to the above-described example embodiments, the present invention may be practiced in various other ways.
A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In describing the example embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for clarity. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner. For example, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
As illustrated in
The printer controller 2 converts print data, which may be received from the host apparatus 3 or the network 15, to video data according to an operation mode, and outputs the video data to the printer engine 13. The operation mode may be set by the printer 1 using a printer driver. Alternatively, the operation mode may be set by the host apparatus 3 or any apparatus provided on the network 15 using a printer driver, and sent to the printer controller 2 together with the print data. As illustrated in
The CPU 9 may function as a system controller, which controls various kinds of operation performed by the printer 1, for example, printing, communicating with the outside apparatus, communicating with the user through the operation panel 4, managing supply information, etc. For example, when performing printing operation, the CPU 9 processes or manages data, including, for example, print data, or control data including the operation mode, which may be received from the host apparatus 3 or the network 15. In another example, when performing supply management operation, the CPU 9 manages supply information, including supply amount information and supply status information, which may be obtained from the printer engine 13.
The CPU 9 may be provided with one or more memories, each of which may function as, for example, a system memory, a flame memory, a parameter memory, a program memory, or a font memory. In this example, the program ROM 6, the font ROM 7, the RAM 10, the NV RAM 11, and the HDD 17 are provided. However, another memory may be optionally provided.
The program ROM 6 stores including, for example, a print control program for causing the CPU 9 to perform printing operation, or a supply management program for causing the CPU 9 to perform operation of managing supply information. Additionally, the program ROM 6 may store a power control program for causing the CPU 9 to perform operation of controlling electric power supplied to a selected portion of the printer 1. The font ROM 7 stores various kinds of fonts for printing. The RAM 10 may function as a work area of the CPU 9, a buffer area for storing print data to be printed on one page of document, a buffer area for storing control data, or a bitmap memory for storing video data converted from the print data. In addition, the RAM 10 may store information indicating whether the printer 1 is in an operation mode or an energy save mode, for example, as described below. The NV RAM 11 stores various data, for example, various parameters that may be used by the printer 1 even after the power of the printer 1 is turned off. For example, as described below, the NV RAM 11 may store supply information, display settings information, and/or printing settings information, in a manner manageable by the CPU 9. The HDD 17 stores a large amount of data, including, for example, print data to be printed, or any kind of program that may be used by the CPU 9.
The CPU 9 may be additionally provided with one or more interfaces, such as the host I/F 5, the network I/F 16, the panel I/F 8, and the engine I/F 12. The host I/F 6 allows the printer controller 2 to communicate with the host apparatus 3, for example, by inputting print data or control data received from the host apparatus 3, or outputting status data, such as supply information, to the host apparatus 3. The host I/F 6 may be implemented by a Universal Serial Bus (USB). The network I/F 16 allows the printer controller 2 to communicate with the network 15, for example, by inputting print data or control data received from the network 15, or outputting status data, such as supply information, to the network 15. Alternatively, the function of the network I/F 16 may be performed, for example, by a network interface controller (NIC) provided in the printer controller 2 and a network I/F provided outside of the printer controller 2. The panel I/F 8 allows the printer controller 2 to communicate with the operation panel 4, for example, by inputting control data received from the operation panel 4, or outputting status data, such as supply information, to the operation panel 4. The engine I/F 12 allows the printer controller 2 to communicate with the printer engine 13, for example, outputting;
control data or video data to the printer engine 13, or inputting status data, such as supply information, received from the printer engine 13. In addition, the CPU 9 may be provided with a medium interface that allows the printer controller 2 to read out data from a removable medium or write data onto the removable medium.
The operation panel 4 has at least one of the functions of outputting status data received from the printer controller 2 to the user, and inputting control data to the printer controller 2 received from the user. For example, the operation panel 4 may include a display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), capable of displaying supply information to a user received from the printer controller 2. Alternatively, the operation panel 4 may include any desired notifying device, as long as it can provide supply information to the user in the form such that the user can easily percept, for example, including a buzzer or a speaker. In this example, the operation panel 4 may further include an input device capable of inputting printing settings information or display settings information from the user, for example, information regarding the operation mode, the font to be used for printing, the initial screen (“waiting screen”) to be displayed by the display device when performing printing, a supply information screen to be displayed by the display device when notifying the supply information, etc. The input device may be implemented by, for example, any number of keys, a keyboard, a ten key, a switch, a pointing device, or a microphone. Alternatively, the operation panel 4 may be implemented by a touch panel, which provides the functions of displaying and inputting.
The printer engine 13 includes an image forming device and a detector 30. In one example, the printer engine 13 performs printing operation under control of the printer controller 2, using the image forming device. For example, the printer engine 13 forms a toner image according to the video data and the control data received from the printer controller 2. In another example, the printer engine 13 detects supply information of the image forming device using the detector 30. An example structure of the printer engine 13 is described below referring to any one of
In one example operation, the printer controller 2 causes the printer engine 13 to form a toner image according to print data received from the host apparatus 3 as described below.
First, the CPU 9 obtains data, which includes print data and control data, from the host apparatus 3 through the host I/F 5. The CPU 9 analyzes the received data by loading the print control program from the program ROM 6 onto the RAM 10, extracts the print data and the control data, and stores the print data and the control data in the RAM 10 for further processing. Second, the CPU 9 converts the print data to video data according to the control data. For example, when a character code is extracted, the CPU 9 analyzes the character code, converts the character code into an intermediate code including information regarding the print position, print size, character code, font, etc., and performs processing based on the intermediate code to expand the received data into the RAM 10. The expanded data, which may correspond to one page of document, may be converted to the video data. Third, the printer controller 2 outputs the video data to the printer engine 13, and instructs the printer engine 13 to form a toner image according to the video data through the engine I/F 12.
Referring now to any one of
Referring to
As illustrated in
The charging device 31 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 20 to a predetermined polarity. The optical writing device 27 exposes a modulated light L to the charged surface of the photoconductor 20 to form a latent image on the charged surface of the photoconductor 20. The developing device 32 develops the latent image into a toner image, by applying toner having the reverse of the predetermine polarity. The toner may be provided from the corresponding toner cartridge 22 of
In this example, the transfer device 26 may transfer the toner image onto the recording sheet in two steps. As illustrated in
In another example operation, the printer controller 2 manages supply information for display, such as supply amount information or supply status information, regarding the image forming device provided in the printer engine 13. In this example, the supply amount information of the image forming device corresponds to any information, obtainable by the detector 30, which describes the amount of a supply of the image forming device provided in the printer 1 (“the printer supply”), including, for example, the degree of usage of the device, the remaining life time of the device, the amount of consumption of a supply managed by the device, and the remaining amount of the supply managed by the device. In this example, the supply status information corresponds to any information relating to the current status of the printer supply, such as the near end state or the end state of the printer supply. Additionally or alternatively, the supply status information may correspond to information indicating whether the printer supply is a legitimate product that can be warranted by a manufacturer.
In order to obtain supply amount information regarding the photoconductor 20, the detector 30 may be implemented by a counter capable of counting the number of rotations of the photoconductor 20 or a timer capable of counting a time period during when the photoconductor 20 is in operation. In another example, in order to obtain supply amount information regarding the developing device 32, the detector 30 may be implemented by a counter capable of counting the number or rotations of a developing roller or a timer capable of counting a time period during when the developing device 32 is in operation. In another example, in order to obtain supply amount information regarding the transfer device 26, the detector 30 may be implemented by a counter capable of counting the number of rotations of the transfer belt 36 or a timer capable of counting a time period during when the transfer device 26 is in operation. In another example, in order to obtain supply amount information regarding the fixing device 37, the detector 30 may be implemented by a counter capable of counting the number of rotations of a roller provided in the fixing device 37 or a timer capable of counting a time period during when the fixing device 37 is in operation. In another example, in order to obtain supply amount information regarding the toner cartridge 22, the detector 30 may be implemented by a toner sensor capable of detecting the amount of toner remained in the toner cartridge 22. In another example, in order to obtain supply amount information regarding the cleaning device 33, the detector 30 may be implemented by a used toner bottle sensor capable of detecting the amount of used toner stored in the used toner bottle of the cleaning device 33. In another example, in order to obtain supply amount information regarding the fixing device 37, the detector 30 may be implemented by an oil supply sensor capable of detecting the amount of oil remained in the fixing device 37. In another example, in order to obtain supply amount information regarding the sheet feeding cassette 24 or 25, the detector 30 may be implemented by a sheet sensor capable of detecting the amount of sheets remained in the sheet feeding cassette 24 or 25.
For the illustrative purpose, an example operation of obtaining supply amount information regarding the photoconductor 20 using the detector 30 is explained below.
By repeating the image forming operation described above referring to
This may cause one or more problems, including lower image quality, abnormal amount of toner consumption, or jamming of a recording sheet. In light of this, the photoconductor 20 is replaced when degradation of the photoconductor 20 is detected.
Further, when degradation of the photoconductor 20 is detected, image forming operation of the printer 1 may be restricted or may not be performed such that further degradation of the photoconductor 20 may be suppressed. In order to obtain supply amount information, the detector 30 counts an accumulated time period in which the photoconductor 20 is driven by a drive motor to obtain a counted time period. Further, in this example, the counted time period may be converted to the number of pages (“the number of printed pages”), using information regarding the counted time period for printing one page of recording sheet. The number of printed pages may be stored in an involatile memory as the supply amount information of the photoconductor 20.
For the illustrative purpose, an example operation of obtaining supply amount information regarding the toner cartridge 22 is explained below.
By repeating the developing operation as described above referring to
The supply information detected by the detector 30, such as the supply amount information and the supply status information, may be stored in any desired memory in the form manageable by the printer controller 2. Further, in this example, the display settings information and/or the printing settings information may be stored in the form manageable by the printer controller 2.
In one example, the printer controller 2 may update supply amount information upon receiving notification from the printer engine 13 that supply information is updated. For example, the printer engine 13 sends notification to the printer controller 2 every time the number of printed pages is increased by 10%, with 0% corresponding to the state in which the photoconductor 20 is just installed. In another example, the printer engine 13 sends notification to the printer controller 2 every time the remaining toner amount is decreased by 5%, with 100% corresponding to the state in which the remaining toner amount is full. When notified, the printer controller 2 may update the supply amount information, convert the updated supply amount information in the form perceptible to a user, and display the updated supply amount information. Since the 15 supply amount information is automatically displayed when the supply amount information is updated, the user can easily check whether the printer 1 has enough supply before the supply status information indicating that the printer supply is in the near end or end state is displayed. In another example, when the supply amount information is updated, the printer controller 2 may automatically display a selection key that allows the user to select whether to display the updated supply amount information, or a notification message that the supply amount information is updated.
In another example, the printer controller 2 may update supply status information upon receiving notification from the printer engine 13 that the printer supply is in the near end status or end status. For example, the printer engine 13 sends notification to the printer controller 2 when the number of printed pages reaches a first reference level previously set by the user, such as 45,000 pages, to indicate that the photoconductor 20 is in the near end state. Additionally, the printer engine 13 sends notification to the printer controller 2 when the number of printed pages reaches a second reference level previously set by the user, such as 50,000 pages, to indicate that the photoconductor 20 is in the end state. In another example, the printer engine 13 sends notification to the printer controller 2 when the remaining toner amount reaches a first reference level previously set by the user, such as 15%, to indicate that the toner is in the near end state. Additionally, the printer engine 13 sends notification to the printer controller 2 when the remaining toner amount reaches a second reference level previously set by the user, such as 0%, to indicate that the toner is in the end state. When notified, the printer controller 2 may update the supply status information, convert the updated supply status information in the form perceptible to a user, and display the updated supply status information. Since the reference level for determining the end state or near end state of the printer supply can be changed according to the user preference, the end state or near end state of the printer supply may be detected at timing appropriate for the user. In this example, the reference level for determining the end state of the printer supply is set by the user. Alternatively, the reference level for determining the end state of the printer supply may be preferably set by default.
In another example, the printer controller 2 may update supply status information indicating whether the printer supply is the legitimate product (“legitimacy information”), for example, by detecting identification information provided on the printer supply, such as integrated circuit (IC) chip information. For example, the printer engine 13 may determine whether the toner cartridge 22 is the legitimate product by detecting the IC chip provided on the toner cartridge 22, and send notification to the printer controller 2. When notified, the printer controller 2 may update the legitimacy information, and further convert the legitimacy information to the form perceptible to a user for output. For example, the printer controller 2 may cause any one of the operation panel 4, the host apparatus 3, and a network apparatus existed on the network 15, to notify the user that the illegitimate product is used, for example, by not displaying the supply amount information or by displaying a notification message. In this manner, the use of illegitimate product may be suppressed.
In another example, the printer controller 2 may convert the supply information according to the display settings information. For example, the appearance of supply information may be changed according to the user preference. Alternatively, the contents of supply information for display, such as information indicating which printer supply to display, may be changed according to the user preference. Alternatively, timing for displaying supply information may be changed according to the user preference. In this manner, operability of the printer 1 may be improved.
In another example, the printer controller 2 may obtain supply information from the printer engine 13, upon receiving a request for displaying supply information from any one of the host apparatus 3, the operational panel 4, and the network 15. The obtained supply information, which may be updated at the time of obtaining, may be output for display. Further, the obtained supply information may be printed out on the recording sheet.
In another example, the printer controller 2 may cause the printer 1 to operate differently when the supply status information indicates that the printer supply is in the near end state or end state. For example, when the number of printed pages detected for the photoconductor 20Y is large relative to the number of printed pages detected for the photoconductors 20K, 20M, and 20C, the use of photoconductor 20Y may be suppressed by replacing the red color formed by mixing the yellow color and the magenta color, with the pink color formed by the magenta color. The amount of toner consumption for the yellow color may be suppressed in a substantially similar manner.
Referring now to
The printer management module 300 manages status of the printer 1, for example, by updating supply information or obtaining supply information, using one or more peripheral modules. The printer management module 300 includes a user interface (UI) management module 310, a system management module 320, an information management module 330, an engine management module 340, and a timer 350. The printer management module 300 is coupled to the outside process 100 via a UI I/F 200, and to a controller management module 500 of the printer engine 13 via an engine controller I/F 400.
The system management module 320 may have the function of receiving a request or response, sending a request or response, or determining whether the printer 1 is performing printing operation. The information management module 330 may have the function of managing various information regarding a printer supply stored in a supply management table 331, such as supply amount information, supply status information, display settings information, printing settings information, user ID information, etc. The UI management module 310 manages communication between the printer management module 300 and the outside process 100 via the UI I/F 200, which includes a web display module 110 and/or a panel display module 120. The engine management module 340 manages communication between the printer management module 300 and the printer engine 13 via the engine controller I/F 400. The timer 350, which may be optionally provided, counts a time period from predetermined timing to generate a counted time period, which may be used by the system management module 320.
As illustrated in
Referring now to
S101 determines whether to display supply information. In one example, the printer management module 300 determines to perform operation of displaying supply information when notification is received from the printer engine 13 that supply information is updated. In another example, the printer management module 300 determines to perform operation of displaying supply information when a request for displaying is received from the outside process 100, such as a user instruction received through the display module 110 or 120. If it is determined to perform operation of displaying (“YES” at S101), the operation proceeds to S102. Otherwise (“NO” at S101), the operation ends. S102 updates supply information stored in the supply management table 331, for example, as described below referring to
Referring now to
S1 receives a request for updating supply information, which is stored in the supply management table 331, from the system management module 320. In one example, the request may be output by the system management module 320, when updating of supply information is notified by the engine 13 via the engine management module 340 and the engine controller I/F 400. In another example, the request may be output by the system management module 320, when the outside process 100 sends a request for displaying supply information via the UI management module 310 and the UI I/F 200. Further, it is assumed that, in this example, the supply information corresponds to supply information of the photoconductor 20 and supply information of the toner cartridge 22, each of which may be obtained as described above. As illustrated in
S2 determines whether to output a request for obtaining supply information of the photoconductor 20 from the printer engine 13, to the printer engine 13 via the engine management module 340. In this example, the information management module 330 may store the display/undisplay information as shown in
When the display/undisplay information indicates that supply information can be displayed (“YES” at S2), the operation proceeds to S3. Otherwise (“NO” at S2), the operation proceeds to S5.
S3 instructs the engine management module 340 to output a request for obtaining supply information of the photoconductor 20 from the printer engine 13, to the printer engine 13, via the system management module 320. Upon receiving the request, the printer engine 13 sends the updated supply information to the printer management module 300.
S4 updates supply information stored in the supply management table 331 using the supply information obtained at S3.
S5 determines whether to output a request for obtaining supply information of the toner cartridge 22 from the printer engine 13, to the printer engine 13 via the engine management module 340, in a substantially similar manner as described above referring to S2. When the display/undisplay information indicates that supply information is to be displayed (“YES” at S5), the operation proceeds to S6. Otherwise (“NO” at S5), the operation proceeds to S8.
S6 instructs the engine management module 340 to output a request for obtaining supply information of the toner cartridge 22 from the printer engine 13, to the printer engine 13, via the system management module 320. Upon receiving the request, the printer engine 13 sends the updated supply information to the printer management module 300.
S7 updates supply information stored in the supply management table 331 using the supply information obtained at S6.
S8 sends notification that updating operation is completed to the system management module 320, and the operation ends.
The operation of
In another example, when the display/undisplay information is not stored in the supply management table 330, the information management module 330 may request the system management module 320 for the display/undisplay information.
Alternatively, the information management module 330 may request the system management module 320 for the display/undisplay information upon receiving notification from the system management module 320 that the display/undisplay information is updated through the display module 110 or 120.
In another example, the supply management table 331 may additionally store information other than information shown in
Referring now to
Referring to
S21 obtains the supply information, which may be preferably updated, for one or more printer supplies from the printer management module 300. Additionally, the display settings information is obtained in a corresponding manner with the supply information.
S22 generates a supply information screen including the supply information obtained at S21 according to the display settings information obtained at S21, for example, as described below referring to
S23 displays the supply information screen, and the operation ends.
Referring to
Referring to
S31 determines whether the display/undisplay information is set to “UNDISPLAY”. If the display/undisplay information is set to “UNDISPLAY” (“YES” at S31), the operation proceeds to S32 to determine not to include the photoconductor supply information in the supply information screen, and further to S40. If the display/undisplay information is set to “DISPLAY” (“NO” at S31), the operation proceeds to S33.
S33 determines whether legitimacy information for the photoconductor 20 is set to “NO”, i.e., the photoconductor 20 is determined to be the illegitimate product. If legitimacy information is set to “NO” (“YES” at S33), the operation proceeds to S34 to determine to include notification that the photoconductor 20 is not legitimate in the supply information screen, and further to S40. If legitimacy information is set to “YES” (“NO” at S33), the operation proceeds to S35.
S35 determines whether photoconductor supply information indicates that the photoconductor 20 is in the end state. If it is determined that the photoconductor 20 is in the end state (“YES” at S35), the operation proceeds to S36 to include notification that the photoconductor 20 is in the end state in the supply information screen, and further to S40. If it is determined that the photoconductor 20 is not in the end state (“NO” at S35), the operation proceeds to S37.
S37 determines whether photoconductor supply information indicates that the photoconductor 20 is in the near end state. If it is determined that the photoconductor 20 is in the near end state (“YES” at S37), the operation proceeds to S38 to include notification that the photoconductor 20 is in the near end state in the supply information screen, and further to S40. If it is determined that the photoconductor 20 is not in the near end state (“NO” at S37), the operation proceeds to S39.
S39 determines to include the supply amount information in the supply information screen.
S40 analyzes supply information and display settings information, which are obtained for the toner cartridge 22.
S41 determines whether the display/undisplay information is set to “UNDISPLAY”. If the display/undisplay information is set to “UNDISPLAY” (“YES” at S41), the operation proceeds to S42 to determine not to include the toner supply information in the supply information screen, and the operation ends. If the display/undisplay information is set to “DISPLAY” (“NO” at S41), the operation proceeds to S43.
S43 determines whether legitimacy information for the toner cartridge 22 is set to “NO”, i.e., the toner cartridge 22 is determined to be the illegitimate product. If legitimacy information is set to “NO” (“YES” at S43), the operation proceeds to S44 to determine to include notification that the toner cartridge 22 is not legitimate in the supply information screen, and the operation ends. If legitimacy information is set to “YES” (“NO” at S43), the operation proceeds to S45.
S45 determines whether toner supply information indicates that the toner cartridge 22 is in the end state. If it is determined that the toner cartridge 22 is in the end state (“YES” at S45), the operation proceeds to S46 to include notification that the toner cartridge 22 is in the end state in the supply information screen, and the operation ends. If it is determined that the toner cartridge 22 is not in the end state (“NO” at S45), the operation proceeds to S47.
S47 determines whether toner supply information indicates that the toner cartridge 22 is in the near end state. If it is determined that the toner cartridge 22 is in the near end state (“YES” at S47), the operation proceeds to S48 to include notification that the toner cartridge 22 is in the near end state in the supply information screen, and the operation ends. If it is determined that the toner cartridge 22 is not in the near end state (“NO” at S47), the operation proceeds to S49.
S49 determines to include the toner amount information in the supply information screen, and the operation ends.
The supply information screen generated according to the display settings information may be further edited using character information stored in the character table memory 124 (
Further, the supply information screen of
In this manner, the user may obtain detailed information regarding one or more printer supplies at preferred timing.
Alternatively, the printer 1 may display a supply information screen shown in
As described above referring to
As described above referring to
For example, upon receiving a request for updating display settings information, the system management module 320 may cause the information management module 330 to update the display settings information stored in the supply management table 331. After updating the display settings information, the system management module 320 sends a request for displaying the updated display settings information, to the display module 110 or 120 via the UI I/F 200. Upon receiving the request for displaying, the display module 110 or 120 generates a display settings screen including the updated display settings information in the form applicable to the corresponding display device, and displays the display settings screen.
In this example, as illustrated in
Alternatively, timing for displaying the supply information screen may be changed by adjusting the reference level used for determining whether the printer supply is in the near end state. For example, as illustrated in
Further, in this example, the contents of the supply information screen may be changed by updating the supply name, display/undisplay information, or legitimacy information. In this manner, supply information of more than one printer supply may be displayed at once, for example, as illustrated in
Alternatively, as described above referring to
Alternatively, the contents or appearance of the supply information screen or timing for displaying the supply information screen may be set differently among users.
For example, the supply management table 331 may additionally store user ID information. Alternatively, a user ID table storing the user ID information may be provided in a manner manageable by the information management module 330. By storing supply information and/or display/undisplay information in a corresponding manner with the user ID information, the contents or appearance of the supply information screen or timing for displaying the supply information screen may be set specific to the need of each user. Further, this function may be used to restrict a selected user group from viewing some information. The user ID information may be input by the user. Alternatively, the user ID information may be read out from a removable medium.
Further, in this example, the printer 1 may allow the user to determine whether to continue or cancel a current job when updating of supply information is detected.
For example, the printer 1 may allow the user to determine whether to continue or cancel a printing job when the printer supply is determined to be in the end state. For example, as illustrated in
Alternatively, the printer 1 may allow the user to determine whether to continue or cancel a current job, by displaying notification to the user. For example, when the end state of the printer supply is detected by the printer engine 13, the system management module 320 determines whether the printer 1 is currently performing a printing job. When it is determined that the printing job is currently performed, the system management module 320 sends a request for stopping the printing job to the printer engine 13 through the engine management module 340. The system management module 320 may further send a request for displaying notification, such as a screen including the “CONTINUE” button and the “CANCEL” button, to the display module 110 or 120 via the UI I/F 200.
Alternatively, the printer 1 may continue a current job even when updating of supply information is detected. For example, the printer 1 may continue a printing job even when the end state of the printer supply is detected, as long as it is determined that the printer job can be performed. In such case, the display panel 4 may just switch a printing screen displayed when performing the printing job, to the supply information screen, without interrupting the printing job. The printing screen may be stored in the previous screen memory 127 of
Alternatively, in the case of continuing the printing job even when the supply information is updated, the printer 1 may wait to display the supply information screen until the printing job is completed. When the printing job is completed, the printer 1 may update the supply information stored in the supply management table 331 again, and generates a supply information screen including the updated supply information for display. In this manner, the supply information that reflects the state of the printer 1 after completing the printing job may be easily obtained.
Referring to
As described above, the printer controller 2 includes the functions of managing supply information (“supply information manager 410”), and displaying supply information (“supply information display 420”). The printer engine 13 includes the functions of obtaining supply information from the detector 30 (“supply information obtainer 510”), and receiving a request for supply information (“request receiver 520”).
In example operation, the detector 30 detects supply information of the printer supply, i.e., supply information of the image forming device. The detected supply information may be stored in a memory. When the detected supply information is updated, the printer engine 13 sends notification to the printer controller 2. Upon receiving notification, the printer controller 2 sends a request for obtaining the updated supply information to the printer engine 13. Once the request is received by the request receiver 520, the supply information obtainer 510 obtains the updated supply information, and sends the updated supply information to the printer controller 2. The supply information manager 410 updates the supply information with the updated supply information. The supply information display 420 generates an information supply screen including the updated supply information according to display settings information, which may be stored in the memory. The information supply screen may be further sent to a browser, such as a web browser installed on the host apparatus 3 or the network apparatus existed on the network 15, or to the operation panel 4, for display at timing specified by the display settings information.
In addition to the functions illustrated in
Referring to
In operation, when the counted time period obtained by the timer reaches a predetermined time period, or when a user instruction for switching to an energy save mode is received through the browser or the operation panel 4, the power supply controller 430 instructs the power supply 530 to turn off electric power supplied to the printer engine 13 to cause the printer 1 to be in the energy save mode. When the user instruction for switching from the energy save mode to the operation mode is received through the browser or the operation panel 4, the power supply controller 430 instructs the power supply 530 to turn on the electric power supplied to the printer engine 13 to cause the printer 1 to be in the operation mode.
Further, in this example, when a request for displaying supply information is received through the browser or the operation panel 4, the power supply controller 430 determines whether the printer 1 is in the energy save mode. When it is determined that the printer 1 is in the energy save mode, the power supply controller 430 sends a request for turning on the electric power supplied to the detector 30, to the printer engine 13. Upon receiving the request, the power supply 530 turns on the electric power supplied to the detector 30. Since the electric power is supplied to the detector 30, the printer engine 13 is able to obtain supply information detected by the detector 30, and output the updated supply information to the printer controller 2 for display. After the updated supply information is displayed, the power supply controller 430 may send a request for turning off the electric power supplied to the detector 30, to the printer engine 13. Upon receiving the request, the power supply 530 turns off the electric power supplied to the detector 30 to cause the printer to return to the energy save mode. In this manner, the printer 1 may display the updated supply information in a timely manner upon receiving a request for displaying supply information, while suppressing energy consumption.
Referring now to
S201 determines whether to display supply information. In this example, the printer management module 300 determines to perform operation of displaying supply information when a request for displaying supply information is received from the outside process 100, such as a user instruction received through the display module 110 or 120. If it is determined to perform operation of displaying (“YES” at S201), the operation proceeds to S202. Otherwise (“NO” at S201), the operation ends.
S202 determines whether the printer 1 is in the energy save mode. For example, the printer controller 2 may store power supply information indicating which portion of the printer 1 is turned on, for example, as illustrated in
S203 turns on the electric power supplied to the detector 30. For example, the system management module 310 may send a request for turning on the electric power, to the printer engine 13. Upon receiving the request, the printer engine 13 turns on the electric power supplied to the detector 30. In this manner, the printer 1 is caused to switch to a state in which updated supply information can be obtained while suppressing the power consumption.
S204 updates the supply information stored in the supply management table 331 in a substantially similar manner as described above referring to S102 of
S205 displays the supply information in a substantially similar manner as described above referring to S103 of
S206 turns off the electric power supplied to the detector 30, and the operation ends. For example, after the updated supply information is displayed, the system management module 310 may send a request for turning off the electric power supplied to the detector 30, to the printer engine 13. Upon receiving the request, the printer engine 13 turns off the electric power supplied to the detector 30.
The operation of
In another example, before performing S204, the printer controller 2 may determine whether to obtain supply information according to display settings information, such as display/undisplay information, for example, as described above referring to S2 of
Referring now to
After displaying the updated supply information, S207 determines whether a request for performing a job is received. When the request for performing the job is received (“YES” at S207), the operation proceeds to S208. Otherwise (“NO” at S207), the operation proceeds to S206.
S208 performs the requested job. In this example, when the request job including a printing job is received, the electric power supplied to the printer engine 13 is turned on. In another example, when the request job including storing data, the electric power supplied to the printer engine 13 may not be turned on as long as the electric power is supplied to the printer controller 2.
S209 determines whether the supply information stored in the supply management table 331 needs to be updated. If the supply information needs to be updated (“YES” at S209), the operation proceeds to S210 to update the supply information. Otherwise (“NO” at S209), the operation proceeds to S206. For example, when the printing job is performed at S208, it may be determined that the supply information needs to be updated.
S210 updates the supply information in a substantially similar manner as described above referring to S204 of
S211 displays the updated supply information, which reflects the state of the printer 1 after performing the requested job.
Referring now to
When it is determined that the printer 1 is in the energy save mode at S202 (“YES” at S202), the operation proceeds to S301 to obtain supply information stored in the supply management table 331. At this time, the printer controller 2 obtains the most updated supply information obtainable from the supply management table 331, without causing the printer engine 13 to turn on the electric power supplied to the detector 30. In this manner, electric consumption may be suppressed. The most updated supply information may correspond to the supply information obtained when the last printing job is performed. Alternatively, the most updated supply information may correspond to the supply information obtained just before the electric power supplied to the detector 30 is turned off.
S302 displays the stored supply information according to the display settings information. At this time, the printer controller 2 causes the display device to display notification to the user that the obtained supply information may not reflect the latest information obtainable from the detector 30. In addition, the printer controller 2 may cause the display device to display a selection key, which allows the user to select whether to update the supply information. If the user prefers to update, the user may input a user instruction for updating by selecting the selection key.
S303 determine whether to update supply information according to the user instruction input at S302. If the user instruction requesting for updating is input at S302 (“YES” at S303), the operation proceeds to S203 to turn on the electric power supplied to the detector 30. Otherwise (“NO” at S303), the operation ends.
The operation of
In alternative to the hardware structure shown in
Referring to
When the printer 1 is in the operation mode, the power supply unit 43 turns on the electric power supplied to the printer engine 42 and the electric power supplied to the detector 30. When the printer 1 is in the energy save mode, the power supply controller 41 causes the power supply unit 43 to turn off the electric power supplied to the printer engine 42 and the electric power supplied to the detector 30. When the printer controller 41 receives a request for displaying supply information, for example, from the operation panel 4, the printer controller 41 outputs a control signal to the power supply controller 44. Upon receiving the control signal, the power supply controller 44 causes the power supply unit 43 to turn on the electric power supplied to the detector 30.
Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this patent specification may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described herein.
For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.
Referring to
S401 determines whether to display supply information. In one example, the printer controller 2 determines to perform operation of displaying supply information when notification is received from the printer engine 13 that supply information is updated. In another example, the printer controller 2 determines to perform operation of displaying supply information when a request for displaying is received from the outside, such as a user instruction received through the operation panel 4 or the host apparatus 3. If it is determined to perform operation of displaying (“YES” at S401), the operation proceeds to S402. Otherwise (“NO” at S401), the operation ends.
S402 determines whether to obtain supply information based on the display settings information. If the display/undisplay information indicates to display the supply information (“YES” at S402), the operation proceeds to S403. If the display/undisplay information indicates not to display the supply information (“NO” at S402), the operation ends to cause a display device to display an error message.
S403 determines whether update supply information is obtainable based on the power supply information. If the power supply information indicates that the printer 1 is in the energy save mode (“YES” at S403), the operation proceeds to S404. If the power supply information indicates that the printer 1 is in the operation mode (“NO” at S402), the operation proceeds to S405.
S404 obtains supply information, which is previously stored, without turning on the electric power supplied to the detector 30.
S405 updated supply information by obtaining supply information from the detector 30.
S406 generates a supply information screen including the stored supply information according to the display settings information, and displays the supply information screen. The supply information screen may further include notification that the supply information is not updated, and the operation ends.
S407 displays a supply information screen including the updated supply information according to the display settings information, and displays the supply information screen, and the operation ends.
The operation of
Still referring to
Further, as described above, any one of the above-described and other methods of the present invention may be embodied in the form of a computer program stored in any kind of storage medium. Examples of storage mediums include, but are not limited to, flexible disk, hard disk, optical discs, magneto-optical discs, magnetic tapes, involatile memory cards, ROM (read-only-memory), etc. Further, any information used for managing supply information, such as supply information, display settings information, user ID information, or power supply information, may be stored in any desired memory with any desired format.
Further, operation of managing supply information may be performed by an image forming system, which includes an image forming device to be detected by a detector, and an image processing device for managing supply information of the image forming device obtained by the detector. In such case, the image forming device, the detector, and the image processing device may not be incorporated into one apparatus.
Alternatively, any one of the above-described and other methods of the present invention may be implemented by ASIC, prepared by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits or by a combination thereof with one or more conventional general purpose microprocessors and/or signal processors programmed accordingly.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-023848 | Jan 2006 | JP | national |
| 2006-072429 | Mar 2006 | JP | national |
