1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile and a multiple function processing machine having those functions. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus to be localized by using a memory device.
2. Description of Related Art
The image forming apparatus such as the copying machine, the printer, the facsimile and the multiple function processing machine having those functions is manufactured so as to include a specification applicable in a lot of regions in order to have the apparatus adapt to an environment of a region where the apparatus is used, such as a language, a temperature and a humidity. And, there is a need for changing those various settings so as to be applicable in each region before the image forming apparatus is used there. Therefore, before the image forming apparatus is handed to a user, there is required a process to perform the localization of the apparatus with regard to a language, a region, and a built-in printer language in order to adapt the apparatus with the shipped region, or these settings should be done by the user before he uses the apparatus.
In order to perform these settings of the apparatus, the apparatus is to be unpacked before it is shipped, activated by being connected to a power source, and provided with the localization thereof such as a language setting using an operation panel when the apparatus is up and run. Further, in a case where the user performs the localization thereof by himself, he used to have a difficulty in operating a menu of the apparatus in an unfamiliar language in order to change the language setting.
Further, in a case of the apparatus which does not include the operation panel, the user should prepare a personal computer as an administration terminal device in order to achieve these settings, and startup and connect the image forming apparatus to the administration terminal device for changing these settings, which might be troublesome to the user.
To resolve these problems, Japanese Patent Laying-open Publication No. 2004-347940 discloses such a method that information stored in the memory device, attached to a replaceable consumable unit of the image forming apparatus, is read by the image forming apparatus body in order to set a temperature condition, a paper thickness, and a displayed language of the region where the image forming apparatus is shipped to and used.
Further, Japanese Patent Laying-open Publication No. 2005-244489 discloses such a method that, when the user operates the multiple function processing machine, information stored in a memory card held by an operator is read by the multiple function processing machine, and an output form that is set in accordance with an user identification information identified by the memory card is selected to change the display of the operation panel.
According to the method of the Japanese Patent Laying-open Publication No. 2004-347940, the temperature condition of the region where the apparatus is used, the paper thickness, and the display language can be set; however, the internal language setting for printing report, and the language setting to be used in communication with the administration terminal device should still be done through the operation panel or through the connection with the administration terminal device.
Further, according to the method of the Japanese Patent Laying-open Publication No. 2005-244489, only changes of the output form and the language display of the operation panel could be done, but a localization of the multiple function processing machine such as the internal language setting should be done by the user himself.
An object of the present invention is to enable a local setting of an internal data of the image forming apparatus without a necessity of operation by an operation panel or an administration terminal device.
In order to achieve the above stated object, the present invention is directed to store data of the local setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus in a memory device provided on a detachable member, in which the data is read out by a reader mounted on the image forming apparatus body to set the local setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to enable a setting of a printer language of the internal data without a necessity of operation by the operation panel or the administration terminal device.
In order to achieve the object, the printer language setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus is stored in the memory device provided on a detachable member, and the data is read out by the reader mounted on the image forming apparatus body to set the printer language of the internal data of the image forming apparatus.
Further another object of the present invention is to enable a setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus without a necessity of operation of the operation panel or the administration terminal device.
In order to achieve the object, the setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus is stored in a memory device provided on a detachable non-consumable member, and the data is read out by the reader mounted on the image forming apparatus body to set the internal data of the image forming apparatus.
Yet further object of the present invention is to enable a setting of a printer controlling code of the internal data of the image forming apparatus without a necessity of operation of the operation panel or the administration terminal apparatus.
In order to achieve the object, the setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus is stored within the memory device provided on the detachable member, and the data is read out by the reader mounted on the image forming apparatus body to set the printer controlling code of the internal data of the image forming apparatus.
Configuration of the Apparatus
According to a first embodiment, it is explained that a RFID is mounted on a paper feeding cassette, with the RFID being as a detachable non-consumption member.
A lower section of the housing 2 includes a cassette housing 8 formed therein. The cassette housing 8 contains a paper feeding cassette 15 which is freely detachable member. The paper feeding cassette 15, which takes a roll of keeping papers 9, is mounted with a RFID 13a as a memory device for storing information necessary for a local setting. The paper feeding cassette 15 can be inserted into/withdrawn from a cassette housing 8 from a right side in
When printing operation is performed by the present apparatus, the papers 9 is conveyed from the paper feeding cassette 15 through a paper feeding unit 7 along a paper conveying path 21, and further through the printing unit 3 for printing thereon to be discharged from a paper discharging tray 5 after printed.
The RFID stores data such as a local code for performing the local setting (see
The main memory unit stores a local code setting table of an internal data in which stored is information as to by which local setting is used to perform the setting of the image forming apparatus, and a message code setting table of the internal data in which stored is information as to which message in what language is to be output (see
The main memory unit also stores a local code table including data of all regions where the image forming apparatus is used (see
The RFID 13a, when a paper feeding cassette 15 is housed in the paper feeding cassette housing 8, performs a wireless communication between the RFID reader 11a mounted on the image forming apparatus body side and the RFID reader 11a through an antenna 61 thereof. Since the tuning circuit of the IC memory 37 of the RFID tunes to a frequency used by the RFID reader 11a and thereby the electric power necessary for reading and writing data is supplied from the RFID reader 11a through the antenna 61, 35, the RFID 13a advantageously does not require a connector or a wiring for connecting both any more.
Flow of Steps for Setting the Internal Data
An explanation is made as to a flow of steps for setting the internal data according to the first embodiment with reference to
When a power of the image forming apparatus is on, the paper supplying cassette detecting sensor 55 detects whether or not the paper supplying cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus, and a step S1 in which the detection result is judged is performed.
When the judging result shows “NO”, the paper supplying cassette detecting sensor judges that the paper supplying cassette is not inserted in the image forming apparatus, and step S3 in which a message of “NO PAPER FEEDING CASSETTE” is displayed on a display of the display unit 53 in a language set by the local setting of the default is performed while the local setting of the internal data is left as it is preliminary set in the main memory unit, namely, a default setting (for example, USA), resulting in completing the setting.
When the judging result (S1) as to whether or not the paper feeding cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus is “YES”, a step S5 in which the RFID reader 11a reads a content of the RFID 13 is performed.
Then, a step S7 in which a judgment is made as to whether or not the content of the RFID 13 could be read without failure is performed.
When the judging result shows “NO”, the RFID reader 11a judges that the information contained in the RFID is not readable, and thus a step 9 in which a massage of “RFID IS NON-READABLE” is displayed on the display of the display unit 53 in a language set by the local setting of the default setting is performed while the local setting of the internal data is left as it is priory set in the main memory unit, i.e., a default setting (such as USA), resulting in completing the setting.
Such case would seldom occur; however, this step is provided just in case where the RFID reader 11a is out of service or the RFID 13 is taken away from the paper supplying cassette.
A step in which the content of the RFID 13 could be read without failure is explained next. When the content of the RFID 13 (
Then, a language code set in the aforementioned step, namely, the step S11, is searched from a message code table (
Detailed Explanation for Setting the Internal Data
Steps S5 to S13 in which rewriting of the above mentioned internal data is done will be explained into more details on the basis of actual values.
The RFID 13 stores the content as shown in
The local code table (
The massage code table (
A process in which the local code setting table and the message code setting table in the internal data of the image forming apparatus are set is explained in
A CPU 51 of the image forming apparatus performs a comparison between the local code read from the RFID 13 (corresponding to 101 in an example in
Then, on the basis of the language code 201 obtained in the above step, a line corresponding to the language code 201, namely, a content of the line indicating that the language is Japanese (1002; NO PAPER), (1003; PAPER JAMMING), (1004; CHANGE COLOR TONER) is written from the message code table in
As stated above, the local setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus is changed to the setting for Japan which is stored in the RFID.
According to the first embodiment of the present invention, only a preliminary attachment to the paper feeding cassette of the RFID which stores the local setting corresponding to the region where the apparatus is shipped eliminates a necessity of the setting for each region at the time the apparatus is shipped from the factory. The image forming apparatus starts up according to the setting corresponding to the region where the apparatus is used. Further, this eliminates a necessity of an initial setting in an unfamiliar language and an initial setting through the administration terminal device by the user of the apparatus.
According to the local setting and the language setting as set by the present invention, the image forming apparatus uses a language set on the basis of the information identified by the RFID when the image forming apparatus performs the report printing in which a condition of the apparatus is reported to the user and when the communication is performed between the apparatus and the administration terminal device.
The advantageous effect of a case where the local setting and the language setting of the internal data is actually set is explained into details with an example of an output of the report.
For another example, the language setting in the communication between the apparatus and the administration terminal through a built-in web server will be explained below.
The image forming apparatus includes the built-in web server in order to localize the apparatus through a connection with the administration terminal. The content indicated by the built-in web server is preliminary prepared in a language corresponding to the region where the apparatus is used and is written in a folder for each language.
As it is already explained above in the flow of the steps in the step S11, since a server directory name for each language in the built-in web server in connection with each language is set on the basis of the data contained in the RFID, the report as illustrated in
Configuration of the Apparatus
The second embodiment is exemplified in a case where the RFID 13b as the detachable non-consumable member is attached to the power source cable 19.
The second embodiment employs the printing unit 3, the paper discharging tray 5, and the paper feeding unit 7 which are identical to those of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment as illustrated in
According to the second embodiment, the RFID 13b is attached to the side surface portion of a connector 19 of the power source cable, which is a detachable part, by means of an adhesive or the like as illustrated in
A flow of steps for setting the apparatus and the local setting and the language setting of the internal data according to the second embodiment are identical to what are explained in the first embodiment.
The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment can produce the same advantageous effect as the first embodiment just by a preliminary attachment of the RFID 13b, in which the language setting and the local setting corresponding to the shipping region is stored, to the side surface of the connector of the power source cable 19, and there is further advantage be produced that the local setting of the internal data of the apparatus body can be set without the operation through the operation panel or the administration terminal device.
Others
Examples of the freely detachable member can include a consumable member such as a toner cartridge.
The RFID is exemplified as the memory device here; however, a bar code or a two dimensional bar code can also produce the same advantageous effect.
Configuration of the Apparatus
A third embodiment is exemplified in a case where the RFID as the detachable member is attached to the paper feeding cassette.
The apparatus configuration according to the third embodiment is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Further, the condition of the apparatus in which the RFID as the memory device is attached to the paper feeding cassette according to the third embodiment is also identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Still further, the RFID as the memory device is also identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Yet further, the block diagram of the components in connection with reading of the RFID of the image forming apparatus is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
According to the third embodiment, the RFID stores data regarding which printer language is to be used (
A Flow of Steps for Setting a Built-In Printer Language
A flow of the Steps for setting a built-in printer language according to the third embodiment will be explained with reference to a flow chart in
When the power source of the image forming apparatus is on, the paper feeding cassette detecting sensor 55 detects whether or not the paper feeding cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus, resulting in performing a step S21 in which a result of the detection is judged.
When the detection result is “NO”, the paper feeding cassette detecting sensor judges that the paper feeding cassette is not inserted in the image forming apparatus and further judges that the information of the RFID is not readable, and therefore a step S23 in which a message of “NO PAPER FEEDING CASSETTE” is displayed on the display of the display unit 53 is performed while the printer language setting of the internal data is left as it is preliminary set in the main memory unit, namely, a default setting, (for example, only a PRESCRIBE (trademark) is used), resulting in completing the setting.
When the detection result as to whether or not the paper feeding cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus (S21) is “YES”, a step S25 in which the RFID reader 11a reads the content of the RFID 13 is performed.
Then, a step S27 in which whether or no the content of the RFID 13 could be read without failure is judged is performed.
When the judging result is “NO”, the RFID reader 11a judges that the information of the RFID is not readable and thus a step S29 in which a message of “RFID NON-READABLE” is displayed on the display of the display unit 53 is performed while the printer language setting of the internal data is left as it is preliminary set in the main memory unit, namely, the default setting (for example, only the PRESCRIBE (trademark) is used), resulting in completing the setting.
Although such a case would seldom occur, this step is provided just in case where the RFID reader 11a is out of service or the RFID 13 is taken away from the paper feeding cassette.
Next, a step in which the content of the RFID 13 could be read without failure will be explained below. When the content of the RFID 13 (
The content of the actual settings in the step S31 will be explained with reference to the actual values.
Initially, the RFID 13 stores a content as shown in
According to the third embodiment, only a preliminary attachment of the RFID which stores the printer language setting corresponding to a model and the shipped region of the image forming apparatus to the paper feeding cassette will enables a startup of the image forming apparatus according to the setting of the printer language set in the RFID without a necessity of setting of the model and the shipped region upon every shipment of the image forming apparatus from the factory. Further, necessities of the printer language setting through an unfamiliar operation panel and the printer language setting from the administration terminal device by the user of the image forming apparatus can be eliminated.
Configuration of the Apparatus
A fourth embodiment is exemplified in a case where the RFID as the detachable non-consumable member is attached to the image forming apparatus.
A configuration of the apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Further, such a condition that the RFID as the memory device is attached to the paper feeding cassette is also identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Still further, the RFID as the memory device is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Yet further, the block diagram of the components in terms of reading the RFID of the image forming apparatus is also identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
According to the fourth embodiment, the RFID stores data regarding the local code for the local setting.
A Flow of the Steps for Setting the Internal Data
A flow of the steps for setting the internal data according to the fourth embodiment will be explained below with reference to a flow chart in
When the power source of the image forming apparatus is on, the paper feeding cassette detecting sensor 55 detects whether or not the paper feeding cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus, and the step S1 in which a result thereof is judged is performed.
When the judging result is “NO”, the paper feeding cassette detecting sensor judges that the paper feeding cassette is not inserted in the image forming apparatus and thus further judges that the information in the RFID is not readable. As such, the local setting of the internal data is left as it is preliminary set in the main memory unit, namely, the default setting (for example, USA), and the step S3 in which the message of “NO PAPER FEEDING CASSETTE” is displayed on the display of the display unit 53 in a language set by the setting of the default is performed to complete the setting.
When the judgment (S1) as to whether or not the paper feeding cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus is “YES”, the step S5 in which the RFID reader 11a reads the content of the RFID 13 is performed.
Then, the step S7 in which whether or not the content of the RFID 13 could be read without failure is judged is performed.
When the judging result is “NO”, the paper feeding cassette detecting sensor 55 judges that the information of the RFID is not readable, the local setting of the internal data is left as it is preliminary set in the main memory unit, namely, the default setting (such as USA), and the step S9 in which the message of “RFID IS NON-READABLE” is displayed on the display of the display unit 53 in the language set by the local setting of the default setting is performed to complete the setting.
Although such case would seldom occur, this step is provided just in case where the RFID reader 11a is out of service or the RFID 13 is taken away from the paper feeding cassette.
Then, a step in which the content of the RFID 13 could be read without failure will be explained below. When the content of the RFID 13 (
Then, the language code set in the aforementioned step, namely, the step S11, is searched from the message code table (
Detailed Description of the Setting of the Internal Data
The steps S5 to S13 in which the internal data is rewritten will be explained into details with reference to actual values.
Initially, the RFID 13 stores the content as shown in
The local code table (
The message code table (
The CPU 51 of the image forming apparatus compares the local code read from the RFID 13 (101 in the example of
Then, on the basis of thus obtained language code 201, the line corresponding to the language code 201 in the message code table in
In view of the above, the local setting of the internal data of the image forming apparatus is localized to the setting for Japan stored in the RFID.
According to the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus, only a preliminary attachment to the paper feeding cassette of the RFID which stores the local setting corresponding to the shipped region enables a startup of the image forming apparatus according to the setting suitable to the region where the image forming apparatus is used without a necessity of setting for each region upon shipment of the apparatus from the factory. Further, it is no more required for the user of the image forming apparatus to perform the initial setting in an unfamiliar language through an operation panel and the initial setting through the administration terminal device.
According to the local setting and the language setting according to the setting of the present invention, the image forming apparatus uses the language that is set on the basis of the information as identified by the RFID when the image forming apparatus performs a report printing for reporting a condition thereof and makes communication with the administration terminal device.
The advantageous effect produced when the local setting and the language setting of the internal data are actually done is explained with an example of output of the internal report.
For further example, the language setting in the communication between the apparatus and the administration terminal through the built-in web server will be explained below.
The image forming apparatus includes the built-in web server in order to perform an internal setting thereof by connecting the apparatus with the administration terminal. The content displayed in the built-in web server is written and preliminary made in the language corresponding to the region to be written in the folder for each language.
As already explained in the step S11 as to the flow of the steps, since the server directory name for each language of built-in web server which corresponds to each language is set on the basis of the data of the RFID, the report as shown in
Configuration of the Apparatus
A fifth embodiment is exemplified in a case where the RFID as the detachable member is attached to the paper feeding cassette.
A fifth embodiment is exemplified in a case where the RFID as the detachable non-consumable member is attached to the paper feeding cassette.
Since a configuration of the apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Further, since a condition that the RFID as the memory device is attached to the paper feeding cassette is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Still further, since the RFID as the memory device is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
Yet further, since a block diagram of the components in terms of reading the RFID of the image forming apparatus is identical to what is explained in the first embodiment with reference to
According to the fifth embodiment, the RFID stores data containing information as to which printer controlling code is to be used (
A Flow of the Steps for Setting The Built-In Printer Controlling Code
A flow of steps for setting the built-in printer controlling code is explained with reference to a flow chart in
When the power source of the image forming apparatus is turned on, the paper feeding cassette detecting sensor 55 detects whether or not the paper feeding cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus, and a step S41 in which a result thereof is judged is performed.
When the judging result is “NO”, the paper feeding cassette detecting sensor judges that the paper feeding cassette is not mounted to the image forming apparatus and thus information of the RFID is not readable. As such, a step 43 in which a message of “NO PAPER FEEDING CASSETTE” is displayed on the display of the display unit 53 is performed while the printer controlling code setting in the internal data is left as it is preliminary set in the main memory unit, namely, the default setting, (for example, only use ESC/P (trademark)).
When the result of judgment (S41) as to whether or not the paper feeding cassette is mounted to the image forming apparatus is “YES”, a step S45 in which the RFID reader 11a reads the content of the RFID 13 is performed.
Then, a step S47 in which whether or not the content of the RFID 13 is read without failure is judged is performed.
When the result of judgment is “NO”, the RFID reader judges that the information of the RFID is not readable, and a step S49 in which a massage of “RFID IS NON-READABLE” is displayed on the display of the displaying unit 53 is performed while the printer controlling code setting of the internal data is left as it is preliminary set in the main memory unit, namely, the default setting (for example, use only ESC/P (trademark)), resulting in completing the setting.
Although such a case would seldom occur, this step is provided just in case where the RFID reader 11a is out of service or the RFID 13 is taken away from the paper feeding cassette.
Then, a case where the content of the RFID 13 is read without failure will be explained below. When the content of the RFID 13 (
The content to be actually set in the step S51 is explained below with reference to the actual values.
Initially, the RFID 13 stores a content in
According to the fifth embodiment, only the attachment to the paper feeding cassette of the RFID in which the printer controlling code setting corresponding to a model and a shipped region of the image forming apparatus is stored eliminates the necessity of settings of the model and the shipped region upon shipment of the image forming apparatus from the factory, resulting in enabling a startup of the image forming apparatus according to the setting of the printer controlling code stored in the RFID.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2005-364014 | Dec 2005 | JP | national |
2005-364015 | Dec 2005 | JP | national |
2005-364016 | Dec 2005 | JP | national |
2005-364017 | Dec 2005 | JP | national |