U.S. patent application number 12/167496 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for image forming apparatus and computer readable recording medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kyocera Mita Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoshiteru Nishikawa, Naoki Takeuchi.
Application Number | 20090009803 12/167496 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40221180 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090009803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takeuchi; Naoki ; et
al. |
January 8, 2009 |
Image Forming Apparatus and Computer Readable Recording Medium
Abstract
An image forming apparatus comprises a display unit; and a
display controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a
first ready screen and a second ready screen. The first ready
screen is displayed when a job can be accepted, and the first ready
screen indicates that a job can be accepted and has a first button
for detecting operator's input of a request for displaying a screen
having first information. The second ready screen is displayed when
a job can be accepted after input of the request is detected, and
the second ready screen has the first information and has a second
button for detecting input of a request for displaying second
information other than the first information.
Inventors: |
Takeuchi; Naoki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Nishikawa; Yoshiteru; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VON SIMSON & CHIN
62 WILLIAM STREET, 6TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10005
US
|
Assignee: |
Kyocera Mita Corporation
|
Family ID: |
40221180 |
Appl. No.: |
12/167496 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00832 20130101;
H04N 1/00408 20130101; H04N 1/00416 20130101; H04N 1/2392 20130101;
H04N 2201/3219 20130101; H04N 2201/3221 20130101; H04N 1/32635
20130101; H04N 1/00644 20130101; H04N 1/32657 20130101; G06K 15/40
20130101; H04N 1/00477 20130101; H04N 2201/3218 20130101; H04N
2201/0082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/00 20060101
G06F015/00; G06K 1/00 20060101 G06K001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2007 |
JP |
2007-178947 |
Oct 3, 2007 |
JP |
2007-260388 |
Oct 3, 2007 |
JP |
2007-260389 |
Oct 3, 2007 |
JP |
2007-260390 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; and a
display controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a
first ready screen and a second ready screen, wherein the first
ready screen is displayed when a job can be accepted, and the first
ready screen indicates that a job can be accepted and has a first
button for detecting operator's input of a request for displaying a
screen having first information; and the second ready screen is
displayed when a job can be accepted after the input is detected,
and the second ready screen has the first information and has a
second button for detecting input of a request for displaying
second information other than the first information.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first information contains information on at least one of
consumable goods and information record media.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first information contains information on the number of sheets of
information record media consumed for each section.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first information contains information on the number of consumed
sheets with each size of information record media.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first information contains information on the number of consumed
sheets of information record media in each paper drawer.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first information contains information on the number of sheets of
information record media that have been printed in each of color
printing and monochrome printing.
7. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; and a
display controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a
first ready screen and a second ready screen, wherein the first
ready screen is a screen indicating that a job can be accepted when
a job can be accepted, and the first ready screen has a first
button for detecting operator's input of a request for displaying a
screen that does not have any information on consumable goods and
information record media; and the second ready screen has a second
button for detecting input of a request for displaying a screen
that has information on at least one of consumable goods and
information record media when a job can be accepted after input of
the request to the first button is detected, and the second ready
screen does not have any information on consumable goods and
information record media.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second ready screen has a third button for registering the second
ready screen as a default screen, the default screen displaying
initially when a job can be accepted.
9. A computer readable recording medium storing an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit and causes the display unit to display ready screens
indicating that a job can be accepted, the image forming program
causing a computer in the image forming apparatus to perform
features comprising: a first display controlling feature for
causing the display unit to display a first ready screen indicating
that a job can be accepted when a job can be accepted; and a second
display controlling feature for causing the display unit to display
a second ready screen when a job can be accepted after detecting
input operation on the first ready screen by an operator to request
for displaying a screen that has first information, the second
ready screen having the first information and a second button for
detecting input of a request for displaying a screen that has
second information other than the first information.
10. A computer readable recording medium storing an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit and causes the display unit to display ready screens
indicating that a job can be accepted, the image forming program
causing a computer in the image forming apparatus to perform
features comprising: a first display controlling feature for
causing the display unit to display a first ready screen indicating
that a job can be accepted when a job can be accepted; and a second
display controlling feature for causing the display unit to display
a second ready screen when a job can be accepted after detecting
input operation on the first ready screen by an operator to request
for displaying a screen that does not have any information on
consumable goods and information record media, the second ready
screen having none of information on consumable goods and
information record media and having a second button for detecting
input of a request for displaying a screen that has information on
at least one of consumable goods and information record media when
a job can be accepted.
11. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; a
characteristic existence determining unit that determines whether a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic based on
attribution information of the finished print job and/or a
characteristic value on the finished print job; and a display
controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a ready
screen when a job can be accepted if the characteristic existence
determining unit determines that a finished print job has a
predetermined characteristic, the ready screen indicating that a
job can be accepted and having information chosen from
predetermined information according to the characteristic of the
finished print job.
12. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; a
characteristic existence determining unit that determines whether a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic based on at
least one of the type of the finished print job and a threshold set
on the finished print job; and a display controlling unit that
causes the display unit to display a ready screen when a job can be
accepted if the characteristic existence determining unit
determines that a finished print job has the predetermined
characteristic, the ready screen indicating that a job can be
accepted and having information chosen from predetermined
information according to the characteristic of the finished print
job.
13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
characteristic existence determining unit determines that a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic if a coverage
rate of the finished print job is equal to or greater than the
threshold, and the display controlling unit causes the display unit
to display a ready screen having information on a remaining amount
of toner if the characteristic existence determining unit
determines that a finished print job has the predetermined
characteristic.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
characteristic existence determining unit determines that a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic if the number
of sheets printed in the finished print job is equal to or greater
than the threshold, and the display controlling unit causes the
display unit to display a ready screen having information on each
paper drawer if the characteristic existence determining unit
determines that a finished print job has the predetermined
characteristic.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
characteristic existence determining unit determines that a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic if the type
of the finished print job is section management printing and the
difference between an uppermost limit value of the number of
printed sheets on any one section of all sections including a
section that requested execution of the finished print job and the
number of sheets that has been printed for the section is less than
the threshold, and the display controlling unit causes the display
unit to display a ready screen having information on one or more
sections on which the difference is less than the threshold and/or
information on a section containing a terminal device that
requested execution of the finished print job if the characteristic
existence determining unit determines that a finished print job has
the predetermined characteristic.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
characteristic existence determining unit determines that a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic if the type
of the finished print job is staple printing and a remaining amount
of staples after the finished print job is less than the threshold,
and the display controlling unit causes the display unit to display
a ready screen having information on the staples if the
characteristic existence determining unit determines that a
finished print job has the predetermined characteristic.
17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12 further
comprising a display period setting-up unit that sets a display
period of the ready screen to a period within the period from the
end of the finished print job to the beginning of a next print
job.
18. A computer readable recording medium storing an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit, the image forming program causing a computer in the
image forming apparatus to perform features comprising: a
characteristic existence determining feature for determining
whether a finished print job has a predetermined characteristic
based on attribution information of the finished print job and/or a
characteristic value on the finished print job; and a display
controlling feature for causing the display unit to display a ready
screen when a job can be accepted if it is determined that a
finished print job has the predetermined characteristic in terms of
the characteristic existence determining feature, the ready screen
indicating that a job can be accepted and having information chosen
from predetermined information according to the characteristic of
the finished print job.
19. A computer readable recording medium storing an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit, the image forming program causing a computer in the
image forming apparatus to perform features comprising: a
characteristic existence determining feature for determining
whether a finished print job has a predetermined characteristic
based on at least one of the type of the finished print job and a
threshold on the finished print job; and a display controlling
feature for causing the display unit to display a ready screen when
a job can be accepted if it is determined that a finished print job
has the predetermined characteristic in terms of the characteristic
existence determining feature, the ready screen indicating that a
job can be accepted and having information chosen from
predetermined information according to the characteristic of the
finished print job.
20. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; and a
display controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a
ready screen after a print job is finished if an error has occurred
while the print job is being executed, the ready screen having
information chosen based on an error type of the error.
21. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; an error
determining unit that determines whether an error has occurred
while a print job is being executed or not after the print job is
finished; and a display controlling unit that causes the display
unit to display a ready screen that has information chosen based on
an error type of the error if the error determining unit determines
that the error has occurred while the print job is being
executed.
22. The image forming apparatus according claim 20 further
comprising a display period setting-up unit that sets a display
period of the ready screen to a period within the period from the
end of the finished print job to the beginning of a next print
job.
23. The image forming apparatus according claim 20, wherein the
error type indicates that a remaining amount of toner becomes zero,
and the ready screen has information on the remaining amount of
toner.
24. The image forming apparatus according claim 20, wherein the
error type indicates that the size of an information record medium
supplied in any one of paper drawers is not identical to the size
of an information record medium that has been set on the paper
drawer, and the ready screen has information on each of the paper
drawers.
25. The image forming apparatus according claim 20, wherein the
error type indicates that a remaining amount of information record
media becomes zero in any one of paper drawers, and the ready
screen has information on each of the paper drawers.
26. The image forming apparatus according claim 20, wherein the
error type indicates that the number of sheets that has been
printed for any one section of all sections reaches an uppermost
limit value that has been set on the section, and the ready screen
has information on the number of sheets that has been printed and
the uppermost limit value with regard to one or more sections that
the difference between the uppermost limit value and the number of
sheets that has been printed is less than a predetermined
threshold.
27. The image forming apparatus according claim 20, wherein the
error type indicates that a remaining amount of staples becomes
zero, and the ready screen has information on the remaining amount
of staples.
28. The image forming apparatus according claim 20, wherein the
error type indicates that a sheet jam of an information record
medium has occurred in a transportation path, and the ready screen
has information on the number of times of sheet jams.
29. A computer readable recording medium storing an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit, the image forming program causing a computer in the
image forming apparatus to perform a display controlling feature
for causing the display unit to display a ready screen after a
print job is finished if an error has occurred while the print job
is being executed, the ready screen having information chosen based
on an error type of the error.
30. A computer readable recording medium storing an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit, the image forming program causing a computer in the
image forming apparatus to perform features comprising: an error
determining feature for determining whether an error has occurred
while a print job is being executed or not after the print job is
finished; and a display controlling feature for causing the display
unit to display a ready screen that has information chosen based on
an error type of the error if in terms of the error determining
feature it is determined that the error has occurred while the
print job is being executed.
31. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit; a print
job list storing unit that stores a print job list containing
executable print jobs to be executed; a print job history
information storing unit that stores history information of
finished print jobs; a job receipt permission determining unit that
determines whether a next print job can be accepted with reference
to the print job list stored in the print job list storing unit; an
executable-job existence determining unit that determines whether a
next executable print job to be executed exists or not with
reference to the print job list stored in the print job list
storing unit, if the job receipt permission determining unit
determines that a next print job can be accepted; a finished-job
existence determining unit that determines whether a finished print
job exists or not with reference to the history information stored
in the print job history information storing unit; and a display
controlling unit that causes the display unit to display either a
ready screen having information on the executable print job to be
executed or a ready screen having information on the finished print
job according to the determination result of the executable-job
existence determining unit and the determination result of the
finished-job existence determining unit.
32. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the
display controlling unit causes the display unit to display a ready
screen having information on the executable print job to be
executed if the executable-job existence determining unit
determines that the executable print job to be executed exists.
33. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the
display controlling unit causes the display unit to display a ready
screen having information on the finished print job if the
finished-job existence determining unit determines that the
finished print job exists.
34. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the
display controlling unit causes the display unit to display a ready
screen having information on the finished print job if the
executable-job existence determining unit determines that any
executable print jobs to be executed do not exist and the
finished-job existence determining unit determines that the
finished print job exists.
35. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the
information on the executable print job to be executed contains
information on a terminal device that requested execution of the
executable print job to be executed.
36. The image forming apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the
information on the executable print job to be executed further
contains information on a file name of the executable print job
from the terminal device.
37. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the
information on the finished print job contains information on a
terminal device that requested execution of the finished print
job.
38. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the
information on the finished print job contains information on an
output tray to which a document printed in the finished print job
has been output.
39. The image forming apparatus according claim 31 further
comprising a display period setting-up unit that sets a display
period of the ready screen to a period within the period from the
end of the finished print job to the beginning of a next print
job.
40. A computer readable recording medium storing an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit, the image forming program causing a computer in the
image forming apparatus to perform features comprising: a job
receipt permission determining feature for determining whether a
next print job can be accepted or not with reference to a print job
list stored in a print job list storing unit; an executable-job
existence determining feature for determining whether a next
executable print job to be executed exists or not with reference to
the print job list stored in the print job list storing unit, if in
terms of the job receipt permission determining feature it is
determined that a next print job can be accepted; a finished-job
existence determining feature for determining whether a finished
print job exists or not with reference to history information
stored in a print job history information storing unit; and a
display controlling feature for causing the display unit to display
either a ready screen having information on the executable print
job to be executed or a ready screen having information on the
finished print job according to the determination result of the
executable-job existence determining feature and the determination
result of the finished-job existence determining feature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to and claims priority rights from
Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2007-178947, filed on Jul. 6,
2007; 2007-260390, filed on Oct. 3, 2007; 2007-260389, filed on
Oct. 3, 2007; and 2007-260388, filed on Oct. 3, 2007 the entire
disclosures of which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to image forming apparatus and
computer readable recording medium.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open
publication H01-180379, some image forming apparatuses display a
remaining amount of toner on a ready screen indicating that a job
can be accepted when a job of print processing etc. can be
accepted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] However, in the image forming apparatuses mentioned above,
information on consumable goods other than toner is not displayed
on the ready screen indicating that a job can be accepted.
Consequently, operators who need information on consumable goods
other than toner may feel inconvenience to use the image forming
apparatuses mentioned above.
[0007] In addition, some operators are end users who do not need
information on consumable goods such as toner. Thus, in the image
forming apparatuses mentioned above, unnecessary information to
operators may be displayed, therefore it confuses some operators
who do not need information on consumable goods, and the operators
feel inconvenience.
[0008] Further, in the image forming apparatuses mentioned above,
information other than predetermined information on toner is not
displayed in the ready screen even if a next executable print job
to be executed exists, and consequently enough information is not
provided to operators who need information on the next executable
print job to be executed and/or execution order of executable print
jobs to be executed, and the operators feel inconvenience.
[0009] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatuses mentioned
above, information other than predetermined information on toner is
not displayed in the ready screen even if a finished print job
exists, and consequently enough information is not provided to
operators who need information on the finished print job, and the
operators feel inconvenience.
[0010] In the image forming apparatuses mentioned above, if it is
determined that an error on toner may occur during execution of a
new print job, information indicating that an error on toner may
occur can be provided to an operator in order to alert to the
operator. Thus, in the image forming apparatuses mentioned above,
for an error would occur due to toner, the operator refers to the
displayed information and can cope with it in advance. However, in
the image forming apparatuses mentioned above, information other
than information on toner is not displayed on the ready screen, and
hence in case that an error due to a factor other than toner may
occur during execution of a new print job, any information on the
factor is not provided to an operator. Consequently, it is
difficult for the operator to cope in advance of the error, and the
operator feels inconvenience.
[0011] In view of these issues on displaying the ready screen
mentioned above, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an image forming apparatus and a computer readable
recording medium storing an image forming program capable of
enhancing convenience for operators by causing a display unit to
display necessary information for operators on a ready screen.
[0012] The present invention solves the subject as follows.
[0013] An image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of
the present invention comprises (a) a display unit and (b) a
display controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a
first ready screen and a second ready screen. The first ready
screen is displayed when a job can be accepted, and the first ready
screen indicates that a job can be accepted and has a first button
for detecting operator's input of a request for displaying a screen
having first information. The second ready screen is displayed when
a job can be accepted after the input is detected, and the second
ready screen has the first information and has a second button for
detecting input of a request for displaying second information
other than the first information.
[0014] According to the first aspect, it is possible to choose
information to be contained in a ready screen displayed by a
display unit when a job can be accepted, and therefore convenience
is enhanced for operators.
[0015] A computer readable recording medium according to the second
aspect of the present invention stores an image forming program
that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a display
unit and causes the display unit to display ready screens
indicating that a job can be accepted. The image forming program
causes a computer in the image forming apparatus to perform
features comprising (a) a first display controlling feature for
causing the display unit to display a first ready screen indicating
that a job can be accepted when a job can be accepted and (b) a
second display controlling feature for causing the display unit to
display a second ready screen when a job can be accepted after
detecting input operation on the first ready screen by an operator
to request for displaying a screen that has first information. The
second ready screen has the first information and a second button
for detecting input of a request for displaying a screen that has
second information other than the first information.
[0016] According to the second aspect, it is possible to choose
information to be contained in a ready screen displayed by a
display unit when a job can be accepted, and therefore convenience
is enhanced for operators.
[0017] It should be noted that a "button" is a button with an area
located in a ready screen in order to detect input of a display
request and a register request of a default screen; a "job" is one
of various sorts of jobs such as print process for printing
according to data of a print request, copy process for copying a
document etc. of a copy request, and scan process for scanning a
document to generate an electronic file; and an "information record
medium" may be, for example, a paper such as plain paper or a OHP
(OverHead Projector) film.
[0018] An image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of
the present invention comprises (a) a display unit, (b) a
characteristic existence determining unit that determines whether a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic based on
attribution information of the finished print job and/or a
characteristic value on the finished print job and (c) a display
controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a ready
screen when a job can be accepted if the characteristic existence
determining unit determines that a finished print job has a
predetermined characteristic, the ready screen indicating that a
job can be accepted and having information chosen from
predetermined information according to the characteristic of the
finished print job.
[0019] According to the third aspect, when a job can be accepted,
the display unit displays a ready screen having predetermined
information chosen based on a characteristic of a finished print
job. Therefore, information suggesting an issue that would occur is
provided to an operator and then the operator can cope in advance
of the error, and consequently convenience is enhanced for
operators.
[0020] An image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect of
the present invention comprises (a) a display unit, (b) a
characteristic existence determining unit that determines whether a
finished print job has a predetermined characteristic based on at
least one of the type of the finished print job and a threshold set
on the finished print job and (c) a display controlling unit that
causes the display unit to display a ready screen when a job can be
accepted if the characteristic existence determining unit
determines that a finished print job has the predetermined
characteristic. The ready screen indicates that a job can be
accepted and having information chosen from predetermined
information according to the characteristic of the finished print
job.
[0021] According to the fourth aspect, when a job can be accepted,
the display unit displays a ready screen having predetermined
information chosen based on a characteristic of a finished print
job. Therefore, information suggesting an issue that would occur is
provided to an operator and then the operator can cope in advance
of the error, and consequently convenience is enhanced for
operators.
[0022] A computer readable recording medium according to the fifth
aspect of the present invention stores an image forming program
that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a display
unit. The image forming program causes a computer in the image
forming apparatus to perform features comprising (a) a
characteristic existence determining feature for determining
whether a finished print job has a predetermined characteristic
based on attribution information of the finished print job and/or a
characteristic value on the finished print job and (b) a display
controlling feature for causing the display unit to display a ready
screen when a job can be accepted if it is determined that a
finished print job has the predetermined characteristic in terms of
the characteristic existence determining feature. The ready screen
indicates that a job can be accepted and having information chosen
from predetermined information according to the characteristic of
the finished print job.
[0023] According to the fifth aspect, when a job can be accepted,
the display unit displays a ready screen having predetermined
information chosen based on a characteristic of a finished print
job. Therefore, information suggesting an issue that would occur is
provided to an operator and then the operator can cope in advance
of the error, and consequently convenience is enhanced for
operators.
[0024] A computer readable recording medium according to the sixth
aspect of the present invention stores an image forming program
that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a display
unit. The image forming program causes a computer in the image
forming apparatus to perform features comprising: (a) a
characteristic existence determining feature for determining
whether a finished print job has a predetermined characteristic
based on at least one of the type of the finished print job and a
threshold on the finished print job and (b) a display controlling
feature for causing the display unit to display a ready screen when
a job can be accepted if it is determined that a finished print job
has the predetermined characteristic in terms of the characteristic
existence determining feature. The ready screen indicates that a
job can be accepted and having information chosen from
predetermined information according to the characteristic of the
finished print job.
[0025] According to the sixth aspect, when a job can be accepted,
the display unit displays a ready screen having predetermined
information chosen based on a characteristic of a finished print
job. Therefore, information suggesting an issue that would occur is
provided to an operator and then the operator can cope in advance
of the error, and consequently convenience is enhanced for
operators.
[0026] It should be noted that "attribution information" means data
indicating either properties on a print job or content of a print
job, and for example, may include information on the type of a
print job.
[0027] An image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect
of the present invention comprises (a) a display unit and (b) a
display controlling unit that causes the display unit to display a
ready screen after a print job is finished if an error has occurred
while the print job is being executed. The ready screen has
information chosen based on an error type of the error.
[0028] According to the seventh aspect, if an error has occurred
during execution of a print job, then after the print job is
finished, the display unit displays a ready screen having
information chosen based on an error type of the error, and
consequently operators can cope with not only errors due to toner
but errors due to factors other than toner. Hence, convenience is
enhanced for operators.
[0029] An image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect of
the present invention comprises (a) a display unit, (b) an error
determining unit that determines whether an error has occurred
while a print job is being executed or not after the print job is
finished and (c) a display controlling unit that causes the display
unit to display a ready screen that has information chosen based on
an error type of the error if the error determining unit determines
that the error has occurred while the print job is being
executed.
[0030] According to the eighth aspect, if the error determining
unit determines that an error has occurred during execution of a
print job, the display unit displays a ready screen having
information chosen based on an error type of the error, and
consequently operators can cope with not only errors due to toner
but errors due to factors other than toner. Hence, convenience is
enhanced for operators.
[0031] A computer readable recording medium according to the ninth
aspect of the present invention stores an image forming program
that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a display
unit. The image forming program causes a computer in the image
forming apparatus to perform a display controlling feature for
causing the display unit to display a ready screen after a print
job is finished if an error has occurred while the print job is
being executed. The ready screen has information chosen based on an
error type of the error.
[0032] According to the ninth aspect, if an error has occurred
during execution of a print job, after the print job is finished,
then by the display controlling feature, the display unit displays
a ready screen having information chosen based on an error type of
the error, and consequently operators can cope with not only errors
due to toner but errors due to factors other than toner. Hence,
convenience is enhanced for operators.
[0033] A computer readable recording medium according to the tenth
aspect of the present invention stores an image forming program
that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a display
unit. The image forming program causes a computer in the image
forming apparatus to perform features comprising (a) an error
determining feature for determining whether an error has occurred
while a print job is being executed or not after the print job is
finished and (b) a display controlling feature for causing the
display unit to display a ready screen that has information chosen
based on an error type of the error if in terms of the error
determining feature it is determined that the error has occurred
while the print job is being executed.
[0034] According to the tenth aspect, after a print job is
finished, it is determined whether an error has occurred during
execution of the print job in terms of the error determining
feature, and if it is determined that an error has occurred during
execution of the print job, then in terms of the display
controlling feature, the display unit displays a ready screen
having information chosen based on an error type of the error, and
consequently operators can cope with not only errors due to toner
but errors due to factors other than toner. Hence, convenience is
enhanced for operators.
[0035] An image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect
of the present invention comprises (a) a display unit, (b) a print
job list storing unit that stores a print job list containing
executable print jobs to be executed, (c) a print job history
information storing unit that stores history information of
finished print jobs, (d) a job receipt permission determining unit
that determines whether a next print job can be accepted with
reference to the print job list stored in the print job list
storing unit, (e) an executable-job existence determining unit that
determines whether a next executable print job to be executed
exists or not with reference to the print job list stored in the
print job list storing unit, if the job receipt permission
determining unit determines that a next print job can be accepted,
(f) a finished-job existence determining unit that determines
whether a finished print job exists or not with reference to the
history information stored in the print job history information
storing unit, and (g) a display controlling unit that causes the
display unit to display either a ready screen having information on
the executable print job to be executed or a ready screen having
information on the finished print job according to the
determination result of the executable-job existence determining
unit and the determination result of the finished-job existence
determining unit.
[0036] According to the eleventh aspect, with reference to the
print job list stored in the print job list storing unit and the
history information of finished print jobs, the display controlling
unit causes the display unit to display either a ready screen
having information on the executable print job to be executed or a
ready screen having information on the finished print job. The
ready screen with information on the executable print job to be
executed is displayed when the executable print job to be executed
exists, and the ready screen with information on the finished print
job is displayed when the finished print job exists.
[0037] As a result, it is possible to provide either information on
a next executable print job to be executed or information on
execution order of executable print jobs to be executed to an
operator who wants to know it, and to provide information on a
finished print job to an operator who wants to know it.
[0038] Hence, convenience is enhanced for operators.
[0039] A computer readable recording medium according to the
twelfth aspect of the present invention stores an image forming
program that can be installed in an image forming apparatus with a
display unit. The image forming program causes a computer in the
image forming apparatus to perform features comprising (a) a job
receipt permission determining feature for determining whether a
next print job can be accepted or not with reference to a print job
list stored in a print job list storing unit, (b) an executable-job
existence determining feature for determining whether a next
executable print job to be executed exists or not with reference to
the print job list stored in the print job list storing unit, if in
terms of the job receipt permission determining feature it is
determined that a next print job can be accepted, (c) a
finished-job existence determining feature for determining whether
a finished print job exists or not with reference to history
information stored in a print job history information storing unit
and (d) a display controlling feature for causing the display unit
to display either a ready screen having information on the
executable print job to be executed or a ready screen having
information on the finished print job according to the
determination result of the executable-job existence determining
feature and the determination result of the finished-job existence
determining feature.
[0040] According to the twelfth aspect, with reference to the print
job list stored in the print job list storing unit and the history
information of finished print jobs, the display controlling unit
causes the display unit to display either a ready screen having
information on the executable print job to be executed or a ready
screen having information on the finished print job. The ready
screen with information on the executable print job to be executed
is displayed when the executable print job to be executed exists,
and the ready screen with information on the finished print job is
displayed when the finished print job exists.
[0041] As a result, it is possible to provide either information on
a next executable print job to be executed or information on
execution order of executable print jobs to be executed to an
operator who wants to know it, and to provide information on a
finished print job to an operator who wants to know it.
[0042] Hence, convenience is enhanced for operators.
[0043] It should be noted that "write" means either storing a
predetermined data in a memory device such as a buffer, a
semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a process for
storing a predetermined data in a storing device such as a buffer,
a semiconductor memory or an HDD.
[0044] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the
following detailed description along with the accompanied
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram indicating an instance of a
multi function peripheral to which an image forming apparatus
according to an aspect of the present invention is applied;
[0046] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram indicating an instance
of configuration of a multi function peripheral to which an image
forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention is applied;
[0047] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are flowcharts for explaining processes
executed by the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 1;
[0048] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen having a first image that indicates a remaining amount
of toner displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0049] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen having a second image that indicates a remaining
amount of toner displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0050] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating a remaining amount of papers in each of
paper drawers displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0051] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers consumed for each of
sections displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0052] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of consumed papers with each of
paper sizes displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0053] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers consumed from each of
paper drawers displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0054] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers printed in each of
color printing and monochrome printing displayed on a display
screen in the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the
ready screen is set to a default screen;
[0055] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
non-content screen that does not have any information on consumable
goods and information record media displayed on a display screen in
the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the
non-content screen is set to a default screen;
[0056] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating information on consumable goods and
information record media displayed on a display screen in the multi
function peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set
to a default screen;
[0057] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen having a second image that indicates a remaining
amount of toner displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0058] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating a remaining amount of papers in each of
paper drawers displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0059] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers consumed for each of
sections displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0060] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of consumed papers with each of
paper sizes displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0061] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers consumed from each of
paper drawers displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the ready screen is set to a
default screen;
[0062] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers printed in each of
color printing and monochrome printing displayed on a display
screen in the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the
ready screen is set to a default screen;
[0063] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
non-content screen that does not have any information on consumable
goods and information record media displayed on a display screen in
the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the non-content
screen is set to a default screen;
[0064] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating information on consumable goods and
information record media displayed on a display screen in the multi
function peripheral of Embodiment 1 after the ready screen is set
to a default screen;
[0065] FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram indicating an instance
of configuration of a multi function peripheral according to
Embodiment 2;
[0066] FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by
the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 2;
[0067] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous print job
has a characteristic on a coverage rate;
[0068] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous print job
has a characteristic on the number of printed sheets;
[0069] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous print job
is section management printing and a difference between a
predetermined uppermost limit value of the number of printed sheets
on any section of all sections and the number of sheets that has
been printed for the section is less than a threshold;
[0070] FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous print job
is staple printing and a remaining amount of staples with any of
staple types is less than a threshold;
[0071] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 2 in case that any errors have not
occurred in a last previous print job;
[0072] FIG. 28 is a functional block diagram indicating an instance
of configuration of a multi function peripheral according to
Embodiment 3;
[0073] FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by
the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 3;
[0074] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 3 in case that any errors have not
occurred in a last previous print job;
[0075] FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 3 in case that a toner empty error has
occurred in a last previous print job;
[0076] FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 3 in case that a section management
disable error has occurred in a last previous print job due to
excess of the number of sheets printed for a section over a
predetermined uppermost limit value of the section;
[0077] FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 3 in case that a size mismatch error has
occurred in a last previous print job due to that the size of an
information record medium supplied in any one of paper drawers in
the multi function peripheral is not identical to the size of an
information record medium that has been set on the paper
drawer;
[0078] FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 3 in case that a paper empty error has
occurred in a last previous print job due to that a remaining
amount of paper in a paper drawer becomes zero;
[0079] FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 3 in case that a staple empty error has
occurred in a last previous print job due to that a remaining
amount of staples in any of staple storages becomes zero;
[0080] FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 3 in case that a jam error has occurred in
a last previous print job due to that a paper is clogged at any of
upper region, middle region and lower region in a transportation
path inside of the multi function peripheral;
[0081] FIG. 37 is a functional block diagram indicating an instance
of configuration of a multi function peripheral according to
Embodiment 4;
[0082] FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by
the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 4;
[0083] FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 4 in case that an executable print job to
be executed exists;
[0084] FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 4 in case that any executable print jobs
to be executed do not exist and a finished print job exists;
[0085] FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi function
peripheral of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an executable print
job to be executed and a finished print job does not exist;
[0086] FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram indicating another instance
of a ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi
function peripheral of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an
executable print job to be executed and a finished print job does
not exist;
[0087] FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram indicating another instance
of a ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi
function peripheral of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an
executable print job to be executed and a finished print job does
not exist; and
[0088] FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram indicating another instance
of a ready screen displayed on a display screen in the multi
function peripheral of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an
executable print job to be executed and a finished print job does
not exist.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0089] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to aspects of
the present invention will be explained with reference to
drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0090] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram indicating an instance of a
multi function peripheral to which an image forming apparatus
according to an aspect of the present invention is applied.
[0091] The multi function peripheral 1 has various functions such
as a facsimile function, a scanner function, a copier function and
a printer function. The multi function peripheral 1 is connected to
a personal computer not shown here and another multi function
peripheral not shown here via a communication network such as LAN
(Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network).
[0092] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram indicating an instance
of configuration of the multi function peripheral 1 to which an
image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention is applied.
[0093] The multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 displays
ready screens mentioned below on a display screen 1a1 in a display
panel when a job can be accepted, and the ready screens indicate
that a job can be accepted. The multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 1 selectively displays information on consumable goods
such as toner, fuser, or photoconductor drum or other information
in the ready screens indicating that a job can be accepted when a
job can be accepted.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 2, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 1 comprises a panel unit 1a; an interface unit 1b; toner
remaining amount detecting units 1cY, 1cM, 1cC and 1cK; counters
1d1 to 1dn of respective paper drawers; sheet remaining amount
detecting units 1e1 to 1en of respective paper drawers; a toner
remaining amount memory unit 1f; a sheet-consumption amount memory
unit 1g; a sheet remaining amount memory unit 1h; a job history
data storing unit 1i; a section information storing unit 1j; a
paper drawer data storing unit 1k; a template file storing unit 1l;
an image forming unit 1m; a printer engine unit 1n; and a
controlling unit 1o (an example of the display controlling
unit).
[0095] Further, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1
comprises a computer that has an internal memory (not shown) in
which an image forming program was written during manufacture, or
is installed an image forming program via either a computer
readable recording medium or a communication network.
[0096] Each of the units in the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 1 may be embodied with software (i.e. program control),
hardware (i.e. specific-purpose electronic circuits) or a
combination of software and hardware.
[0097] The panel unit 1a has a display screen 1a1. The display
screen 1a1 is an example of a display unit. The display screen 1a1
displays a menu screen, a status indication screen and a ready
screen. The menu screen is displayed right after a power supply
switch of the multi function peripheral 1 is turned on, in order to
perform (a) switching a current active function among a facsimile
function, a scanner function, a copier function and a printer
function, (b) setting-up setting items of document scanning such as
resolution, electronic file format of generated document data,
image quality, density, and magnification, (c) setting-up each of
operation modes, etc. The status indication screen is displayed
upon an operator's operation on a touch panel, in order to indicate
a current execution status of a job. The ready screen is displayed
when a job can be accepted, in order to indicate that a job can be
accepted.
[0098] The panel unit 1a has a menu-screen request outputting
function, a status-indication-screen request outputting function,
an other-screen request outputting function, and a default-screen
registration request outputting function.
[0099] The menu-screen request outputting function is a function
for outputting a display request of the menu screen to the
controlling unit 1o upon detecting an operator's operation (e.g. a
one-touch operation) to a menu-screen button displayed in a ready
screen (an example of a first ready screen) while the ready screen
is being displayed on the display screen 1a1.
[0100] The status-indication-screen request outputting function is
a function for outputting a display request of the status
indication screen to the controlling unit 1o upon detecting an
operator's operation (e.g. a one-touch operation) to a
status-indication-screen button displayed in a ready screen while
the ready screen is being displayed on the display screen 1a1. The
status indication screen indicates a job list of executable jobs to
be executed hereafter.
[0101] The other-screen request outputting function is a function
for outputting a display request of another ready screen to the
controlling unit 1o upon detecting an operator's operation (e.g. a
one-touch operation) to one of screen-switch buttons (examples of
the first button and the second button) displayed in a ready screen
while the ready screen is being displayed on the display screen
1a1. The another ready screen has information other than
information indicated in a current ready screen.
[0102] The default-screen registration request outputting function
is a function for outputting a registration request to the
controlling unit 1o in order to register one of ready screens as a
default screen upon detecting an operator's operation (e.g. a
one-touch operation) to a registration button (an example of the
third button) displayed in the ready screen while this ready screen
is being displayed on the display screen 1a1. The default screen is
a ready screen displayed initially after it becomes possible to
receive a job.
[0103] The interface unit 1b receives a packet that comprises (a) a
header part containing a job ID assigned to each of jobs and a MAC
address of a terminal device in a communication network such as LAN
or WAN and (b) a print data body described in a page description
language or the like, via the communication network transmitted
from the terminal device such as a personal computer or another
multi function peripheral as the terminal device not shown here,
and outputs data contained in the received packet to the
controlling unit 1o after executing some processes such as parity
check and error correction for the data of the received packet.
[0104] The toner remaining amount detecting units 1cY, 1cM, 1cC and
1cK detect remaining amounts of toner with respective colors YMCK
(Yellow/Magenta/Cyan/Black), and attach toner sensor IDs assigned
to the respective units 1cY, 1cM, 1cC and 1cK to respective data of
the remaining amounts of toner, and output respective pairs of the
remaining amount of toner and the toner sensor ID to the
controlling unit 1o.
[0105] The counters 1d1 to 1dn are located with paper drawers to
count the numbers of sheets printed from the respective paper
drawers, and attach counter IDs assigned to the respective counters
1d1 to 1dn to respective data of the counted numbers of printed
sheets, and output respective pairs of the counted number of
printed sheets and the counter ID to the controlling unit 1o.
[0106] The sheet remaining amount detecting units 1e1 to 1en are
located with paper drawers to detect remaining amounts of papers in
the respective paper drawers, and attach paper sensor IDs assigned
to the respective units 1e1 to 1en to the respective remaining
amounts of papers, and output respective pairs of the remaining
amount of papers and the paper sensor ID to the controlling unit
1o.
[0107] The toner remaining amount memory unit 1f stores the
remaining amounts of toner, the toner sensor IDs and detection time
as related to each other, respectively.
[0108] The sheet-consumption amount memory unit 1g stores the
numbers of printed sheets, the counter IDs and detection time as
related to each other, respectively.
[0109] The sheet remaining amount memory unit 1h stores the
remaining amounts of papers, the paper sensor IDs and detection
time as related to each other, respectively.
[0110] The job history data storing unit 1i stores at least a job
ID, a job priority level, job progress information, a MAC address
of the requesting terminal device, type information of either color
printing or monochrome printing, execution beginning time,
execution ending time, and the number of printed sheets for each of
jobs, as related to each other.
[0111] The section information storing unit 1j store a MAC address
uniquely assigned to each of terminal devices in the network and
information on a section that accommodates the terminal device to
which the MAC address is assigned, as related to each other.
[0112] The paper drawer data storing unit 1k stores data of each of
the paper drawers and a paper size as related to each other.
[0113] The template file storing unit 1l stores template files of
the menu screen, the status indication screen and the ready
screens. One or more items to be displayed, display format,
information on layout of the one or more items, and default screen
assignment information indicating whether the screen is assigned to
the default screen or not are defined in the template file.
[0114] The image forming unit 1m has a bitmap data generating
function and a bitmap data outputting function.
[0115] The bitmap data generating function is a function for
receiving print data described in a page description language from
the controlling unit 1o and converting the received print data to
bitmap data.
[0116] The bitmap data outputting function is a function for
sending the bitmap data generated in terms of the bitmap data
generating function as a response to the controlling unit 1o.
[0117] The printer engine unit 1n has an image forming function, a
job list generating function, a job-start notice outputting
function and a job-end notice outputting function.
[0118] The image forming function is a function for generating an
image with electrophotographic process based on the bitmap data
received from the controlling unit 1o and forming the image on a
surface of a paper as an information record medium.
[0119] The job list generating function is a function for
generating a job list of executable jobs to be executed, with
sorting the executable jobs to be executed based on a job priority
level included in the data received from the controlling unit 1o if
an interrupting job takes place, and for outputting the generated
job list to the controlling unit 1o.
[0120] The job-start notice outputting function is a function for
outputting a job-start notice to the controlling unit 1o at the
beginning of a job. The job-start notice indicates that execution
of the job started.
[0121] The job-end notice outputting function is a function for
outputting a job-end notice to the controlling unit 1o at the end
of a job. The job-end notice indicates that execution of the job
ended.
[0122] The controlling unit 1o has functions mentions below and
controls the panel unit 1a, the interface unit 1b, the toner
remaining amount detecting units 1cY, 1cM, 1cC and 1cK, the
counters 1d1 to 1dn, the sheet remaining amount detecting units 1e1
to 1en, the toner remaining amount memory unit 1f, the
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 1g, the sheet remaining amount
memory unit 1h, the job history data storing unit 1i, the section
information storing unit 1j, the paper drawer data storing unit 1k,
the template file storing unit 1l, the image forming unit 1m, and
the printer engine unit 1n, in order to execute a default screen
registration process mentioned below and a display control process
to cause the display screen 1a1 to display ready screens mentioned
below in the multi function peripheral 1 of this embodiment.
[0123] A packet data transferring function of the controlling unit
1o is a function for outputting to the image forming unit 1m data
included in a packet received from the interface unit 1b.
[0124] A bitmap data transferring function of the controlling unit
1o is a function for outputting to the printer engine unit 1n
bitmap data received from the image forming unit 1m.
[0125] A timer function of the controlling unit 1o is a function
for measuring time continuously.
[0126] A toner amount writing function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for receiving pairs of the remaining amounts of toner
with respective colors YMCK and the respective toner sensor IDs
output from the toner remaining amount detecting units 1cY, 1cM,
1cC and 1cK, and for writing a set of the remaining amount of
toner, the toner sensor ID and detection time data on each of the
colors in the toner remaining amount memory unit 1f with regarding
the time when the pairs are received as the detection time and
attaching the detection time data to each of the received
pairs.
[0127] A number-of-printed-sheet writing function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for receiving pairs of the
respective counted numbers of printed sheets and the respective
counter IDs from the counters 1d1 to 1dn, and for writing a set of
the counted number of printed sheets, the counter ID and detection
time data on each of the paper drawers in the sheet-consumption
amount memory unit 1g with regarding the time when the pairs are
received as the detection time and attaching the detection time
data to each of the received pairs.
[0128] A job list writing function of the controlling unit 1o is a
function for receiving data of a job list containing jobs to be
executed hereafter from the printer engine unit 1n, and for writing
the job list with color/monochrome printing type information in the
job history data storing unit 1i after determining whether a print
data body of each of jobs in the job list has color information or
not and then attaching the color/monochrome printing type
information to the job. The color/monochrome printing type
information is specified according to the determination result, and
indicates that a print job is either color-printing job or
monochrome-printing job.
[0129] A first job history updating function of the controlling
unit 1o is a function for updating job execution beginning time in
job history data stored in the job history data storing unit 1i
upon receiving a job-start notice from the printer engine unit
1n.
[0130] A second job history updating function of the controlling
unit 1o is a function for updating job history data in the job
history data storing unit 1i by changing the value of job progress
information to a value (e.g. "finished") indicating that a job ends
upon receiving a job-end notice from the printer engine unit
1n.
[0131] A first job-reception determining function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a job can
be accepted or not according to whether a job is being executed or
not, with reference to the job history data storing unit 1i.
[0132] A first display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for causing the display screen 1a1 to display a ready
screen (an example of the first ready screen) if in terms of the
first job-reception determining function it is determined that any
jobs are not being executed, that is, a job can be accepted. This
ready screen indicates that a job can be accepted, and has a
screen-switch button (an example of the first button) to detect a
request for displaying another ready screen that includes other
information. In this function, a template file indicating that a
job can be accepted and containing the screen-switch button for a
ready screen assigned to the default screen is read out from the
template file storing unit 1l, with reference to the default screen
assignment information in the template file storing unit 1l, and
then data of the ready screen is generated from the template
file.
[0133] A menu-screen button operation determining function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a request
for displaying a menu screen has been input in terms of operation
(e.g. one-touch operation) to the menu-screen button in a ready
screen (an example of the first ready screen) assigned to the
default screen or not according to whether a request for displaying
a menu screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or not.
[0134] A menu-screen display control function of the controlling
unit 1o is a function for reading out a template file of a menu
screen from the template file storing unit 1l and causing the
display screen 1a1 to display a menu screen based on the template
file, if it is determined that a request for displaying the menu
screen has been input in terms of the menu-screen button operation
determining function mentioned above.
[0135] A status-indication-screen button operation determining
function of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining
whether a request for displaying a status indication screen has
been input in terms of operation (e.g. one-touch operation) to the
status-indication-screen button in a ready screen (an example of
the first ready screen) assigned to the default screen or not
according to whether a request for displaying a status indication
screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or not, in case
that it is determined that a request for displaying a menu screen
has not been input in terms of the menu-screen button operation
determining function mentioned above.
[0136] A status-indication-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for reading out data of a job
list from the job history data storing unit 1i, reading out a
template file of a status indication screen from the template file
storing unit 1l, and combining data of the job list with the
template file in order to generate ready screen data, and then
causing the display screen 1a1 to display the status indication
screen, if it is determined that a request for displaying a status
indication screen has been input in terms of the
status-indication-screen button operation determining function
mentioned above.
[0137] A first other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen has been input in terms
of operation (e.g. one-touch operation) to the screen-switch button
(an example of the second button) in the forementioned ready screen
or not according to whether a request for displaying another ready
screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or not, in case
that it is determined that a request for displaying a status
indication screen has not been input in terms of the
status-indication-screen button operation determining function
mentioned above. The another ready screen has information in a
indication manner different from the forementioned image that
indicates a remaining amount of toner.
[0138] A second display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for reading out a template file of the another ready
screen from the template file storing unit 1l, reading out data of
a forementioned remaining amount of toner from the toner remaining
amount memory unit 1f and combining the template file with data of
the remaining amount of toner in order to generate ready screen
data, and then causing the display screen 1a1 to display the
another ready screen (an example of the second ready screen), if in
terms of the first other-screen display button operation
determining function it is determined that a request for displaying
the another ready screen has been input.
[0139] A first registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering a ready screen displayed
currently (e.g. the second ready screen) as the default screen has
been input in terms of operation to a registration button (an
example of the third button) in the forementioned another ready
screen (e.g. the second ready screen) or not according to whether
the registration request has been received from the panel unit 1a
or not. The registration button is displayed for detecting
operation to register the current ready screen as the default
screen.
[0140] A first default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the ready screen
displayed currently as the default screen in the template file
storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default screen
assignment information to "YES" indicating that this ready screen
is set to the default screen with regard to a template file of the
ready screen displayed currently that includes an image indicating
a remaining amount of toner in the second manner, if in terms of
the first registration-button-operation determining function it is
determined that the registration request has been input.
[0141] A second other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen indicating information
other than a remaining amount of toner has been input in terms of
operation (e.g. one-touch operation) to a screen-switch button (an
example of the second button) in the ready screen indicating a
remaining amount of toner or not according to whether a request for
displaying the another ready screen has been received from the
panel unit 1a or not, in case that it is determined that the
registration request has not been input in terms of the first
registration-button-operation determining function mentioned above.
This screen-switch button is displayed to switch the current ready
screen to another ready screen indicating information other than a
remaining amount of toner.
[0142] A third display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for reading out a template file of the ready screen
indicating information other than a remaining amount of toner from
the template file storing unit 1l, reading out data of remaining
amounts of papers in respective paper drawers from the sheet
remaining amount memory unit 1h and combining the template file
with data of the remaining amounts of papers in order to generate
ready screen data, and then causing the display screen 1a1 to
display the ready screen indicating a remaining amount of papers in
each of paper drawers different from a remaining amount of toner,
if in terms of the second other-screen display button operation
determining function it is determined that a request for displaying
the ready screen that indicates information other than a remaining
amount of toner has been input.
[0143] A second registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering a ready screen displayed
currently as the default screen has been input in terms of
operation to a registration button (an example of the third button)
in the ready screen indicating a remaining amount of papers in each
of paper drawers or not according to whether the registration
request has been received from the panel unit 1a or not. The
registration button is displayed for detecting operation to
register the current ready screen as the default screen.
[0144] A second default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the ready screen
displayed currently as the default screen in the template file
storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default screen
assignment information to "YES" indicating that this ready screen
is set to the default screen with regard to a template file of the
ready screen displayed currently that indicates remaining amounts
of papers in respective paper drawers, if in terms of the second
registration-button-operation determining function it is determined
that the registration request has been input.
[0145] A third other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen indicating information
other than remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers
has been input in terms of operation to a screen-switch button (an
example of the second button) in the ready screen indicating a
remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers or not
according to whether a request for displaying the another ready
screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or not, in case
that it is determined that the registration request has not been
input in terms of the second registration-button-operation
determining function mentioned above. This screen-switch button is
displayed to switch the current ready screen to another ready
screen indicating information other than remaining amounts of
papers in respective paper drawers.
[0146] A fourth display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for (a) reading out data of all jobs that was
finished in the past from the job history data storing unit 1i, (b)
reading out MAC addresses of sections from the section information
storing unit 1j, (c) summing up the number of sheets consumed for
each of sections corresponding to each of the MAC addresses based
on the data of all jobs, (d) reading out a template file of a ready
screen from the template file storing unit 1l, (e) combining the
template file with data of the numbers of sheets consumed for the
respective sections in order to generate ready screen data, and (f)
causing the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the numbers of sheets consumed for the respective
sections, if in terms of the third other-screen display button
operation determining function it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen that indicates information
other than a remaining amount of papers has been input.
[0147] A third registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering a ready screen displayed
currently as the default screen has been input in terms of
operation to a registration button (an example of the third button)
in the ready screen indicating the numbers of sheets consumed for
the respective sections or not according to whether the
registration request has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not. The registration button is displayed for detecting operation
to register the current ready screen as the default screen.
[0148] A third default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the ready screen
displayed currently as the default screen in the template file
storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default screen
assignment information to "YES" indicating that this ready screen
is set to the default screen with regard to a template file of the
ready screen displayed currently that indicates the numbers of
sheets consumed for the respective sections, if in terms of the
third registration-button-operation determining function it is
determined that the registration request has been input.
[0149] A fourth other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen indicating information
other than the numbers of sheets consumed for the respective
sections has been input in terms of operation to a screen-switch
button (an example of the second button) in the ready screen
indicating the numbers of sheets consumed for the respective
sections or not according to whether a request for displaying the
another ready screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not, in case that it is determined that the registration request
has not been input in terms of the third
registration-button-operation determining function mentioned above.
This screen-switch button is displayed to switch the current ready
screen to another ready screen indicating information other than
the numbers of sheets consumed for the respective sections.
[0150] A fifth display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for (a) reading out data of the numbers of sheets
consumed from respective paper drawers from the sheet-consumption
amount memory unit 1g, (b) converting the numbers of sheets
consumed from respective paper drawers to the numbers of consumed
sheets with respective paper sizes with reference to data in the
paper drawer data storing unit 1k, (c) reading out a template file
of a ready screen from the template file storing unit 1l, (d)
combining the template file with data of the numbers of consumed
sheets with respective paper sizes in order to generate ready
screen data, and (e) causing the display screen 1a1 to display the
ready screen indicating the numbers of consumed sheets with
respective paper sizes rather than the numbers of sheets consumed
for the respective sections, if in terms of the fourth other-screen
display button operation determining function it is determined that
a request for displaying the another ready screen that indicates
information other than the numbers of sheets consumed for the
respective sections has been input.
[0151] A fourth registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering a ready screen displayed
currently as the default screen has been input in terms of
operation to a registration button (an example of the third button)
in the ready screen indicating the numbers of consumed sheets with
respective paper sizes or not according to whether the registration
request has been received from the panel unit 1a or not. The
registration button is displayed for detecting operation to
register the current ready screen as the default screen.
[0152] A fourth default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the ready screen
displayed currently as the default screen in the template file
storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default screen
assignment information to "YES" indicating that this ready screen
is set to the default screen with regard to a template file of the
ready screen displayed currently that indicates the numbers of
consumed sheets with respective paper sizes, if in terms of the
fourth registration-button-operation determining function it is
determined that the registration request has been input.
[0153] A fifth other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen indicating information
other than the numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper
sizes has been input in terms of operation to a screen-switch
button (an example of the second button) in the ready screen
indicating the numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper
sizes according to whether a request for displaying the another
ready screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or not, in
case that it is determined that the registration request has not
been input in terms of the fourth registration-button-operation
determining function mentioned above. This screen-switch button is
displayed to switch the current ready screen to another ready
screen indicating information other than the numbers of consumed
sheets with respective paper sizes.
[0154] A sixth display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for reading out a template file of the another ready
screen indicating information other than the numbers of consumed
sheets with respective paper sizes from the template file storing
unit 1l, reading out data of the numbers of sheets consumed for
respective sections from the sheet-consumption amount memory unit
1g and combining the template file with data of the numbers of
sheets consumed from respective paper drawers in order to generate
ready screen data, and then causing the display screen 1a1 to
display the another ready screen indicating the numbers of sheets
consumed from respective paper drawers, if in terms of the fifth
other-screen display button operation determining function it is
determined that a request for displaying the another ready screen
has been input.
[0155] A fifth registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering a ready screen displayed
currently as the default screen has been input in terms of
operation to a registration button (an example of the third button)
in the ready screen indicating the numbers of sheets consumed from
respective paper drawers or not according to whether the
registration request has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not. The registration button is displayed for detecting operation
to register the current ready screen as the default screen.
[0156] A fifth default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the ready screen
displayed currently as the default screen in the template file
storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default screen
assignment information to "YES" indicating that this ready screen
is set to the default screen with regard to a template file of the
ready screen displayed currently that indicates the numbers of
sheets consumed from respective paper drawers, if in terms of the
fifth registration-button-operation determining function it is
determined that the registration request has been input.
[0157] A sixth other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen indicating information
other than the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper
drawers or not has been input in terms of operation to a
screen-switch button (an example of the second button) in the ready
screen indicating the numbers of sheets consumed from respective
paper drawers according to whether a request for displaying the
another ready screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not, in case that it is determined that the registration request
has not been input in terms of the fifth
default-screen-registration determining function mentioned above.
This screen-switch button is displayed to switch the current ready
screen to another ready screen indicating information other than
the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers.
[0158] A seventh display control function of the controlling unit
1o is a function for (a) reading out data of all jobs that was
finished in the past from the job history data storing unit 1i, (b)
summing up the number of printed sheets in color printing and the
number of printed sheets in monochrome printing with reference to
color/monochrome printing type information in each of the jobs, (c)
reading out a template file of another ready screen from the
template file storing unit 1l, (d) combining the template file with
data of the number of printed sheets in color printing and the
number of printed sheets in monochrome printing in order to
generate ready screen data, and (e) causing the display screen 1a1
to display the ready screen indicating the numbers of sheets
printed in respective color printing and monochrome printing rather
than the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers,
if in terms of the sixth other-screen display button operation
determining function it is determined that a request for displaying
the another ready screen that indicates information other than a
remaining amount of papers has been input.
[0159] A sixth registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering a ready screen displayed
currently as the default screen has been input in terms of
operation to a registration button (an example of the third button)
in the ready screen indicating the numbers of sheets printed in
respective color printing and monochrome printing or not according
to whether the registration request has been received from the
panel unit 1a or not. The registration button is displayed for
detecting operation to register the current ready screen as the
default screen.
[0160] A sixth default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the ready screen
displayed currently as the default screen in the template file
storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default screen
assignment information to "YES" indicating that this ready screen
is set to the default screen with regard to a template file of the
ready screen displayed currently that indicates the numbers of
sheets printed in respective color printing and monochrome
printing, if in terms of the sixth registration-button-operation
determining function it is determined that the registration request
has been input.
[0161] A seventh other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying a ready screen indicating no information on
either consumable goods such as toner or information record media
such as paper or OHP film has been input in terms of operation to a
screen-switch button (an example of the second button) in the ready
screen indicating the numbers of sheets printed in respective color
printing and monochrome printing according to whether a request for
displaying the ready screen has been received from the panel unit
1a or not, in case that it is determined that the registration
request has not been input in terms of the sixth
registration-button-operation determining function mentioned above.
This screen-switch button is displayed to switch the current ready
screen to the ready screen indicating no information on either
consumable goods or information record media.
[0162] An eighth display control function of the controlling unit
1o is a function for reading out a template file of the ready
screen indicating no information on either consumable goods or
information record media from the template file storing unit 1l,
and causing the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
based on the template file, if in terms of the seventh other-screen
display button operation determining function it is determined that
a request for displaying the ready screen has been input. This
ready screen (hereinafter called as "non-content screen") indicates
no information on either consumable goods or information record
media, but has a screen-switch button (an example of the second
button) to detect operator's input of a request for displaying a
ready screen that indicates information on consumable goods and/or
information record media.
[0163] A seventh registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering the non-content screen
displayed currently as the default screen has been input in terms
of operation to a registration button (an example of the third
button) in the non-content screen or not according to whether the
registration request has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not. The registration button is displayed for detecting operation
to register the non-content screen as the default screen.
[0164] A seventh default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the non-content
screen displayed currently as the default screen in the template
file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default
screen assignment information to "YES" indicating that this screen
is set to the default screen with regard to data of the non-content
screen, if in terms of the seventh registration-button-operation
determining function it is determined that the registration request
has been input.
[0165] An eighth other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen indicating information
on consumable goods and/or information record media has been input
in terms of operation to the screen-switch button (an example of
the second button) in the non-content screen according to whether a
request for displaying the another ready screen has been received
from the panel unit 1a or not, in case that it is determined that
the registration request has not been input in terms of the seventh
registration-button-operation determining function mentioned
above.
[0166] A ninth display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for reading out a template file of the ready screen
having a registration button and a screen-switch button from the
template file storing unit 1l, reading out data of a remaining
amount of toner, and causing the display screen 1a1 to display the
ready screen having an image that indicates the remaining amount of
toner based on the template file and the remaining amount of toner,
if in terms of the eighth other-screen display button operation
determining function it is determined that a request for displaying
the ready screen has been input. This registration button is
displayed to detect input of a request for registering the ready
screen indicating information on consumable goods and/or
information record media as the default screen. This screen-switch
button is displayed to detect operator's input of a request for
displaying a ready screen that has an image indicating a remaining
amount of toner displayed in the first manner mentioned above.
[0167] An eighth registration-button-operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
registration request for registering a ready screen displayed
currently as the default screen has been input in terms of
operation to the registration button (an example of the third
button) in the ready screen indicating information on consumable
goods and/or information record media or not according to whether
the registration request has been received from the panel unit 1a
or not.
[0168] An eighth default-screen-registration function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for setting the ready screen
displayed currently as the default screen in the template file
storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value of the default screen
assignment information to "YES" indicating that this ready screen
is set to the default screen with regard to a template file of the
ready screen indicating information on consumable goods and/or
information record media, if in terms of the eighth
registration-button-operation determining function it is determined
that the registration request has been input.
[0169] A ninth other-screen button operation determining function
of the controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a
request for displaying another ready screen that contains an image
indicating a remaining amount of toner in the first manner has been
input in terms of operation to the screen-switch button (an example
of the second button) in the ready screen indicating information on
consumable goods and/or information record media or not according
to whether a request for displaying the ready screen has been
received from the panel unit 1a or not, in case that it is
determined that the registration request has not been input in
terms of the eighth registration-button-operation determining
function mentioned above.
[0170] A tenth display control function of the controlling unit 1o
is a function for reading out a template file of the ready screen
having the forementioned image indicating a remaining amount of
toner from the template file storing unit 1l, and causing the
display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen that contains the
image indicating the remaining amount of toner in the first manner,
if in terms of the ninth other-screen display button operation
determining function it is determined that a request for displaying
the ready screen has been input.
[0171] A default-screen-registration determining function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether any of
ready screens of which template files are stored in the template
file storing unit 1l has been registered as the default screen with
reference to the default screen assignment information included in
each of the template files stored in the template file storing unit
1l, in case that in terms of the ninth other-screen display button
operation determining function it is determined that a request for
displaying the ready screen has not been input.
[0172] A second job-reception determining function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for determining whether a job can
be accepted or not according to whether a job is being executed or
not, if in terms of the default-screen-registration determining
function it is determined that any of ready screens has been
registered as the default screen.
[0173] A registered-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 1o is a function for reading out a template file
of the ready screen registered as the default screen from the
template file storing unit 1l with reference to the default screen
assignment information, and causing the display screen 1a1 to
display the ready screen registered as the default screen based on
the template file, if in terms of the second job-reception
determining function it is determined that a job can be
accepted.
[0174] It should be noted that the toner remaining amount memory
unit 1f, the sheet-consumption amount memory unit 1g, the sheet
remaining amount memory unit 1h, the job history data storing unit
1i, the section information storing unit 1j, the paper drawer data
storing unit 1k, and the template file storing unit 1l may be
comprised by one component such as an internal cache of the
controlling unit 1o, an internal buffer of the multi function
peripheral 1, a semiconductor flash memory, or a data storage
device located in the multi function peripheral 1 or connected via
a computer network to the multi function peripheral 1, where they
are equipped as different components in the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1.
[0175] Hereinafter, processes executed by the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 with the forementioned configuration
will be explained with reference to drawings.
[0176] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are flowcharts for explaining processes
executed by the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1.
[0177] The menu screen is displayed right after a power supply
switch is turned on in the multi function peripheral 1, in order to
detect operator's input of requests for (a) switching a current
active function among a facsimile function, a scanner function, a
copier function and a printer function, (b) setting-up setting
items of document scanning such as resolution, electronic file
format of generated document data, image quality, density, and
magnification, (c) setting-up each of operation modes, etc. Upon
starting displaying the menu screen, execution of an image forming
program installed in a computer of the multi function peripheral 1
of Embodiment 1 is started to perform processes described
below.
[0178] It should be noted that hereinafter it is assumed that the
toner remaining amount detecting units 1cY, 1cM, 1cC and 1cK detect
remaining amounts of toner with respective colors YMCK
(Yellow/Magenta/Cyan/Black) continuously and data of the detected
remaining amounts of toner are stored in the toner remaining amount
memory unit 1f repeatedly after a power supply switch is turned on
in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1.
[0179] Further, it is assumed that the counters 1d1 to 1dn count
sheets consumed from respective paper drawers continuously and data
of the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers are
stored in the sheet consumption amount memory unit 1g repeatedly
after a power supply switch is turned on in the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1.
[0180] Furthermore, it is assumed that the sheet remaining amount
detecting units 1e1 to 1en detect remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers continuously and data of the remaining
amounts of papers in respective paper drawers are stored in the
sheet remaining amount memory unit 1h repeatedly after a power
supply switch is turned on in the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 1.
[0181] Furthermore, it is assumed that executable jobs to be
executed hereafter are detected continuously and data of the
executable jobs are stored in the job history data storing unit 1i
repeatedly after a power supply switch is turned on in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1.
[0182] Firstly, in Step ST1, the controlling unit 1o determines
whether a new job can be accepted or not according to whether any
of jobs is being executed or not with reference to the job history
in the job history data storing unit 1i.
[0183] If in Step ST1 it is determined that any of jobs is not
being executed, that is, a new job can be accepted (ST1: "YES"),
then the controlling unit 1o reads out a template file of a ready
screen assigned to the default screen with reference to the default
screen assignment information from the template file storing unit
1l, and causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
based on the template file (Step ST2). This ready screen (an
example of the first ready screen) indicates that a job can be
accepted, and has a screen-switch button (an example of the first
button) to detect operation of a request for displaying another
ready screen having information other than a first image that
indicates a remaining amount of toner.
[0184] Otherwise, if in Step ST1 it is determined that any of jobs
is being executed, that is, a new job can not be received (ST1:
"NO"), then the job being executed is executed continuously until
the job is finished (Step ST3).
[0185] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen having a first image that indicates a remaining amount
of toner displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to the
default screen.
[0186] This ready screen (an example of the first ready screen)
includes, as shown in FIG. 4, (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a paper
size set up as a default, (c) a paper type set up as a default, (d)
a first image that indicates one or more remaining amounts of
toner, (e) a menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying a menu screen, (f) a status-indication-screen button to
detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on
this ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs to be executed hereafter,
and (g) a screen-switch button (an example of the first button) to
detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on
this ready screen, for displaying another ready screen that
indicates information different from the first image in this ready
screen.
[0187] It should be noted that the number of consumed papers may be
indicated together with the first image indicating one or more
remaining amounts of toner in the ready screen displayed by the
display screen 1a1 in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment
1.
[0188] In Step ST4, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
request for displaying the menu screen has been input in terms of
operation (e.g. one-touch operation) to the menu-screen button in
the ready screen (an example of the first ready screen) assigned to
the default screen or not according to whether a request for
displaying the menu screen has been received from the panel unit 1a
or not.
[0189] If in Step ST4 it is determined that a request for
displaying the menu screen has been received (ST4: "YES"), then the
controlling unit 1o reads out a template file of the menu screen
from the template file storing unit 1l, and causes the display
screen 1a1 to display the menu screen based on the template file
(Step ST5), and then ends the process.
[0190] Otherwise, if in Step ST4 it is determined that a request
for displaying the menu screen has not been received (ST4: "NO"),
then the controlling unit 1o determines whether a request for
displaying the status indication screen has been input in terms of
operation (e.g. one-touch operation) to the
status-indication-screen button in a ready screen (an example of
the first ready screen) assigned to the default screen or not
according to whether a request for displaying the status indication
screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or not (Step ST6).
The status indication screen is a screen that indicates a job list
containing executable jobs to be executed hereafter.
[0191] If in Step ST6 it is determined that a request for
displaying the status indication screen has been received (ST6:
"YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out a job list from the
job history data storing unit 1i, reads out a template file of a
status indication screen from the template file storing unit 1l,
and combines the job list with the template file in order to
generate ready screen data, and causes the display screen 1a1 to
display a status indication screen based on the combined data (Step
ST7), and then ends the process.
[0192] If in Step ST6 it is determined that a request for
displaying the status indication screen has not been received (ST6:
"NO"), then the controlling unit 1o determines whether a request
for displaying another ready screen having a second image that
indicates one or more remaining amounts of toner different from the
first image has been input in terms of operation (e.g. one-touch
operation) to a screen-switch button (an example of the second
button) in the ready screen having the first image or not according
to whether a request for displaying the another ready screen has
been received from the panel unit 1a or not (Step ST8).
[0193] If in Step ST8 it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen having the second image has
been received (ST8: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out
a template file of the another ready screen having the second image
from the template file storing unit 1l, reads out data of one or
more remaining amounts of toner from the toner remaining amount
memory unit 1f and combines the template file with data of the one
or more remaining amounts of toner in order to generate ready
screen data, and then causing the display screen 1a1 to display the
another ready screen (an example of the second ready screen) having
the second image different from the first image (Step ST9).
[0194] Otherwise, if in Step ST8 it is determined that a request
for displaying the another ready screen having the second image has
not been received (ST8: "NO"), then the controlling unit 1o
repeatedly determines whether a request for displaying the another
ready screen having the second image has been received.
[0195] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen having a second image that indicates a remaining
amount of toner displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set
to the default screen.
[0196] This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 5, (a) a
message "Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a
ready screen, (b) the second image that indicates one or more
remaining amounts of toner, (c) a registration button (an example
of the third button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for registering this
ready screen as the default screen that is displayed initially when
a job can be accepted after the registration, and (d) a
screen-switch button (an example of the second button) to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying another ready screen that indicates
information different from the second image.
[0197] It should be noted that the number of consumed papers may be
indicated together with the second image indicating one or more
remaining amounts of toner in the ready screen displayed by the
display screen 1a1 in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment
1.
[0198] In Step ST10, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the ready screen displayed
currently that has the second image (e.g. the second ready screen)
as the default screen has been input in terms of operation to the
registration button (an example of the third button) in the ready
screen displayed currently (e.g. the second ready screen) or not
according to whether the registration request has been received
from the panel unit 1a or not.
[0199] If in Step ST10 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST10: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the ready screen displayed currently as the default screen
in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value
of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with regard
to a template file of the ready screen displayed currently that
includes the second image (Step ST11). The registered ready screen
will be displayed initially when a job can be accepted after the
registration.
[0200] If in Step ST10 it is determined that the registration
request has not been received (ST10: "NO"), then the controlling
unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying another ready
screen having information other than a remaining amount of toner
has been input in terms of operation to the screen-switch button
(an example of the second button) in the ready screen having the
second image or not according to whether a request for displaying
the another ready screen has been received from the panel unit 1a
or not (Step ST12).
[0201] If in Step ST12 it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen having information other than a
remaining amount of toner has been received (ST12: "YES"), then the
controlling unit 1o reads out a template file of the another ready
screen indicating information other than a remaining amount of
toner from the template file storing unit 1l, reads out data of
remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers from the
sheet remaining amount memory unit 1h and combines the template
file with data of the remaining amounts of papers in order to
generate ready screen data, and then causing the display screen 1a1
to display the another ready screen indicating a remaining amount
of papers in each of paper drawers, that is different from a
remaining amount of toner (Step ST13).
[0202] Otherwise, if in Step ST12 it is determined that a request
for displaying the another ready screen having information other
than a remaining amount of toner has not been received (ST12:
"NO"), then the controlling unit 1o repeatedly determines whether a
request for displaying the another ready screen having information
other than a remaining amount of toner has been received.
[0203] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating a remaining amount of papers in each of
paper drawers displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is
set to the default screen.
[0204] This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 6, (a) a
message "Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a
ready screen, (b) an image that indicates a remaining amount of
papers in each of paper drawers, (c) a registration button (an
example of the third button) to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
registering this ready screen as the default screen that is
displayed initially when a job can be accepted after the
registration, and (d) a screen-switch button (an example of the
second button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation
to this button on this ready screen, for displaying another ready
screen that indicates information different from a remaining amount
of papers in each of paper drawers.
[0205] It should be noted that the type of papers such as plain
paper, glossy paper, high-gloss photo paper, letter paper, or OHP
film may be indicated together with the message "Ready to print.",
the registration button and the screen-switch button in the ready
screen in Embodiment 1.
[0206] In Step ST14, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the ready screen displayed
currently that indicates remaining amounts of papers in respective
paper drawers as the default screen has been input in terms of
operation to the registration button (an example of the third
button) in the ready screen displayed currently or not according to
whether the registration request has been received from the panel
unit 1a or not.
[0207] If in Step ST14 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST14: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the ready screen displayed currently as the default screen
in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value
of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with regard
to a template file of the ready screen displayed currently that
indicates remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers
(Step ST15). The registered ready screen will be displayed
initially when a job can be accepted after the registration.
[0208] If in Step ST14 it is determined that the registration
request has not been received (ST14: "NO"), then the controlling
unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying another ready
screen having information other than the remaining amounts of
papers has been input in terms of operation to the screen-switch
button (an example of the second button) in the ready screen
indicating the remaining amounts of papers in respective paper
drawers or not according to whether a request for displaying the
another ready screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not (Step ST16).
[0209] If in Step ST16 it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen having information other than
the remaining amounts of papers has been received (ST16: "YES"),
then the controlling unit 1o reads out data of all jobs in the past
which job progress information has a value (e.g. "finished")
indicating that a job was finished from the job history data
storing unit 1i, reads out MAC addresses of sections from the
section information storing unit 1j, sums up the number of sheets
consumed for each of sections corresponding to each of the MAC
addresses based on the data of all jobs, reads out a template file
of a ready screen from the template file storing unit 1l, combines
the template file with data of the numbers of sheets consumed for
the respective sections in order to generate ready screen data, and
causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the numbers of sheets consumed for the respective
sections, that is different from the remaining amounts of papers
(Step ST17).
[0210] Otherwise, if in Step ST16 it is determined that a request
for displaying the another ready screen having information other
than the remaining amounts of papers has not been received (ST16:
"NO"), then the controlling unit 1o repeatedly determines whether a
request for displaying the another ready screen having information
other than the remaining amounts of papers has been received.
[0211] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers consumed for each of
sections displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is set to the
default screen.
[0212] This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 7, (a) a
message "Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a
ready screen, (b) an image that indicates the number of sheets
consumed for each of sections, (c) a registration button (an
example of the third button) to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
registering this ready screen as the default screen that is
displayed initially when a job can be accepted after the
registration, and (d) a screen-switch button (an example of the
second button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation
to this button on this ready screen, for displaying another ready
screen that indicates information different from the number of
sheets consumed for each of sections.
[0213] In Step ST18, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the ready screen displayed
currently that indicates the numbers of sheets consumed for
respective sections as the default screen has been input in terms
of operation to the registration button (an example of the third
button) in the ready screen displayed currently or not according to
whether the registration request has been received from the panel
unit 1a or not.
[0214] If in Step ST18 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST18: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the ready screen displayed currently as the default screen
in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value
of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with regard
to a template file of the ready screen displayed currently that
indicates the numbers of sheets consumed for respective sections
(Step ST19). The registered ready screen will be displayed
initially when a job can be accepted after the registration.
[0215] If in Step ST18 it is determined that the registration
request has not been received (ST18: "NO"), then the controlling
unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying another ready
screen having information other than the numbers of sheets consumed
for respective sections has been input in terms of operation to the
screen-switch button (an example of the second button) in the ready
screen indicating the numbers of sheets consumed for respective
sections or not according to whether a request for displaying the
another ready screen has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not (Step ST20).
[0216] If in Step ST20 it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen having information other than
the numbers of sheets consumed for respective sections has been
received (ST20: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out the
numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers from the
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 1g, converts the numbers of
sheets consumed from respective paper drawers to the numbers of
consumed sheets with respective paper sizes with reference to the
paper drawer data storing unit 1k, reads out a template file of a
ready screen from the template file storing unit 1l, combines the
template file with data of the numbers of consumed sheets with
respective paper sizes in order to generate ready screen data, and
causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper
sizes rather than the numbers of sheets consumed for the respective
sections (Step ST21).
[0217] Otherwise, if in Step ST20 it is determined that a request
for displaying the another ready screen having information other
than the numbers of sheets consumed for respective sections has not
been received (ST20: "NO"), then the controlling unit 1o repeatedly
determines whether a request for displaying the another ready
screen having information other than the numbers of sheets consumed
for respective sections has been received.
[0218] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of consumed papers with each of
paper sizes displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is
set to the default screen.
[0219] This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 8, (a) a
message "Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a
ready screen, (b) an image that indicates the numbers of consumed
sheets with respective paper sizes, (c) a registration button (an
example of the third button) to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
registering this ready screen as the default screen that is
displayed initially when a job can be accepted after the
registration, and (d) a screen-switch button (an example of the
second button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation
to this button on this ready screen, for displaying another ready
screen that indicates information different from the numbers of
consumed sheets with respective paper sizes.
[0220] In Step ST22, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the ready screen displayed
currently that indicates the numbers of consumed sheets with
respective paper sizes as the default screen has been input in
terms of operation to the registration button (an example of the
third button) in the ready screen displayed currently or not
according to whether the registration request has been received
from the panel unit 1a or not.
[0221] If in Step ST22 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST22: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the ready screen displayed currently as the default screen
in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value
of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with regard
to a template file of the ready screen displayed currently that
indicates the numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper
sizes (Step ST23). The registered ready screen will be displayed
initially when a job can be accepted after the registration.
[0222] If in Step ST22 it is determined that the registration
request has not been received (ST22: "NO"), then the controlling
unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying another ready
screen having information other than the numbers of consumed sheets
with respective paper sizes has been input in terms of operation to
the screen-switch button (an example of the second button) in the
ready screen indicating the numbers of consumed sheets with
respective paper sizes or not according to whether a request for
displaying the another ready screen has been received from the
panel unit 1a or not (Step ST24).
[0223] If in Step ST24 it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen having information other than
the numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper sizes has been
received (ST24: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out a
template file of the another ready screen having information other
than the numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper sizes
from the template file storing unit 1l, reads out the numbers of
sheets consumed from respective paper drawers from the
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 1g and combines the template
file with the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper
drawers in order to generate ready screen data, and then causes the
display screen 1a1 to display the another ready screen indicating
the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers (Step
ST25).
[0224] Otherwise, if in Step ST24 it is determined that a request
for displaying the another ready screen having information other
than the numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper sizes has
not been received (ST24: "NO"), then the controlling unit 1o
repeatedly determines whether a request for displaying the another
ready screen having information other than the numbers of consumed
sheets with respective paper sizes has been received.
[0225] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers consumed from each of
paper drawers displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 before the ready screen is
set to the default screen.
[0226] This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 9, (a) a
message "Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a
ready screen, (b) an image that indicates the numbers of sheets
consumed from respective paper drawers, (c) a registration button
(an example of the third button) to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
registering this ready screen as the default screen that is
displayed initially when a job can be accepted after the
registration, and (d) a screen-switch button (an example of the
second button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation
to this button on this ready screen, for displaying another ready
screen that indicates information different from the numbers of
sheets consumed from respective paper drawers.
[0227] In Step ST26, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the ready screen displayed
currently that indicates the numbers of sheets consumed from
respective paper drawers as the default screen has been input in
terms of operation to the registration button (an example of the
third button) in the ready screen displayed currently or not
according to whether the registration request has been received
from the panel unit 1a or not.
[0228] If in Step ST26 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST26: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the ready screen displayed currently as the default screen
in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value
of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with regard
to a template file of the ready screen displayed currently that
indicates the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper
drawers (Step ST27). The registered ready screen will be displayed
initially when a job can be accepted after the registration.
[0229] Otherwise, if in Step ST26 it is determined that the
registration request has not been received (ST26: "NO"), then the
controlling unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying
another ready screen having information other than the numbers of
sheets consumed from respective paper drawers has been input in
terms of operation to the screen-switch button (an example of the
second button) in the ready screen indicating the numbers of sheets
consumed from respective paper drawers or not according to whether
a request for displaying the another ready screen has been received
from the panel unit 1a or not (Step ST28).
[0230] If in Step ST28 it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen having information other than
the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers has
been received (ST28: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out
data of all jobs that was finished in the past from the job history
data storing unit 1i, sums up the number of printed sheets in color
printing and the number of printed sheets in monochrome printing
with reference to color/monochrome printing type information in
each of the jobs, reads out a template file of another ready screen
from the template file storing unit 1l, combines the template file
with the number of printed sheets in color printing and the number
of printed sheets in monochrome printing in order to generate ready
screen data, and causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready
screen indicating the numbers of sheets printed in respective color
printing and monochrome printing rather than the numbers of sheets
consumed from respective paper drawers (Step ST29).
[0231] Otherwise, if in Step ST28 it is determined that a request
for displaying the another ready screen having information other
than the numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers
has not been received (ST28: "NO"), then the controlling unit 1o
repeatedly determines whether a request for displaying the another
ready screen having information other than the numbers of sheets
consumed from respective paper drawers has been received.
[0232] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating the number of papers printed in each of
color printing and monochrome printing displayed on the display
screen 1a1 in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1
before the ready screen is set to the default screen.
[0233] This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 10, (a) a
message "Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a
ready screen, (b) the number of printed sheets in color printing
and the number of printed sheets in monochrome printing, (c) a
registration button (an example of the third button) to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for registering this ready screen as the default
screen that is displayed initially when a job can be accepted after
the registration, and (d) a screen-switch button (an example of the
second button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation
to this button on this ready screen, for displaying another ready
screen that indicates information different from the numbers of
printed sheets in respective color printing and monochrome
printing.
[0234] In Step ST30, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the ready screen displayed
currently that indicates the numbers of printed sheets in
respective color printing and monochrome printing as the default
screen has been input in terms of operation to the registration
button (an example of the third button) in the ready screen
displayed currently or not according to whether the registration
request has been received from the panel unit 1a or not.
[0235] If in Step ST30 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST30: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the ready screen displayed currently as the default screen
in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value
of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with regard
to a template file of the ready screen displayed currently that
indicates the numbers of printed sheets in respective color
printing and monochrome printing (Step ST31). The registered ready
screen will be displayed initially when a job can be accepted after
the registration.
[0236] If in Step ST30 it is determined that the registration
request has not been received (ST30: "NO"), then the controlling
unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying a ready screen
indicating no information on either consumable goods such as toner
or information record media such as paper or OHP film has been
input in terms of operation to a screen-switch button (an example
of the second button) in the ready screen indicating the numbers of
sheets printed in respective color printing and monochrome printing
according to whether a request for displaying the ready screen has
been received from the panel unit 1a or not (Step ST32).
[0237] If in Step ST32 it is determined that a request for
displaying the ready screen indicating no information on either
consumable goods or information record media has been received
(ST32: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out a template
file of the ready screen indicating no information on either
consumable goods or information record media from the template file
storing unit 1l, and causes the display screen 1a1 to display the
ready screen, that is, the non-content screen (Step ST33). The
non-content screen indicates no information on either consumable
goods or information record media but has a screen-switch button
(an example of the second button) to detect input of a request for
displaying a ready screen that indicates information on consumable
goods and/or information record media.
[0238] Otherwise, if in Step ST32 it is determined that a request
for displaying the ready screen indicating no information on either
consumable goods or information record media has not been received
(ST32: "NO"), then the controlling unit 1o repeatedly determines
whether a request for displaying the non-content screen has been
received.
[0239] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
non-content screen that does not have any information on consumable
goods and information record media displayed on the display screen
1a1 in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1 before the
non-content screen is set to the default screen.
[0240] This ready screen is a ready screen indicating no
information on either consumable goods or information record media.
This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 11, (a) a message
"Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a ready
screen, (b) a registration button (an example of the third button)
to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button
on this ready screen, for registering this ready screen as the
default screen that is displayed initially when a job can be
accepted after the registration, and (c) a screen-switch button (an
example of the second button) to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying another ready screen that indicates information on
consumable goods and/or information record media.
[0241] In Step ST34, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the non-content screen
displayed currently as the default screen has been input in terms
of operation to a registration button (an example of the third
button) in the non-content screen or not according to whether the
registration request has been received from the panel unit 1a or
not.
[0242] If in Step ST34 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST34: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the non-content screen displayed currently as the default
screen in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the
value of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with
regard to a template file of the non-content screen (Step ST35).
The registered non-content screen will be displayed initially when
a job can be accepted after the registration.
[0243] Otherwise, if in Step ST34 it is determined that the
registration request has not been received (ST34: "NO"), then the
controlling unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying
another ready screen indicating information on consumable goods
and/or information record media has been input in terms of
operation to the screen-switch button (an example of the second
button) in the non-content screen according to whether a request
for displaying the another ready screen has been received from the
panel unit 1a or not (Step ST36).
[0244] If in Step ST36 it is determined that a request for
displaying the another ready screen indicating information on
consumable goods and/or information record media has been received
(ST36: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out a template
file of the ready screen having the image indicating a remaining
amount of toner in the first manner from the template file storing
unit 1l, and causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready
screen having the image that indicates the remaining amount of
toner in the first manner (Step ST37).
[0245] Otherwise, if in Step ST36 it is determined that a request
for displaying the another ready screen indicating information on
consumable goods and/or information record media has not been
received (ST36: "NO"), then the controlling unit 1o repeatedly
determines whether a request for displaying the another ready
screen indicating information on consumable goods and/or
information record media has been received.
[0246] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen indicating information on consumable goods and
information on information record media displayed on the display
screen 1a1 in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1
before the ready screen is set to the default screen.
[0247] This ready screen includes, as shown in FIG. 12, (a) a
message "Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a
ready screen, (b) an image that indicates one or more remaining
amounts of toner and the numbers of sheets consumed from respective
paper drawers, (c) a registration button (an example of the third
button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to
this button on this ready screen, for registering this ready screen
as the default screen that is displayed initially when a job can be
accepted after the registration, and (d) a screen-switch button (an
example of the second button) to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying another ready screen that includes the forementioned
first image indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner.
[0248] In Step ST38, the controlling unit 1o determines whether a
registration request for registering the ready screen indicating
information on consumable goods and/or information record media
displayed currently as the default screen has been input in terms
of operation to a registration button (an example of the third
button) in the ready screen displayed currently or not according to
whether the registration request has been received from the panel
unit 1a or not.
[0249] If in Step ST38 it is determined that the registration
request has been received (ST38: "YES"), then the controlling unit
1o sets the ready screen displayed currently as the default screen
in the template file storing unit 1l in terms of setting the value
of the default screen assignment information to "YES" with regard
to a template file of the ready screen displayed currently that
indicates information on consumable goods and/or information record
media (Step ST39).
[0250] If in Step ST38 it is determined that the registration
request has not been received (ST38: "NO"), then the controlling
unit 1o determines whether a request for displaying a ready screen
that has an image (i.e. a first image) indicating one or more
remaining amounts of toner in the first manner has been input in
terms of operation to a screen-switch button (an example of the
second button) in the ready screen indicating information on
consumable goods and/or information record media according to
whether a request for displaying the ready screen has been received
from the panel unit 1a or not (Step ST40).
[0251] If in Step ST40 it is determined that a request for
displaying the ready screen that includes the first image
indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner has been received
(ST40: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out a template
file of the ready screen containing the forementioned first image
from the template file storing unit 1l, and causes the display
screen 1a1 to display the ready screen that contains the first
image indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner (Step
ST41).
[0252] Otherwise, if in Step ST40 it is determined that a request
for displaying the ready screen containing the forementioned first
image has not been received (ST40: "NO"), then the controlling unit
1o repeatedly determines whether a request for displaying the ready
screen containing the forementioned first image has been
received.
[0253] In Step ST42, the controlling unit 1o determines whether any
of ready screens of which template files are stored in the template
file storing unit 1l has been registered as the default screen with
reference to the default screen assignment information in each of
the template files stored in the template file storing unit 1l.
[0254] If in Step ST42 it is determined that any of ready screens
other than the ready screen containing the first image has been
registered as the default screen (ST42: "YES"), then the
controlling unit 1o determines whether a job can be accepted or not
according to whether a job is being executed (Step ST43). After
Step ST11, ST15, ST19, ST23, ST27, ST31, ST35, or ST39, the
controlling unit 1o does the same in Step ST43.
[0255] Otherwise, if in Step ST42 it is determined that any of
ready screens other than the ready screen containing the first
image has not been registered as the default screen (ST42: "NO"),
then the controlling unit 1o transits to Step ST1 and determines
whether a job can be accepted or not.
[0256] If in Step ST43 it is determined that a job can be accepted
(ST43: "YES"), then the controlling unit 1o reads out a template
file of the ready screen registered as the default screen with
reference to the default screen assignment information from the
template file storing unit 1l, and causes the display screen 1a1 to
display the ready screen registered as the default screen based on
the template file (Step ST44).
[0257] For instance, the controlling unit 1o causes the display
screen 1a1 to display a ready screen shown in FIG. 13, in Step
ST44. This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a paper
size, (c) a paper type, (d) a second image that indicates one or
more remaining amounts of toner, (e) a menu-screen button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying a menu screen, (f) a
status-indication-screen button to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying a status indication screen that indicates a job list of
executable jobs, and (g) a screen-switch button (an example of the
first button) to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation
to this button on this ready screen, for displaying another ready
screen that indicates information different from the second image
included in this ready screen.
[0258] Further, in case that the ready screen indicating remaining
amounts of papers in respective paper drawers as shown in FIG. 6
has been registered in the forementioned default screen
registration process (in Step ST15), the controlling unit 1o causes
the display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen as shown in FIG.
14, in Step ST44. This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready
to print." indicating that the current screen is a ready screen,
(b) a paper size, (c) a paper type, (d) an image that indicates
remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers, (e) a
menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying a
menu screen, (f) a status-indication-screen button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs, and (g) a screen-switch
button (an example of the first button) to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen that indicates information
different from the image indicating remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers.
[0259] Furthermore, in case that the ready screen indicating the
numbers of sheets consumed for respective sections as shown in FIG.
7 has been registered in the forementioned default screen
registration process (in Step ST19), the controlling unit 1o causes
the display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen as shown in FIG.
15, in Step ST44. This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready
to print." indicating that the current screen is a ready screen,
(b) a paper size, (c) a paper type, (d) an image that indicates the
numbers of sheets consumed for respective sections, (e) a
menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying a
menu screen, (f) a status-indication-screen button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs, and (g) a screen-switch
button (an example of the first button) to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen that indicates information
different from the image indicating the numbers of sheets consumed
for respective sections.
[0260] Furthermore, in case that the ready screen indicating the
numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper sizes as shown in
FIG. 8 has been registered in the forementioned default screen
registration process (in Step ST23), the controlling unit 1o causes
the display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen as shown in FIG.
16, in Step ST44. This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready
to print." indicating that the current screen is a ready screen,
(b) a paper size, (c) a paper type, (d) an image that indicates the
numbers of consumed sheets with respective paper sizes, (e) a
menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying a
menu screen, (f) a status-indication-screen button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs, and (g) a screen-switch
button (an example of the first button) to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen that indicates information
different from the image indicating the numbers of consumed sheets
with respective paper sizes.
[0261] Furthermore, in case that the ready screen indicating the
numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers as shown
in FIG. 9 has been registered in the forementioned default screen
registration process (in Step ST27), the controlling unit 1o causes
the display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen as shown in FIG.
17, in Step ST44. This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready
to print." indicating that the current screen is a ready screen,
(b) a paper size, (c) a paper type, (d) an image that indicates the
numbers of sheets consumed from respective paper drawers, (e) a
menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying a
menu screen, (f) a status-indication-screen button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs, and (g) a screen-switch
button (an example of the first button) to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen that indicates information
different from the image indicating the numbers of sheets consumed
from respective paper drawers.
[0262] Furthermore, in case that the ready screen indicating the
numbers of printed sheets in respective color printing and
monochrome printing as shown in FIG. 10 has been registered in the
forementioned default screen registration process (in Step ST31),
the controlling unit 1o causes the display screen 1a1 to display a
ready screen as shown in FIG. 18, in Step ST44. This ready screen
includes (a) a message "Ready to print." indicating that the
current screen is a ready screen, (b) a paper size, (c) a paper
type, (d) an image that indicates the numbers of printed sheets in
respective color printing and monochrome printing, (e) a
menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying a
menu screen, (f) a status-indication-screen button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs, and (g) a screen-switch
button (an example of the first button) to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen that indicates information
different from the image indicating the numbers of printed sheets
in respective color printing and monochrome printing.
[0263] Furthermore, in case that the non-content screen as shown in
FIG. 11 has been registered in the forementioned default screen
registration process (in Step ST35), the controlling unit 1o causes
the display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen as shown in FIG.
19, in Step ST44. This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready
to print." indicating that the current screen is a ready screen,
(b) a menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying a
menu screen, (c) a status-indication-screen button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs, and (d) a screen-switch
button (an example of the first button) to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen that indicates information on
consumable goods and/or information record media.
[0264] Furthermore, in case that the ready screen indicating
information on consumable goods and/or information record media as
shown in FIG. 12 has been registered in the forementioned default
screen registration process (in Step ST39), the controlling unit 1o
causes the display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen as shown in
FIG. 20, in Step ST44. This ready screen includes (a) a message
"Ready to print." indicating that the current screen is a ready
screen, (b) a paper size, (c) a paper type, (d) an image that
indicates information on consumable goods and/or information record
media, (e) a menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying a menu screen, (f) a status-indication-screen button to
detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on
this ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen that
indicates a job list of executable jobs, and (g) a screen-switch
button (an example of the first button) to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen that indicates information
different from the image indicating information on consumable goods
and/or information record media.
[0265] In the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1, the
ready screens are displayed in turn along the order of (a) the
ready screen that includes the first image indicating one or more
remaining amounts of toner, (b) the ready screen that includes the
second image indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner, (c)
the ready screen that includes the image indicating remaining
amounts of papers in respective paper drawers, (d) the ready screen
that includes the image indicating the numbers of sheets consumed
for respective sections, (e) the ready screen that includes the
image indicating the numbers of consumed sheets with respective
paper sizes, (f) the ready screen that includes the image
indicating the numbers of printed sheets in respective color
printing and monochrome printing, (g) the ready screen with no
information on either consumable goods or information record media
(i.e. non-content screen), (h) the ready screen indicating
information on consumable goods and/or information record media,
but the order that the ready screens are displayed may be
changed.
[0266] In the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1, a ready
screen displayed in the display screen 1a1 may indicates other
information such as time to replace a fuser, time to replace
photoconductor drum, an advertisement of a new product, stock
information of consumable goods, consumable goods prices,
information on a nearest agency, or a combination of any of them
with any of the forementioned information, that is, one or more
remaining amounts of toner, remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers, the numbers of sheets consumed for
respective sections, the numbers of consumed sheets with respective
paper sizes, and the numbers of printed sheets in respective color
printing and monochrome printing.
[0267] Further, in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 1,
the images included in the ready screens may be replaced with other
images indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner, remaining
amounts of papers in respective paper drawers, the numbers of
sheets consumed for respective sections, the numbers of consumed
sheets with respective paper sizes, the numbers of printed sheets
in respective color printing and monochrome printing, and
information on consumable goods and/or information record media,
respectively.
[0268] Moreover, if in Step ST43 it is determined that a job can
not be received, then the controlling unit 1o continuously executes
the current job until the current job is finished (Step ST45), and
then ends the process.
[0269] As mentioned above, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 1 executes a series of the processes.
[0270] According to the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment
1, information indicated in a ready screen displayed by the display
screen 1a1 when a job can be accepted is selectable, and
consequently usability is enhanced for operators who need the
information.
[0271] As a result, convenience is enhanced for the operators.
[0272] Further, according to the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 1, the non-content screen can be chosen when a job can
be accepted, and therefore convenience is enhanced for operators
who do not need the forementioned information.
[0273] Further, according to the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 1, information indicated in the default screen displayed
initially when a job can be accepted can be chosen from ready
screens in terms of one-touch operation for the registration, for
example, in order to check information that operators do not need
usually, and consequently, convenience is further enhanced for the
operators.
Embodiment 2
[0274] A multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 causes a
display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen that includes
information chosen from predetermined information according to
whether a characteristic of a print job exists or not after the
print job is finished. FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram
indicating an instance of configuration of the multi function
peripheral 1 according to Embodiment 2.
[0275] The multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 is a multi
function peripheral as shown in FIG. 1, that displays ready screens
indicating that a job can be accepted on a display screen 1a1 in a
display panel when a job can be accepted. The ready screens further
indicate predetermined various sorts of information specified by
contents of errors that occurred in execution of a last previous
print job.
[0276] As shown in FIG. 21, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 2 comprises a panel unit 1a; an interface unit 101b;
toner remaining amount detecting units 101cY, 101cM, 101cC and
101cK; counters 101d1 to 101dn of respective paper drawers; sheet
remaining amount detecting units 101e1 to 101en of respective paper
drawers; paper size detecting units 101f1 to 101fn of respective
paper drawers; staple remaining amount detecting units 101g1 to
101gn of respective staple types; a toner remaining amount memory
unit 101h; a sheet-consumption amount memory unit 101i; a sheet
remaining amount memory unit 101j; a print job history data storing
unit 101k; a section information storing unit 101l; a paper size
memory unit 101m; a staple remaining amount memory unit 101n; a
template file storing unit 101o; an image forming unit 101p; a
printer engine unit 101q; and a controlling unit 101r.
[0277] Further, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2
comprises a computer that has an internal memory (not shown) in
which an image forming program was written during manufacture, or
is installed an image forming program via either a computer
readable recording medium or a communication network.
[0278] Each of the units in the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 2 may be embodied with software (i.e. program control),
hardware (i.e. specific-purpose electronic circuits) or a
combination of software and hardware.
[0279] The panel unit 1a has a display screen 1a1. The display
screen 1a1 is an example of a display unit. The display screen 1a1
displays a menu screen, a status indication screen and a ready
screen. The menu screen is displayed right after a power supply
switch of the multi function peripheral 1 is turned on, in order to
perform (a) switching a current active function among a facsimile
function, a scanner function, a copier function and a printer
function, (b) setting-up setting items of document scanning such as
resolution, electronic file format of generated document data,
image quality, density, and magnification, (c) setting-up each of
operation modes, etc. The status indication screen is displayed
upon an operator's operation on a touch panel, in order to indicate
a current execution status of a job. The ready screen is displayed
when a job can be accepted, in order to indicate that a job can be
accepted.
[0280] The panel unit 1a of Embodiment 2 has a display-period
setting operation detecting function and a display-period setting
request outputting function.
[0281] The display-period setting operation detecting function is a
function for detecting inputting a display period of a ready screen
in terms of operator's operation to a touch panel. The display
period can be set to an optional period within the period from the
end of the finished print job to the beginning of a next print job
in terms of the operator's operation.
[0282] The display-period setting request outputting function is a
function is a function for outputting to the controlling unit 101r
a pair of the display period data and a request to set the display
period of each of ready screens.
[0283] The interface unit 101b receives a packet that comprises (a)
a header part containing a job ID assigned to each of jobs and a
MAC address of a terminal device in a communication network such as
LAN or WAN and (b) a print data body described in a page
description language or the like, via the communication network
transmitted from the terminal device such as a personal computer or
another multi function peripheral as the terminal device not shown
here, and outputs data included in the received packet to the
controlling unit 101r after executing some processes such as parity
check and error correction for the data of the received packet.
[0284] The toner remaining amount detecting units 101cY, 101cM,
101cC and 101cK detect remaining amounts of toner with respective
colors YMCK (Yellow/Magenta/Cyan/Black), and attach toner sensor
IDs assigned to the respective units 101cY, 101cM, 101cC and 101cK
to respective data of the remaining amounts of toner, and output
respective pairs of the remaining amount of toner and the toner
sensor ID to the controlling unit 101r.
[0285] The counters 101d1 to 101dn are located with paper drawers
to count the numbers of sheets printed from the respective paper
drawers, and attach counter IDs assigned to the respective counters
101d1 to 101dn to respective data of the counted numbers of printed
sheets, and output respective pairs of the counted number of
printed sheets and the counter ID to the controlling unit 101r.
[0286] The sheet remaining amount detecting units 101e1 to 101en
are located with paper drawers to detect remaining amounts of
papers in the respective paper drawers, and attach paper sensor IDs
assigned to the respective units 101e1 to 101en to the respective
remaining amounts of papers, and output respective pairs of the
remaining amount of papers and the paper sensor ID to the
controlling unit 101r.
[0287] The paper size detecting units 101f1 to 101fn have a
function for detecting paper sizes of papers supplied in respective
paper drawers, and a function for attaching size sensor IDs
assigned to the respective paper size detecting units 101f1 to
101fn to respective detected paper sizes and outputting respective
pairs of the size sensor ID and the detected paper size to the
controlling unit 101r.
[0288] The staple remaining amount detecting units 101g1 to 101gn
detect remaining amounts of staples in respective staple storages,
and output to the controlling unit 101r a pair of each of the
remaining amounts of staples and a staple sensor ID assigned to
each of the staple remaining amount detecting units 101g1 to
101gn.
[0289] The toner remaining amount memory unit 101h stores the
remaining amounts of toner, the toner sensor IDs and detection time
as related to each other, respectively.
[0290] The sheet-consumption amount memory unit 101i stores the
numbers of printed sheets, the counter IDs and detection time as
related to each other, respectively.
[0291] The sheet remaining amount memory unit 101j stores the
remaining amounts of papers, the paper sensor IDs and detection
time as related to each other, respectively.
[0292] The print job history data storing unit 101k stores at least
a job type, a job priority level, job progress information, a MAC
address of a requesting terminal device, execution beginning time,
execution ending time, a coverage rate and the number of printed
sheets for each of jobs, as related to each other.
[0293] The section information storing unit 101l stores a MAC
address uniquely assigned to each of terminal devices in the
network and information on a section that accommodates the terminal
device to which the MAC address is assigned, as related to each
other.
[0294] The paper size memory unit 101m stores relationships between
respective paper drawers and respective paper sizes.
[0295] The staple remaining amount memory unit 101n stores at least
staple types and remaining amounts of staples with the respective
staple types.
[0296] The template file storing unit 101o stores template files of
the menu screen, the status indication screen and the ready
screens. Information on whether a predetermined characteristic
exists or not, type of the characteristic, display period data, one
or more items to be displayed, display format, and information on
layout of the one or more items are defined in the template
file.
[0297] The image forming unit 101p has a bitmap data generating
function and a bitmap data outputting function.
[0298] The bitmap data generating function is a function for
receiving print data described in a page description language from
the controlling unit 101r and converting the received print data to
bitmap data.
[0299] The bitmap data outputting function is a function for
sending the bitmap data generated in terms of the bitmap data
generating function as a response to the controlling unit 101r.
[0300] The printer engine unit 101q has a print job executing
function, a print job list generating function, a print-job-start
notice outputting function and a print-job-end notice outputting
function.
[0301] The print job executing function is a function for
generating an image with electrophotographic process based on the
bitmap data received from the controlling unit 101r and forming the
image on a surface of a paper as an information record medium.
[0302] The print job list generating function is a function for
receiving bitmap data and coverage rate data calculated from the
bitmap data and generating a print job list of executable print
jobs to be executed, with sorting the executable print jobs to be
executed based on a job priority level included in the data
received from the controlling unit 101r if an interrupting job
takes place, and for outputting the generated print job list to the
controlling unit 101r.
[0303] The print-job-start notice outputting function is a function
for outputting a print-job-start notice to the controlling unit
101r at the beginning of a job. The print-job-start notice
indicates that execution of the job started.
[0304] The print-job-end notice outputting function is a function
for outputting a print-job-end notice to the controlling unit 101r
at the end of a job. The print-job-end notice indicates that
execution of the job ended.
[0305] The controlling unit 101r has functions mentions below and
controls the panel unit 1a, the interface unit 101b, the toner
remaining amount detecting units 101cY, 101cM, 101cC and 101cK, the
counters 101d1 to 101dn, the sheet remaining amount detecting units
101e1 to 101en, the paper size detecting units 101f1 to 101fn, the
staple remaining amount detecting units 101g1 to 101gn, the toner
remaining amount memory unit 101h, the sheet-consumption amount
memory unit 101i, the sheet remaining amount memory unit 101j, the
print job history data storing unit 101k, the section information
storing unit 101l, the paper size memory unit 101m, the staple
remaining amount memory unit 101n, the template file storing unit
101o, the image forming unit 101p, and the printer engine unit
101q, in order to execute an error existence determination process
mentioned below and a display control process to cause the display
screen 1a1 to display ready screens mentioned below in the multi
function peripheral 1 of this embodiment.
[0306] A display-period setting request determining function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for determining whether a
display-period setting request for setting-up a display period of a
ready screen has been received from an operator or not according to
whether a pair of the display period data and the display-period
setting request has been received from the panel unit 1a.
[0307] A display-period setting-up function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for setting-up the display period of a template
file of a ready screen stored in the template file storing unit
101o if in terms of the display-period setting request determining
function it is determined that the display-period setting request
has been received.
[0308] A packet data transferring function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for outputting to the image forming unit 101p
data included in a packet received from the interface unit
101b.
[0309] A coverage rate calculating function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for counting the number of bits included in
characters and/or images in bitmap data received from the image
forming unit 101p, and for calculating a coverage rate of a print
job by dividing the number of the bits by the number of all bits in
the bitmap data.
[0310] A bitmap data transferring function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for outputting to the printer engine unit 101q a
pair of bitmap data and the coverage rate data calculated in terms
of the coverage rate calculating function.
[0311] A print job list writing function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for receiving the print job list containing the
coverage rate from the printer engine 101q, and writing one or more
executable print jobs to be executed hereafter included in the
received print job list into the print job history data storing
unit 101k.
[0312] A timer function of the controlling unit 101r is a function
for measuring time continuously.
[0313] A toner amount writing function of the controlling unit 101r
is a function for receiving pairs of the remaining amounts of toner
with respective colors YMCK and the respective toner sensor IDs
output from the toner remaining amount detecting units 101cY,
101cM, 101cC and 101cK, and for writing a set of the remaining
amount of toner, the toner sensor ID and detection time data on
each of the colors in the toner remaining amount memory unit 101h
with regarding the time when the pairs are received as the
detection time and attaching the detection time data to each of the
received pairs.
[0314] A number-of-printed-sheet writing function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for receiving pairs of the
respective counted numbers of printed sheets and the respective
counter IDs from the counters 101d1 to 101dn, and for writing a set
of the counted number of printed sheets, the counter ID and
detection time on each of the paper drawers in the
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 101i with regarding the time
when the pairs are received as the detection time and attaching the
detection time data to each of the received pairs.
[0315] A staple remaining amount writing function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for receiving pairs of the
respective remaining amounts of staples and the respective staple
sensor IDs from the staple remaining amount detecting units 101g1
to 101gn, and for writing a set of the remaining amount of staples,
the staple sensor ID and detection time data with a staple type in
the staple remaining amount memory unit 101n after attaching the
detection time data to each of the received pairs.
[0316] A first print job history updating function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for updating print job
execution beginning time in print job history data stored in the
print job history data storing unit 101k upon receiving a
print-job-start notice from the printer engine unit 101q.
[0317] A second print job history updating function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for updating print job history
data in the print job history data storing unit 101k by changing
the value of job progress information to a value (e.g. "finished")
indicating that a job ends upon receiving a print-job-end notice
from the printer engine unit 101q.
[0318] A print-job-end determining function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for determining whether a print job ends or not
according to whether the print-job-end notice has been received
from the printer engine unit 101q.
[0319] A print job data updating function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for updating print job history data in the print
job history data storing unit 101k by writing end time of a
finished print job in the print job history data storing unit 101k
if in terms o the print-job-end determining function it is
determined that the print job is finished.
[0320] A first characteristic-existence determining function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for determining whether a
finished print job has a characteristic or not according to whether
or not the coverage rate calculated in terms of the coverage rate
calculating function is equal to or greater than a predetermined
threshold.
[0321] A first display controlling function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for reading out a template file of a ready
screen that the value of information on whether or not a
characteristic exists is "YES" and the type of the characteristic
is "coverage rate excess" from the template file storing unit 101o,
reading out one or more remaining amounts of toner from the toner
remaining amount memory unit 101h and combining the template file
with the one or more remaining amounts of toner in order to
generate ready screen data, and then causing the display screen 1a1
to display the ready screen indicating one or more remaining
amounts of toner only in the preset display period, if in terms of
the first characteristic-existence determining function it is
determined that a finished print job has the characteristic.
[0322] A number-of-printed-sheets reading-out function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for reading out data of the
number of sheets printed in the last previous finished print job,
if in terms of the first characteristic-existence determining
function it is determined that a finished print job does not have
the characteristic.
[0323] A second characteristic-existence determining function of
the controlling unit 101r is a function for determining whether a
finished print job has a characteristic or not according to whether
or not the number of printed sheets read out in terms of the
number-of-printed-sheets reading-out function is equal to or
greater than a predetermined threshold.
[0324] A second display controlling function of the controlling
unit 101r is a function for reading out a template file of a ready
screen that the value of information on whether or not a
characteristic exists is "YES" and the type of the characteristic
is "printed-sheet excess" from the template file storing unit 101o,
reading out remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers
from the sheet remaining amount memory unit 101j, and combining the
template file with the remaining amounts of papers in respective
paper drawers in order to generate ready screen data, and then
causing the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers
only in the preset display period, if in terms of the second
characteristic-existence determining function it is determined that
a finished print job has the characteristic.
[0325] A first print-type-data reading-out function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for reading out print job type
data from the print job history data storing unit 101k, if in terms
of the second characteristic-existence determining function it is
determined that a finished print job does not have the
characteristic.
[0326] A number-of-printed-sheets summing-up function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for (a) reading out data of all
jobs that was finished in the past from the print job history data
storing unit 101k, (b) reading out MAC addresses of sections from
the section information storing unit 101l, (c) calculating the
numbers of sheets printed for respective sections in terms of
summing up the number of sheets printed for each of sections
corresponding to each of the MAC addresses based on the data of all
jobs, if in terms of the second characteristic-existence
determining function it is determined that a finished print job
does not have the characteristic.
[0327] A third characteristic-existence determining function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for determining whether a
finished print job has a characteristic or not according to whether
or not any of differences between respective predetermined
uppermost limit values and the numbers of sheets printed for
respective sections is less than a predetermined threshold.
[0328] A third display controlling function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for reading out a template file of a ready
screen that the value of information on whether or not a
characteristic exists is "YES" and the type of the characteristic
is that "number of printed sheets reaches limit in near future"
from the template file storing unit 101o, and combining the
template file with a pair of the number of printed sheets and a
predetermined uppermost limit value with regard to a section for
which the difference between the predetermined uppermost limit
value and the number of printed sheets is less than a predetermined
threshold, and then causing the display screen 1a1 to display the
ready screen indicating the uppermost limit value and the number of
printed sheets with regard to the section only in the preset
display period, if in terms of the third characteristic-existence
determining function it is determined that a finished print job has
the characteristic.
[0329] A second print-type-data reading-out function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for reading out print job type
data from the print job history data storing unit 101k, if in terms
of the third characteristic-existence determining function it is
determined that a finished print job does not have the
characteristic.
[0330] A staple remaining amount reading-out function of the
controlling unit 101r is a function for reading out data of staple
types and remaining amounts of staples with the respective staple
types from the staple remaining amount memory unit 101n, if in
terms of the third characteristic-existence determining function it
is determined that a finished print job does not have the
characteristic.
[0331] A fourth characteristic-existence determining function of
the controlling unit 101r is a function for determining whether a
finished print job has a characteristic or not according to whether
or not the type of the finished print job is "staple printing" and
a remaining amount of staples with any of staple types is less than
a predetermined threshold.
[0332] A fourth display controlling function of the controlling
unit 101r is a function for reading out a template file of a ready
screen that the value of information on whether or not a
characteristic exists is "YES" and the type of the characteristic
is that "staples will be short in near future" from the template
file storing unit 101o, and combining the template file with the
data of remaining amounts of staples with respective staple types
in order to generate ready screen data, and then causing the
display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen indicating remaining
amounts of staples with respective staple types only in the preset
display period, if in terms of the fourth characteristic-existence
determining function it is determined that a finished print job has
the characteristic.
[0333] A fifth display controlling function of the controlling unit
101r is a function for reading out a template file of a ready
screen that the value of information on whether or not a
characteristic exists is "NO" from the template file storing unit
101o, and combining the template file with data of one or more
remaining amounts of toner read out from the toner remaining amount
memory unit 101h in order to generate ready screen data, and then
causing the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
containing an image indicating one or more remaining amounts of
toner only in the preset display period, if in terms of the fourth
characteristic-existence determining function it is determined that
a finished print job does not have the characteristic.
[0334] Hereinafter, processes executed by the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 with the forementioned configuration
will be explained with reference to drawings.
[0335] FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by
the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 2.
[0336] In the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2, when
process of a print job is started, execution of an image forming
program installed in a computer of the multi function peripheral 1
is started to perform processes described below.
[0337] Firstly, the controlling unit 101r determines whether a
current print job is finished or not according to whether a
print-job-end notice has been received from the printer engine unit
101q (Step ST101).
[0338] If in Step ST101 it is determined that a current print job
is finished (ST101: "YES"), then the controlling unit 101r reads
out a coverage rate of the finished print job from the print job
history data storing unit 101k, and determines whether the finished
print job has a characteristic or not according to whether or not
the coverage rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined
threshold (Step ST102).
[0339] In Embodiment 2, the controlling unit 101r counts the number
of bits included in characters and/or images in bitmap data and
calculates the coverage rate by dividing the number of the bits by
the number of all bits in the bitmap data, and then determines
whether or not the print job has the characteristic based on the
calculated coverage rate. Alternatively, the controlling unit 101r
may count the number of bits included in characters and/or images
in each of pages in bitmap data, and calculate coverage rates of
the respective pages by dividing the numbers of the bits on the
pages by the numbers of all bits on the pages respectively, and
then determine whether the print job has the characteristic or not
according to whether or not an average of the coverage rates of the
pages is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.
[0340] Otherwise, if in Step ST101 it is determined that a current
print job has not been finished (ST101: "NO"), then the controlling
unit 101r repeatedly determines whether or not the current print
job is finished.
[0341] If in Step ST102 it is determined that the finished print
job has the characteristic (ST102: "YES"), then the controlling
unit 101r reads out a template file of a ready screen that the
value of information on whether or not a characteristic exists is
"YES" and the type of the characteristic is "coverage rate excess"
from the template file storing unit 101o, reads out data of one or
more remaining amounts of toner from the toner remaining amount
memory unit 101h, and combines the template file with data of the
one or more remaining amounts of toner in order to generate ready
screen data, and then causes the display screen 1a1 to display the
ready screen indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner
(Step ST103).
[0342] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous
print job has a characteristic on a coverage rate.
[0343] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a first
image that indicates one or more remaining amounts of toner, and
(c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a request, in terms
of operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying
another ready screen mentioned below that contains a second image
indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner different from
the first image. The another ready screen is a ready screen
displayed when any errors has not taken place.
[0344] Otherwise, if in Step ST102 it is determined that the
finished print job does not have the characteristic (ST102: "NO"),
then the controlling unit 101r reads out the number of printed
sheets in the last previous finished print job from the print job
history data storing unit 101k (Step ST104).
[0345] In Step ST105, the controlling unit 101r determines whether
the finished print has a characteristic or not according to whether
or not the read-out number of printed sheets is equal to or greater
than a predetermined threshold.
[0346] If in Step ST105 it is determined that the print job has the
characteristic (ST105: "YES"), then the controlling unit 101r reads
out a template file of a ready screen that the value of information
on whether or not a characteristic exists is "YES" and the type of
the characteristic is "printed-sheet excess" from the template file
storing unit 101o, reads out data of remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers from the sheet remaining amount memory
unit 101j, and combines the template file with data of the
remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers in order to
generate ready screen data, and then causes the display screen 1a1
to display the ready screen indicating remaining amounts of papers
in respective paper drawers.
[0347] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous
print job has a characteristic on the number of printed sheets.
[0348] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a third
image that indicates remaining amounts of papers in respective
paper drawers, and (c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen mentioned below that includes
the second image indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner
different from the third image. The another ready screen is a ready
screen displayed when any errors has not taken place.
[0349] Otherwise, if in Step ST105 it is determined that the print
job does not have the characteristic (ST105: "NO"), then the
controlling unit 101r reads out the print type of the print job
(i.e. the last previous print job) from the print job history data
storing unit 101k (Step ST107).
[0350] In Step ST108, the controlling unit 101r reads out data of
all jobs that was finished in the past from the print job history
data storing unit 101k, reads out MAC addresses of sections from
the section information storing unit 101l, calculates the numbers
of sheets printed for respective sections by summing up the number
of sheets printed for each of sections corresponding to each of the
MAC addresses based on the data of all jobs.
[0351] In Embodiment 2, the numbers of sheets printed for
respective sections are calculated after the print type data is
read out from the print job history data storing unit 101k.
Alternatively, the numbers of sheets printed for respective
sections may be calculated before the print type data is read out
from the print job history data storing unit 101k. Further,
alternatively, the process of calculating the numbers of sheets
printed for respective sections and the process of reading out the
print type data from the print job history data storing unit 101k
may be performed in parallel.
[0352] In Step ST109, the controlling unit 101r determines whether
the print job has a characteristic or not according to whether or
not the type of the print job is section management printing and
any of differences between respective predetermined uppermost limit
values and the numbers of sheets printed for respective sections is
less than a predetermined threshold.
[0353] If in Step ST109 it is determined that the print job has the
characteristic (ST109: "YES"), then the controlling unit 101r reads
out a template file of a ready screen that the value of information
on whether or not a characteristic exists is "YES" and the type of
the characteristic is that "number of printed sheets reaches limit
in near future" from the template file storing unit 101o, and
combines the template file with a pair of the number of printed
sheets and a predetermined uppermost limit value with regard to a
section that the difference between the predetermined uppermost
limit value and the number of printed sheets is less than a
predetermined threshold, and then causes the display screen 1a1 to
display the ready screen indicating the uppermost limit value and
the number of printed sheets with regard to the section (Step
ST110).
[0354] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous
print job is section management printing and a difference between a
predetermined uppermost limit value of the number of printed sheets
on each section of all sections and the number of sheets that has
been printed for the section is less than a threshold.
[0355] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a fourth
image that indicates the numbers of printed sheets and the
uppermost limit values of them for respective sections, and (c) a
screen-switch button to detect inputting a request, in terms of
operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying
another ready screen. The another screen contains the second image
indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner rather than the
fourth image in case that any errors have not taken place. The
another ready screen is the forementioned ready screen that
containing the second image.
[0356] It should be noted that the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 2 may display a ready screen that contains an image
indicating the numbers of sheets printed for respective sections
and/or the numbers of sheets that can be printed hereafter, if the
last previous print job is section management printing and the
difference between a predetermined uppermost limit value of the
number of printed sheets on any section and the number of sheets
that has been printed for the section is less than a threshold. The
numbers of sheets that can be printed hereafter may be calculated
as the difference between the number of printed sheets and the
uppermost limit value of it.
[0357] Otherwise, if in Step ST109 it is determined that the print
job does not have the characteristic (ST109: "NO"), then the
controlling unit 101r reads out data of the print type of the print
job (i.e. the last previous print job) from the print job history
data storing unit 101k (Step ST111).
[0358] In addition, the controlling unit 101r reads out data of
staple types and remaining amounts of staples with the respective
staple types from the staple remaining amount memory unit 101n
(Step ST112).
[0359] In Embodiment 2, the data of staple types and remaining
amounts of staples with the respective staple types is read out
after the print type data is read out. Alternatively, the data of
staple types and remaining amounts of staples with the respective
staple types may be read out before the print type data is read
out. Further, alternatively, the process of reading out the data of
staple types and remaining amounts of staples with the respective
staple types and the process of reading out the print type data may
be performed in parallel.
[0360] In Step ST113, the controlling unit 101r determines whether
the finished print job has a characteristic or not according to
whether or not the type of the finished print job is "staple
printing" and a remaining amount of staples with any of staple
types is less than a predetermined threshold.
[0361] If in Step ST113 it is determined that the finished print
job has the characteristic (ST113: "YES"), then the controlling
unit 101r reads out a template file of a ready screen that the
value of information on whether or not a characteristic exists is
"YES" and the type of the characteristic is that "staples will be
short in near future" from the template file storing unit 101o, and
combines the template file with data of remaining amounts of
staples with respective staple types read out from the staple
remaining amount memory unit 101n in order to generate ready screen
data, and then causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready
screen indicating remaining amounts of staples with respective
staple types (ST114).
[0362] FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 in case that a last previous
print job is staple printing and a remaining amount of staples with
any of staple types is less than a threshold.
[0363] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a fifth
image that indicates remaining amounts of staples in respective
staple storages, and (c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting
a request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready
screen, for displaying another ready screen. The another ready
screen includes the first image indicating one or more remaining
amounts of toner rather than the fifth image in case that any
errors has not taken place. The another ready screen is the
forementioned ready screen that containing the first image.
[0364] It should be noted that the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 2 may display a ready screen further containing an image
that indicates statuses of some options such as booklet printing
function, if the type of the finished print job is "staple
printing" and a remaining amount of staples with any of staple
types is less than a predetermined threshold.
[0365] Otherwise, if in Step ST113 it is determined that the print
job does not have the characteristic (ST113: "NO"), then the
controlling unit 101r reads out a template file of a ready screen
that the value of information on whether or not a characteristic
exists is "NO" from the template file storing unit 101o, and
combines the template file with data of one or more remaining
amounts of toner read out from the toner remaining amount memory
unit 101h in order to generate ready screen data, and then causes
the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen containing an
image indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner (Step
ST115).
[0366] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 in case that any errors have
not occurred in a last previous print job.
[0367] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a paper
size set up as a default, (c) a paper type set up as a default, (d)
the second image that indicates one or more remaining amounts of
toner, (e) a menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying a menu screen, and (f) a status-indication-screen button
to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button
on this ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen
that indicates a job list of executable jobs to be executed
hereafter.
[0368] It should be noted that the ready screens displayed by the
display screen 1a1 in Embodiment 2 may further contain an image
that indicates the number of consumed papers together with the
first image that indicates one or more remaining amounts of
toner.
[0369] As mentioned above, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 2 executes a series of the processes.
[0370] According to the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment
2, information suggesting an issue that would occur is provided to
an operator and then the operator can cope in advance of errors
that will take place in near future.
[0371] In addition, the operator can know an issue that will take
place in near future in advance.
[0372] Further, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 2 can
display necessary information only when a user who needs the
information stands in front of the display panel, therefore a ready
screen to be displayed can be chosen from ready screens according
to whether any of errors has taken place or not.
[0373] In addition, according to the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 2, information for preventing from occurrence of an
issue can be indicated automatically.
Embodiment 3
[0374] A multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 causes a
display screen 1a1 to display a ready screen that includes
information on an error that has occurred during execution of a
print job after the print job is finished. FIG. 28 is a functional
block diagram indicating an instance of configuration of the multi
function peripheral 1 according to Embodiment 3.
[0375] The multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 is a multi
function peripheral as shown in FIG. 1, that displays ready screens
indicating that a job can be accepted on a display screen 1a1 in a
display panel when a job can be accepted. The ready screens further
indicate predetermined various sorts of information specified by
content of an error that has occurred in execution of a last
previous print job.
[0376] As shown in FIG. 28, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 3 comprises a panel unit 1a; an interface unit 201b;
toner remaining amount detecting units 201cY, 201cM, 201cC and
201cK; counters 201d1 to 201dn of respective paper drawers; sheet
remaining amount detecting units 201e1 to 201en of respective paper
drawers; a paper feed mechanism 201f; micro switches 201g1 to
201g3; paper size detecting units 201h1 to 201hn of respective
paper drawers; staple remaining amount detecting units 201i1 to
201in; a toner remaining amount memory unit 201j; a
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 201k; a sheet remaining amount
memory unit 201l; a print job history data storing unit 201m; a
section information storing unit 201n; a paper size memory unit
201o; a staple remaining amount memory unit 201p; a jam history
data storing unit 201q; a template file storing unit 201r; an image
forming unit 201s; a printer engine unit 201t; and a controlling
unit 201u.
[0377] Further, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3
comprises a computer that has an internal memory (not shown) in
which an image forming program was written during manufacture, or
is installed an image forming program via either a computer
readable recording medium or a communication network.
[0378] Each of the units in the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 3 may be embodied with software (i.e. program control),
hardware (i.e. specific-purpose electronic circuits) or a
combination of software and hardware.
[0379] The panel unit 1a has a display screen 1a1. The display
screen 1a1 is an example of a display unit. The display screen 1a1
displays a menu screen, a status indication screen and a ready
screen. The menu screen is displayed right after a power supply
switch of the multi function peripheral 1 is turned on, in order to
perform (a) switching a current active function among a facsimile
function, a scanner function, a copier function and a printer
function, (b) setting-up setting items of document scanning such as
resolution, electronic file format of generated document data,
image quality, density, and magnification, (c) setting-up each of
operation modes, etc. The status indication screen is displayed
upon an operator's operation on a touch panel, in order to indicate
a current execution status of a job. The ready screen is displayed
when a job can be accepted, in order to indicate that a job can be
accepted.
[0380] The panel unit 1a of Embodiment 3 has a display-period
setting operation detecting function and a display-period setting
request outputting function.
[0381] The display-period setting operation detecting function is a
function for detecting inputting a display period of a ready screen
in terms of operator's operation to a touch panel. The display
period can be set to an optional period within the period from the
end of the finished print job to the beginning of a next print job
in terms of the operator's operation.
[0382] The display-period setting request outputting function is a
function is a function for outputting to the controlling unit 201u
a pair of the display period data and a request to set the display
period of each of ready screens.
[0383] The interface unit 201b receives a packet that comprises (a)
a header part containing a job ID assigned to each of print jobs
and a MAC address of a terminal device in a communication network
such as LAN or WAN and (b) a print data body described in a page
description language or the like, via the communication network
transmitted from the terminal device such as a personal computer or
another multi function peripheral as the terminal device not shown
here, and outputs data included in the received packet to the
controlling unit 201u after executing some processes such as parity
check and error correction for the data of the received packet.
[0384] The toner remaining amount detecting units 201cY, 201cM,
201cC and 201cK detect remaining amounts of toner with respective
colors YMCK (Yellow/Magenta/Cyan/Black), and attach toner sensor
IDs assigned to the respective units 201cY, 201cM, 201cC and 201cK
to respective data of the remaining amounts of toner, and output
respective pairs of the remaining amount of toner and the toner
sensor ID to the controlling unit 201u.
[0385] The counters 201d1 to 201dn are located with paper drawers
to count the numbers of sheets printed from the respective paper
drawers, and attach counter IDs assigned to the respective counters
201d1 to 201dn to respective data of the counted numbers of printed
sheets, and output respective pairs of the counted number of
printed sheets and the counter ID to the controlling unit 201u.
[0386] The sheet remaining amount detecting units 201e1 to 201en
are located with paper drawers to detect remaining amounts of
papers in the respective paper drawers, and attach paper sensor IDs
assigned to the respective units 201e1 to 201en to the respective
remaining amounts of papers, and output respective pairs of the
remaining amount of papers and the paper sensor ID to the
controlling unit 201u.
[0387] The paper feed mechanism 201f outputs an output completion
notice right after a paper sheet (an information record medium) has
been fed to a transportation path. The output completion notice
indicates that a paper sheet has been fed to a transportation
path.
[0388] The micro switches 201g1 to 201g3 are located in upper
region, middle region and lower region in a transportation path,
respectively. The micro switches 201g1 to 201g3 are switches with
arms not shown here to detect that a paper passes on the
transportation path, and output a paper detection signal to the
controlling unit 201u when detecting that a paper passes at each of
the regions where the micro switches 201g1 to 201g3 are located.
The paper detection signal indicates that a paper passes at a
region where one of the micro switches 201g1 to 201g3 is
located.
[0389] The paper size detecting units 201h1 to 201hn have a
function for detecting paper sizes of papers supplied in respective
paper drawers, and a function for attaching size sensor IDs
assigned to the respective paper size detecting units 201h1 to
201hn to respective detected paper sizes and outputting respective
pairs of the size sensor ID and the detected paper size to the
controlling unit 201u.
[0390] The staple remaining amount detecting units 201i1 to 201in
detect remaining amounts of staples in respective staple storages,
and output to the controlling unit 201u a pair of each of the
remaining amounts of staples and a staple sensor ID assigned to
each of the staple remaining amount detecting units 201i1 to
201in.
[0391] The toner remaining amount memory unit 201j stores the
remaining amounts of toner, the toner sensor IDs and detection time
as related to each other, respectively.
[0392] The sheet-consumption amount memory unit 201k stores the
numbers of printed sheets, the counter IDs and detection time as
related to each other, respectively.
[0393] The sheet remaining amount memory unit 201l stores the
remaining amounts of papers, the paper sensor IDs and detection
time as related to each other, respectively.
[0394] The print job history data storing unit 201m stores at least
a print job ID, a print job priority level, print job progress
information, a MAC address of the requesting terminal device, type
information of either color printing or monochrome printing,
execution beginning time, execution ending time, the number of
printed sheets, information on whether an error has occurred or
not, an error type that indicates content of the error for each of
print jobs, as related to each other.
[0395] The section information storing unit 201n store a MAC
address uniquely assigned to each of terminal devices in the
network and information on a section that accommodates the terminal
device to which the MAC address is assigned, as related to each
other.
[0396] The paper size memory unit 201o stores relationships between
respective paper drawers and respective paper sizes.
[0397] The staple remaining amount memory unit 201p stores at least
staple types and remaining amounts of staples with the respective
staple types.
[0398] The jam history data storing unit 201q stores at least jam
types and the numbers of times of jams with the respective jam
types.
[0399] The template file storing unit 201r stores template files of
the menu screen, the status indication screen and the ready
screens. Information on whether an error has occurred or not, an
error type that indicates content of the error, a display period,
one or more items to be displayed, display format, and information
on layout of the one or more items are defined in the template
file.
[0400] The image forming unit 201s has a bitmap data generating
function and a bitmap data outputting function.
[0401] The bitmap data generating function is a function for
receiving print data described in a page description language from
the controlling unit 201u and converting the received print data to
bitmap data.
[0402] The bitmap data outputting function is a function for
sending the bitmap data generated in terms of the bitmap data
generating function as a response to the controlling unit 201u.
[0403] The printer engine unit 201t has a print job executing
function, a print job list generating function, a print-job-start
notice outputting function and a print-job-end notice outputting
function.
[0404] The print job executing function is a function for
generating an image with electrophotographic process based on the
bitmap data received from the controlling unit 201u and forming the
image on a surface of a paper as an information record medium.
[0405] The print job list generating function is a function for
generating a print job list of executable print jobs to be
executed, with sorting the executable print jobs to be executed
based on a job priority level included in the data received from
the controlling unit 201u if an interrupting print job takes place,
and for outputting the generated print job list to the controlling
unit 201u.
[0406] The print-job-start notice outputting function is a function
for outputting a print-job-start notice to the controlling unit
201u at the beginning of a job. The print-job-start notice
indicates that execution of the print job started.
[0407] The print-job-end notice outputting function is a function
for outputting a print-job-end notice to the controlling unit 201u
at the end of a job. The print-job-end notice indicates that
execution of the print job ended.
[0408] The controlling unit 201u has functions mentions below and
controls the panel unit 1a, the interface unit 201b, the toner
remaining amount detecting units 201cY, 201cM, 201cC and 201cK, the
counters 201d1 to 201dn, the sheet remaining amount detecting units
201e1 to 201en, the paper feed mechanism 201f, micro switches 201g1
to 201g3, the paper size detecting units 201h1 to 201hn, the staple
remaining amount detecting units 201i1 to 201in, the toner
remaining amount memory unit 201j, the sheet-consumption amount
memory unit 201k, the sheet remaining amount memory unit 201l, the
job history data storing unit 201m, the section information storing
unit 201n, the paper size memory unit 201o, the staple remaining
amount memory unit 201p, the jam history data storing unit 201q,
the template file storing unit 201r, the image forming unit 201s,
and the printer engine unit 201t, in order to execute an error
existence determining process mentioned below and a display control
process to cause the display screen 1a1 to display ready screens
mentioned below in the multi function peripheral 1 of this
embodiment.
[0409] A display-period setting request determining function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for determining whether a
display-period setting request for setting-up a display period of a
ready screen has been received from an operator or not according to
whether a pair of the display period data and the display-period
setting request has been received from the panel unit 1a.
[0410] A display-period setting-up function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for setting-up the display period of a template
file of a ready screen stored in the template file storing unit
201r if in terms of the display-period setting request determining
function it is determined that the display-period setting request
has been received.
[0411] A packet data transferring function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for outputting to the image forming unit 201s
data included in a packet received from the interface unit
201b.
[0412] A bitmap data transferring function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for outputting to the printer engine unit 201t
bitmap data received from the image forming unit 201s.
[0413] A timer function of the controlling unit 201u is a function
for measuring time continuously.
[0414] A toner amount writing function of the controlling unit 201u
is a function for receiving pairs of the remaining amounts of toner
with respective colors YMCK and the respective toner sensor IDs
output from the toner remaining amount detecting units 201cY,
201cM, 201cC and 201cK, and for writing a set of the remaining
amount of toner, the toner sensor ID and detection time data on
each of the colors in the toner remaining amount memory unit 201j
with regarding the time when the pairs are received as the
detection time and attaching the detection time data to each of the
received pairs.
[0415] A number-of-printed-sheet writing function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for receiving pairs of the
respective counted numbers of printed sheets and the respective
counter IDs from the counters 201d1 to 201dn, and for writing a set
of the counted number of printed sheets, the counter ID and
detection time on each of the paper drawers in the
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 201k with regarding the time
when the pairs are received as the detection time and attaching the
detection time data to each of the received pairs.
[0416] A print job list writing function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for receiving the print job list from the
printer engine 201t, and for writing the print job list with
color/monochrome printing type information in the print job history
data storing unit 201m after determining whether a print data body
of each of jobs in the print job list has color information and
attaching the color/monochrome printing type information to the
print job. The color/monochrome printing type information is
specified according to the determining result, and indicates that a
print job is either color-printing job or monochrome-printing
job.
[0417] A first print job history updating function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for updating print job
execution beginning time in print job history data stored in the
print job history data storing unit 201m upon receiving a
print-job-start notice from the printer engine unit 201t.
[0418] A second print job history updating function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for updating print job history
data in the print job history data storing unit 201m by changing
the value of job progress information to a value (e.g. "finished")
indicating that a job ends upon receiving a print-job-end notice
from the printer engine unit 201t.
[0419] A print job reception determining function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for determining whether a job
can be accepted or not according to whether a job is being executed
or not, with reference to the print job history data storing unit
201m.
[0420] A first ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display unit
1a1 to display a ready screen if in terms of the print job
reception determining function it is determined that any jobs are
not being executed, that is, a job can be accepted. This ready
screen indicates that a print job can be accepted, and has a
screen-switch button (an example of the first button) to detect a
request for displaying another ready screen that includes other
information. In this function, a template file that indicates that
a job can be accepted and contains the screen-switch button for a
ready screen assigned to the default screen is read out from the
template file storing unit 201r, with reference to the default
screen assignment information in the template file storing unit
201r, and then data of the ready screen is generated from the
template file.
[0421] A toner empty error determining function of the controlling
unit 201u is a function for receiving pairs of the remaining
amounts of toner and the toner sensor IDs from the toner remaining
amount detecting units 201cY, 201cM, 201cC and 201cK, and
determining whether a toner empty error has occurred due to empty
of toner in a cartridge or not according to whether or not any of
the remaining amounts of toner is zero.
[0422] A toner empty error information updating function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for updating data of a print
job in the print job history data storing unit 201m, by changing
the value of information on whether an error has occurred in the
print job or not to "YES" indicating that an error has occurred and
changing the value of error type information to "toner empty
error", if in terms of the toner empty error determining function
it is determined that a toner empty error has occurred.
[0423] A paper remaining amount error determining function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for receiving pairs of the
remaining amounts of papers and the paper sensor IDs from the sheet
remaining amount detecting units 201e1 to 201en, and determining
whether a paper empty error has occurred due to paper empty in any
of paper drawers or not according to whether or not any of the
remaining amounts of papers is zero.
[0424] A paper error information updating function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for updating data of a print
job in the print job history data storing unit 201m, by changing
the value of information on whether an error has occurred in the
print job or not to "YES" and changing the value of error type
information to "paper empty error", if in terms of the paper
remaining amount error determining function it is determined that a
paper empty error has occurred.
[0425] A size mismatch error determining function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for receiving pairs of the
detected paper sizes and the paper size sensor IDs and reading out
paper size data in relation to the paper size sensor IDs from the
paper size memory unit 201o, and determining whether a size
mismatch error has occurred or not due to paper size mismatch
between the size of papers supplied in a paper drawer and the paper
size of the paper drawer preset in the paper size memory unit 201o,
according to whether or not the detected paper sizes are identical
to the read-out paper sizes.
[0426] A size mismatch error determining function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for updating data of a print
job in the print job history data storing unit 201m, by changing
the value of information on whether an error has occurred in the
print job or not to "YES" and changing the value of error type
information to "size mismatch error", if in terms of the size
mismatch error determining function it is determined that a size
mismatch error has occurred.
[0427] A section management disable error determining function of
the controlling unit 201u is a function for receiving pairs of the
numbers of sheets printed for respective sections and the counter
IDs from the counters 201d1 to 201dn, and updating the numbers of
sheets printed for respective sections in the print job history
data storing unit 201m, by overwriting the data with the received
numbers of sheets, and for reading out data of all jobs that was
finished in the past from the print job history data storing unit
201m, reading out MAC addresses of sections from the section
information storing unit 201n, calculating the numbers of sheets
printed for respective sections by summing up the number of sheets
printed for each of sections corresponding to the MAC addresses
based on the data of all jobs, and then determining whether a
section management disable error has occurred or not according to
whether or not any of the numbers of sheets printed for respective
sections has been greater than a predetermined uppermost limit
value, after updating the data of the numbers of sheets printed for
respective sections in the print job history data storing unit
201m. The section management disable error indicates that any of
the numbers of sheets printed for respective sections has been
greater than a predetermined uppermost limit value.
[0428] A section management disable error information updating
function of the controlling unit 201u is a function for updating
data of a print job in the print job history data storing unit
201m, by changing the value of information on whether an error has
occurred in the print job or not to "YES" and changing the value of
error type information to "section management disable error", if in
terms of the section management disable error determining function
it is determined that a section management disable error has
occurred.
[0429] A staple error determining function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for receiving pairs of the remaining amounts of
staples and the staple sensor IDs from the staple remaining amount
detecting units 201i1 to 201in, and determining whether a staple
empty error has occurred due to staple empty in any of staple
storages or not according to whether or not any of the remaining
amounts of staples is zero.
[0430] A staple error information updating function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for updating data of a print
job in the print job history data storing unit 201m, by changing
the value of information on whether an error has occurred in the
print job or not to "YES" and changing the value of error type
information to "staple empty error", if in terms of the staple
error determining function it is determined that a staple empty
error has occurred.
[0431] A jam error determining function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for determining whether a jam error has occurred
due to that a paper is clogged at any of upper region, middle
region and lower region in a transportation path or not, according
to
[0432] whether or not a paper detection signal is received from the
micro switches within a predetermined time after an output
completion notice is received from the paper feed mechanism
201f.
[0433] A jam error information updating function of the controlling
unit 201u is a function for updating data of a print job in the
print job history data storing unit 201m, by changing the value of
information on whether an error has occurred in the print job or
not to "YES" and changing the value of error type information to
"jam error", if in terms of the jam error determining function it
is determined that a jam error has occurred.
[0434] A print-job-end determining function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for determining whether a print job ends or not
according to whether the print-job-end notice has been received
from the printer engine unit 201t.
[0435] A print job data updating function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for updating print job history data in the print
job history data storing unit 101k by writing end time of a
finished print job in the print job history data storing unit 201m
if in terms of the print-job-end determining function it is
determined that the print job is finished.
[0436] A print job error determining function of the controlling
unit 201u is a function for determining whether an error has
occurred in a last previous finished print job with reference to
information on whether an error has occurred or not of the last
previous finished print job in the print job history data storing
unit 201m.
[0437] An error type determining function of the controlling unit
201u is a function for determining an error type of the error that
has occurred in the last previous finished print job with reference
to error type information in the print job history data storing
unit 201m, if in terms of the print job error determining function
it is determined that an error has occurred in the last previous
finished print job.
[0438] A second ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen that includes a first image
indicating one or more remaining amount of toner, if in terms of
the print job error determining function it is determined that any
errors have not occurred. In this function, a template file
indicating that any errors have not occurred is read out from the
template file storing unit 201r, and data of one or more remaining
amounts of toner is read out from the toner remaining amount memory
unit 201j, and then data of the ready screen is generated by
combining the template file with the one or more remaining amounts
of toner.
[0439] A third ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen that contains a second image
indicating one or more remaining amount of toner, if in terms of
the print job error determining function it is determined that an
error has occurred and the error type is "toner empty error". In
this function, a template file for indicating "toner empty error"
is read out from the template file storing unit 201r, and data of
one or more remaining amounts of toner is read out from the toner
remaining amount memory unit 201j, and then data of the ready
screen is generated by combining the template file with the one or
more remaining amounts of toner.
[0440] A fourth ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen that contains a third image
indicating the numbers of sheets printed for respective sections,
if in terms of the print job error determining function it is
determined that an error has occurred and the error type is
"section management disable error". In this function, a template
file for indicating "section management disable error" is read out
from the template file storing unit 201r, and the numbers of sheets
printed for respective sections are calculated as mentioned above,
and then data of the ready screen is generated by combining the
template file with the numbers of sheets printed for respective
sections.
[0441] A fifth ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen that contains a fourth image
indicating remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers,
if in terms of the print job error determining function it is
determined that an error has occurred and the error type is "size
mismatch error". In this function, a template file for indicating
"size mismatch error" is read out from the template file storing
unit 201r, and data of the remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers is read out from the sheet remaining
amount memory unit 201l, and then data of the ready screen is
generated by combining the template file with the remaining amounts
of papers in respective paper drawers.
[0442] A sixth ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen that includes a fifth image
indicating remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers,
if in terms of the print job error determining function it is
determined that an error has occurred and the error type is "paper
empty error". In this function, a template file for indicating
"paper empty error" is read out from the template file storing unit
201r, and data of the remaining amounts of papers in respective
paper drawers is read out from the sheet remaining amount memory
unit 201l, and then data of the ready screen is generated by
combining the template file with the remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers.
[0443] A seventh ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen that contains a sixth image
indicating remaining amounts of staples in respective staple
storages, if in terms of the print job error determining function
it is determined that an error has occurred and the error type is
"staple empty error". In this function, a template file for
indicating "staple empty error" is read out from the template file
storing unit 201r, and data of the remaining amounts of staples in
respective staple storages is read out from the staple remaining
amount memory unit 201p, and then data of the ready screen is
generated by combining the template file with the remaining amounts
of staples in respective staple storages.
[0444] An eighth ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 201u is a function for causing the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen that contains a seventh image
indicating jam types (i.e. factors of jams) and the numbers of
times of jams with respective the jam types, if in terms of the
print job error determining function it is determined that an error
has occurred and the error type is "jam error". In this function, a
template file for indicating "jam error" is read out from the
template file storing unit 201r, and data of the jam types and the
numbers of times of jams is read out from the jam history data
storing unit 201q, and then data of the ready screen is generated
by combining the template file with the jam tapes and the numbers
of times of jams.
[0445] Hereinafter, processes executed by the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 with the forementioned configuration
will be explained with reference to drawings.
[0446] FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by
the multi function peripheral of Embodiment 3.
[0447] In the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3, right
after an operator gets rid of any of "toner empty error", "size
mismatch error", "section management disable error", "staple empty
error" and "jam error", execution of an image forming program
installed in a computer of the multi function peripheral 1 is
started to perform processes described below.
[0448] Firstly, the controlling unit 201u determines whether a
current print job is finished or not according to whether the
print-job-end notice was received from the printer engine unit 201t
(Step ST201).
[0449] If in Step ST201 it is determined that the current print job
is finished (ST201: "YES"), then the controlling unit 201u
determines whether an error has occurred in a last previous
finished print job or not with reference to information on whether
an error has occurred in the last previous finished print job or
not stored in the print job history data storing unit 201m (Step
ST202).
[0450] Otherwise, if in Step ST201 it is determined that the
current print job has not been finished (ST201: "NO"), then the
controlling unit 201u repeatedly determines whether the current
print job ends.
[0451] If in Step ST202 it is determined that an error has occurred
in the last previous finished print job (ST202: "YES"), then the
controlling unit 201u determines an error type of the error that
has occurred in the last previous finished print job with reference
to error type information of the last previous finished print job
stored in the print job history data storing unit 201m (Step
ST203).
[0452] Otherwise, in Step ST202 it is determined that any errors
have not occurred in the last previous finished print job (ST202:
"NO"), then the controlling unit 201u reads out a template file
indicating that any errors have not occurred from the template file
storing unit 201r, and reads out data of one or more remaining
amounts of toner from the toner remaining amount memory unit 201j,
and combines the template file with the one or more remaining
amounts of toner in order to generate ready screen data, and then
causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen that
contains a first image indicating one or more remaining amounts of
toner only in the display period preset by an operator.
[0453] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 in case that any errors have
not occurred in a last previous print job.
[0454] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a paper
size set up as a default, (c) a paper type set up as a default, (d)
the first image that indicates one or more remaining amounts of
toner, (e) a menu-screen button to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying a menu screen, and (f) a status-indication-screen button
to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button
on this ready screen, for displaying a status indication screen
that indicates a job list of executable jobs to be executed
hereafter.
[0455] It should be noted that the ready screens displayed on the
display screen 1a1 in Embodiment 3 may further contain an image
that indicates the number of consumed papers together with the
first image that indicates one or more remaining amounts of
toner.
[0456] If in Step ST203 it is determined that the error type is
"toner empty error" (ST203: ERROR1), then the controlling unit 201u
reads out a template file that the value of information on whether
an error has occurred in the print job is "YES" and the value of
error type information is "toner empty error" from the template
file storing unit 201r and reads out data of one or more remaining
amounts of toner from the toner remaining amount memory unit 201j,
and combines the template file with the one or more remaining
amounts of toner in order to generate ready screen data, and then
causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen that
contains a second image indicating one or more remaining amounts of
toner only in the display period preset by an operator.
[0457] FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 in case that a toner empty
error has occurred in a last previous print job.
[0458] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) the
second image that indicates one or more remaining amounts of toner,
and (c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a request, in
terms of operation to this button on this ready screen, for
displaying another ready screen. The another ready screen contains
the first image indicating one or more remaining amounts of toner
rather than the second image. The another ready screen is the
forementioned ready screen that containing the first image,
displayed in case that any errors has not taken place.
[0459] Otherwise, if in Step ST203 it is determined that the error
type is "section management disable error" (ST203: ERROR2), then
the controlling unit 201u calculates the numbers of sheets printed
for respective sections as mentioned above, reads out a template
file that the value of information on whether an error has occurred
in the print job is "YES" and the value of error type information
is "section management disable error" from the template file
storing unit 201r, combines the template file with the numbers of
sheets printed for respective sections in order to generate ready
screen data, and then causes the display screen 1a1 to display the
ready screen that contains a third image indicating the numbers of
sheets printed for respective sections only in the display period
preset by an operator (Step ST206).
[0460] FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 in case that a section
management disable error has occurred in a last previous print job
due to excess of the number of sheets printed for a section over a
predetermined uppermost limit value of the section.
[0461] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) the third
image that indicates the numbers of sheets printed for respective
sections, and (c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen. The another ready screen
contains the first image indicating one or more remaining amounts
of toner rather than the third image. The another ready screen is
the forementioned ready screen that containing the first image,
displayed in case that any errors has not taken place.
[0462] It should be noted that the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 3 may display a ready screen that contains an image
indicating the numbers of sheets printed for respective sections
and/or the numbers of sheets that can be printed hereafter, if a
section management disable error has occurred in the last previous
print job. The numbers of sheets that can be printed hereafter may
be calculated as a difference between the number of printed sheets
and the uppermost limit value of it.
[0463] Otherwise, if in Step ST203 it is determined that the error
type is "size mismatch error" (ST203: ERROR3), then the controlling
unit 201u reads out a template file that the value of information
on whether an error has occurred in the print job is "YES" and the
value of error type information is "size mismatch error" from the
template file storing unit 201r, combines the template file with
remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers read out
from the sheet remaining amount memory unit 201l in order to
generate ready screen data, and then causes the display screen 1a1
to display the ready screen that contains a fourth image indicating
the remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers only in
the display period preset by an operator (Step ST207).
[0464] FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 in case that a size mismatch
error has occurred in a last previous print job due to that the
size of an information record medium supplied in any one of paper
drawers in the multi function peripheral is not identical to the
size of an information record medium that has been set on the paper
drawer.
[0465] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) the
fourth image that indicates remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers, and (c) a screen-switch button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying another ready screen. The another
ready screen contains the first image indicating one or more
remaining amounts of toner rather than the fourth image. The
another ready screen is the forementioned ready screen that
containing the first image, displayed in case that any errors has
not taken place.
[0466] Otherwise, if in Step ST203 it is determined that the error
type is "paper empty error" (ST203: ERROR4), then the controlling
unit 201u reads out a template file that the value of information
on whether an error has occurred in the print job is "YES" and the
value of error type information is "paper empty error" from the
template file storing unit 201r, combines the template file with
remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers read out
from the sheet remaining amount memory unit 201l in order to
generate ready screen data, and then causes the display screen 1a1
to display the ready screen that contains a fifth image indicating
the remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers only in
the display period preset by an operator (Step ST208).
[0467] FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 in case that a paper empty
error has occurred in a last previous print job due to that a
remaining amount of paper in a paper drawer becomes zero.
[0468] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) the fifth
image that indicates remaining amounts of papers in respective
paper drawers, and (c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen. The another ready screen
contains the first image indicating one or more remaining amounts
of toner rather than the fifth image. The another ready screen is
the forementioned ready screen that containing the first image,
displayed in case that any errors has not taken place.
[0469] In Embodiment 3, an identical ready screen such as the ready
screen shown in FIG. 33 may be displayed in both of the case that a
paper empty error has occurred and the case that a size mismatch
error has occurred.
[0470] Otherwise, if in Step ST203 it is determined that the error
type is "staple empty error" (ST203: ERROR5), then the controlling
unit 201u reads out a template file that the value of information
on whether an error has occurred in the print job is "YES" and the
value of error type information is "staple empty error" from the
template file storing unit 201r, combines the template file with
remaining amounts of staples in respective staple storages read out
from the staple remaining amount memory unit 201p in order to
generate ready screen data, and then causes the display screen 1a1
to display the ready screen that contains a sixth image indicating
the remaining amounts of staples in respective staple storages only
in the display period preset by an operator (Step ST209).
[0471] FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 in case that a staple empty
error has occurred in a last previous print job due to that a
remaining amount of staples in any of staple storages becomes
zero.
[0472] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) the sixth
image that indicates remaining amounts of staples in respective
staple storages, and (c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting
a request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready
screen, for displaying another ready screen. The another ready
screen contains the first image indicating one or more remaining
amounts of toner rather than the sixth image. The another ready
screen is the forementioned ready screen that containing the first
image, displayed in case that any errors has not taken place.
[0473] It should be noted that the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 3 may display a ready screen further containing an image
that indicates statuses of some options such as booklet printing
function, if it is determined that a staple empty error has
occurred in the last previous print job.
[0474] Otherwise, if in Step ST203 it is determined that the error
type is "jam error" (ST203: ERROR6), then the controlling unit 201u
reads out a template file that the value of information on whether
an error has occurred in the print job is "YES" and the value of
error type information is "jam error" from the template file
storing unit 201r, combines the template file with jam types and
the numbers of times of jams with the respective jam types read out
from the jam history data storing unit 201q in order to generate
ready screen data, and then causes the display screen 1a1 to
display the ready screen that contains a seventh image indicating
the jam types and the numbers of times of jams with the respective
jam types only in the display period preset by an operator (Step
ST210).
[0475] FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 in case that a jam error has
occurred in a last previous print job due to that a paper is
clogged at any of upper region, middle region and lower region in a
transportation path inside of the multi function peripheral.
[0476] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) the
seventh image that indicates jam types and the numbers of times of
jams with the respective jam types, and (c) a screen-switch button
to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button
on this ready screen, for displaying another ready screen. The
another ready screen contains the first image indicating one or
more remaining amounts of toner rather than the seventh image. The
another ready screen is the forementioned ready screen that
containing the first image, displayed in case that any errors has
not taken place.
[0477] As mentioned above, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 3 executes a series of the processes.
[0478] In Embodiment 3, information on an errors that has occurred
in the last previous print job is displayed only in the period from
the end of the last previous print job to reception of a next job
after an operator gets rid of the error. Alternatively, the
information may be displayed immediately when the error occurs.
[0479] According to the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment
3, if an error occurs in execution of a print job, then a ready
screen with error information is displayed and the error
information indicates content of the error specified by the error
type, and therefore operators can cope with not only errors due to
toner but errors due to factors other than toner.
[0480] Further, according to the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 3, when the same sort of issues occurs, the issues can
be recognized at the same time.
[0481] Furthermore, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3
can display necessary information only when a user who needs the
information stands in front of the display panel, therefore a ready
screen to be displayed can be chosen from ready screens according
to whether any of errors has taken place or not.
[0482] In addition, according to the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 3, information for preventing from occurrence of an
issue can be indicated automatically.
[0483] Further, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 3 can
notify that similar errors may occur to an operator after the
operator gets rid of an error.
Embodiment 4
[0484] A multi function peripheral 1 displays a ready screen having
information on either one or more executable print jobs to be
executed hereafter or one or more finished print jobs when a job
can be accepted. FIG. 37 is a functional block diagram indicating
an instance of configuration of the multi function peripheral 1
according to Embodiment 4.
[0485] The multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 is a multi
function peripheral as shown in FIG. 1, that displays ready screens
indicating that a job can be accepted on a display screen 1a1 in a
display panel when a job can be accepted. The ready screens further
indicate predetermined various sorts of information according to
whether an executable print job exists or not and whether a
finished print job exists or not.
[0486] As shown in FIG. 37, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4 comprises a panel unit 1a; an interface unit 301b;
toner remaining amount detecting units 301cY, 301cM, 301cC and
301cK; counters 301d1 to 301dn of respective paper drawers; sheet
remaining amount detecting units 301e1 to 301en of respective paper
drawers; a toner remaining amount memory unit 301f; a
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g; a sheet remaining amount
memory unit 301h; a possessor data storing unit 301i; an output
tray data storing unit 301j; a paper type data storing unit
301k;
[0487] a paper drawer data storing unit 301l; an executable-job
memory buffer 301m; a print job history data storing unit 301n; a
template file storing unit 301o; an image forming unit 301p; a
printer engine unit 301q; and a controlling unit 301r.
[0488] Further, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4
comprises a computer that has an internal memory (not shown) in
which an image forming program was written during manufacture, or
is installed an image forming program via either a computer
readable recording medium or a communication network.
[0489] Each of the units in the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4 may be embodied with software (i.e. program control),
hardware (i.e. specific-purpose electronic circuits) or a
combination of software and hardware.
[0490] The panel unit 1a has a display screen 1a1. The display
screen 1a1 is an example of a display unit. The display screen 1a1
displays a menu screen, a status indication screen and a ready
screen. The menu screen is displayed right after a power supply
switch of the multi function peripheral 1 is turned on, in order to
perform (a) switching a current active function among a facsimile
function, a scanner function, a copier function and a printer
function, (b) setting-up setting items of document scanning such as
resolution, electronic file format of generated document data,
image quality, density, and magnification, (c) setting-up each of
operation modes, etc. The status indication screen is displayed
upon an operator's operation on a touch panel, in order to indicate
a current execution status of a job. The ready screen is displayed
when a job can be accepted, in order to indicate that a job can be
accepted.
[0491] The panel unit 1a of Embodiment 4 has a display-period
setting operation detecting function and a display-period setting
request outputting function.
[0492] The display-period setting operation detecting function is a
function for detecting inputting a display period of a ready screen
in terms of operator's operation to a touch panel. The display
period can be set to an optional period within the period from the
end of the finished print job to the beginning of a next print job
in terms of the operator's operation.
[0493] The display-period setting request outputting function is a
function is a function for outputting to the controlling unit 301r
a pair of the display period data and a request to set the display
period of each of ready screens.
[0494] The interface unit 1b receives a packet that comprises (a) a
header part containing a print job ID assigned to each of print
jobs and a MAC address of a terminal device in a communication
network such as LAN or WAN, (b) a print data body (i.e. payload)
described in a page description language or the like, via the
communication network transmitted from the terminal device such as
a personal computer or another multi function peripheral as the
terminal device not shown here, and (c) FCS (Frame Check Sequence)
for parity check, and outputs data included in the received packet
to the controlling unit 301r after executing some processes such as
parity check and error correction for the data of the received
packet.
[0495] The toner remaining amount detecting units 301cY, 301cM,
301cC and 301cK detect remaining amounts of toner with respective
colors YMCK (Yellow/Magenta/Cyan/Black), and attach toner sensor
IDs assigned to the respective units 301cY, 301cM, 301cC and 301cK
to respective data of the remaining amounts of toner, and output
respective pairs of the remaining amount of toner and the toner
sensor ID to the controlling unit 301r.
[0496] The counters 301d1 to 301dn are located with paper drawers
to count the numbers of sheets printed from the respective paper
drawers, and attach counter IDs assigned to the respective counters
301d1 to 301dn to respective data of the counted numbers of printed
sheets, and output respective pairs of the counted number of
printed sheets and the counter ID to the controlling unit 301r.
[0497] It should be noted that paper drawers may be input
trays.
[0498] The sheet remaining amount detecting units 301e1 to 301en
are located with paper drawers to detect remaining amounts of
papers in the respective paper drawers, and attach paper sensor IDs
assigned to the respective units 301e1 to 301en to the respective
remaining amounts of papers, and output respective pairs of the
remaining amount of papers and the paper sensor ID to the
controlling unit 301r.
[0499] The toner remaining amount memory unit 301f stores the
remaining amounts of toner, the toner sensor IDs and detection time
as related to each other, respectively.
[0500] For the toner remaining amount memory unit 301f, one or more
of storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD
(Hard Disk Drive) may be used.
[0501] The sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g stores the
numbers of printed sheets, the counter IDs and detection time as
related to each other, respectively.
[0502] For the sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g, one or
more of storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD
may be used.
[0503] The sheet remaining amount memory unit 301h stores the
remaining amounts of papers, the paper sensor IDs and detection
time as related to each other, respectively.
[0504] For the sheet remaining amount memory unit 301h, one or more
of storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD may
be used.
[0505] The possessor data storing unit 301i stores at least MAC
addresses of terminal devices on a network and data (e.g. names) on
persons possessing the terminal devices as related to each
other.
[0506] For the possessor data storing unit 301i, one or more of
storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD may be
used.
[0507] The output tray data storing unit 301j stores at least data
of paper sizes and output trays to which the respective paper sizes
assigned as related to each other.
[0508] For the output tray data storing unit 301j, one or more of
storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD may be
used.
[0509] The paper type data storing unit 301k stores at least data
of paper drawers and paper types assigned to the respective paper
drawers from the terminal device, as related to each other.
Relationship between one of the paper drawers and one of the paper
types has been set in terms of user operation.
[0510] For the paper type data storing unit 301k, one or more of
storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD may be
used.
[0511] The paper drawer data storing unit 301l stores counter IDs
of the counters 301d1 to 301dn and paper sizes as related to each
other. Relationship between one of the counter IDs and one of the
paper sizes has been set in terms of user operation.
[0512] For the paper drawer data storing unit 301l, one or more of
storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD may be
used.
[0513] The executable-job memory buffer 301m is readable and
writable, and stores a set of bitmap data, a MAC address data in
relation to the bitmap data, a file name, a print job ID, a paper
size and a file size for each of executable print jobs to be
executed hereafter. The sets of data for respective print jobs are
sorted in the execution order of the print jobs.
[0514] The print job history data storing unit 301n is readable and
writable, and stores a print job ID, a MAC address, a file name, a
paper size, a file size, execution beginning time, execution ending
time, as related to each other.
[0515] For the print job history data storing unit 301n, one or
more of storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD
may be used.
[0516] The template file storing unit 301o stores template files of
the menu screen, the status indication screen and the ready
screens. Executable-job existence information indicating whether an
executable print job to be executed hereafter exists or not,
finished-job existence information indicating whether a finished
print job exists or not, a display period set in term of user
operation, one or more items to be displayed, display format,
information on layout of the one or more items are defined in the
template file.
[0517] For the template file storing unit 301o, one or more of
storages such as cache memory, semiconductor memory and HDD may be
used.
[0518] The image forming unit 301p has a bitmap data generating
function and a bitmap data outputting function.
[0519] The bitmap data generating function is a function for
receiving print data described in a page description language from
the controlling unit 301r and converting the received print data to
bitmap data.
[0520] The bitmap data outputting function is a function for
sending the bitmap data generated in terms of the bitmap data
generating function as a response to the controlling unit 301r.
[0521] The printer engine unit 301q has an image forming function,
a job list generating function, a print-job-start notice outputting
function and a print-job-end notice outputting function.
[0522] The image forming function is a function for generating an
image with electrophotographic process based on the bitmap data
received from the controlling unit 301r and forming the image on a
surface of a paper as an information record medium.
[0523] The job list generating function is a function for receiving
bitmap data, generating a job list of executable jobs to be
executed, with sorting the executable jobs to be executed based on
a job priority level included in the data received from the
controlling unit 301r if an interrupting job takes place, and for
outputting the generated job list to the controlling unit 301r.
[0524] The print-job-start notice outputting function is a function
for outputting a print-job-start notice to the controlling unit
301r at the beginning of a job. The print-job-start notice
indicates that execution of the job started.
[0525] The print-job-end notice outputting function is a function
for outputting a print-job-end notice to the controlling unit 301r
at the end of a job. The print-job-end notice indicates that
execution of the job ended.
[0526] The controlling unit 301r has functions mentions below and
controls the panel unit 1a, the interface unit 301b, the toner
remaining amount detecting units 301cY, 301cM, 301cC and 301cK, the
counters 301d1 to 301dn, the sheet remaining amount detecting units
301e1 to 301en, the toner remaining amount memory unit 301f; the
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g, the sheet remaining
amount memory unit 301h, the possessor data storing unit 301i, the
output tray data storing unit 301j, the paper type data storing
unit 301k, the paper drawer data storing unit 301l, the
executable-job memory buffer 301m, the print job history data
storing unit 301n, the template file storing unit 301o, the image
forming unit 301p, and the printer engine unit 301q, in order to
execute an executable-print-job existence determining process
mentioned below and a display control process to cause the display
screen 1a1 to display ready screens mentioned below in the multi
function peripheral 1 of this embodiment.
[0527] A display-period setting request determining function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for determining whether a
display-period setting request for setting-up a display period of a
ready screen has been received from an operator or not according to
whether a pair of the display period data and the display-period
setting request has been received from the panel unit 1a.
[0528] A display-period setting-up function of the controlling unit
301r is a function for setting-up the display period of a template
file of a ready screen stored in the template file storing unit
301o if in terms of the display-period setting request determining
function it is determined that the display-period setting request
has been received.
[0529] A packet data transferring function of the controlling unit
301r is a function for outputting to the image forming unit 301p
data included in a packet received from the interface unit
301b.
[0530] A bitmap data transferring function of the controlling unit
301r is a function for outputting to the printer engine unit 301q
bitmap data received from the image forming unit 301p.
[0531] A data copy function of the controlling unit 301r is a
function for receiving a print job list from the printer engine
unit 301q, and generating a copy of a MAC address, a file name, a
print job ID, a paper size and a file size in the print job
list.
[0532] An initial data writing function of the controlling unit
301r is a function for writing the copy generated in terms of the
data copy function into the print job history storing unit 301n.
The copy contains a MAC address, a file name, a print job ID, a
paper size and a file size.
[0533] An executable job data writing function of the controlling
unit 301r is a function for writing a pair of received bitmap data
and the data used in the data copy function into the executable-job
memory buffer 301m. The data used in the data copy function
contains a MAC address, a file name, a print job ID, a paper size
and a file size.
[0534] A timer function of the controlling unit 301r is a function
for measuring time continuously.
[0535] A toner amount writing function of the controlling unit 301r
is a function for receiving pairs of the remaining amounts of toner
with respective colors YMCK and the respective toner sensor IDs
output from the toner remaining amount detecting units 301cY,
301cM, 301cC and 301cK, and for writing a set of the remaining
amount of toner, the toner sensor ID and detection time data on
each of the colors in the toner remaining amount memory unit 301f
with regarding the time when the pairs are received as the
detection time and attaching the detection time data to each of the
received pairs.
[0536] A number-of-printed-sheet writing function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for receiving pairs of the
respective counted numbers of printed sheets and the respective
counter IDs from the counters 301d1 to 301dn, and for writing a set
of the counted number of printed sheets, the counter ID and
detection time data on each of the paper drawers in the
sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g with regarding the time
when the pairs are received as the detection time and attaching the
detection time data to each of the received pairs.
[0537] A paper remaining amount writing function of the controlling
unit 301r is a function for receiving pairs of the remaining
amounts of papers in the respective paper drawers and the
respective paper sensor IDs from the sheet remaining amount
detecting unit 301e1 to 301en, and for writing a set of the
remaining amount of papers, the paper sensor ID and detection time
on each of the paper drawers in the sheet remaining amount memory
unit 301h with regarding the time when the pairs are received as
the detection time and attaching the detection time data to each of
the received pairs.
[0538] A first print job history updating function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for updating print job
execution beginning time in print job history data stored in the
print job history data storing unit 301n upon receiving a
print-job-start notice from the printer engine unit 301q.
[0539] A second print job history updating function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for updating print job history
data in the print job history data storing unit 301n by changing
the value of job progress information to a value (e.g. "finished")
indicating that a job ends upon receiving a print-job-end notice
from the printer engine unit 301q.
[0540] A job receipt permission determining function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for determining whether a print
job can be accepted according to whether the total amount of
executable print jobs is less than the capacity of the
executable-job memory buffer 301m, with reference to data of the
executable print jobs in the executable-job memory buffer 301m.
[0541] An executable-job existence determining function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for determining whether a next
executable print job exists or not with reference to the data in
the executable-job memory buffer 301m, if in terms of the job
receipt permission determining function it is determined that a
print job can be accepted.
[0542] A job-execution-instruction outputting function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for outputting an execution
instruction to execute a next executable print job in the
executable-job memory buffer 301m, if in terms of the job receipt
permission determining function it is determined that any print
jobs can not be accepted.
[0543] An executable-job related-data reading-out function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for reading out a MAC address
and a file name of the next executable print job from the
executable-job memory buffer 301m, if in terms of the
executable-job existence determining feature it is determined that
the next executable print job exists.
[0544] A first possessor-name reading-out function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for reading out a person's name
from the possessor data storing unit 301i. The person possesses the
terminal device with the MAC address read out from the
executable-job memory buffer 301m in terms of the executable-job
related-data reading-out function.
[0545] A first ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for (a) reading out a template
file of a ready screen that the value of information on whether or
not an executable print job to be executed hereafter exists is
"YES" from the template file storing unit 301o, (b) reading out a
file name of the executable print job from the print job history
data storing unit 301n and a possessor's name in relation to the
executable print job from the possessor data storing unit 301i, (c)
combining the template file with the file name and the possessor's
name in order to generate ready screen data, and (d) causing the
display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen indicating the file
name and the possessor's name only in the display period.
[0546] A finished-print-job existence determining function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for determining whether a print
job finished in the past exists in the print job history data
storing unit 301n with reference to execution-end time of finished
print jobs in the print job history data storing unit 301n, if in
terms of the executable-job existence determining function it is
determined that any executable print jobs do not exist.
[0547] A finished-job-related-data reading-out function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for reading out a MAC address
and a paper size of a finished print job from the print job history
data storing unit 301n, if in terms of the finished-print-job
existence determining function it is determined that a print job
finished in the past exists.
[0548] A second possessor-name reading-out function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for reading out a person's name
from the possessor data storing unit 301i. The person possesses the
terminal device with the MAC address read out from the print job
history data storing unit 301n.
[0549] An output tray data reading-out function of the controlling
unit 301r is a function for reading out data of an output tray from
the output tray data storing unit 301j. The output tray is in
relation to a paper size read out from the print job history data
storing unit 301n in terms of the finished-job-related-data
reading-out function.
[0550] A second ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for (a) reading out a template
file of a ready screen that the value of information on whether or
not an executable print job to be executed hereafter exists is
"YES" from the template file storing unit 301o, (b) reading out a
possessor's name from the possessor data storing unit 301i and a
paper size from the print job history data storing unit 301n, (c)
combining the template file with data of the possessor's name and
an output tray in relation to the paper size in order to generate
ready screen data, and (d) causing the display screen 1a1 to
display the ready screen indicating the possessor's name and the
output tray only in the display period.
[0551] In Embodiment 4, a combination of the first and the second
ready-screen display control functions is an example of the display
controlling function.
[0552] A default screen determining function of the controlling
unit 301r is a function for determining a ready screen with
reference to default screen assignment information in the template
file storing unit 301o, if in terms of the finished-print-job
existence determining function it is determined that any print jobs
finished in the past do not exist. The default screen assignment
information indicates whether the screen is assigned to the default
screen.
[0553] A third ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for (a) reading out a template
file of a ready screen for indicating one or more remaining amounts
of toner from the template file storing unit 301o, (b) reading out
one or more remaining amounts of toner from the toner remaining
amount memory unit 301f, (c) combining the template file with the
one or more remaining amounts of toner in order to generate ready
screen data, and (d) causing the display screen 1a1 to display the
ready screen having information on the remaining amounts of toner
only in the display period, if in terms of the default screen
determining function it is determined that the ready screen having
information on one or remaining amounts of toner is assigned to the
default screen. The template file is a template file that the value
of information on whether or not an executable print job to be
executed hereafter exists is "NO", the value of information on
whether or not a finished print job exists is "NO" and the value of
default screen assignment information is "YES".
[0554] A fourth ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for (a) reading out a template
file of a ready screen for indicating paper sizes and the numbers
of printed sheets on respective paper drawers from the template
file storing unit 301o, (b) reading out the numbers of printed
sheets with the respective counter IDs (i.e. on respective paper
drawers) from the sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g, and
paper sizes set to the respective paper drawers from the paper size
memory unit 301l, (c) combining the template file with the numbers
of printed sheets and the paper sizes on the respective paper
drawers in order to generate ready screen data, and (d) causing the
display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen indicating the paper
sizes and the numbers of printed sheets on respective paper drawers
only in the display period, if in terms of the default screen
determining function it is determined that the ready screen
indicating paper sizes and the numbers of printed sheets on
respective paper drawers is assigned to the default screen. The
template file is a template file that the value of information on
whether or not an executable print job to be executed hereafter
exists is "NO", the value of information on whether or not a
finished print job exists is "NO" and the value of default screen
assignment information is "YES".
[0555] A fifth ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for (a) reading out a template
file of a ready screen for indicating paper sizes and remaining
amounts of papers on respective paper drawers from the template
file storing unit 301o, (b) reading out remaining amounts of papers
in respective paper drawers from the sheet remaining amount memory
unit 301h, and paper sizes set to the respective paper drawers from
the paper size memory unit 301l, (c) combining the template file
with the remaining amounts of papers and the paper sizes on the
respective paper drawers in order to generate ready screen data,
and (d) causing the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the paper sizes and the remaining amounts of papers on
respective paper drawers only in the display period, if in terms of
the default screen determining function it is determined that the
ready screen indicating paper sizes and remaining amounts of papers
on respective paper drawers is assigned to the default screen. The
template file is a template file that the value of information on
whether or not an executable print job to be executed hereafter
exists is "NO", the value of information on whether or not a
finished print job exists is "NO" and the value of default screen
assignment information is "YES".
[0556] A sixth ready-screen display control function of the
controlling unit 301r is a function for (a) reading out a template
file of a ready screen for indicating paper sizes, paper types and
remaining amounts of papers on respective paper drawers from the
template file storing unit 301o, (b) reading out remaining amounts
of papers in respective paper drawers from the sheet remaining
amount memory unit 301h, paper sizes set to the respective paper
drawers from the paper size memory unit 301l, and paper types set
to the respective paper drawers from the paper type data storing
unit 301k, (c) combining the template file with the remaining
amounts of papers, the paper sizes and the paper types on the
respective paper drawers in order to generate ready screen data,
and (d) causing the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the paper sizes, the paper types and the remaining
amounts of papers on respective paper drawers only in the display
period, if in terms of the default screen determining function it
is determined that the ready screen indicating paper sizes, paper
types and remaining amounts of papers on respective paper drawers
is assigned to the default screen. The template file is a template
file that the value of information on whether or not an executable
print job to be executed hereafter exists is "NO", the value of
information on whether or not a finished print job exists is "NO"
and the value of default screen assignment information is
"YES".
[0557] The controlling unit 301r of Embodiment 4 may further have
(a) a function for referring to history data of finished print jobs
in the print job history data storing unit 301n after referring to
a print job list of executable print jobs to be executed hereafter
in terms of the executable-job existence determining function,(b) a
function for determining whether both of the executable print job
and the finished print job exist according to the results of
referring, and (c) a function for causing the display screen 1a1 to
display a ready screen indicating information on the finished job,
if both of the executable print job and the finished print job
exist, as the result of determining. Specifically, this information
contains the name of the person who possesses the terminal device
sending a request of the finished print job, and data of the output
tray to which printed documents have been output in the finished
print job.
[0558] It should be noted that the toner remaining amount memory
unit 301f, the sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g, the sheet
remaining amount memory unit 301h, the possessor data storing unit
301i, the output tray data storing unit 301j, the paper type data
storing unit 301k, the paper drawer data storing unit 301l, the
executable-job memory buffer 301m (an example of the print job list
storing unit), the print job history data storing unit 301n and the
template file storing unit 301o may be comprised by one component
or area such as an internal cache of the controlling unit 1o, an
internal buffer of the multi function peripheral 1, a semiconductor
flash memory, or a data storage device located in the multi
function peripheral 1 or connected via a computer network to the
multi function peripheral 1, where they are equipped as different
components in the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4.
[0559] Hereinafter, processes executed by the multi function
peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 with the forementioned configuration
will be explained with reference to drawings.
[0560] FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by
the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4.
[0561] In the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4, when
process of a print job is started, execution of an image forming
program installed in a computer of the multi function peripheral 1
is started to perform processes described below.
[0562] Firstly, the controlling unit 301r determines whether a
print job can be accepted or not according to whether total amount
of data of executable print jobs to be executed hereafter in the
print job list stored in the executable-job memory buffer 301m is
less than the memory area size of the executable-job memory buffer
301m (Step ST301).
[0563] Alternatively, in Embodiment 4, the controlling unit 301r
may determine whether a print job can be accepted or not according
to whether or not the number of executable print jobs to be
executed hereafter in the print job list is less than a
predetermined threshold.
[0564] If in Step ST301 it is determined that a print job can be
accepted (ST301: "YES"), then the controlling unit 301r determines
whether a next print job to be executed exists or not with
reference to the executable-job memory buffer 301m (Step
ST302).
[0565] Otherwise, if in Step ST301 it is determined that any print
jobs can not be accepted (ST301: "NO"), then the controlling unit
301r outputs an execution instruction of a next print job in the
executable-job memory buffer 301m to the image forming unit 301p in
order to generate a vacant area in the executable-job memory buffer
301m, and then ends the process (Step ST303).
[0566] If in Step ST302 it is determined that the next print job to
be executed exists (ST302: "YES"), then the controlling unit 301r
reads out a MAC address and a file name of the next print job from
the executable-job memory buffer 301m (Step ST304).
[0567] After reading out the MAC address, the controlling unit 301r
reads out the name of a person possessing a terminal device with
the MAC address from the possessor data storing unit 301i (Step
ST305).
[0568] The controlling unit 301r reads out a template file of a
ready screen that the value of information on whether or not an
executable print job to be executed hereafter exists is "YES" from
the template file storing unit 301o, combines the template file
with the file name read out from the print job history data storing
unit 301n and the possessor's name read out from the possessor data
storing unit 301i in order to generate ready screen data, and
causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the file name and the possessor's name only in the
display period (Step ST306).
[0569] FIG. 39 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 in case that an executable
print job to be executed exists.
[0570] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a message
"WAITING PRINT JOB" indicating that an executable print job to be
executed hereafter (i.e. a waiting print job) exists, (c) an image
that indicates information (i.e. the possessor's names and the file
names) related to executable print jobs in the order of execution
of the print jobs, and (d) a screen-switch button to detect
inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on this
ready screen, for displaying another ready screen. The another
ready screen contains an image indicating one or more remaining
amounts of toner rather than the image that indicates the related
information.
[0571] It should be noted that a ready screen displayed in the
display screen 1a1 when an executable print job to be executed
hereafter exists is not limited to this ready screen.
[0572] For instance, in Embodiment 4, the controlling unit 301r may
refer to history data of finished print jobs in the print job
history data storing unit 301n after referring to a print job list
of executable print jobs to be executed hereafter in the
executable-job memory buffer 301m, and may cause the display screen
1a1 to display a ready screen indicating information related to the
finished job, such as a ready screen shown in FIG. 40 mentioned
below.
[0573] In this instance, alternatively, the controlling unit 301r
may refer to history data of finished print jobs in the print job
history data storing unit 301n before referring to a print job list
of executable print jobs to be executed hereafter in the
executable-job memory buffer 301m. Further, alternatively, the
controlling unit 301r may perform the process of referring to
history data of finished print jobs in the print job history data
storing unit 301n and the process of referring to a print job list
of executable print jobs to be executed hereafter in the
executable-job memory buffer 301m in parallel.
[0574] Otherwise, if in Step ST302 it is determined that the next
print job to be executed does not exist (ST302: "NO"), then the
controlling unit 301r determines whether a print job finished in
the past exists or not with reference to execution-end time of a
finished print job in the print job history data storing unit 301n
(Step ST307).
[0575] If in Step ST307 it is determined that a print job finished
in the past exists in the print job history data storing unit 301n
(ST307: "YES"), then the controlling unit 301r reads out a MAC
address and a paper size on the finished print job from the print
job history data storing unit 301n (Step ST308).
[0576] Further, the controlling unit 301r reads out a possessor's
name of a terminal device with the MAC address from the possessor
data storing unit 301i (Step ST309).
[0577] Furthermore, the controlling unit 301r reads out data of an
output tray in relation to the paper size read out the from the
print job history data storing unit 301n (Step ST310).
[0578] In Embodiment 4, as mentioned above, the data of the output
tray is read out after the possessor's name is read out.
Alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may read out the data of
the output tray before reading out the possessor's name. Further,
alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may perform the process of
reading out the data of the output tray and the process of reading
out the possessor's name in parallel.
[0579] After Step ST310, the controlling unit 301r reads out a
template file of a ready screen that the value of information on
whether or not an executable print job to be executed hereafter
exists is "YES" from the template file storing unit 301o, combines
the template file with data of the possessor's name and the output
tray in order to generate ready screen data, and causes the display
screen 1a1 to display the ready screen indicating the possessor's
name and the output tray to which printed documents are output,
only in the display period (Step ST311). The display period has
been set as a period within the period from the end of the finished
print job to the beginning of the next executable print job.
[0580] In Embodiment 4, as mentioned above, the template file is
read out after the possessor's name and data of the output tray are
read out. Alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may read out the
template file before reading out the data of the output tray and
the possessor's name. Further, alternatively, the controlling unit
301r may perform the process of reading out the template file and
the process of reading out the possessor's name and the data of the
output tray in parallel.
[0581] FIG. 40 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 in case that any executable
print jobs to be executed do not exist and a finished print job
exists.
[0582] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) a message
"FINISHED PRINT JOB" indicating that a finished print job exists,
(c) an image that indicates information (i.e. the possessor's names
and the output trays) related to finished print jobs in the order
of execution of the print jobs, and (d) a screen-switch button to
detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this button on
this ready screen, for displaying another ready screen. The another
ready screen contains an image indicating one or more remaining
amounts of toner rather than the image that indicates the related
information.
[0583] Otherwise, if in Step ST307 it is determined that a print
job finished in the past does not exist in the print job history
data storing unit 301n (ST307: "NO"), then the controlling unit
301r determines a ready screen that the value of the default screen
assignment information is "YES" with reference to the default
screen assignment information in the template file storing unit
301o (Step ST312).
[0584] If in Step ST312 it is determined that the default screen is
a ready screen having information on one or more remaining amounts
of toner (ST312: "CASE1"), then the controlling unit 301r reads out
a template file of a ready screen for indicating one or more
remaining amounts of toner from the template file storing unit
301o, reads out one or more remaining amounts of toner from the
toner remaining amount memory unit 301f, combines the template file
with the one or more remaining amounts of toner in order to
generate ready screen data, and causes the display screen 1a1 to
display the ready screen having information on the remaining
amounts of toner only in the display period (Step ST313). The
display period has been set as a period within the period from the
end of the finished print job to the beginning of the next
executable print job. The template file is a template file that the
value of information on whether or not an executable print job to
be executed hereafter exists is "NO", the value of information on
whether or not a finished print job exists is "NO" and the value of
default screen assignment information is "YES".
[0585] FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram indicating an instance of a
ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an
executable print job to be executed and a finished print job does
not exist.
[0586] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) an image
that indicates remaining amounts of toner with respective colors of
YMCK in the multi function peripheral 1, and (c) a screen-switch
button to detect inputting a request, in terms of operation to this
button on this ready screen, for displaying another ready screen.
The another ready screen contains an image indicating information
other than the remaining amounts of toner, such as remaining
amounts of papers in respective paper drawers, the numbers of
papers printed from respective paper drawers, paper sizes of
respective paper drawers, or paper types of respective paper
drawers.
[0587] If in Step ST312 it is determined that the default screen is
a ready screen indicating paper sizes of respective paper drawers
and the numbers of sheets printed from respective paper drawers
(ST312: "CASE2"), then the controlling unit 301r reads out a
template file of a ready screen for indicating paper sizes and the
numbers of printed sheets on respective paper drawers from the
template file storing unit 301o, reads out the numbers of printed
sheets with the respective counter IDs (i.e. respective paper
drawers) from the sheet-consumption amount memory unit 301g, and
paper sizes set to the respective paper drawers from the paper size
memory unit 301l, combines the template file with the numbers of
printed sheets and the paper sizes on the respective paper drawers
in order to generate ready screen data, and causes the display
screen 1a1 to display the ready screen indicating the paper sizes
and the numbers of printed sheets on respective paper drawers only
in the display period (Step ST314). The display period has been set
as a period within the period from the end of the finished print
job to the beginning of the next executable print job. The template
file is a template file that the value of information on whether or
not an executable print job to be executed hereafter exists is
"NO", the value of information on whether or not a finished print
job exists is "NO" and the value of default screen assignment
information is "YES".
[0588] In Embodiment 4, as mentioned above, the numbers of printed
sheets are read out after the template file is read out, and then
the counter IDs and the paper sizes are read out. Alternatively,
the controlling unit 301r may perform the process of reading out
the template file, the process of reading out the numbers of
printed sheets, and the process of reading out the counter IDs and
the paper sizes, along another order.
[0589] Alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may perform the
process of reading out the template file, the process of reading
out the numbers of printed sheets, and the process of reading out
the counter IDs and the paper sizes, in parallel.
[0590] FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram indicating another instance
of a ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an
executable print job to be executed and a finished print job does
not exist.
[0591] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) an image
that indicates the paper sizes and the numbers of printed sheets on
respective paper drawers in the multi function peripheral 1, and
(c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a request, in terms
of operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying
another ready screen. The another ready screen contains an image
indicating information other than the numbers of printed sheets,
such as remaining amounts of toner with respective colors of YMCK,
remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers, or paper
types of respective paper drawers with/without the paper sizes.
[0592] It should be noted that the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4 may cause the display screen 1a1 to display a ready
screen further indicating paper types of respective paper
drawers.
[0593] If in Step ST312 it is determined that the default screen is
a ready screen indicating paper sizes of respective paper drawers
and remaining amounts of papers in respective paper drawers (ST312:
"CASE3"), then the controlling unit 301r reads out a template file
of a ready screen for indicating paper sizes and remaining amounts
of papers on respective paper drawers from the template file
storing unit 301o, reads out remaining amounts of papers in
respective paper drawers from the sheet remaining amount memory
unit 301h, and paper sizes set to the respective paper drawers from
the paper size memory unit 301l, combines the template file with
the remaining amounts of papers and the paper sizes on the
respective paper drawers in order to generate ready screen data,
and causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the paper sizes and the remaining amounts of papers on
respective paper drawers only in the display period (Step ST315).
The display period has been set as a period within the period from
the end of the finished print job to the beginning of the next
executable print job. The template file is a template file that the
value of information on whether or not an executable print job to
be executed hereafter exists is "NO", the value of information on
whether or not a finished print job exists is "NO" and the value of
default screen assignment information is "YES".
[0594] In Embodiment 4, as mentioned above, the remaining amounts
of papers are read out after the template file is read out, and
then the counter IDs and the paper sizes are read out.
Alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may perform the process of
reading out the template file, the process of reading out the
remaining amounts of papers, and the process of reading out the
counter IDs and the paper sizes, along another order.
[0595] Alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may perform the
process of reading out the template file, the process of reading
out the remaining amounts of papers, and the process of reading out
the counter IDs and the paper sizes, in parallel.
[0596] FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram indicating another instance
of a ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an
executable print job to be executed and a finished print job does
not exist.
[0597] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) an image
that indicates the paper sizes and the remaining amounts of papers
on respective paper drawers in the multi function peripheral 1, and
(c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a request, in terms
of operation to this button on this ready screen, for displaying
another ready screen. The another ready screen contains an image
indicating information other than the remaining amounts of papers,
such as remaining amounts of toner with respective colors of YMCK,
the numbers of sheets printed from respective paper drawers, or
paper types of respective paper drawers with/without the paper
sizes.
[0598] It should be noted that the remaining amounts of papers may
further be indicated with seven-segment indication in this ready
screen.
[0599] If in Step ST312 it is determined that the default screen is
a ready screen indicating paper sizes and paper types of respective
paper drawers and remaining amounts of papers in respective paper
drawers (ST312: "CASE4"), then the controlling unit 301r reads out
a template file of a ready screen for indicating paper sizes, paper
types and remaining amounts of papers on respective paper drawers
from the template file storing unit 301o, reads out remaining
amounts of papers in respective paper drawers from the sheet
remaining amount memory unit 301h, paper sizes set to the
respective paper drawers from the paper size memory unit 301l, and
paper types set to the respective paper drawers from the paper type
data storing unit 301k, combines the template file with the
remaining amounts of papers, the paper sizes and the paper types on
the respective paper drawers in order to generate ready screen
data, and causes the display screen 1a1 to display the ready screen
indicating the paper sizes, the paper types and the remaining
amounts of papers on respective paper drawers only in the display
period (Step ST316). The display period has been set as a period
within the period from the end of the finished print job to the
beginning of the next executable print job. The template file is a
template file that the value of information on whether or not an
executable print job to be executed hereafter exists is "NO", the
value of information on whether or not a finished print job exists
is "NO" and the value of default screen assignment information is
"YES".
[0600] In Embodiment 4, as mentioned above, the remaining amounts
of papers are read out after the template file is read out, and the
counter IDs and the paper sizes are read out, and then the paper
types are read out. Alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may
perform the process of reading out the template file, the process
of reading out the remaining amounts of papers, the process of
reading out the counter IDs and the paper sizes, and the process of
reading out the paper types, along another order.
[0601] Alternatively, the controlling unit 301r may perform the
process of reading out the template file, the process of reading
out the remaining amounts of papers, the process of reading out the
counter IDs and the paper sizes, and the process of reading out the
paper types, in parallel.
[0602] FIG. 44 is a schematic diagram indicating another instance
of a ready screen displayed on the display screen 1a1 in the multi
function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4 in case that any of an
executable print job to be executed and a finished print job does
not exist.
[0603] This ready screen includes (a) a message "Ready to print."
indicating that the current screen is a ready screen, (b) an image
that indicates the paper sizes, the paper types and the remaining
amounts of papers on respective paper drawers in the multi function
peripheral 1, and (c) a screen-switch button to detect inputting a
request, in terms of operation to this button on this ready screen,
for displaying another ready screen. The another ready screen
contains an image indicating information other than the remaining
amounts of papers, such as remaining amounts of toner with
respective colors of YMCK, or the numbers of sheets printed from
respective paper drawers with/without the paper sizes and the paper
types.
[0604] It should be noted that the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4 may cause the display screen 1a1 to display a ready
screen further indicating the numbers of printed sheets with
respective the paper types.
[0605] It should be noted that the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4 may cause the display screen 1a1 to display a ready
screen indicating only the paper types of respective paper
drawers.
[0606] As mentioned above, the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4 executes a series of the processes.
[0607] According to the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment
4, when a next print job exists, a ready screen indicating
information on the next print job is displayed, and when a finished
print job exists, a ready screen indicating information on the
finished print job is displayed by the display screen 1a1.
Therefore, either information on the next print job to be executed
or information on execution order of executable print jobs to be
executed is provided to an operator who wants to know it, and
information on a finished print job is provided to an operator who
wants to know it.
[0608] Further, according to the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4, when a finished print job exists, the display screen
1a1 indicates the output tray on which documents printed in the
finished print job are placed. Therefore, an operator can easily
know the output tray to which the documents have been output.
[0609] In addition, the operator hardly forgets to pick up the
documents.
[0610] Furthermore, according to the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4, when executable print jobs to be executed hereafter
exist, the display screen 1a1 indicates all the executable print
jobs. Therefore, an operator easily notices that the executable
print jobs exist, and the execution order of the executable print
jobs visually.
[0611] Furthermore, the multi function peripheral 1 of Embodiment 4
can display necessary information only when a user who needs the
information stands in front of the display panel, therefore a ready
screen to be displayed can be chosen from ready screens according
to existences of an executable print job and a finished print
job.
[0612] Furthermore, in the multi function peripheral 1 of
Embodiment 4, information indicated in a ready screen can be chosen
from ready screens according to existences of an executable print
job and a finished print job. Therefore, a display area on the
display screen 1a1 is utilized efficiently in each case.
[0613] Furthermore, the image forming program in the embodiments
may be a program that realizes the forementioned functions (i.e.
program features) with an application program, an emulator, an OS,
a browser, a middleware, or the like.
[0614] Furthermore, the program can be stored in computer readable
recording media and then techniques in the embodiments can be
provided to users by distribution of the media storing the
program.
[0615] In addition, the image forming program may be provided to
users by (a) distributing computer readable recording media storing
the program to users, (b) transmitting the program to computers of
users via a communication network such as Internet or via wireless
communication, and installing the program in the computers, or the
like. Alternatively, the image forming program may be used by users
via an ASP (Application Service Provider) service.
[0616] Further, the image forming program in the embodiments may be
described in any of programming languages that includes a
high-level language such as C language, Delphi, XTL, Perl
(Practical Extraction and Report Language) or XML (eXtensible
Markup Language), an object oriented language such as C++, Java,
C#, Java2 or Small talk or the like. Alternatively, the image
forming program may be generated from a source program described in
the such programming language.
[0617] Further, the computer readable recording medium for storing
the program may be any sort of medium such as magnetic tape,
magnetic disk (e.g. flexible disk, hard disk drive), optical disk
(e.g. CD-ROM, DVD, BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disk-Read Only Memory), BD-R
(Blu-ray Disk-Recordable), BD-RE (Blu-ray Disk-Rewritable)),
Magneto-Optical disk, semiconductor memory, or holographic
memory.
[0618] Further, the computer readable recording medium may be
located on a communication network such as LAN, WAN, intranet, or
Internet, which the multi function peripheral 1 is connected
to.
[0619] Further, the number of the computer readable recording media
may be one or more. A combination of the media with an identical
type or different types can be used.
[0620] In addition, the multi function peripheral 1 comprises (a)
the program with data structure necessary to realize the
forementioned functions, (b) interpreter/translator/intermediate
code execution environment, and (c) hardware on which the
interpreter, the translator or the intermediate code execution
environment operates, if required.
[0621] The interpreter, the translator or the intermediate code
execution environment may be an implementation of a high-level
language such as C language, Delphi, XTL, Perl (Practical
Extraction and Report Language) or XML (eXtensible Markup
Language), an object oriented language such as C++, Java, C#, Java2
or Small talk, or the like.
[0622] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art.
* * * * *