U.S. patent application number 13/334299 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-28 for image forming apparatus.
Invention is credited to Yasuyuki ISHIGURO, Hisashi Kunihiro, Hitoshi Nagahama.
Application Number | 20120162690 13/334299 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46316364 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120162690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ISHIGURO; Yasuyuki ; et
al. |
June 28, 2012 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Abstract
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an
operation accepting means for accepting an instruction, and a
display controlling means for controlling a display section. The
display controlling means controls the display section to display
at least environmental information, which has been obtained by the
image forming apparatus, at predetermined timing at which no
instruction corresponding to a job is accepted by the operation
accepting means.
Inventors: |
ISHIGURO; Yasuyuki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Kunihiro; Hisashi; (Osaka, JP) ;
Nagahama; Hitoshi; (Osaka, JP) |
Family ID: |
46316364 |
Appl. No.: |
13/334299 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.14 ;
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00928 20130101;
H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04N 1/00891 20130101; H04N 1/00408
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.14 ;
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/02 20060101
G06K015/02; G06F 3/12 20060101 G06F003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2010 |
JP |
2010-291198 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: operation accepting means
for accepting an instruction corresponding to a job; and display
controlling means for controlling a display section, the display
controlling means controlling the display section to display at
least environmental information, which has been obtained by said
image forming apparatus, at predetermined timing at which no
instruction is accepted by the operation accepting means.
2. An image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising: power source ON/OFF detecting means for detecting a
power source being turned ON or OFF, the display controlling means
controlling the display section to display said at least
environmental information during a warm-up operation which is
carried out after the power source ON/OFF detecting means detects
the power source being turned ON.
3. The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
said image forming apparatus is switchable between a normal mode
and an energy saving mode in which electric power is consumed less
than in the normal mode; and the display controlling means controls
the display section to display said at least environmental
information during returning operation from the energy saving
mode.
4. The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the display controlling means controls the display section to
display an initial screen which includes an icon from which an
instruction on displaying the environmental information is to be
entered by a user; and the display controlling means controls the
display section to display said at least environmental information
in response to the instruction on displaying the environmental
information, which instruction has been accepted by the operation
accepting means.
5. The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the display controlling means controls the display section to
display, at the predetermined timing, the environmental information
and a message corresponding to the predetermined timing.
6. The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the display controlling means controls the display section to
alternately display, at the predetermined timing, the environmental
information and a message which corresponds to the predetermined
timing.
7. The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the environmental information includes a plurality of images of
labels and/or marks relating to environmental efforts; and the
display controlling means controls the display section to display
the plurality of images in a thumbnail view.
8. The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the environmental information includes a plurality of names of
labels and/or marks relating to environmental efforts; and the
display controlling means controls the display section to display a
list of the plurality of names.
9. The image forming apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein:
the operation accepting means has an operation section, from which
the instruction is to be entered by the user; the display section
is provided so as to be openable and closeable with respect to the
operation section via a hinge; and the display section has an
operation key from which an instruction on displaying the
environmental information is to be entered by the user, the
operation key being provided on an outer circumferential part of
the display section, which outer circumferential part is other than
a side face on which side the hinge is provided.
Description
[0001] This Nonprovisional application Claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No. 2010-291198 filed in
Japan on Dec. 27, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming
apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In recent years, as part of the transition towards a
low-carbon society, attention is being given to a carbon footprint
system in which greenhouse gases, which are exhausted in an entire
life cycle (from procurement of raw materials to disposal or
recycle) of a product or a service, are converted into amounts of
carbon dioxide so as to be indicated. With regard to an image
forming apparatus also, a large amount of greenhouse gases are
exhausted in procuring raw materials, in manufacturing, in
distributing, in using and maintaining, and in discarding or
recycling. Under the circumstances, efforts have been made for
reducing greenhouse gases emitted due to an image forming
apparatus.
[0004] There have been systems in which products, which can
suppress emission of greenhouse gases, are labeled with information
(hereinafter, referred to as "environmental information") which
indicates that the products have been manufactured in an
environmentally friendly manner.
[0005] The environmental information encompasses various kinds of
information such as information indicating that a product conforms
to the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing; information indicating
that a product is conducive to environmental preservation because
the product has been produced, by taking into consideration various
effects on environment over entire life cycle; and information
indicating that a product is under the guideline of Green
Purchasing Network and is registered in the database. Details of
such environmental information will be described in Description of
Embodiments below.
[0006] Patent Literature 1 discloses an image forming apparatus
which has an operation panel on which a service manual, which is
image data, is displayed.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[Patent Literature 1]
[0007] Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No.
2010-34636 A (Publication date: Feb. 12, 2010)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] It is easily predictable that the number of kinds of
environmental information will continue to increase, from the fact
that there have already been a large number of kinds of
environmental information. In order to make it known that the
product is an environmentally friendly product, it is preferable to
obtain a larger number of kinds of environmental information and
attach labels of the environmental information to the product.
[0009] However, in a case where the labels are attached to the
product, there is a problem that the labels will be peeled off due
to passage of time. Moreover, since the label interferes with
recycling of product, the label needs to be peeled off when
recycling the product. In a case where a plurality of labels need
to be peeled off, recyclability would further be lessened. In other
words, in view of recyclability, it is preferable that the labels
are not attached to the product.
[0010] The present invention is accomplished in view of the
problem, and its object is to provide an image forming apparatus
which can show the user environmental information, which has been
obtained by the image forming apparatus, without lessening
recyclability.
Solution to Problem
[0011] The present inventor first conceived a method for showing,
without lessening recyclability, the user environmental information
obtained by the image forming apparatus in which method labels
and/or marks of pieces of environmental information are stored as
image data and a display device of the image forming apparatus is
caused to display images of the labels and/or marks (hereinafter,
referred to as "mark/label image").
[0012] However, (i) the display section of the image forming
apparatus needs to display a screen such as a setting screen for
making various settings of processes which are to be carried out by
the image forming apparatus, and (ii) a size of the screen is
limited.
[0013] Under the circumstances, in a case where the mark/label
images are displayed together with the setting screen, etc., it is
difficult to secure a display area for such mark/label images. Even
if such a display area can be secured, the area will be very small,
unimposing, and less appealing. Moreover, if the mark/label images
are displayed together with the setting screen, etc., it may happen
that the user does not notice the displayed mark/label images
because the user pays attention particularly to the setting screen.
However, if the display area for the mark/label images is largely
secured so that the mark/label images are emphasized, the display
area for the setting screen becomes small. This makes it difficult
for the user to make settings from the setting screen. In other
words, such a small setting screen interferes with the original
functions.
[0014] In view of the problem, an image forming apparatus of the
present invention includes: operation accepting means for accepting
an instruction corresponding to a job; and display controlling
means for controlling a display section, the display controlling
means controlling the display section to display at least
environmental information, which has been obtained by the image
forming apparatus, at predetermined timing at which no instruction
is accepted by the operation accepting means.
[0015] According to the configuration, at least the environmental
information, which has been obtained by the image forming
apparatus, is displayed at the predetermined timing at which an
instruction corresponding to a job is not accepted. Here, "the
predetermined timing at which an instruction corresponding to a job
is not accepted" is, for example, a period during which a warm-up
operation is being carried out after a power source of the image
forming apparatus is turned ON or a period during which a returning
operation is being carried out in which the image forming apparatus
is switched from an energy saving mode to a normal mode. There are
some conventional image forming apparatuses in which a message "now
warming up" or "please wait for a while" is displayed while the
image forming apparatus is in the warm-up operation or in the
returning operation, and while the message is being displayed, no
instruction can be entered. Even in such a case, the present
invention makes it possible to effectively let the user know, by
displaying the environmental information, that the image forming
apparatus of the present invention has been manufactured in an
environmentally friendly manner, while the user cannot enter an
instruction and waits, beside the image forming apparatus, for a
completion of the warm-up operation or the returning operation.
[0016] According to the configuration of the present invention, the
environmental information is displayed on the display section. With
the configuration, even in a case where a label of environmental
information is peeled off from the image forming apparatus, a
serviceman does not need to obtain a label and to attach it to the
image forming apparatus again. Furthermore, it is not necessary to
attach a label of environmental information to the image forming
apparatus in the first place. This allows an improvement in
recyclability.
[0017] This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus
which can show the user the environmental information without
lessening recyclability.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0018] The present invention brings about effects of showing the
user the environmental information, which has been obtained by the
image forming apparatus, (i) at the timing at which the user is not
hindered from using the image forming apparatus and (ii) without
lessening recyclability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of an overall
configuration of a display processing system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an overview of an
MFP.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of an MFP.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an operation panel.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating (i)
overall functional configurations of a CPU included in an MFP and
(ii) data stored in an HDD.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a table in which environmental
information is stored.
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a first example of a warm-up operation
screen.
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a second example of a warm-up operation
screen.
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an initial screen.
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a display mode selection
screen.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of
a screen displaying process.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of
a display mode selecting process.
[0031] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an operation panel of a
modified example.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0032] The following describes an embodiment of the present
invention, with reference to drawings. In the following
descriptions, the same reference numerals are given to the same
constituent members which have the same names and functions. On
this account, details of the same constituent members will not be
repeatedly described.
[0033] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of an overall
configuration of a display processing system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. A display processing system 1
includes a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter, referred to as
"MFP") 100 and a PC 200 which are both connected to a network 7
(see FIG. 1). The MFP 100 exemplifies an image forming apparatus
which has a plurality of functions such as a scanning function, a
copying function, a facsimile function, and a printing
function.
[0034] The network 7 is a local area network (LAN), which is
connected either by wireline or wireless. Note, however, that the
network 7 is not limited to the LAN. The network 7 can therefore be
a network such as a wide area network (WAN) or a public switched
telephone network (PSTN). The network 7 is connected to the
Internet 3 via a gateway, so that the MFP 100 and the PC 200 can
communicate with a server 5 which is connected to the Internet
3.
[0035] The PC 200 is a general personal computer in which an
application program for enabling the PC 200 to communicate with the
MFP 100 is installed.
[0036] The MFP 100 can execute a browsing program and has a
browsing function. In a case where, for example, a URL of a web
page stored in the server 5 is specified by a user, the MFP 100 (i)
requests the server 5 to send the web page identified by the URL,
(ii) receives the web page from the server 5, and then (iii)
displays the web page.
[0037] The server 5 of the present embodiment is a server owned and
managed by (i) a leasing company which leases the MFP 100 to the
user, (ii) a dealer which has sold the MFP 100, or (iii) a
manufacturer of the MFP 100. The server 5 stores various kinds of
information regarding image forming apparatuses. Such various kinds
of information include at least environmental information pertinent
to the MFP 100.
[0038] Note that the server 5 can be a server owned and managed by
a cloud provider (i.e., a provider specialized in providing a cloud
computing service).
[0039] The environmental information indicates that a product has
been produced by taking into consideration environmental
friendliness. There are many kinds of environmental information as
early described, and the number of the kinds of environmental
information will continue to increase.
[0040] Specifically, there are pieces of environmental information
as follows:
[0041] Information indicating that a product conforms to the Law on
Promoting Green Purchasing;
[0042] Information indicating that a product is conducive to
environmental preservation because the product has been produced,
by taking into consideration various effects on environment over
entire life cycle;
[0043] Information indicating that a product is under the guideline
of Green Purchasing Network and is registered in the database;
[0044] Information indicating that an office equipment such as a
personal computer has a power consumption, during standby, which
falls within a predetermined reference power consumption;
[0045] Information indicative of a degree to which the energy
saving standard is met under the Energy Saving Law;
[0046] Information indicating that the impact on the environment is
considered ranging from design of a computer or a display to
recycling/reusing of the computer or the display;
[0047] Information indicating that a product is produced by using
thinned wood;
[0048] Information indicative of a blending ratio of waste paper in
paper/paper product, etc.;
[0049] Information indicative of (i) diffusion of the use of paper
product made of waste paper and (ii) environmental protection;
[0050] Information indicating that a product is a paper product
produced by using non-wood pulp;
[0051] Information indicating that a commercial product is made
from non-wood pulp;
[0052] Information indicating that a commercial product is made
from recycled PET bottles.
[0053] Information indicating that a product is made of a wood
material which has been legally logged from properly-managed
woods.
[0054] Information indicative of influence of human activity on
global warming by numerically expressing carbon dioxide emission;
and
[0055] Information indicating that (i) a product has functions
similar to other products, (ii) environmental protection has been
considered from many angles, (iii) the product is an
environmentally friendly, and (iv) there is no problem of use and
safety.
[0056] Note that the environmental information is not limited to
those listed above, and therefore can be any information, provided
that a product is certified as an environmentally friendly product
by an institution such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry, the Ministry of the Environment, or an environmental
conservation group.
[0057] The MFP 100 is to store or has already stored (i) mark/label
images which are images of marks and/or labels of pieces of
environmental information pertinent to the MFP 100, out of existing
plural kinds of environmental information, and (ii) environmental
information names (names and text strings of kinds of marks and/or
labels of environmental information pertinent to the MFP 100).
[0058] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an overview of the
MFP 100. The MFP 100 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF)
10, a document reading section 20, an image forming section 30, and
a paper feeding section 40 (see FIG. 2).
[0059] The ADF 10 carries, one by one, a plurality of documents,
which are placed on a document tray 11, to a predetermined document
reading position of the document reading section 20. The ADF 10
discharges a document, which has been read by the document reading
section 20, to a paper output tray.
[0060] The document reading section 20, which reads a document
image in accordance with a size of the document, includes (i) a
light source which emits light to the document carried to the
document reading position and (ii) a photodetector which receives
light reflected from the document. The photodetector converts
received light into image data, which is an electric signal, and
supplies the image data to an image processing section (not
illustrated).
[0061] The image processing section carries out various kinds of
data processing, such as a shading correction, with respect to the
image data supplied from the document reading section 20. After
that, the image processing section supplies, to the image forming
section 30, the image data which has been subjected to the various
kinds of data processing. The paper feeding section 40 feeds,
toward the image forming section 30, a sheet which is placed on a
paper feeding tray or is stored in a large capacity container
41.
[0062] The image forming section 30 forms an image on the sheet fed
by the paper feeding section 40, in accordance with the imaged data
which has been subjected to the various kinds of data processing.
Then, the image forming section 30 discharges the sheet, on which
the image has been formed, either on a paper output tray 90 or via
a post-processing device 98.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of the MFP 100. The MFP 100 includes (i) a CPU 111,
(ii) an ROM 71 in which data such as programs executed by the CPU
111 is stored, (iii) an RAM 73 which serves as a work area of the
CPU 111, and (iv) a hard disk drive (HDD) 75 which serves as a
large capacity storage (see FIG. 3). The CPU 111 executes the
programs stored in the ROM 71 so that the MFP 100 carries out
various kinds of processes.
[0064] A storage medium for storing data such as the programs
executed by the CPU 111 can be, for example, a tape, such as a
magnetic tape or a cassette tape; a disk including (i) a magnetic
disk such as a Floppy (Registered Trademark) disk or a hard disk
and (ii) an optical disk such as CD-ROM, MO, MD, DVD, or CD-R; a
card such as an IC card (memory card) or an optical card; or a
semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash
ROM.
[0065] CPU 111 is connected with the ADF 10, the document reading
section 20, the image forming section 30, the paper feeding section
40, an operation panel 50, a power switch 60, a network I/F 77, a
first communication controlling section 79, a second communication
controlling section 78, and a facsimile section 80. The CPU 111
totally controls the MFP 100.
[0066] The power switch 60 is provided in the MFP 100 and is
operated by a user.
[0067] The network I/F 77 serves as an interface via which the MFP
100 is connected with the network 7. The CPU 111 can communicate,
via the network 7, with an external device (here, the PC 200) which
is connected with the network 7 (see FIG. 1).
[0068] The first communication controlling section 79 has (i) a LAN
terminal 72 which serves as an interface used in a communication
made based on a communication protocol and (ii) a communication I/F
terminal 74 via which a serial communication is made. In response
to an instruction from the CPU 111, the first communication
controlling section 79 transmits data to or receives data from an
external device which is connected to the LAN terminal 72 or the
communication I/F terminal 74.
[0069] In a case where a cable is connected to the LAN terminal 72
so as to be connected with the Internet 3, the first communication
controlling section 79 communicates with the server 5 via the LAN
terminal 72.
[0070] The CPU 111 (i) controls the first communication controlling
section 79 to download environmental information, which is
identified by the MFP 100, from the server 5 connected to the
Internet 3 and then (ii) controls the HDD 75 to store the
environmental information. This allows the environmental
information to be updated.
[0071] A memory card, which contains a flash memory, can be
connected to the communication I/F terminal 74. The CPU 111 (i)
controls the first communication controlling section 79 to read out
a program, which is to be executed by the CPU 111, from the memory
card and then (ii) controls the HDD 75 to store the program. This
allows the program to be updated. Examples of the program encompass
a screen display program (later described).
[0072] Note that a storage medium for storing the program, which is
to be executed by the CPU 111, is not limited to the memory card,
and therefore can be a medium such as a flexible disk, an optical
disk, an IC card, an optical memory card, or a semiconductor memory
such as a mask ROM or an EEPROM.
[0073] The second communication controlling section 78 is a modem
via which the CPU 111 is connected with the PSTN. A telephone
number of the PSTN is assigned to the MFP 100 in advance. In a case
where a facsimile device, which is connected to the PSTN, calls the
telephone number assigned to the MFP 100, the MFP 100 controls the
facsimile section 80 to communicate with the facsimile device.
[0074] The facsimile section 80 is connected with the PSTN so as to
transmit facsimile data via the PSTN or to receive facsimile data
via the PSTN.
[0075] The operation panel 50 includes a display section 51 and an
operation section 53. The display section 51 is a display device
such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD), an organic ELD
(electro luminescence display), a display such as an electronic
paper utilizing electrophoresis, a plasma display (PDP), a plasma
tube array display (PTAD), or a display (FED, SED) utilizing an
electron emitting element. The display section 51 displays (i) a
screen, such as a setting screen showing an instruction menu to the
user, (ii) a screen showing information regarding obtained image
data, and/or (iii) a screen showing environmental information.
[0076] The operation section 53 has a plurality of keys from which
data, such as various instructions, letters, and numerals, is
entered by the user. The plurality of keys of the operation section
53 are hard keys each of which serves as a switch. Note that the
operation section 53 can include a touch panel as a part of the
plurality of keys. Alternatively, the operation section 53 can be
merely configured by the touch panel. In a case where the operation
section 53 includes the touch panel or is merely configured by the
touch panel, the touch panel is provided on the display section 51.
The operation section 53 of the present embodiment is assumed to
have a touch panel. Note that, alternatively, a gesture input using
a finger-wearable interface can be used.
[0077] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an operation panel. The
operation panel 50 includes the display section 51 and the
operation section 53 (see FIG. 4). The operation section 53 has a
facsimile key 61 for causing a transition of the MFP 100 to a
facsimile mode in which sending/receiving of facsimile is carried
out, a print key 62 for causing a transition of the MFP 100 to a
print mode in which a printing process is carried out, a copy key
63 for causing a transition of the MFP 100 to a copy mode in which
a copying process is carried out, a scan key 64 for causing a
transition of the MFP 100 to a scan mode in which a scanning
process is carried out, a typing key 65 for causing a transition of
the MFP 100 to a typing mode in which a typing process is carried
out, a special function key 81, a two-sided copy key 82, a
sort/staple key 83, a setting confirm key 84, an operation guide
key 85, an up key 86 from which an instruction on moving upward a
cursor which is displayed on the display section 51, a down key 87
from which an instruction on moving downward the cursor which is
displayed on the display section 51, a communication status confirm
key 88, a numeric keypad 91, an interrupt key 92, a clear key 93
for canceling an entered instruction, an all release key 94, and a
start key 95.
[0078] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram schematically
illustrating functions of the CPU 111 and pieces of data stored in
the HDD 75, in the MFP 100. The CPU 111 includes a power source
ON/OFF detecting section 123, an operation accepting section
(operation accepting means) 121, a mode switching section 129, a
status detecting section 125, an information obtaining section 127,
and a display controlling section (display controlling means) 131
(see FIG. 5).
[0079] The HDD 75 stores at least screen information 143 and
message information 145 in advance. The screen information 143 is
plural pieces of information each indicative of a corresponding one
of screens which prompts the user to enter a corresponding one of
instructions. Examples of the plurality of screens encompass at
least an initial screen (setting screen) (later described). From
the initial screen, instructions on a plurality of processes
(jobs), which are to be carried out by the MFP 100, are entered.
The message information 145 includes plural pieces of information
each indicative of a corresponding one of messages, each of which
indicates a corresponding one of states of the MFP 100. Examples of
the messages encompass at least a message "now processing", a
message "please wait for a while", a message "now warming up", and
a message "deleting data".
[0080] The power source ON/OFF detecting section 123 detects
whether the power switch 60 is turned ON or OFF. When the power
source ON/OFF detecting section 123 detects the power switch 60
being turned ON, the power source ON/OFF detecting section 123
supplies a power source ON signal, which indicates that the power
source has been turned ON, to the display controlling section 131
and the information obtaining section 127. When the power source
ON/OFF detecting section 123 detects the power switch 60 being
turned OFF, the power source ON/OFF detecting section 123 supplies
a power source OFF signal, which indicates that the power source
has been turned OFF, to the display controlling section 131 and the
information obtaining section 127.
[0081] When the power switch 60 is turned ON, the MFP 100 starts a
warm-up operation for causing the entire MFP 100 including the
image forming section 30 to be ready for carrying out an image
forming operation. During the warm-up operation, (i) a fixing
section (not illustrated) included in the image forming section 30
is increased in temperature so as to have a predetermined
temperature which causes a toner image to be fixed on a sheet, (ii)
a process controlling operation is carried out so as to adjust an
image density, and (iii) other processes are carried out. When the
power switch 60 is turned OFF, the MFP 100 carries out a
termination process for terminating the operation of the MFP 100,
and then the MFP 100 is turned OFF.
[0082] The information obtaining section 127 obtains environmental
information via the network 7. When the information obtaining
section 127 receives the power source ON signal from the power
source ON/OFF detecting section 123, the information obtaining
section 127 requests, via the first communication controlling
section 79 and the LAN terminal 72 (see FIG. 3), the server 5 (see
FIG. 1) to send environmental information pertinent to the MFP 100.
When the server 5 is requested, by the MFP 100, to send the
environmental information, the server 5 sends, to the MFP 100,
environmental information which has been identified by device
identification information of the MFP 100, and then the information
obtaining section 127 receives the environmental information from
the server 5 via the LAN terminal 72 and the first communication
controlling section 79. The environmental information, which has
been received by the information obtaining section 127, is stored
in the HDD 75. As such, latest environmental information 141 is to
be stored in the HDD 75 of the MFP 100 in accordance with the
present embodiment, every time the power switch 60 is turned
ON.
[0083] The environmental information 141 includes, as early
described, (i) the mark/label images, which are images of marks
and/or labels of respective pieces of environmental information
pertinent to the MFP 100 and (ii) the environmental information
names (names and text strings of kinds of the marks and/or labels
of the environmental information pertinent to the MFP 100).
[0084] FIG. 6 illustrates an example table in which pieces of
environmental information 141 are stored. In the example table
illustrated in FIG. 6, a name and a mark/label image of each of the
pieces of environment information are stored so as to be associated
with a corresponding one of serial numbers. The example table
illustrated in FIG. 6 stores a mark of a product which is
conformity with the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing; an Eco Mark
(registered trademark); a mark of a product registered in the GPN
database; a mark of an International Energy Star Program
(registered trademark); a carbon footprint label; a Nordic
Environmental Label (registered trademark); a blue angel label; an
EURoHS Directive-compliant label; an Eco-Leaf Environmental label,
and the like. Note that the serial numbers determine an order in
which the pieces of environmental information are displayed. It is
therefore possible to change the order in which the pieces of
environmental information are displayed, in accordance with how the
serial numbers are associated with the pieces of environmental
information. Note that, (i) in the mark of a product which is
conformity with the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing, the middle
part reads "Law on Promoting Green Purchasing" and the lower part
reads "Conforming Product", in Japanese, (ii) in the Eco Mark, the
upper part reads "Earth-friendly" in Japanese, (iii) the mark of a
product registered in the GPN database reads "Registered Product in
the GPN Database" in Japanese, and, (iv) in the Eco-Leaf
Environmental label, the lower part reads "Product Environmental
Information" in Japanese.
[0085] The operation accepting section 121 (see FIG. 5) accepts
instructions entered by operations of the user from the operation
section 53. The operations include, for example, an operation in
which the user instructs the various kinds of keys (operation keys)
of the operation section 53 and an operation in which the user
instructs the touch panel provided on the display section 51. When
the operation accepting section 121 accepts an instruction input
from the operation section 53, the operation accepting section 121
sends the instruction input to the mode switching section 129 and
the display controlling section 131.
[0086] The mode switching section 129 switches, in accordance with
a usage state of the MFP 100, a mode of the MFP 100 to the energy
saving mode or a normal mode in which the MFP 100 is ready for
carrying out operation. In the normal mode, since electric power is
applied to the entire MFP 100, the MFP 100 is ready for promptly
carrying out, in response to the user pressing the start key 95, a
function (such as a scanning function, a copying function, a
facsimile function, a mail function, or a printing function) which
has been selected by the user. On the other hand, in the energy
saving mode, since the MFP 100 consumes electric power less in the
energy saving mode than in the normal mode, the electric power is
applied to only a part of the MFP 100 such as the operation section
53, the HDD 75, the network I/F 77, the first communication
controlling section 79, the second communication controlling
section 78, and the CPU 111. When the start key 95 is pressed by
the user during the energy saving mode, the MFP 100 first carries
out an operation (returning operation) for returning to the normal
mode. The returning operation includes a process for causing the
fixing section (not illustrated) of the image forming section 30,
whose temperature has been decreased, to increase in temperature so
as to have a predetermined temperature which allows a toner image
to be fixed on a sheet.
[0087] While the MFP 100 is in the normal mode, the mode switching
section 129 measures a time period during which the MFP 100 is not
in operation (i.e., a time period during which the MFP 100 is left
unused). When a predetermined time period T1 has elapsed since the
MFP 100 was left unused, the mode switching section 129 switches
the mode of the MFP 100 from the normal mode to the energy saving
mode. On the other hand, while the MFP 100 is in the energy saving
mode, the mode switching section 129 switches the mode of the MFP
100 from the energy saving mode to the normal mode when the
operation accepting section 121 accepts an instruction input from
the operation section 53. Note that the mode switching section 129
switches the mode of the MFP 100 from the energy saving mode to the
normal mode, when the MFP 100 is instructed, by the external PC
200, to carry out printing or faxing.
[0088] When the mode switching section 129 has switched the mode of
the MFP 100, the mode switching section 129 sends a mode switched
signal, which indicates that the mode has been switched from the
normal mode to the energy saving mode or vice versa, to the
sections of the MFP 100 such as the image forming section 30, the
document reading section 20, the automatic document feeder 10, the
paper feeding section 40, and the display controlling section
131.
[0089] Note that, according to the description above, the mode
switching section 129 switches the mode of the MFP 100 from the
energy saving mode to the normal mode when the operation accepting
section 121 accepts an instruction input from the operation section
53. However, the switching of the mode to the normal mode is not
limited to this. For example, an open/close sensor, which detects
opening/closing of a platen cover, can be provided to the MFP 100
so that the energy saving mode can be switched to the normal mode
when the open/close sensor detects the opening of the platen cover.
Alternatively, the energy saving mode can be switched to the normal
mode when a document detecting sensor detects a document being
placed on the document tray 11.
[0090] The status detecting section 125 detects states of the
respective sections of the MFP 100 such as the image forming
section 30, the document reading section 20, the automatic document
feeder 10, and the paper feeding section 40 so as to determine
whether or not a process of a selected function can be carried out.
Specifically, in a case where a selected function is the copying
function or the printing function, the status detecting section 125
detects whether or not the image forming section 30 is ready for an
image formation. The state "ready for an image formation" means,
specifically, that the fixing section of the image forming section
30 has been increased in temperature so as to have a sufficient
predetermined temperature which allows a toner image to be fixed on
a sheet. In a case where a selected function is the facsimile
function or the scanning function, the status detecting section 125
detects whether or not the document reading section 20 is ready for
an image reading.
[0091] The status detecting section 125 supplies an operable signal
to the display controlling section 131 in a case where the status
detecting section 125 detects a state in which the image forming
section 30 is ready for the image formation or a state in which the
document reading section 20 is ready for the image reading, when
the power switch 60 is turned ON or when the energy saving mode is
switched to the normal mode.
[0092] The display controlling section 131 controls the display
section 51 to display various kinds of information in accordance
with (i) a power source ON signal or a power source OFF signal
supplied from the power source ON/OFF detecting section 123 and
(ii) the mode switched signal supplied from the mode switching
section 129.
[0093] When the display controlling section 131 receives a power
source ON signal from the power source ON/OFF detecting section
123, the display controlling section 131 controls the display
section 51 to display a screen showing (i) the environmental
information and (ii) message information indicating that the MFP
100 is in the warm-up operation. Hereinafter, such a screen is
referred to as "warm-up operation screen". Specifically, in a case
where a piece of environmental information (i.e., environmental
information 141) is set, in advance, to be displayed in a thumbnail
view, the warm-up operation screen includes a display of a
mark/label image. In a case where the piece of environmental
information is set, in advance, to be displayed in a list view, the
warm-up operation screen includes a name of the piece of
environmental information. In a case where plural mark/label images
are to be displayed in a thumbnail view, the warm-up operation
screen includes thumbnails of respective plural mark/label images.
In a case where plural pieces of environmental information are to
be displayed in a list view, the warm-up operation screen includes
a list of the names of the respective plural pieces of
environmental information. The warm-up operation screen further
includes a message, which indicates that the MFP 100 is in the
warm-up operation, out of the plurality of messages included in the
message information 145.
[0094] FIG. 7 illustrates a first example of the warm-up operation
screen. FIG. 8 illustrates a second example of the warm-up
operation screen. Each of a warm-up operation screen 170 (see FIG.
7) and a warm-up operation screen 170A (see FIG. 8) has a message
display area 171 and an environmental information display area 173.
In the message display area 171, the message information 145 is
displayed. In each of the first and second examples, the message
"now warming up" is displayed as information indicating that the
MFP 100 is in the warm-up operation. In the environmental
information display area 173, the environmental information 141 is
displayed. In a case where plural mark/label images are set, in
advance, to be displayed, the mark/label images of the respective
plural pieces of environmental information are displayed, in the
environmental information display area 173, in the thumbnail view
(see FIG. 7). In a case where plural names of plural pieces of
environmental information are set, in advance, to be displayed, a
list of the names of the respective plural pieces of environmental
information are displayed in the environmental information display
area 173 (see FIG. 8).
[0095] Each of the warm-up operation screens 170 and 170A, which
shows that the MFP 100 is in the warm-up operation, is displayed
when the power switch 60 of the MFP 100 is turned ON by the user.
With the configuration, it is possible to let the user know, via
the warm-up operation screen 170 or 170A, about how the MFP 100 has
been manufactured with due considerations to what environmental
particulars, while the user is waiting for a completion of the
warm-up operation because the user cannot enter any instruction
from the operation panel due to the fact that the MFP 100 is in the
warm-up operation.
[0096] Furthermore, the environmental information display area 173
can be secured larger than the message display area 171. This is
because (i) only a message such as "now warming up" is displayed on
each of the warm-up operation screens 170 and 170A and (ii) each of
the warm-up operation screens 170 and 170A is not a setting screen
from which an instruction is to be entered. It is therefore
possible to effectively call attention to the user.
[0097] The environmental information is thus disclosed to the user,
by use of the display section 51, at timing at which the user is
not hindered from using the MFP 100. As such, it is thus possible
to call attention to the user as to the fact that the MFP 100 has
been manufactured with due considerations to environment.
[0098] Note that, according to the present embodiment, the
environmental information 141 is displayed together with the
message indicating that the MFP 100 is in the warm-up operation.
However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. It is
therefore possible to provide (i) a first screen which shows the
message indicating that an MFP 100 is in a warm-up operation and
(ii) a second screen which shows environmental information 141 so
that the first and second screens are alternately displayed by the
display section 51.
[0099] When the power switch 60 is turned ON, the display
controlling section 131 (see FIG. 5) controls the display section
51 to display the warm-up operation screen 170 or 170A, depending
on a display mode which is set in advance. The following describes,
as an example, a case where the warm-up operation screen 170 is
displayed. When the display controlling section 131 receives an
operable signal from the status detecting section 125 while the
warm-up operation screen 170 is being displayed, the display
controlling section 131 controls the display section 51 (i) to
terminate the display of the warm-up operation screen 170 and (ii)
to instead display the initial screen. From the initial screen, the
MFP 100 accepts instructions on the plurality of processes which
can be carried out by the MFP 100. For example, the MFP 100 can
accept, from the initial screen, an instruction on a process such
as the faxing, the copying, or the scanning. The initial screen
includes an eco-view button (eco-view icon). The eco-view button is
associated with an instruction on displaying environmental
information.
[0100] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the initial screen. An
initial screen 180 includes an eco-view button 181 as one of a
plurality of buttons from which instructions, on the respective
plurality of processes that can be carried out by the MFP 100, are
entered (see FIG. 9). The eco-view button 181 is designated by a
text string "ECO-VIEW". When the user presses the eco-view button
181, a display mode selection screen is displayed.
[0101] Specifically, when (i) the user presses the eco-view button
181 on the initial screen 180 and (ii) the operation accepting
section 121 accepts an instruction on displaying environmental
information, the instruction is sent to the display controlling
section 131. The display controlling section 131 controls the
display section 51 to display the display mode selection screen
when the display controlling section 131 receives, from the
operation accepting section 121, the instruction on displaying the
environmental information. The display mode selection screen
prompts the user to select how to display the environmental
information. Specifically, the display mode selection screen
prompts the user to select a thumbnail view of mark/label images or
a list view of environmental information names.
[0102] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the display mode selection
screen. A display mode selection screen 190 includes a first button
191 and a second button 193 (see FIG. 10). The first button 191 is
designated by a text string "LIST VIEW", and the second button 193
is designated by a text string "THUMBNAIL VIEW". The first button
191 or the second button 193 is exclusively selected by the user.
When the user selects the first button 191 or the second button
193, an environmental information display screen is displayed in
accordance with a selected display mode.
[0103] Specifically, when the user presses the second button 193
(for the thumbnail view) or the first button 191 (for the list
view) on the display mode selection screen 190 so as to enter an
instruction on selecting a display mode of environmental
information, the operation accepting section 121 accepts the
instruction and then sends the instruction to the display
controlling section 131. Upon receipt of the instruction from the
operation accepting section 121, the display controlling section
131 extracts environmental information 141 from the HDD 75, and
then controls the display section 51 to display an environmental
information display screen in accordance with the environmental
information 141. In a case where the display controlling section
131 receives, from the operation accepting section 121, an
instruction on displaying the environmental information in the
thumbnail view, the environmental information display screen
includes thumbnails of the respective mark/label images. In a case
where the display controlling section 131 receives, from the
operation accepting section 121, an instruction on displaying the
environmental information in the list view, the environmental
information display screen includes a list of names of the plural
pieces of environmental information. Specifically, the
environmental information display screen, including the thumbnails
of the respective mark/label images, is the screen including the
environmental information display area 173 of the warm-up operation
screen 170 (see FIG. 7). The environmental information display
screen, including the list of the names of the pieces of
environmental information, is the screen including the
environmental information display area 173 of the warm-up operation
screen 170A (see FIG. 8).
[0104] As such, the environmental information display screen is
displayed when the eco-view button 181 on the initial screen 180 is
pressed by the user. This allows the user to confirm the
environmental information at any desired timing.
[0105] Upon receiving an instruction on displaying the
environmental information from the operation accepting section 121,
the display controlling section 131 starts timing after the
reception of the instruction. Then, the display controlling section
131 judges whether or not a predetermined period of time T2 has
elapsed since the reception of the instruction. Until the
predetermined period of time T2 has elapsed since the reception of
the instruction, the display controlling section 131 controls the
display section 51 to keep displaying the environmental information
display screen. When the display controlling section 131 judges
that the predetermined period of time T2 has elapsed since the
reception of the instruction, the display controlling section 131
controls the display section 51 (i) to terminate the display of the
environmental information display screen and (ii) to instead
display the initial screen. As such, in a case where the
environmental information display screen is displayed in response
to an instruction entered by the user, the display of the
environmental information display screen is automatically
terminated and the initial screen is displayed instead, when the
predetermined period of time T2 has elapsed since the display
controlling section 131 received from the operation accepting
section 121, the instruction on displaying the environmental
information. It is therefore possible to relieve the user of the
bother of the operation of returning to the initial screen.
[0106] Note that the display of the environmental information
display screen can be terminated when the user enters, from the
operation section 53, an instruction on returning to a previous
screen.
[0107] When the display controlling section 131 receives, from the
mode switching section 129, a mode switched signal indicating that
the MFP 100 has been switched from the energy saving mode to the
normal mode, the display controlling section 131 controls the
display section 51 to display a returning screen which shows (i)
the environmental information and (ii) the message information
indicating that the MFP 100 is in the returning operation.
[0108] When an instruction on switching the energy saving mode to
the normal mode is entered, the returning screen shows (i) the
message information indicating that the MFP 100 is in the returning
operation and (ii) the environmental information indicating that
the MFP 100 is an environmentally friendly product.
[0109] The returning screen includes (i) thumbnails of respective
mark/label images in a case where the display mode has been set to
the thumbnail view in advance and (ii) a list of names of the
pieces of environmental information in a case where the display
mode has been set to the list view in advance. The returning screen
further includes a message, which indicates that the MFP 100 is in
the returning operation, out of the plurality of messages included
in the message information 145. The message indicating that the MFP
100 is in the returning operation is, for example, a massage
"please wait for a while".
[0110] Note that, according to the present embodiment, the
environmental information 141 is displayed together with the
message indicating that the MFP 100 is in the returning operation.
However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. It is
therefore possible to provide (i) a first screen which shows the
message indicating that an MFP 100 is in the returning operation
and (ii) a second screen which shows environmental information 141
so that the first and second screens are alternately displayed by
the display section 51.
[0111] While the MFP 100 is in the normal mode, the display
controlling section 131 judges whether or not an operable signal is
supplied from the status detecting section 125. Until the display
controlling section 131 receives the operable signal from the
status detecting section 125, the display controlling section 131
controls the display section 51 to keep displaying the returning
screen. When the display controlling section 131 receives the
operable signal from the status detecting section 125, the display
controlling section 131 controls the display section 51 (i) to
terminate the display of the returning screen and (ii) to instead
display the initial screen 180.
[0112] The returning screen, which shows that the MFP 100 is in the
returning operation, is displayed when the MFP 100 is switched from
the energy saving mode to the normal mode. With the configuration,
it is possible to let the user know, via the returning screen,
about how the MFP 100 has been manufactured with due considerations
to what environmental particulars, while the user is waiting for a
completion of the returning operation because the user cannot enter
any instruction from the operation panel due to the fact that the
MFP 100 is in the returning operation.
[0113] In the returning screen, an environmental information
display area, in which the thumbnails of the respective mark/label
images or the list of names of the plural pieces of environmental
information is displayed, can be secured larger than a message
display area in which a message is to be displayed. This is because
(i) only a message such as "please wait for a while" is displayed
on the message display area and (ii) the returning screen is not a
setting screen from which an instruction is to be entered. It is
therefore possible to effectively call attention to the user.
[0114] The environmental information is thus disclosed to the user,
by use of the display section 51, at timing at which the user is
not hindered from using the MFP 100. As such, it is thus possible
to call attention to the user as to the fact that the MFP 100 has
been manufactured with due considerations to environment.
[0115] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of
a screen displaying process. The screen displaying process is
carried out by the CPU 111, by causing the CPU 111 to execute the
screen display program stored in the ROM 71 or the HDD 75. When the
CPU 111 detects the power switch 60 being turned ON (YES in a step
S1), the process proceeds to a step S2 (see FIG. 11). When the
power switch 60 is turned ON, the MFP 100 starts the warm-up
operation.
[0116] In the step S2, the MFP 100 requests, via the LAN terminal
72, the server 5 to send environmental information. Then, the
server 5 sends environmental information, which has been identified
by device identification information of the MFP 100, to the first
communication controlling section 79 via the LAN terminal 72.
Subsequently, the CPU 111 obtains the environmental information
received by the first communication controlling section 79, and
then controls the HDD 75 to store the environmental
information.
[0117] In a following step S3, the display section 51 is controlled
to display the warm-up operation screen 170 or 170A which includes
the environmental information obtained in the step S2 and the
message information 145 stored in the HDD 75. Note that the warm-up
operation screen 170 is displayed in a case where the display mode
has been set to the thumbnail view in advance. Alternatively, the
warm-up operation screen 170A is displayed in a case where the
display mode of environmental information has been set to the list
view in advance. The following describes, as an example, a case
where the display mode has been set to the thumbnail view in
advance.
[0118] In a following step S4, it is judged whether or not the
warm-up operation is completed. When the completion of the warm-up
operation is detected (YES in the step S4), the process proceeds to
a step S5.
[0119] In the step S5, the display section 51 is controlled (i) to
terminate the display of the warm-up operation screen 170 (which
has been displayed in the step S4) and (ii) to instead display the
initial screen 180 (see FIG. 9). As such, the environmental
information is disclosed to the user at timing at which the user is
not hindered from using the MFP 100.
[0120] In a following step S6, it is judged whether or not the mode
of the MFP 100 has been switched to the energy saving mode. In a
case where it is judged that the MFP 100 has been switched from the
normal mode to the energy saving mode, the process proceeds to a
step S7, otherwise the process proceeds to a step S11.
[0121] In the step S7, the display section 51 is controlled (i) to
display an energy saving screen or (ii) to stop displaying.
[0122] In a following step S8, it is judged whether or not the CPU
111 has received (i) an instruction entered by the user from the
operation section 53 or (ii) an operation instruction sent from an
external device. In a case where it is judged that the CPU 111 has
received (i) an instruction entered by the user from the operation
section 53 or (ii) an operation instruction sent from an external
device, the process proceeds to a step S9. When the MFP 100
receives (i) the instruction entered by the user from the operation
section 53 or (ii) the operation instruction sent from the external
device, the MFP 100 starts the returning operation.
[0123] In the step S9, the display section 51 is controlled to
display the returning screen, and then the process proceeds to a
step S10. In the step S10, it is judged whether or not the
returning operation is completed. In a case where it is determined
that the returning operation is completed (YES in the step S10),
the process returns to the step S5.
[0124] In the step S11, it is judged whether or not the CPU 111 has
received (i) an instruction entered by the user from the operation
section 53 or (ii) an operation instruction sent from an external
device. In a case where it is judged that the CPU 111 has received
(i) an instruction entered by the user from the operation section
53 or (ii) an operation instruction sent from an external device,
the process proceeds to a step S12, otherwise the process returns
to the step S6.
[0125] In the step S12, the display section 51 is controlled to
display a screen in accordance with the instruction entered by the
user from the operation section 53 or the external operation
instruction received in the step S11. The screen displayed on the
display section 51 includes at least the display mode selection
screen 190. Note that details of the step S12 will be described
later.
[0126] In a following step S13, it is judged whether to terminate
the display of the screen displayed in the step S12. When an
instruction on terminating the display of the screen is entered by
the user from the operation section 53, the process returns to the
step S5.
[0127] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of
a display mode selecting process. The display mode selecting
process is carried out in the step S12 when the eco-view button 181
is pressed in the step S11. In a step S21, the display mode
selection screen 190 (see FIG. 10) is displayed, and then the
process proceeds to a step S22 (see FIG. 12).
[0128] In the step S22, the environmental information 141, which
has been stored in the HDD 75 in the step S2, is extracted from the
HDD 75, and then the process proceeds to a step S23.
[0129] In the step S23, it is judged whether the list view or the
thumbnail view is selected by the user from the display mode
selection screen 190 which has been displayed in the step S21. In a
case where it is judged that the list view is selected, the process
proceeds to a step S24. Whereas, in a case where it is judged that
the thumbnail view is selected, the process proceeds to a step
S25.
[0130] In the step S24, the display section 51 is controlled to
display an environmental information screen including a list of
names of pieces of environmental information in the environmental
information 141 which has been extracted in the step S22, and then
the process returns to the screen displaying process.
[0131] In the step S25, the display section 51 is controlled to
display an environmental information screen including the
thumbnails of respective mark/label images in the environmental
information 141 which has been extracted in the step S22, and then
the process returns to the screen displaying process.
[0132] The environmental information screen is displayed when the
eco-view button 181 on the initial screen 180 is pressed by the
user. This allows the user to confirm the environmental information
141 at any desired timing.
MODIFIED EXAMPLE
[0133] According to the present embodiment, the operation panel 50
of the MFP 100 has an area which is large enough to have the
plurality of keys. An operation panel 50A of a modified example has
an area smaller than that of the operation panel 50. The operation
panel 50A therefore has a limitation on the number of hard keys
which can be provided on the operation panel 50A.
[0134] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an operation panel in
accordance with the present modified example. The operation panel
50A is different from the operation panel 50 illustrated in FIG. 4
in that (i) the operation panel 50A has an operation section 53A
instead of the operation section 53, (ii) no display section 51 is
provided on a plane on which the operation section 53 is provided,
and (iii) a display panel 52 is further provided (see FIG. 13). The
operation section 53A is different from the operation section 53 in
that (i) there are provided none of the facsimile key 61, the print
key 62, the copy key 63, the scan key 64, the typing key 65, the
special function key 81, the two-sided copy key 82, the sort/staple
key 83, the setting confirm key 84, the operation guide key 85, the
communication status confirm key 88, the interrupt key 92, and the
all release key 94 and (ii) a menu key 70A is further provided. The
other constituent members of the operation section 53A are
identical to those of the operation panel 50 illustrated in FIG. 4,
and therefore detailed explanations of such constituent members are
not repeated here.
[0135] The display panel 52 is rotatably connected with the
operation section 53A via a hinge mechanism so that the display
panel 52 is openable and closeable with respect to the operation
section 53A. (a) of FIG. 13 illustrates a state where the display
panel 52 is opened. (b) of FIG. 13 illustrates a state where the
display panel 52 is closed. The display panel 52 has a display
section 51A which is provided on a surface of the display panel 52
which surface faces the numeric keypad 91 when the display panel 52
is closed (see (a) and (b) of FIG. 13). The display section 51A is
smaller in area than the display section 51, that is, a screen is
to be displayed in a smaller area. The display panel 52 further has
an eco-view key 97 which is provided on a right side face of the
display panel 52. The eco-view key 97 can be operated by the user
while the display panel 52 is being opened. As such, it is possible
to provide a hard key which enables the user to enter, from the
hard key, an instruction on displaying environmental information,
even in a case where it is difficult to secure an area, which is
sufficient to have such a hard key, on a surface on which the
numeric keypad 91 is provided.
[0136] Note that the location where the eco-view key 97 is provided
is not limited to the right side face of the display panel 52.
Therefore, the eco-view key 97 can be provided on a left side face
or an upper side face of the display panel 52, provided that the
user can easily operate the eco-view key 97. In other words, the
eco-view key 97 can be provided on an outer circumferential part of
the display panel 52.
[0137] The menu key 70A is a key from which the user enters an
instruction on displaying a menu screen. The menu screen includes a
plurality of software keys having names of respective processes
which can be carried out by the MFP 100. Examples of the software
keys encompass a facsimile key, a copy key, and a scan key. With
the configuration, the user can select any of processes, such as
the faxing process, the copying process, and the scanning process,
by pressing the menu key 70A and then operating the up key 86
and/or the down key 87.
[0138] The user enters, from the eco-view key 97, an instruction on
displaying the environmental information pertinent to the MFP 100.
When the user opens the display panel 52 to press the eco-view key
97, the environmental information display screen is displayed on
the display section 51A.
[0139] Note that, according to the MFP 100 of the present
embodiment, the initial screen 180 is displayed by the MFP 100.
However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The initial
screen 180 can therefore be displayed by the PC 200, which is
capable of communicating with the MFP 100 via the network 7. In
such a case, the environmental information screen can be displayed
by the PC 200 in response to an instruction on displaying the
environmental information, which instruction is entered by the user
from an operation section of the PC 200 in accordance with the
initial screen 180.
[0140] According to the present embodiment, the MFP 100 requests,
when the power source is turned ON, the server 5 to send the
environmental information, and then the environmental information
received from the server 5 is stored in the HDD 75. However, the
present embodiment is not limited to this. The environmental
information 141 can therefore be stored in the HDD 75 in
advance.
[0141] Alternatively, the environmental information 141 can be
stored in a memory device such as a USB flash memory or a memory
card in advance. In such a case, the environmental information 141
is read out from the memory device so as to display the
environmental information 141 on the environmental information
screen, in a case where, when inserting the memory device in the
MFP 100, the inserting is detected by a detector of the MFP
100.
[0142] Alternatively, the environmental information screen can be
displayed when there occurs a transition of the mode of the MFP 100
to the copy mode, the scan mode, the facsimile mode, the printer
mode, or the typing mode. Alternatively, the environmental
information screen can be displayed when the copy mode, the scan
mode, the facsimile mode, the printer mode, or the typing mode is
terminated. For example, the environmental information screen can
be displayed together with the message "deleting data", which is
one of the plurality of messages included in the message
information 145, when the scan mode, the facsimile mode, the
printer mode, or the typing mode is terminated. Alternatively, the
environmental information screen and the message "deleting data"
can be alternately displayed.
[0143] Alternatively, the environmental information screen can be
displayed instead of a setting screen (initial screen) which is
being displayed, in a case where a weight sensor, which is further
provided in a manual paper feeding tray, detects a sheet being
placed on the manual paper feeding tray. Alternatively, the setting
screen (the initial screen) and the environmental information
screen can be alternately displayed. In such cases, the
environmental information screen keeps being displayed until any of
the keys provided on the operation panel 50 is pressed.
[0144] Alternatively, the environmental information screen can be
displayed instead of the setting screen (initial screen) which is
being displayed, in a case where an open/close sensor, which is
further provided so as to detect open/close of the paper feeding
tray, detects the paper feeding tray being opened or closed.
Alternatively, the setting screen (the initial screen) and the
environmental information screen can be alternately displayed.
[0145] The present invention is applicable to, for example,
household appliances and commercial equipment, provided that the
environmental information display screen can be displayed by the
household appliance or the commercial equipment. Note that the
"household appliances" refer to products or standardized products,
such as electrical appliances or devices relating to video, audio,
and communications, which are aimed to be used by general consumers
at ordinary houses or which are developed and designed based on
such premises. The "commercial equipment" refers to products
developed for use in corporations (companies, schools, and public
offices), etc. which are not ordinary houses.
[0146] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but
can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of
the claims. An embodiment derived from a proper combination of
technical means disclosed in respective different embodiments is
also encompassed in the technical scope of the present
invention.
[0147] Note that each block of the MFP 100, in particular, the
operation accepting section 121, the mode switching section 129,
the status detecting section 125, the information obtaining section
127, the display controlling section 131, and the power source
ON/OFF detecting section 123 can be configured by hardware
logic.
[0148] Alternatively, the MFP 100 can be arranged to be connected
to a communication network so that the program codes are delivered
over the communication network. The communication network is not
limited to a specific one, and therefore can be, for example, the
Internet, an intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV
communications network, virtual private network, telephone line
network, mobile communications network, or satellite communications
network. The transfer medium which constitutes the communication
network is not limited to a specific one, and therefore can be, for
example, wired line such as IEEE 1394, USB, electric power line,
cable TV line, telephone line, or ADSL line; or wireless such as
infrared radiation (IrDA, remote control), Bluetooth (Registered
Trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile telephone network,
satellite line, or terrestrial digital network. Note that, the
present invention can be realized by a computer data signal (i)
which is realized by electronic transmission of the program code
and (ii) which is embedded in a carrier wave.
[0149] The image forming apparatus of the present invention can
further include: power source ON/OFF detecting means for detecting
a power source being turned ON or OFF, the display controlling
means controlling the display section to display the at least
environmental information during a warm-up operation which is
carried out after the power source ON/OFF detecting means detects
the power source being turned ON.
[0150] According to the image forming apparatus of the present
invention, it is possible that the image forming apparatus is
switchable between a normal mode and an energy saving mode in which
electric power is consumed less than in the normal mode; and the
display controlling means controls the display section to display
the at least environmental information during returning operation
from the energy saving mode.
[0151] With the configuration, it is possible to easily provide an
image forming apparatus which can display environmental information
while a warm-up operation carried out after it is detected that a
power source is turned ON or while a returning operation from an
energy saving mode.
[0152] According to the image forming apparatus of the present
invention, it is possible that the display controlling means
controls the display section to display an initial screen which
includes an icon from which an instruction on displaying the
environmental information is to be entered by a user; and the
display controlling means controls the display section to display
the at least environmental information in response to the
instruction on displaying the environmental information, which
instruction has been accepted by the operation accepting means.
[0153] With the configuration, the user can check displayed
environmental information at any desired timing by entering, in
accordance with the initial screen, an instruction on displaying
the environmental information.
[0154] According to the image forming apparatus of the present
invention, it is possible that the display controlling means
controls the display section to display, at the predetermined
timing, the environmental information and a message corresponding
to the predetermined timing.
[0155] According to the image forming apparatus of the present
invention, it is possible that the display controlling means
controls the display section to alternately display, at the
predetermined timing, the environmental information and a message
which corresponds to the predetermined timing.
[0156] If environmental information only is displayed without a
message while the warm-up operation or the returning operation, an
unfamiliar user may feel some anxiety. In view of this, according
to the configuration, the environmental information and the message
relating to the predetermined timing are displayed at the same time
or alternately. This makes it possible to show the environmental
information, while surely notifying even an unfamiliar user of the
state of the image forming apparatus by the massage.
[0157] According to the image forming apparatus of the present
invention, it is possible that the environmental information
includes a plurality of images of labels and/or marks relating to
environmental efforts; and the display controlling means controls
the display section to display the plurality of images in a
thumbnail view.
[0158] According to the image forming apparatus of the present
invention, it is possible that the environmental information
includes a plurality of names of labels and/or marks relating to
environmental efforts; and the display controlling means controls
the display section to display a list of the plurality of
names.
[0159] According to the configuration, the environmental
information is displayed as the thumbnail or the list. This allows
the user to easily know the environmental information obtained by
the image forming apparatus.
[0160] According to the image forming apparatus of the present
invention, it is possible that the operation accepting means has an
operation section, from which the instruction is to be entered by
the user; the display section is provided so as to be openable and
closeable with respect to the operation section via a hinge; and
the display section has an operation key from which an instruction
on displaying the environmental information is to be entered by the
user, the operation key being provided on an outer circumferential
part of the display section, which outer circumferential part is
other than a side face on which side the hinge is provided.
[0161] According to the configuration, the display section is
provided so as to be openable and closeable with respect to the
operation section from which an instruction is to be entered to the
operation accepting means. This allows a reduction of sizes of the
display section and the operation section. Conventionally, it has
been difficult to secure a space, in such a small display section
or operation section, for providing an operation key (i.e., a new
key) from which an instruction on displaying the environmental
information is to be entered. However, according to the
configuration of the present invention, the operation key is
provided on the side face of the display section other than the
hinged part. This makes it possible to easily locate an operation
key from which an instruction on displaying the environmental
information is to be entered.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0162] 1: Display processing system [0163] 3: Internet [0164] 5:
Server [0165] 7: Network [0166] 10: Automatic document feeder (ADF)
[0167] 11: Document tray [0168] 20: Document reading section [0169]
30: Image forming section [0170] 40: Paper feeding section [0171]
41: Large capacity container [0172] 50 and 50A: Operation panel
[0173] 51 and 51A: Display section [0174] 52: Display panel [0175]
53 and 53A: Operation section [0176] 60: Power switch [0177] 71:
ROM [0178] 73: RAM [0179] 75: Hard disk drive (HDD) [0180] 79:
First communication controlling section [0181] 100: MFP [0182] 111:
CPU [0183] 121: Operation accepting section (operation accepting
means) [0184] 123: Power source ON/OFF detecting section (power
source ON/OFF detecting means) [0185] 125: Status detecting section
[0186] 127: Information obtaining section [0187] 129: Mode
switching section [0188] 131: Display controlling section (display
controlling means) [0189] 200: PC
* * * * *