JP5786314B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system.

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers and copiers that form images on paper generate and store log data as operation history information of the apparatus itself. By analyzing this log data, when a failure or abnormality occurs, it is specified what kind of operation the failure has occurred, from which point the abnormality has occurred, etc. It has been.

  Also, in a printing system composed of a plurality of printers, print servers, etc., the print server accumulates information such as print data and print logs (job IDs, job names), and logs with the information associated with time stamps. It has a function of storing and reading out and displaying the log information, and further extracting and displaying log information corresponding to an arbitrary keyword from the displayed log information, and displaying the displayed log information. A technique of sorting and displaying according to specified conditions is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-149371 A

  However, in an image forming system having a tandem configuration in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses capable of independently performing image forming processing are connected in series on the paper transport path, log data of the own apparatus is provided for each image forming apparatus. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to grasp the log data of the entire image forming system simply by acquiring the log data of each image forming apparatus.

  For example, in the case of a job in a duplex mode in which an image forming apparatus that forms an image on both sides of one sheet by forming an image on both sides of one sheet by performing image forming processing on one side and the other side of the sheet, log data of the job Is stored separately in each image forming apparatus for each sheet surface. When it is desired to check the log data of this job in time series from the start to the end of the job, a troublesome work that requires the user to integrate the log data of each image forming apparatus occurs.

  In addition, it is difficult to grasp the error that occurred in a certain image forming apparatus due to the operation in which image forming apparatus among a plurality of image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming system. It is difficult to understand the causal relationship between devices.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the ease of grasping the operation history information of the entire image forming system in a tandem image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected in series. It is to improve.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image is formed on one surface of a sheet by an image forming apparatus on the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path by a series tandem configuration in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected in series. In an image forming system in which an image is formed on the other side of the sheet by the image forming apparatus to form an image on one sheet, each of the image forming apparatuses is added with identification information of its own apparatus , and one page image A storage unit that accumulates operation history information including start and end of the forming process, and at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is configured to perform the operation from the storage unit of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. get the history information, as displayed in accordance with the operation history information that the acquired, as the history of the cooperative operation of the display order is possible to grasp, on a sheet of paper sorted in chronological order or the order of pages A control unit that integrates operation histories of a plurality of corresponding image forming apparatuses and outputs a display signal for displaying the integrated operation history information together with the identification information added for each operation history information; , it said.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, the integrated operation history information is combined with the identification information added for each operation history information based on the display signal. A display unit for displaying is provided.

The invention of claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 2, wherein when the integrated operating history information displayed on the display unit, the display order of the types of instructions of operation history information is inputted A display order input unit is provided, and the control unit rearranges and integrates the operation history information according to the type of the display order input from the display order input unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the second or third aspect , the display unit is provided in at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. To do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the display unit is connected to at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and a network. It is connected so that communication is possible via this.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, whether the operation history information of each of the image forming apparatuses is individually displayed or integratedly displayed. A display selection input unit for inputting an instruction to select whether or not, and the control unit individually displays the operation history information of each of the image forming apparatuses according to the selection instruction input to the display selection input unit. Displayed on the display unit or integrated and displayed on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming system having a tandem configuration in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected in series, the identification information of the image forming apparatus is added to the operation history information displayed in an integrated manner. The ease of grasping the operation history information of the entire image forming system can be improved, and the convenience can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first image forming apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of a 2nd image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart of a log data display process. It is a figure which shows the example of a log display format selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a log display classification selection screen. (A) is a figure which shows the example of the log data of a 1st image forming apparatus, (b) is a figure which shows the example of the log data of a 2nd image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the log data integrated in time series order. (A) is a figure which shows the example of the log data of a 1st image forming apparatus, (b) is a figure which shows the example of the log data of a 2nd image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the log data integrated in page order.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming system 1 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes a sheet feeding device 10, a first image forming device 20, a reversing device 30, a second image forming device 40, a post-processing device 50, and the like from the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path. Are connected in series.

  In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, when executing a duplex mode job for forming an image on both sides of a sheet, the first image forming apparatus 20 is operated to operate one side (for example, the front side) of the sheet. Then, the second image forming apparatus 40 is operated to form an image on the other side (for example, the back side) of the sheet. When a single-side mode job for forming an image on one side of a sheet is executed, the second image forming apparatus 40 is operated to form an image on one side of the sheet.

  The paper feeder 10 is called a PFU (Paper Feed Unit), and includes a plurality of paper feed trays, a paper feed means including a paper feed roller, a separation roller, a paper feed / separation rubber, a feed roller, and the like. Prepare. Each paper tray stores a pre-identified paper for each paper type (paper type, basis weight, paper size, etc.), one sheet at a time from the top of the paper stored in the paper tray. The sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveying unit of the first image forming apparatus 20 by the sheet feeding unit.

  The first image forming apparatus 20 reads an image from a document, forms the read image on paper, prints data in a page description language format such as a PDL (Page Description Language) format or a Tiff format from an external device, and the like. Then, print setting data in which various output instructions for the print data are set is received, and an image is formed on a sheet based on the received print data, print setting data, and the like. The first image forming apparatus 20 includes an image reading unit 21, an operation display unit 22, a print unit 23, and the like.

  The image reading unit 21 includes an automatic document feeding unit called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and a reading unit, reads an image of a document based on setting information received by the operation display unit 22, and generates an image of an analog signal. Generate data. The document placed on the document tray of the automatic document feeder is conveyed to a contact glass that is a reading location, an image on one or both sides of the document is read by an optical system, and an image of the document is read by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 211. Is read. Here, the image means not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.

  The operation display unit 22 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 221, a touch panel provided to cover the LCD 221, various switches and buttons, a numeric keypad, an operation key group, and the like. The operation display unit 22 receives instructions from the user, outputs the operation signals to the control unit 250, and according to the display signals input from the control unit 250, various screens for inputting various operation instructions and setting information, Displays various processing results.

The print unit 23 performs electrophotographic image forming processing, and includes various units related to print output, such as a paper feeding unit 231, a paper transport unit 232, an image forming unit 233 for each color, and a fixing unit 234. The
In addition, although the example which applied the electrophotographic system is demonstrated in the printing part 23 of this Embodiment, it is good also as applying other printing systems, such as not only this but an inkjet system and a thermal sublimation system.

  The sheet feeding unit 231 includes a plurality of sheet feeding trays and sheet feeding means including a sheet feeding roller, a separation roller, a sheet feeding / separating rubber, a feeding roller, and the like provided for each sheet feeding tray. Each paper tray stores a pre-identified paper for each paper type (paper type, basis weight, paper size, etc.), one sheet at a time from the top of the paper stored in the paper tray. The sheet is conveyed toward the sheet conveying unit by the sheet feeding means.

The sheet conveying unit 232 conveys the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding device 10 or the sheet feeding unit 231 onto a sheet conveying path to the image forming unit 233 through a plurality of intermediate rollers, registration rollers, and the like, thereby forming an image. It is conveyed to the transfer device of the unit 233.
The paper transport unit 232 includes a reverse transport unit 232a. The reverse conveyance unit 232a switches back the paper discharged from the fixing unit 234 by a reverse roller or the like, and conveys the paper to the reverse device 30 or the secondary transfer position.

  The image forming unit 233 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, a cleaning device, and the like, and generates an output product in which an image is formed on a sheet based on print image data. When the first image forming apparatus 20 forms a color image, an image forming unit 233 is provided for each color.

  In the image forming unit 233y that forms a yellow (Y) image, the surface of the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device is irradiated with light according to the yellow (Y) print image data from the exposure device, and the electrostatic latent image. Is written. Then, a charged yellow (Y) toner is attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is written by the developing device, and the electrostatic latent image is developed. The toner adhering to the photosensitive drum by the developing device is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 233a at the primary transfer position where the primary transfer roller is arranged by rotating the photosensitive drum at a constant speed. After the toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 233a, the cleaning device removes residual charges, residual toner, and the like on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the removed toner is collected in a toner collection box.

  Similarly, image forming units 233m, 233c, and 233k that form images of each color of magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device arranged around the photosensitive drum. And a magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner image.

  The toner images of each color transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 233a are collectively transferred onto the sheet at the secondary transfer position where the secondary transfer roller is disposed.

  The fixing unit 234 includes a fixing heater, a fixing roller, a fixing external heating unit, and the like, and thermally fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet.

  The paper fixed by the fixing unit 234 is conveyed to the reversing device 30 by a discharge roller or the like, or is reversed by the reverse conveying unit 232a of the paper conveying unit 232 and conveyed again to the secondary transfer position.

The reversing device 30 is installed between the first image forming device 20 and the second image forming device 40, and conveys the paper conveyed from the first image forming device 20 to the second image forming device 40. . The reversing device 30 includes a sheet reversing unit having a reversing roller and a stack unit that stacks a plurality of sheets. When the sheet conveyed to the second image forming apparatus 40 needs to be reversed, the sheet conveyed from the first image forming apparatus 20 is reversed by switching back by the sheet reversing unit. It is conveyed to the second image forming apparatus 40.
When the sheet reversing unit in the first image forming apparatus 20 performs the reversal of the sheet conveyed from the first image forming apparatus 20 to the second image forming apparatus 40, the reversing apparatus 30 is used as the image forming system 1. It does not have to be provided.

The second image forming apparatus 40 includes an operation display unit 42, a print unit 43, and the like, and forms an image on a sheet.
Note that the operation display unit 42 and the print unit 43 included in the second image forming apparatus 40 have the same configuration as the operation display unit 22 and the print unit 23 included in the first image forming apparatus 20, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

  The post-processing device 50 includes various post-processing units such as a reversing unit, a sorting unit, a stapling unit, a punch unit, a folding unit, and a booklet unit, a paper discharge tray, and the like. Various post-processing is performed on the paper, and the post-processed paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the first image forming apparatus 20 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first image forming apparatus 20 includes an image reading unit 21, an operation display unit 22, a printing unit 23, a controller 24, an image control board 25, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 26, a communication unit 27, and the like. It is prepared for. The first image forming apparatus 20 is connected to the external apparatus 2 on the network 3 via a LANIF (Local Area Network InterFace) 244 of the controller 24 so that data can be transmitted and received between them.

  The image reading unit 21 includes the automatic document feeding unit and reading unit described above, and the image reading control unit 210. The image reading control unit 210 controls the automatic document feeding unit, the reading unit, and the like based on an instruction from the control unit 250 to realize a scanner function that reads images of a plurality of documents. The image data of the analog signal read by the image reading unit 21 is output to the reading processing unit 253, where the reading processing unit 253 performs A / D conversion and various image processing.

  The operation display unit 22 includes the above-described LCD 221, touch panel, and the like, and an operation display control unit 220. The operation display control unit 220 displays various screens for inputting various setting conditions, various processing results, and the like on the LCD in accordance with a display signal input from the control unit 250. The operation display control unit 220 outputs operation signals input from various switches, buttons, numeric keys, operation key groups, a touch panel, and the like to the control unit 250.

  The print unit 23 includes the units related to print output, such as the above-described paper feed unit 231, paper transport unit 232, image forming unit 233 for each color, fixing unit 234, and the like, and a print control unit 230. The print control unit 230 controls the operation of each part of the print unit 23 such as the image forming unit 233 for each color in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 250, and forms an image based on the print image data input from the writing processing unit 258. Let it be done.

The controller 24 manages and controls data input to the image forming system 1 from the external device 2 or the like connected to the network 3, and print target data (print data and print setting data) from the external device 2. The image data generated by developing the print data and the print setting data are transmitted to the image control board 25.
The controller 24 includes a controller control unit 241, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC 242, an image memory 243, a LANIF 244, and the like.

  The controller control unit 241 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the controller 24 and develops print data input from the external apparatus 2 via the LANIF 244 to generate bitmap format image data.

  The DRAM control IC 242 controls transfer of print data received by the LANIF 244 to the controller control unit 241 and writing / reading of image data and print setting data to / from the image memory 243. The DRAM control IC 242 is connected to the DRAM control IC 255 of the image control board 25 by a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) bus, and in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 241, print target image data and print setting data are stored in the image memory. Read from 243 and output to DRAM control IC 255.

  The image memory 243 is configured by a volatile memory such as a DRAM, and temporarily stores received print data and print setting data, and generated image data.

  The LANIF 244 is a communication interface for connecting to a network 3 such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a modem, and functions as a receiving unit that receives print data and print setting data from the external device 2. The received print data and print setting data are output to the DRAM control IC 242.

  The image control board 25 includes a control unit 250, a nonvolatile memory 251, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 252, a reading processing unit 253, a compression IC 254, a DRAM control IC 255, an image memory 256, a decompression IC 257, a writing processing unit 258, and the like.

  The control unit 250 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, reads a system program and various application programs stored in the nonvolatile memory 251, expands them in the RAM 252, and expands them in the RAM 252. Various processes are executed in cooperation with the program to centrally control each unit of the first image forming apparatus 20.

  Further, the control unit 250 executes a log data accumulation process and a log data display process from the nonvolatile memory 251 in cooperation with the log data accumulation process program, the log data display process program, and various data according to the present embodiment.

  In the log data accumulation process, operation history information (log data), which is information related to the operation state of the own apparatus, is accumulated in the HDD 26. For example, after the communication with the second image forming apparatus 40 is performed and the log data accumulation start timing is synchronized, the log data is acquired at the timing when the operation state of the apparatus changes. The acquired log data is stored in the HDD 26 with identification information (device ID) set in advance for the device itself.

  The log data includes the operation status (Status) and date / time information (time stamp) when the log data is acquired, the identification number (job ID) and page number of the job being executed when the log data is acquired, Data indicating the document name of the job, the name of the user who instructed execution of the job, and the like are included. Examples of the operation state include start, end, stop, and restart of image formation, occurrence of JAM, return, error such as toner shortage, and the like.

  In the log data display process, log data of a plurality of image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming system 1 is displayed on the operation display unit 22. Specifically, in the log data display process, device IDs are added from the HDDs of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that constitute the image forming system 1 (in the present embodiment, from the HDDs of the first and second image forming apparatuses). Log data is acquired. Then, the log data of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is rearranged and merged according to the type of display order input by the operation display unit, and a screen showing the integrated log data is displayed on the operation display unit. 22 is displayed on the LCD 221.

  In the present embodiment, the display destination of the integrated log data will be described using the LCD 221 of the operation display unit 22 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The integrated log data may be transmitted and displayed on a display unit such as a display provided in the external device 2.

Note that a job is a series of operations related to image formation. For example, when a copy made of a document of a predetermined page is created, a series of operations related to image formation of a document of a predetermined page is one job. Data for executing this job operation is job data.
The job data includes job information and page information.
The job information is information common to all pages, and includes, for example, a job document name, a user name, the number of copies, an output mode, an output tray, an applied function, presence / absence of a test print, a color mode, a paper type, and the like.
The page information is associated with the compressed image data of each page, and is information related to the associated compressed image data. For example, the page information includes a page number, an image size (vertical and horizontal), an image orientation, an image width, an image rotation angle, a storage address for compressed image data, and the like.

  In addition to various processing programs and various data related to image formation, the nonvolatile memory 251 stores a log data storage processing program according to the present embodiment, a log data display processing program, data processed by the various programs, and the like.

The RAM 252 forms a work area that temporarily stores various programs executed by the control unit 250 and various data related to these programs.
The RAM 252 also has image data and print setting data input from the controller 24, or image data input from the image reading unit 21 and settings set by the operation display unit 22 when the image data is acquired. The job data generated by the control unit 250 based on the information is temporarily stored.

  The reading processing unit 253 performs various processing such as analog processing, A / D conversion processing, shading processing, and the like on the analog signal image data input from the image reading unit 21, and then generates digital signal image data. To do. The generated image data is output to the compression IC 254.

  The compression IC 254 subjects the input digital signal image data to compression processing and outputs the result to the DRAM control IC 255.

  The DRAM control IC 255 controls image data compression processing by the compression IC 254 and decompression processing of compressed image data by the decompression IC 257 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 250, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory 256.

  For example, when an instruction to save image data read by the image reading unit 21 is input from the control unit 250, the DRAM control IC 255 causes the compression IC 254 to perform compression processing of the image data input to the reading processing unit 253. The compressed image data is stored in the compression memory 256a of the image memory 256. In addition, when image data is input from the DRAM control IC 242 of the controller 24, the DRAM control IC 255 causes the compression IC 254 to execute compression processing of the image data, and stores the compressed image data in the compression memory 256a of the image memory 256.

  Further, when the print control instruction for the compressed image data stored in the compression memory 256a is input from the control unit 250, the DRAM control IC 255 reads the compressed image data from the compression memory 256a and performs decompression processing by the decompression IC 257. The data is stored in the memory 256b. Further, when a print output instruction for image data stored in the page memory 256 b is input, the image data is read from the page memory 256 b and output to the writing processing unit 258.

  The image memory 256 includes a compression memory 256a and a page memory 256b composed of DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The compression memory 256a is a memory for storing compressed image data, and the page memory 256b temporarily stores image data for print output or temporarily stores received data from the controller before compression. It is a memory for.

  The decompression IC 257 performs decompression processing on the compressed image data.

  The write processing unit 258 generates print image data for image formation based on the image data input from the DRAM control IC 255 and outputs the print image data to the print unit 23.

The HDD 26 functions as a storage unit that accumulates log data to which the device ID of the own device is added.
In this embodiment, an HDD is used as a storage medium for storing log data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any non-volatile memory may be used.

  The communication unit 27 is a communication interface for connecting to a network to which each device constituting the image forming system 1 is connected, and transmits / receives various data to / from each device.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the second image forming apparatus 40 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the second image forming apparatus 40 includes an operation display unit 42, a print unit 43, a controller 44, an image control board 45, an HDD 46, a communication unit 47, and the like.

  Since the operation display unit 42, the print unit 43, and the controller 44 are the same as the operation display unit 22, the print unit 23, and the controller 24 of the first image forming apparatus 20, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. To do.

  The image control board 45 includes a control unit 450, a nonvolatile memory 451, a RAM 452, a compression IC 454, a DRAM control IC 455, an image memory 456, a decompression IC 457, a write processing unit 458, and the like.

  The control unit 450 includes a CPU and the like, reads a specified program from among the system programs and various application programs stored in the non-volatile memory 451, expands the program in the RAM 452, and cooperates with the program expanded in the RAM 452. Thus, various processes are executed to centrally control each part of the second image forming apparatus 40.

Further, the control unit 450 executes log data accumulation processing from the nonvolatile memory 451 in cooperation with the log data accumulation processing program and various data according to the present embodiment.
Note that the log data storage process executed by the control unit 450 is the same as the log data storage process executed by the control unit 250 of the first image forming apparatus 20, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The nonvolatile memory 451 stores various processing programs and various data related to image formation, a log data storage processing program according to the present embodiment, data processed by the various programs, and the like.

The RAM 452 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 450 and various data related to these programs.
The RAM 452 temporarily stores job data generated by the control unit 450 based on image data and print setting data input from the controller 44.

  The compression IC 454 performs compression processing on the input digital signal image data and outputs the result to the DRAM control IC 455.

  The DRAM control IC 455 controls image data compression processing by the compression IC 454 and decompression processing of compressed image data by the decompression IC 457 according to instructions from the control unit 450, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory 456.

  For example, when image data is input from the DRAM control IC 242 of the controller 44, the DRAM control IC 455 causes the compression IC 454 to execute compression processing of the image data, and stores the compressed image data in the compression memory 456a of the image memory 456.

  Furthermore, when a print output instruction for compressed image data stored in the compression memory 456a is input from the control unit 450, the DRAM control IC 255 reads the compressed image data from the compression memory 456a, performs decompression processing by the decompression IC 457, and performs page processing. The data is stored in the memory 456b. Further, when a print output instruction for image data stored in the page memory 456b is input, the image data is read from the page memory 456b and output to the write processing unit 458.

  The image memory 456 includes a compression memory 456a and a page memory 456b configured from DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The compression memory 456a is a memory for storing compressed image data, and the page memory 456b temporarily stores image data for print output or temporarily stores received data from the controller before compression. It is a memory for.

  The decompression IC 457 performs decompression processing on the compressed image data.

  The write processing unit 458 generates print image data for image formation based on the image data input from the DRAM control IC 455 and outputs the print image data to the print unit 23.

The HDD 46 functions as a storage unit that accumulates log data to which the device ID of the own device is added.
In this embodiment, an HDD is used as a storage medium for storing log data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any non-volatile memory may be used.

  The communication unit 47 is a communication interface for connecting to a network to which each device constituting the image forming system 1 is connected, and transmits / receives various data to / from each device.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of log data display processing in the present embodiment. The log data display process shown in FIG. 4 is executed in cooperation between the control unit 250 and each unit.

  The control unit 250 determines whether or not an operation signal indicating a log data display request has been received from the operation display unit 22 (step S1), and if an operation signal indicating a log data display request has not been received (step S1). S1; NO), the process returns to step S1.

  When an operation signal indicating a log data display request is received (step S <b> 1; YES), the control unit 250 transmits a display signal for displaying a log display format selection screen to the operation display unit 22, and displays the log display format on the LCD 221. A selection screen is displayed (step S2).

FIG. 5 shows an example of a log display format selection screen.
As shown in FIG. 5, the log display format selection screen G1 is provided with a message area M1, an individual display button B11, a merge display button B12, and the like.
In the message area M1, a message for allowing the user to select a display format of log data is shown. The individual display button B11 accepts an instruction in an individual format for individually displaying the log data of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming system 1 for each image forming apparatus. The merge display button B12 receives an instruction of a merge format for displaying the log data of each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses constituting the image forming system 1 in an integrated manner.
Accordingly, the operation display unit 22 that displays the log display format selection screen is a display selection input unit that inputs a selection instruction as to whether or not to display the log data of each image forming apparatus individually or in an integrated manner. Function as.

  The control unit 250 determines whether the selected display format is the merge format or the individual format by determining whether the merge display button or the individual display button is selected on the log display format selection screen (step S3). ).

  When the selected display format is an individual format (step S3; individual), the control unit 250 reads log data from the HDD 26 of its own device, and displays a display signal for displaying a screen showing the read log data on the operation display unit 22. To display the log data screen of the own device on the LCD 221 (step S4).

  Further, the control unit 250 transmits a signal indicating a log data acquisition request to the second image forming apparatus (step S5), and determines whether or not log data has been received from the second image forming apparatus (step S5). S6).

  When the controller 450 of the second image forming apparatus receives a signal indicating a log data acquisition request from the first image forming apparatus, the controller 450 reads the log data from the HDD 46 of the own apparatus and sends the read log data to the first image forming apparatus. Send.

  When log data has not been received from the second image forming apparatus (step S6; NO), the control unit 250 returns to the process of step S6. When the log data is received from the second image forming apparatus (step S6; YES), the control unit 250 transmits a display signal for displaying a screen indicating the received log data of the second image forming apparatus to the operation display unit 22. Then, the log data screen of the second image forming apparatus is displayed on the LCD 221 (step S7), and the log data display process is terminated.

  When the selected display format is the merge format (step S3; merge), the control unit 250 transmits a display signal for displaying the log display type selection screen to the operation display unit 22, and the log display type selection screen on the LCD 221. Is displayed, and an indication of the type of display order of log data is acquired on the log display type selection screen (step S8).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the log display type selection screen.
As shown in FIG. 6, the log display type selection screen G2 includes a message area M2, a time-series order button B21, a page order button B22, a job order button B23, and the like.
The message area M2 displays a message that allows the user to select the type of display order of log data when the log data of each image forming apparatus is displayed in an integrated manner.
The time series order button B21 accepts an instruction to sort and display log data in time series order. The page order button B22 receives an instruction to display the log data by rearranging the log data in the page order. The job order button B23 receives an instruction to display the log data by rearranging the log data in the job order.
Accordingly, the operation display unit 22 that displays the log display type selection screen functions as a display order input unit for inputting an instruction of the type of display order of log data when displaying the integrated log data.

  In addition, the control unit 250 reads and acquires log data from the HDD 26 of the own apparatus (step S9), transmits a signal indicating a log data acquisition request to the second image forming apparatus (step S10), and outputs the second data. It is determined whether or not log data is received from the image forming apparatus (step S11).

  When the controller 450 of the second image forming apparatus receives a signal indicating a log data acquisition request from the first image forming apparatus, the controller 450 reads the log data from the HDD 46 of the own apparatus and sends the read log data to the first image forming apparatus. Send.

  When the log data is not received from the second image forming apparatus (step S11; NO), the control unit 250 returns to the process of step S11. When the log data is received from the second image forming apparatus (step S11; YES), the control unit 250 displays the type of display order of the log data acquired in step S8 based on the button selected on the log display type selection screen. Is in time-series order, job order, or page order (step S12).

  When the time series order button is selected and the type of the display order of the log data acquired in step S8 is time series order (step S12; time series order), the control unit 250 controls the first image forming apparatus. The log data of the second image forming apparatus is rearranged and integrated in the order of the date / time information based on the date / time information included in each log data (step S13), and the process proceeds to step S17.

  When the time series order button is not selected and the type of the display order of the log data acquired in step S8 is job order or page order (step S12; job order / page order), the control unit 250 The log data of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus is rearranged and integrated in order of job ID based on the job ID included in each log data (step S14).

  The control unit 250 determines whether the display order type of the log data acquired in step S8 is page order based on whether the page order button is selected (step S15). In the case of order (step S15; NO), the process proceeds to step S17.

  When the pages are in order (step S15; YES), the control unit 250 rearranges the log data in units of the same job ID based on the page numbers included in each log data (step S16).

After step S13, step S15; NO or step S16, the control unit 250 transmits a display signal for displaying an integrated log data screen indicating the integrated log data to the operation display unit 22, and the integrated log data screen is displayed on the LCD 221. Is displayed (step S17), and the log data display process is terminated.
Accordingly, the operation display unit 22 that displays the integrated log data screen functions as a display unit that displays the log data together with the device ID.

  In step S17, the control unit 250 may transmit a display signal for displaying the integrated log data screen to the external device 2 connected via the network 3, and terminate the log data display process. And in the external device 2, you may display an integrated log data screen on a display part according to the received display signal.

With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, log data of each image forming apparatus and log data integrated when this embodiment is applied will be described.
FIG. 7A shows an example of log data of the first image forming apparatus, and FIG. 7B shows an example of log data of the second image forming apparatus. FIG. 8 shows an example of log data obtained by rearranging and integrating the log data of each image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the log data of the first image forming apparatus includes a device ID (here, “1”) indicating the identification information of the own device, a job ID, a page number, a user name, and a document name. , Time stamp, and data indicating the operation state are included.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the log data of the second image forming apparatus also includes a device ID (here, “2”) indicating the identification information of the own apparatus, similarly to the log data of the first image forming apparatus. ), Job ID, page number, user name, document name, time stamp, and data indicating the operation state.

Referring to FIG. 7A, it can be seen that the operation of the seventh page with the job ID 1 is temporarily stopped in the first image forming apparatus. However, it is impossible to determine what is the cause of the temporary stop based only on the log data (FIG. 7A) of the first image forming apparatus. Therefore, referring to the log data of the second image forming apparatus (FIG. 7B), it can be seen that JAM has occurred during the operation of the sixth page with the job ID of 1. Accordingly, it can be understood that the cause of the suspension of the operation in the first image forming apparatus is the occurrence of JAM in the second image forming apparatus.
As described above, when the log data of each image forming apparatus is individually displayed, it is difficult to grasp the causal relationship between the operations of the image forming apparatuses.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 8, the log data including the apparatus ID of the first image forming apparatus and the log data including the apparatus ID of the second image forming apparatus are rearranged in time series and integrated. It can be grasped at a glance that the operation of the first image forming apparatus is temporarily stopped due to the occurrence of JAM in the image forming apparatus.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, another example of log data of each image forming apparatus and integrated log data when this embodiment is applied will be described.
FIG. 9A shows an example of log data of the first image forming apparatus, and FIG. 9B shows an example of log data of the second image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 shows an example of log data obtained by rearranging the log data of each image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 9 and integrating them.

  Referring to FIG. 9A, the first image forming apparatus has run out of toner during the operation of the first page with the job ID 3. Referring to FIG. 9B, the second image forming is performed. In the apparatus, it appears that the apparatus is operating without any problem, and it is difficult to grasp whether or not there is an influence due to running out of toner in the first image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 10, a job in the second image forming apparatus until the toner out is eliminated by the occurrence of toner out during the operation of the first page of job ID 3 in the first image forming apparatus. It can be understood at a glance that the start time of the operation of the second page with ID 3 is delayed.

  When the integrated log data is displayed on the operation display unit 22, the log data may be displayed in different display forms (for example, background color, character thickness, color, etc.) according to the device ID. preferable.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the tandem-type image forming system 1 in which two image forming apparatuses are connected in series, the log data displayed in an integrated manner is included in the log data of the image forming apparatus. Since the apparatus ID is added, it is easy to understand which image forming apparatus each log data is log data of and the relationship with the log data of other image forming apparatuses. Data can be easily grasped and convenience can be improved.

  Furthermore, the log data that is rearranged and integrated according to the type of display order input from the log display type selection screen can be displayed. Therefore, the log data can be rearranged and displayed in the display order desired by the user, and the user can save time and effort to rearrange and integrate the log data.

  Further, the log data integrated may be displayed on an operation display unit (in this embodiment, the operation display unit 22 of the first image forming apparatus) provided in at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. it can.

  Also, an external device that is communicably connected to at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network (in the present embodiment, the external device 2 connected to the first image forming apparatus). The log data integrated on the display unit can be displayed.

  Furthermore, according to the display format input from the log display format selection screen, the log data of each image forming apparatus can be displayed individually or integratedly displayed.

  In this embodiment, the case where the log data display process is executed by the control unit 250 of the first image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is executed by the control unit 450 of the second image forming apparatus. Also good.

In the above description, the example in which the nonvolatile memories 251 and 451 are used as the computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example.
As other computer-readable media, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied.
A carrier wave is also applied to the present invention as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 External apparatus 3 Network 10 Paper feeder 20 1st image forming apparatus 21 Image reading part 22 Operation display part 23 Print part 24 Controller 25 Image control board 26 HDD
27 Communication Unit 30 Reversing Device 40 Second Image Forming Device 42 Operation Display Unit 43 Print Unit 44 Controller 45 Image Control Board 46 HDD
47 Communication unit 50 Post-processing device 210 Image reading control unit 211 CCD
220 Operation display controller 221 LCD
230 Print Control Unit 231 Paper Feed Unit 232 Paper Transport Unit 232a Reverse Transport Unit 233 Image Forming Unit 233a Intermediate Transfer Belt 234 Fixing Unit 241 Controller Control Unit 242 DRAM Control IC
243 Image memory 244 LANIF
250 Control unit 251 Non-volatile memory 252 RAM
253 Reading processing unit 254 Compression IC
255 DRAM control IC
256 Image memory 256a Compression memory 256b Page memory 257 Expansion IC
258 Write processing unit 450 Control unit 451 Non-volatile memory 452 RAM
454 compression IC
455 DRAM control IC
456 Image memory 456a Compression memory 456b Page memory 457 Expansion IC
458 Write processing unit B11 Individual display button B12 Merge display button B21 Time series order button B22 Page order button B23 Job order button G1 Log display format selection screen G2 Log display type selection screen M1 Message area M2 Message area

Claims (6)

A series tandem configuration in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected in series forms an image on one side of the sheet with the upstream side image forming apparatus in the sheet conveyance path, and the other side of the sheet with the downstream side image forming apparatus. In an image forming system that forms an image on a surface and forms an image on a sheet of paper,
Each of the image forming apparatuses
A storage unit for accumulating operation history information including the start and end of image formation processing for one page, to which identification information of the own device is added;
At least one image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is:
The operation history information is acquired from the storage unit of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the acquired operation history information is combined as a display target so that the history of the cooperative operation can be grasped in order of display order. Alternatively, in order to arrange the operation history of a plurality of image forming apparatuses corresponding to one sheet by rearranging the pages, and to display the integrated operation history information together with the identification information added for each operation history information. A control unit for outputting the display signal of
An image forming system. A display unit for displaying the integrated operation history information together with the identification information added for each operation history information based on the display signal;
The image forming system according to claim 1. When displaying the integrated operation history information on the display unit includes a display order input portion to which the type of the display order of the instruction of the operation history information is inputted,
The controller is
Rearranging and integrating the operation history information according to the type of the display order input from the display order input unit;
The image forming system according to claim 2. The display unit
Provided in at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein: The display unit
Being communicably connected to at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network;
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein: A display selection input unit for inputting a selection instruction as to whether or not to display the operation history information of each of the image forming apparatuses individually or to display them in an integrated manner,
The controller is
In response to a selection instruction input to the display selection input unit, the operation history information of each of the image forming apparatuses is individually displayed on the display unit, or integrated and displayed on the display unit.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein:

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