JP6877966B2 - Image forming apparatus and activation processing method of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an activation processing method that executes an initial operation when a power is turned on.

Conventionally, image forming devices such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripheral) are locked so that the scanner carriage, which is a movable part, does not move and be damaged during transportation when the shipping setting work at the factory is completed. It is packed and shipped in. By the way, for example, as a pre-shipment work, the MFP is started with the MFP unpacked, and various operations (for example, firmware update or adjustment, parameter input, test chart) are used by using the operation screen (simulation) for the operator. Printing, etc.) may be performed. Then, it will be shipped after such pre-shipment work.

In Patent Document 1, in an image forming post-processing apparatus that enables various post-processing on image-formed paper, the initial processing of each post-processing is not performed collectively at the time of turning on the power, but is selected by an operator's operation. A technique for executing only the initial operation is disclosed. This image forming post-processing device makes it possible to shorten the operating time from turning on the power to the state where post-processing is possible, reduce the operating power, and reduce the operating noise.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-148479

By the way, in the pre-shipment work, the initial operation including the movement operation of the scanner carriage is executed in order to activate the MFP. That is, in the initial operation of the pre-shipment work, the scanner carriage operates, so even if the work does not require the scanner operation, it is necessary to uniformly unlock the work in advance. Therefore, if the power is turned on without unlocking or forgetting to unlock it, the scanner carriage will operate in the locked state, causing machine trouble due to step-out and collision with other members, resulting in an error stop in the work process. It becomes.

When pre-shipment work is required for the pre-shipment MFP, in order to prevent the above-mentioned machine trouble, unlock the scanner carriage once locked, and then perform the lock work again after the pre-shipment work is completed. However, there is no guarantee that the worker will perform the unlocking work in advance at the time of starting after unpacking, and it will take time for the worker to release and attach the lock member. Becomes complicated.

The image forming post-processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 selectively avoids execution of initial processing according to unnecessary post-processing among a plurality of types of post-processing, and is locked before packing. It is not related to a technique for temporarily limiting the initial operation of the scanner carriage after unpacking the image forming apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if the scanner carriage is forgotten to be locked, the movement operation will not occur at the next startup after the shipping setting, and the scanner carriage will be locked at the next startup after the shipping setting. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device and an activation processing method thereof, which eliminates the need for release work, simplifies operation confirmation work, and shortens time.

The activation processing method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention relates to the activation processing method of the image forming apparatus including a plurality of units, and includes a writing step, a determination step, and a prohibition step. In the writing step, the lock information indicating that the scanner carriage is locked at the home position is written to the storage unit in the shipping setting work. The determination step determines whether or not the lock information is written in the storage unit at the next startup after the shipping setting work. In the prohibition step, when it is determined that the lock information is written in the storage unit, the initial operation of the scanner carriage is prohibited, and during the prohibition, the operation of the image forming apparatus accompanied by the movement of the scanner carriage is performed. While prohibited, the operation of the image forming apparatus without the movement of the scanner carriage is permitted.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a plurality of units, and includes a storage unit, a determination means, and a prohibition means. Lock information indicating that the scanner carriage has been locked to the home position during the shipping setting work is written in the storage unit. The determining means determines whether or not the lock information is written in the storage unit at the next startup after the shipping setting work. When it is determined that the lock information is written in the storage unit, the prohibiting means prohibits the initial operation of the scanner carriage, and during the prohibition, the operation of the image forming apparatus accompanied by the movement of the scanner carriage is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the lock information that permits the operation of the image forming apparatus without the movement of the scanner carriage is written in the storage unit, the initial operation of the scanner carriage is prohibited.

According to these inventions, since the lock information is written in the shipping setting work, the operation of the image forming apparatus without the movement of the scanner carriage is permitted at the next startup such as the pre-shipping work and the maintenance work. If you forget to unlock and turn on the power, the scanner carriage will not move, preventing step-out and collision. Further, since the initial operation of the scanner carriage is prohibited, the conventional complicated work such as unlocking work and relocking work becomes unnecessary.

Further, the operation of the image forming apparatus accompanied by the movement of the scanner carriage is characterized in that it is at least one of a document scanning operation and a copying operation. According to this configuration, the operation of moving the scanner carriage is prohibited.

Further, the writing step includes a detection step of detecting that the scanner carriage is in the home position, and when the detection step detects that the scanner carriage is in the home position, the lock information is transmitted. It is written in the storage unit. According to this configuration, the lock information writing process is automatically performed based on the detection result.

Further, the present invention includes an initial operation processing step of executing an initial operation of a unit other than the initial operation of the scanner carriage at the next startup. According to this configuration, since the initial operation of the unit other than the scanner carriage is executed, it is possible to perform maintenance work, printing operation, and the like without the scanner operation.

Further, when it is determined by the determination step that the lock information is written in the storage unit, the display processing step of displaying the information that the scanner carriage is in the operation prohibited state is included in the display unit. According to this configuration, it is possible to visually recognize that the scanner is not operating from the display unit, so that it is possible to prevent forgetting to unlock.

Further, the prohibition step is characterized in that while the initial operation of the scanner carriage is prohibited, the transition to the standby screen for accepting the normal function is prohibited. According to this configuration, since it is not possible to receive an instruction to execute a copy or the like that is not an adjustment function, the normal function is not executed.

Further, the present invention includes an erasing step of erasing the lock information from the storage unit, the display processing step guides the unlocking operation method of the locked state, and the erasing step guides the erasing step in the display processing step. When an operation corresponding to the displayed release operation method is received, the lock information is erased from the storage unit. According to this configuration, when an operation corresponding to the release operation method displayed as a guide in the display processing process is received, the lock information is erased from the storage unit, so that the entire image forming apparatus normally operates from the next startup. Become. That is, the operation prohibition state of the scanner carriage is released at a free timing by the maintenance worker or the user's installer, and once released, the scanner operation becomes the normal operation.

Further, the display processing step is characterized in that after the release operation, the display unit shifts to the standby screen and receives an instruction to execute the normal function. According to this configuration, an instruction to execute a normal function can be accepted after the unlocking operation of the locked state.

Further, the erasing step includes an erasing step of erasing the lock information from the storage unit, and the prohibition step outputs an instruction signal for driving the scanner carriage at a low speed by a predetermined length to the scanner driving unit at the next startup, and the erasing step. Is to erase the lock information from the storage unit when it detects that the scanner carriage has moved from the home position. According to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the scanner motor is in the locked state by driving the scanner motor at a low speed, and if it is not locked, the lock information is automatically erased.

According to the present invention, even if the scanner carriage is forgotten to be locked, the movement operation does not occur at the next startup after the shipping setting, and the unlocking operation of the scanner carriage is not required at the next startup after the shipping setting. It enables simplification of confirmation work and shortening of time.

It is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. The configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus, (a) is a perspective view of the upper part of the main body, and (b) is a perspective view of a state in which the document reading unit is opened. The structural view of the scanner unit, (a) is a side sectional view, (b) is a schematic bird's-eye view with the platen glass removed, and (c) is an exploded perspective view of the lock member. It is explanatory drawing which shows the packing or unpacking work. It is a screen view which shows an example which instructs the start of the work before shipment. It is a screen view of the 1st Embodiment which shows operation prohibition of a scanner carriage. It is a screen view which shows an example of notifying copy possible. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the shipping setting processing which a control part executes. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the process at the time of the next start-up after the shipment setting which is executed by a control part. It is a figure of the 2nd Embodiment which shows the operation prohibition of the scanner carriage in the pre-shipment work, (a) is the figure which shows the state which the display part or the operation part is operated, (b) is the screen view at that time. It is a figure of the 3rd Embodiment which shows the operation prohibition of the scan carriage in the pre-shipment work, (a) is the figure which shows the state which the cover is open at the time of start-up, (b) is the screen view at that time. It is a figure of the 4th Embodiment which shows the operation prohibition of a scanner carriage in the work before shipment, (a) is a figure which shows a jam state, (b) is a screen view at that time. It is the figure of the 5th Embodiment which shows the operation prohibition of the scanner carriage in the work before shipment, (a) is the figure which shows the state which USB is attached to the main body, and (b) is the screen view at that time.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing having a shape as shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 10, a scanner unit 20, a control unit 30, and an automatic document conveying device (ADF) 40 provided as needed from the functional aspect.

As is known, the image forming unit 10 is charged by modulating the original image into an optical beam and an image forming unit including a photoconductor drum, a charging unit arranged around the photoconductor drum, a toner developing unit, and a transfer unit. It includes an exposure unit for exposing on a photoconductor drum, a recording paper transport unit for transporting a recording paper on which a toner image is transferred, a fixing unit, and the like. Further, the image forming unit 10 includes an image storage unit 101 that stores the image information to be printed. The detection unit 102 is arranged corresponding to the movable portion arranged in each portion, and detects the operation and the position of the movable portion, respectively. The communication unit 103 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to the external information processing apparatus via a network so as to be communicable. The side plate 1A (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is a side plate of a portion in which the scanner unit 20 is housed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, an operation panel unit including a display unit 11 and an operation unit 12 is provided at an appropriate position in the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 12 receives input from the operator and the user, and includes various key groups as well as a touch panel laminated on the display unit 11.

The scanner unit 20 optically reads the original, and the CCD unit 21 for imaging the original placed on the platen glass 24 (see FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (a)) and FIG. 3 show. A scanner motor 22 for moving the optical system shown and a position sensor 23 are provided. The platen glass 24 is for placing a document to be read. The document size detection plate 25 detects the size of the placed document by utilizing the transmission of the detection light. Specifically, the document size is detected by which of the irradiation light from the plurality of light emitting units attached to the document size detection plate 25 passes through the platen glass 24 and reaches the light receiving unit (not shown). The document scanning position 26 indicates the scanning position of the document image when the ADF 40 is used, and the image of the document to be fed and conveyed one by one by the ADF 40 is read by the ADF 40.

The detailed structure of the scanner unit 20 is shown in FIG. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the optical system in the scanner unit 20 includes a scanner carriage 29 including a light source unit 27 and a mirror unit 28 in addition to the CCD unit 21. The light source unit 27 and the mirror unit 28 are connected to the scanner motor 22 via a wire 221 or the like, and travel at a constant speed when moving to the right as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3A. As is known, the light source unit 27 is configured to travel at twice the speed of the mirror unit 28 depending on how the wire 221 is laid, and the original image is always formed on the CCD unit 21.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the light source unit 27 and the mirror unit 28 are, for example, at the left end of the traveling range, that is, the lock stop position (home position) closest to the side plate 1A. The scanner carriage 29 starts the scanning operation with reference to the scanning start position located to the right by a predetermined length from the home position, and is controlled to travel to the right. The position sensor 23 is composed of, for example, a photo interrupter, and detects a state in which one of the light source unit 27 and the mirror unit 28, for example, the mirror unit 28, matches the home position.

The light source unit 27 includes a line-shaped light source that irradiates the surface of the document on the platen glass 24 with the irradiation light, and also has a mirror that directs the reflected light toward the mirror unit 28. Two mirrors are arranged in the mirror unit 28, and the reflected light from the mirror of the light source unit 27 is reflected twice to change the direction by 180 degrees and guide the mirror unit 28 to the CCD unit 21. Further, a screw hole 281 (see FIG. 3C) is formed on the side plate 1A side of the mirror unit 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, a hole 10A is formed in the side plate 1A at a position facing the screw hole 281 of the mirror unit 28. A screw 51 is screwed into the screw hole 281 of the mirror unit 28 via the hole 10A, the tab 53, and the washer 52. By screwing the screw 51 into the screw hole 281 via the hole 10A, the scanner carriage 29 that can travel left and right is locked to the scanner unit 20 and eventually to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. In the locked state, the scanner carriage 29 does not inadvertently rattle to the left or right due to vibration or the like generated during transportation, and is not damaged by collision with other members or the like. Further, the lock can be released by removing the screw 51. The locking method is not limited to screwing with the screw 51, and various methods that can be released can be adopted. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is packed or unpacked. The packaging body 60 is made of corrugated cardboard made of cardboard or resin, contains an image forming apparatus 1 inside, and is loaded with a protective allocation member at a corner or the like. When the image forming apparatus 1 is packed, the scanner carriage 29 is locked. At the time of unpacking, for example, the ceiling side of the packing body 60 is opened and taken out from there.

Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 30 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and is connected to the ROM 31, RAM 32, and EEPROM 33. The control unit 30 is further connected to an image forming unit 10, a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a scanner unit 20, an ADF 40, a detection unit 102, and a communication unit 103. The ROM 31 stores a processing program and data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 32 temporarily stores the data in the process of processing. The EEPROM 33 is a rewritable non-volatile memory and is used for writing a lock state flag, which will be described later.

The control unit 30 reads the processing program into the RAM 32 and executes it, so that the shipping setting work processing unit 301 is executed in the shipping setting work at the factory, and the startup processing unit 302 is executed by unpacking after the shipping setting work. Functions as. The control unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 describes the shipping setting work and the activation process executed by unpacking, and the functional unit for the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 1 is omitted. The start processing unit 302 includes a lock determination unit 303, a scanner motor control unit 304, a display processing unit 305, an operation reception processing unit 306, and an initial operation processing unit 307.

The shipping setting work processing unit 301 controls the processing executed in the final operation check after assembly at the factory, and the operation of each unit is a matter. Finally, the shipping setting work processing unit 301 positions the scanner carriage 29 at the hope position and writes the lock state flag to the EEPROM 33. As will be described later, the lock state flag is written when the position sensor 23 detects that the scanner carriage 29 is in the home position in the shipping setting work. Next, the scanner carriage 29 is locked by the screw 51 and packed by the packing body 60 integrally with the image forming apparatus 1.

The activation processing unit 302 performs processing at the time of activation (hereinafter, referred to as the next activation) by turning on the power to the image forming apparatus 1 after unpacking. The lock determination unit 303 determines whether or not the lock state flag is written in the EEPROM 33 in the next activation unit.

The scanner motor control unit 304 controls the traveling and stopping of the scanner carriage 29. When the scanner motor control unit 304 is started next time, the initial movement is permitted or prohibited depending on the determination result of the lock determination unit 303. If the lock state flag is written in the EEPROM 33, the initial operation is prohibited, and if the lock state flag is not written in the EEPROM 33, the initial operation is permitted.

Further, as will be described later, the scanner motor control unit 304 is used for moving the scanner carriage 29 at a low speed of a predetermined amount with almost no influence of laughter or the like in order to determine whether the scanner carriage 29 is locked or unlocked. A process of outputting a drive signal to the scanner motor 22 is performed. At this time, if the position sensor 23 determines that the scanner carriage 29 has moved from the home position to the scan start position side, the lock determination unit 303 is unlocked, otherwise it is in the locked state. to decide.

The display processing unit 305 displays necessary information and guide information for input operations such as the [OK] button on the display unit 11 for notification according to the determination result of the lock determination unit 303 and the like.

The operation reception processing unit 306 determines whether or not the input guide information has been input via the operation unit 12, and instructs the execution of the processing according to the operated content. For example, when an operation to clear the lock state flag is instructed, the lock state flag is cleared from the EEPROM 33.

The initial operation processing unit 307 executes the initial operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the initial operation processing unit 307 prohibits the scanner motor control unit 304 from the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 when the lock state flag is on, while the scanner when the lock state flag is cleared off. The carriage 29 is made to perform the initial operation.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen for instructing the start of the shipping setting work, and the button 111 of “EXECUTE” is displayed on the screen 110 so as to be pressable. FIG. 6 shows one screen of prohibiting the operation of the scanner carriage at the next startup, that is, during the pre-shipment work after the shipping setting, for example, the maintenance work, and the screen 110 shows "Please release the scanner lock. , Please press [OK]. ”The caution message 112 and the [OK] button 113 are displayed. FIG. 7 is an example of a screen for notifying that copying is possible after restarting, and a message 114 saying “copying is possible” is displayed on the screen 110.

Subsequently, the shipping setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The shipping setting process is a process executed at the final stage when the assembly work of the image forming apparatus is completed, and first, it is determined whether or not the "EXECUTE" button is pressed (step S1). If the "EXECUTE" button is pressed, the scanner carriage 29 drives the scanner motor 22 (step S3) and is moved to the home position (left end in FIG. 3A).

Next, the position sensor 23 determines whether or not the movement to the home position is completed (step S5). The movement control is performed until the position sensor 23 is turned on.

Next, when the movement to the lock stop position is normally performed, the lock state flag ON is written to the EEPROM 33 (step S7). Then, a guide indicating the completion of movement, for example, "success" is displayed on the screen 110 (step S9), and the power is automatically (or manually) turned off (step S11).

If the movement to the lock stop position is not normally performed in step S5, an error display to that effect is displayed on the screen 110 (step S13), the error is dealt with, and then this flow ends. In this case, since the lock state flag is not ON, this flow may be started again after error handling, or the error handling process may be completed in step S13 and the process may be returned to step S1. As a result, the lock status flag is turned on by the shipping setting process.

Subsequently, the process at the next startup (maintenance processing, installation processing, or normal startup processing after the shipping setting work) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The maintenance process is one of the processes at the next startup. For example, after the shipment is set, as a pre-shipment operation, various adjustment functions (for example, firmware update or adjustment) are used by using the operator operation screen (simulation). , Rewriting input of adjustment values and parameters, test printing of test charts, density adjustment such as calibration, parts replacement, etc.), and printing operation according to instructions from an external device. In the adjustment function, the processing is executed in a state where the packaged image forming apparatus 1 is unpacked and activated. The processing usually includes the operation of each unit, that is, the scanner carriage 29. On the other hand, in the packaged image forming apparatus 1, since the scanner carriage 29 is locked, if the initial operation is performed as it is, the scanner carriage 29 operates, causing step-out and collision with other members, resulting in machine trouble. It becomes the original.

The installation process is one of the processes at the next startup, and refers to the process executed in the work of unpacking and installing the image forming apparatus at the shipping destination. The normal startup process is one of the processes at the next startup, and when it is installed once, returned to the factory due to a failure, etc., and then repacked and sent after repair, at the next startup after unpacking. Refers to the processing in.

In FIG. 9, first, when the power is turned on (step S21), the start of the initial operation for each unit is instructed (step S23), and then it is determined whether or not the lock state flag is turned on (step S25). At this time, if the lock state flag is on, the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is prohibited (step S27). Then, with the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 prohibited, the caution message 112 and the [OK] button 113 as shown in FIG. 6 are displayed on the screen 110 (step S29). In this way, with the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 prohibited, the caution message 112 is displayed to notify the operator that the unlocking work has been forgotten, so that the unlocking work is surely forgotten. Can be prevented.

Subsequently, when the initial operation of each unit other than the scanner carriage 29 proceeds and is completed (step S31), various work processes, for example, reception and execution of the above-mentioned adjustment function are performed, while reception of the normal function, Execution (copying via the operation panel, etc.) is prohibited (step S33). Next, it is determined whether or not the [OK] button 113 is pressed (step S35). Here, if the [OK] button 113 is not pressed, the process returns to step S33, and reception and execution of the same adjustment function are continuously permitted (step S35). If the power is turned off in this state, the adjustment details will be saved, and when the power is turned on next time, it will be restored to the state immediately before the power was turned off, and the subsequent processing can be performed, which improves workability. I can plan.

On the other hand, when the [OK] button 113 is pressed, the lock state flag is cleared (step S37). When the lock state flag is cleared, the image forming apparatus 1 is restarted (step S39), and the initial operation of each unit is started (step S41). Then, the process proceeds to step S45.

On the other hand, if the lock state flag is not turned on in step S25, the scanner carriage 29 is moved by the initial operation (step S43).

Originally, the process of step S25 is unnecessary, but it is possible that the lock state flag is not turned on in step S25, in which case, that is, the lock operation by the screw 51 is performed. If there is a possibility that the scanner carriage 29 is not moved, the scanner carriage 29 is instructed to move and the initial operation is performed (step S43). Next, it is determined whether or not the machine initial operation including the initial operation of the other unit is normally executed and completed (step S45). Then, when the process is completed normally, the initial operation completion display is displayed on the screen 110 to enable the copy operation (step S47). On the other hand, if the machine initial operation is not completed normally (when the scanner carriage 29 is actually locked), a trouble display is displayed on the screen 110 (step S49), and processing corresponding to the trouble is performed. After being applied, this flow ends. Note that step S25 may be omitted.

In this way, by writing the lock state flag on to the EEPROM 33 in step S7, in the maintenance process at the next startup, the screw 51 is removed after unpacking, which is the conventional work, and the scanner carriage 29 is locked. Is released to enable the machine initial operation, and after the process, the scanner carriage 29 is moved to the lock stop position, and the operation of returning to the locked state can be omitted.

In addition, since there is no next packing work in the installation work and the normal start-up work, by displaying a caution message in step S29, the lock is released by removing the screw 51 and the lock state flag of the EEPROM 33 in step S35 is released. By prompting the pressing operation to be performed, the locked state of the scanner carriage 29 is released mechanically and on software, and the execution of the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is ensured (steps S39 and S41).

10 to 13 are diagrams showing the second to fifth embodiments for explaining the operation control of the scanner carriage 29 applied in the process at the next startup (FIG. 9). In the first embodiment, when the power is turned on (at startup) in each process, the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is prohibited only by determining whether or not the lock state flag is turned on, and the caution message 112. When the [OK] button 113 is pressed, the lock state flag is cleared off.

On the other hand, in the second to fifth embodiments, as described below, when the power is turned on (at the next startup) in the process at the next startup (FIG. 9), in addition to turning on the lock state flag, the lock state flag is turned on. The presence or absence of a specific state is added as a condition, and the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is prohibited when any of the conditions is satisfied. On the other hand, if the condition of the presence or absence of the specific state is not satisfied, the lock state flag is cleared off. I decided to do it. As a result, the display process and the pressing operation of the [OK] button 113 can be omitted.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a preset portion of the touch panel type screen 110 is pressed (see FIG. 10A) or the operation unit 12 is pressed at the time of activation in the next activation process (FIG. 9). When it is detected that a preset key or the like has been operated and the state is in the specific state, the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is prohibited on condition that the lock state flag is turned on. ing. In this case, a caution message as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the screen 110. On the other hand, if it is detected that the scanner carriage 29 is not in the specific state even if the lock state flag is on at the time of startup, the lock state flag is cleared off as it is, and the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is performed after restarting. Will be done. The content of the specific state may be a press on an arbitrary position on the screen 110, or an operation on any key button on the operation unit 12.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11, as a specific condition, as shown in FIG. 11A, information on the presence / absence of opening / closing of the cover 42 of the ADF 40 is adopted. The opening and closing of the cover 42 shall be detected by the detection unit 102 (see FIG. 1), which is arranged in the vicinity of the cover 42.

When the detection unit 102 detects that the cover 42 is open at the time of startup in the next startup process (FIG. 9) and detects that the cover 42 is in the specific state, the lock state flag is turned on. The initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is prohibited on the condition of. In this case, a caution message as shown in FIG. 11B is displayed on the screen 110. On the other hand, if it is detected at the time of activation that the state is not in the specific state even if the lock state flag is on, the lock state flag is cleared to off, and the scanner carriage 29 is initially operated after restarting.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12, as a specific condition, as shown in FIG. 12A, whether or not the document P being conveyed is jammed in the transfer path in the ADF 40 is adopted. The presence or absence of a paper jam is detected by the detection unit 102 (see FIG. 1) arranged in the vicinity of the transport path.

At the time of startup in the next startup process (FIG. 9), the detection unit 102 detects that a paper jam has occurred, and when it is detected that the specific state is present, the lock state flag is turned on. The initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is prohibited under the condition of. In this case, a caution message as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed on the screen 110. On the other hand, if it is detected at the time of activation that the state is not in the specific state even if the lock state flag is on, the lock state flag is cleared to off, and the scanner carriage 29 is initially operated after restarting.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, as a specific condition, predetermined program data is set in an appropriate place of the image forming apparatus 1, for example, an external device mounting unit arranged in the vicinity of the operation unit 12, as shown in FIG. 13A. Whether or not an external device 70 such as a USB in which (for example, a special script) is written is attached is adopted. Whether or not the external device 70 is attached shall be detected by the detection unit 102 (see FIG. 1). In this case, the detection unit 102 detects whether or not the device is a predetermined device by taking in the program data written in the external device and analyzing it.

At the time of startup in the next startup process (FIG. 9), the detection unit 102 detects that the external device 70 is attached. When it is detected that the device is in the specific state, the lock state flag is turned on. On condition that there is, the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is prohibited. In this case, a caution message as shown in FIG. 13B is displayed on the screen 110. On the other hand, if it is detected at the time of activation that the state is not in the specific state even if the lock state flag is on, the lock state flag is cleared to off, and the scanner carriage 29 is initially operated after restarting.

Further, as a mode for clearing the lock state flag off, the following mode can be further adopted. That is, for the case where, for example, "Please unlock the scanner lock. After unlocking, please unlock with Sim" is displayed as a caution message displayed on the screen 110, and the transition to Sim (simulation) is performed. , A window or the like that accepts input of a command or password or simply an input button is displayed on the screen 110. By shifting to Sim, the lock state flag is cleared off, and the scanner carriage 29 is initially operated after restarting.

Further, as a mode for prohibiting the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 when the lock state flag is on, the following mode can also be adopted. For example, instead of the above-described embodiment in which the operation of the scanner carriage 29 is completely prohibited, a signal for driving the scanner motor 22 at a speed lower than the moving speed of the normal initial operation and for a predetermined length is output to the scanner motor 22. The predetermined length means the distance that the scanner carriage 29 departs from the home position. In this case, if the scanner unit 20 is locked, it can be seen that the scanner carriage 29 cannot move, and the position sensor 23 maintains the state in which the scanner carriage 29 is detected, that is, it has not moved from the home position. In this case, a caution message such as "Please check the scanner lock. Please turn the power off / on after releasing it." Is displayed on the screen 1110. By controlling the low-speed movement in this way, it is possible to prevent the scanner carriage 29 from being damaged or otherwise damaged even in the locked state.

On the other hand, if the scanner unit 20 is not locked, the scanner carriage 29 moves at a low speed, and as a result, the position sensor 23 detects that the scanner carriage 29 has moved away from the home position. In this case, the lock state flag is cleared to off, and the initial operation of the scanner carriage 29 is performed.

In this embodiment, the description is based on the premise of packing processing, but packing is not essential. Further, although the flag is used as the data indicating the locked state, the data is not limited to this, and the data structure is not particularly limited as long as the presence or absence of the locked state can be identified, and the recording destination may be a non-volatile memory. Not limited to.

Also, the description of the embodiments described above should be considered to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

1 Image forming device 10 Image forming unit (multiple units)
11 Display unit 12 Operation unit 22 Scanner sensor 23 Position sensor 29 Scanner carriage 301 Shipment setting work processing unit (writing process)
302 Start processing unit 303 Lock judgment unit (judgment process, detection process, judgment means)
304 Scanner motor control unit (prohibited process, prohibited means)
305 Display processing unit (display processing process)
306 Operation reception processing unit (erasing process)
307 Initial operation processing unit (prohibited process, initial operation processing process, prohibited means)
33 EEPROM (storage unit)
40 ADF (one of multiple units)
51 screw

Claims (9)

In the activation processing method of an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of units,
In the shipping setting work, when the position sensor detects that the scanner carriage is in the home position, the writing process of writing the lock information to the effect that the scanner carriage is in the locked state to the storage unit, and
A determination step of determining whether or not the lock information is written in the storage unit at the next startup after the shipping setting work, and
When it is determined that the lock information is written in the storage unit, the initial operation of the scanner carriage is prohibited, and during the prohibition, the operation of the image forming apparatus accompanied by the movement of the scanner carriage is prohibited. A method for activating an image forming apparatus, which includes a prohibition step of permitting the operation of the image forming apparatus without moving the scanner carriage. The activation processing method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the image forming apparatus accompanied by the movement of the scanner carriage is at least one of a document scanning operation and a copying operation. The activation processing method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an initial operation processing step of executing an initial operation of a unit other than the initial operation of the scanner carriage at the next activation. Claims 1 to 3 including a display processing step of displaying information that the scanner carriage is in an operation prohibited state on the display unit when it is determined by the determination step that the lock information is written in the storage unit. The method for activating the image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The method for activating an image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the prohibition step prohibits the transition to the standby screen for accepting a normal function while the initial operation of the scanner carriage is prohibited. The erasing step of erasing the lock information from the storage unit is included.
In the display processing step, the unlocking operation method of the locked state is displayed as a guide.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the erasing step erases the lock information from the storage unit when an operation corresponding to the releasing operation method displayed as a guide in the display processing step is received. How to start processing. Said display processing step, the said display transitions to the standby screen after releasing operation, activation processing method of an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, accepting an instruction for execution of the normal function. The erasing step of erasing the lock information from the storage unit is included.
In the prohibition step, an instruction signal for driving the scanner carriage from the home position at a low speed by a predetermined length at the next startup is output to the scanner drive unit.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the erasing step, when the position sensor detects that the scanner carriage has moved from the home position, the lock information is erased from the storage unit. Startup processing method. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of units,
A position sensor that detects that the scanner carriage is in the home position,
A storage unit in which lock information is written to the effect that the scanner carriage is locked when the position sensor detects that the scanner carriage is in the home position during the shipping setting work.
A determination means for determining whether or not the lock information is written in the storage unit at the next startup after the shipping setting work, and
When it is determined that the lock information is written in the storage unit, the initial operation of the scanner carriage is prohibited, and during the prohibition, the operation of the image forming apparatus accompanied by the movement of the scanner carriage is prohibited. An image forming apparatus including a prohibiting means for permitting the operation of the image forming apparatus without movement of the scanner carriage.

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