JP2015066708A - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set control information of a unit included in an image forming apparatus by using a server.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a unit configuring the image forming apparatus; an image formation transmitting section for transmitting information to a server communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus; an image formation receiving section for receiving information from the server; and a control section for controlling the unit on the basis of control information for the unit. The control section has functions to transmit a characteristic value of the unit to the server holding the control information of the unit for every unit characteristic value corresponding to each of at least one or more individuals of the unit configuring the image forming apparatus via the image formation transmitting section and to receive the control information returned from the server on the basis of the characteristic value transmitted to the server via the image formation receiving section. As a result, holding of the control information is not required in the unit, and manual labor and time and setting mistakes are reduced as much as possible.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system in which a unit included in an image forming apparatus is controlled, an image forming apparatus, and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image data, various units are accommodated in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and other units (such as a post-processing device) are externally connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus as desired. The operation of each unit is controlled based on the control information of the unit. The apparatus information is stored in a nonvolatile memory or the like in the image forming apparatus main body, read out by the control unit, and used for unit control.
The control information of the units provided as standard in the image forming apparatus is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus in the initial state. In a unit such as a post-processing device connected to the image forming apparatus main body, the nonvolatile memory of the image forming apparatus main body usually does not have control information.

  In such a case, a non-volatile memory is provided in a unit such as a post-processing device, and control information is stored in this non-volatile memory. When the post-processing apparatus is installed on the market and externally connected to the image forming apparatus main body, the control information is read from the non-volatile memory of the post-processing apparatus, and the read control information is stored in the non-volatile memory in the image forming apparatus main body. Thereafter, the control information can be read from the nonvolatile memory in the image forming apparatus main body and used to control the post-processing apparatus.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a non-volatile memory is provided in a post-processing device, and when an optimum adjustment value is notified from an external device connected at the time of shipment from the factory, the adjustment value is stored in the non-volatile memory, and a request from the image forming apparatus is met. Accordingly, there has been proposed an image forming system that notifies the image forming apparatus of an adjustment value stored in a nonvolatile memory.

  In order to reduce the cost of a unit such as a post-processing device, an inexpensive non-volatile memory with a limited number of rewrites is generally used. In normal use, the post-processing device is started from the main body of the image forming apparatus at startup. The adjustment value is sent to and stored in the volatile memory of the post-processing device, and the post-processing device can be controlled according to the contents.

  In Patent Document 2, the image forming apparatus accesses the server storing the update data, compares the operation data stored in the image forming apparatus with the update data, and uses the method desired by the user. An image forming apparatus that can update operation data has been proposed. In addition, this apparatus is preferably used when it is desired to operate all machines on the market with the same setting.

  Also, for units that do not have non-volatile memory due to cost reduction or because of a small amount of adjustment data, paper with adjustment values is bundled with the unit and operated manually when installed in the image forming unit. It is possible to set from the department.

JP 2007-013555 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-190008

In the post-processing apparatus, since the number of rewrites is limited as described above, the response to version upgrades and bugs is limited. Even if a relatively inexpensive non-volatile memory is used, it is inevitable to increase the cost of the post-processing apparatus. In Patent Document 2, update data can be acquired from a server, but control information cannot be acquired when a unit is installed.
In addition, if the adjustment value is manually set by writing it on paper, etc., it is troublesome when the paper is lost. is there.

  The present invention has been made against the background described above, and an image forming system capable of facilitating setting of control information in a unit that does not have a nonvolatile memory or the like by managing control information of the unit in a server, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.

Of the image forming system of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and a server that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus,
The server includes a storage unit that holds unit control information for each unit eigenvalue corresponding to at least one of the units included in the image forming apparatus, and a server receiving unit that receives information from the image forming apparatus. A server transmission unit that transmits information to the image forming apparatus; and the eigenvalue transmitted from the image forming apparatus is received through the server reception unit, and control information corresponding to the eigenvalue is read from the storage unit and transmitted to the server. A server control unit that replies through
The image forming apparatus includes an image formation transmitting unit that transmits information to the server, an image formation receiving unit that receives information from the server, and a control unit that controls the unit based on control information for the unit. ,
The control unit has a function of transmitting a unique value of the unit to the server through an image forming transmission unit, and receiving control information returned from the server based on the unique value transmitted to the server through the image formation receiving unit. It is characterized by having.

  The image forming system according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a nonvolatile memory for storing the control information.

  The image forming system of the third aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the control information of the unit constituting the image forming apparatus is not recorded in the nonvolatile memory. , Warning.

  In the image forming system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus records control information of the units constituting the image forming apparatus in the nonvolatile memory. If not, printing is prohibited.

  The image forming system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, wherein the image forming apparatus transmits the eigenvalue of the unit to the server. A warning is issued when connection to the server cannot be confirmed.

  An image forming system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the image forming apparatus can set the control information by an operator through an operation unit. .

  The image forming system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein the image forming apparatus accesses the server based on an instruction of an operator through an operation unit, and performs the control. An operation for acquiring information is possible.

  An image forming system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, wherein the unit is accommodated in an image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and / or the image forming apparatus main body. It is characterized by being externally connected to.

  An image forming system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the server holds all control information relating to the unit.

An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes a unit constituting the image forming apparatus, an image forming transmitting unit for transmitting information to a server communicably connected to the image forming apparatus, and receiving information from the server. An image forming receiving unit, and a control unit for controlling the unit based on control information for the unit,
The control unit transmits the unit eigenvalues to the server holding unit control information for each unit eigenvalue corresponding to at least one unit of the units constituting the image forming apparatus through the image forming transmission unit. It has a function of transmitting to the server, and receiving the control information returned from the server based on the eigenvalue transmitted to the server through the image forming receiver.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the tenth aspect of the invention, a non-volatile memory for storing the control information is provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control unit issues a warning when the control information of the unit is not recorded in the nonvolatile memory.

  In the image forming apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control unit prohibits printing when the control information of the unit is not recorded in the nonvolatile memory. Features.

  The image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the control unit transmits the eigenvalue of the unit to the server. A warning is given when the connection to cannot be confirmed.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to any one of the tenth to fourteenth aspects of the present invention includes an operation unit that receives an operation of an operator under the control of the control unit. The control information can be set by an operator through an operation unit.

An image forming apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention includes the operation unit according to any one of the tenth to fifteenth aspects of the present invention, which receives an operation of an operator under the control of the control unit.
The control unit is capable of accessing the server based on an operator instruction through the operation unit and acquiring the control information.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the tenth to sixteenth aspects, wherein the unit is accommodated in the image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, and / or the image forming apparatus main body. It is characterized by being externally connected to.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an image forming apparatus comprising: a unit that holds unit control information for each unit specific value corresponding to at least one individual of the unit from an image forming apparatus including the unit; The control information sent from the server is acquired, and the unit is controlled based on the control information for each unit specific value.

  In a control method for an image forming apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, when the server requests control information of a unit constituting the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus, the eigenvalue Based on the above, the stored control information is sent to the image forming apparatus.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the server centrally manages the control information of the unit.

  According to the present invention, the control information of the unit can be managed by the server, it is not necessary to hold the control information in the unit, and manual labor and setting errors can be avoided as much as possible.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the control block of an image forming system. Similarly, it is a diagram illustrating a process adjustment procedure and communication performed between the image forming apparatus and the server at that time. Similarly, it is a diagram illustrating setting of adjustment values in the image forming apparatus, communication performed between the image forming apparatus and the server at that time, and communication in the image forming apparatus. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the screen which can acquire acquisition instruction of control information. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the screen which can set a control information manually. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the setting screen where the warning was displayed.

The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 10 that forms an image based on image data. The first post-processing apparatus 20 and the second post-processing apparatus are disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus main body 10 in the sheet conveyance direction. 30 and the third post-processing device 40 are sequentially connected. A large-capacity paper feed tray 50 having a plurality of paper feed trays is connected to the upstream side of the image forming apparatus main body 10 in the paper conveyance direction. The first post-processing device 20, the second post-processing device 30, the third post-processing device 40, and the large-capacity paper feed tray 50 correspond to units of the present invention that are externally connected to the image forming apparatus main body 10.

The type of the post-processing device is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include various post-processing functions such as a relay device, a saddle stitching device, a staple, a punch, and a flat stitching device. The unit may be retrofitted to the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a server 3 via a network 2 such as a LAN, and the server 3 stores control information of units included in the image forming apparatus 1 in association with eigenvalues of each unit.
In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1, the network 2, and the server 3 constitute an image forming system.

  Note that the control information of each unit is information for controlling the unit, and the content thereof is not particularly limited, and may be information corresponding to a part of the control in addition to the entire control information. . Further, the unique value may be any value that can identify the unit, and a model name, S / N (serial number), or the like can be used.

  Further, in this embodiment, the connection between the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 3 is described as being connected by the network 2 regardless of wired or wireless, but both are connected by an appropriate communication cable. The server may be connected through a port provided in the image forming apparatus 1. In short, it is only necessary that the image forming apparatus and the server are communicably connected, and it is not necessary that they are always connected, and they may be connected only when necessary.

Next, control blocks of the image forming system will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus main body 10 includes a state management unit 100, a scanner unit 130, an operation unit 140, and a printer unit 150 as large blocks, and is further connected to the server 3 through the network 2. The image forming apparatus main body 10 is connected to the terminal PC 5 through the network 4 via the print controller unit 160.

The state management unit 100 has a PCI bus 114 connected to the print controller unit 160, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the PCI bus 114. An image memory (DRAM) 120 is connected to the DRAM control IC 115. The image memory (DRAM) 120 has a compression memory 121 for storing compressed image data and a page memory 122 for temporarily storing uncompressed image data to be printed before image formation. .
The image data acquired by the print controller unit 160 is transmitted to the DRAM control IC 115 through the PCI bus 114 along with the printing operation.

In addition, the state management unit 100 includes a control CPU 110, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the control CPU 110.
In addition, the control CPU 110 is configured by a ROM or the like, a program memory 111 in which a program for operating the control CPU 110 is stored, a RAM or the like, a system memory 112 that is used as a work area, a flash memory, or the like Is connected to the non-volatile memory 113. In the nonvolatile memory 113, initial print setting information of the image forming apparatus main body 10, machine setting information such as process control parameters, initial data of output settings, and the like are readable and stored. Control information for each unit is stored.

The control CPU 110 can read non-volatile data in the non-volatile memory 113 and can write desired data in the non-volatile memory 113.
The control CPU 110 operates according to a program stored in the program memory 111, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the machine setting information, the print setting information, the output setting, the adjustment value of the unit control information, and the like. The control CPU 110 constitutes a control unit of the present invention.
The control CPU 110 makes it possible to perform job output settings and operation instructions, unit control information settings, and control information acquisition communication instructions for the server through the operation unit 140.

The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 110 so that serial communication is possible. The CCD 131 is connected to a reading processing unit 116 that processes image data read by the CCD 131, and the reading processing unit 116 is connected to a DRAM control IC 115 so as to be controllable.
The reading processing unit 116 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion processing, shading processing, and the like on the analog image signal input from the CCD 131, generates digital image data, and performs compression / compression. Output to the decompression IC 124.
An automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 that automatically sends a document is provided on the upper platen glass of the image forming apparatus main body 10. The automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 controls the apparatus. An ADF control unit 136 is provided. The ADF control unit 136 is connected to the control CPU 110 so as to be controllable, and controls an automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 according to an instruction from the control CPU 110.

The operation unit 140 includes an LCD 141 configured as a touch panel that serves as both a display unit and an operation unit, and an operation unit control unit 142 that controls the entire operation unit. The operation unit control unit 142 performs serial communication with the control CPU 110. Connected as possible.
In the operation unit 140, under the control of the control CPU 110, input of machine settings such as output condition setting and operation control condition in the image forming apparatus body 10 and setting of paper information (size, paper type) of each paper feed tray are performed by the LCD 141. Input, display of setting contents, display of desired information such as a message, manual setting of control information, instruction operation for connecting to a server and acquiring control information, and the like are possible.

A compression / decompression IC 124 that can compress or decompress image data is connected to the DRAM control IC 115. The DRAM control IC 115 controls image data compression processing and compression image data decompression processing by the compression / decompression IC 124 according to an instruction from the control CPU 110, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory (DRAM) 120. .
The writing processing unit 125 is connected to an image forming unit including the LD 152 of the printer unit 150 and the like, and generates writing data used for the operation of the LD 152 based on the image data.

The printer unit 150 includes the image forming unit, a paper feed tray, a conveyance path, a reverse conveyance path, a fixing device, and the like.
In addition, the printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 151 that controls the entire printer unit 150 (paper feeding, image formation, paper discharge, post-processing, and the like). The printer control unit 151 performs serial communication with the control CPU 110 described above. Connected as possible. The printer control unit 151 operates according to a control command from the control CPU 110 to control the printer unit 150 to perform paper conveyance, image formation, and the like.

In addition, a post-processing device control unit 171 is connected to the printer control unit 151. A control command for the post-processing device by the control CPU 110 is transmitted to the post-processing device control unit 171 through the printer control unit 151, and the post-processing device control unit 171 controls the post-processing device 170. The adjustment value transmitted to the post-processing device 170 in advance is stored in the volatile memory by the post-processing device control unit 171 and used for control.
In FIG. 2, one post-processing device 170 is collectively displayed as the post-processing device, but the first post-processing device 20, the second post-processing device 30, and the third post-processing device 40 are included as post-processing devices. It is a waste.

A DRAM control IC (not shown) provided in the print controller unit 160 is connected to the PCI bus 114. The print controller unit 160 is connected to the network 4 via a LAN interface (not shown).
When the image forming apparatus main body 10 is used as a network printer or a network scanner, the print controller unit 160 receives image data or the like from the terminal PC 5 connected to the network 4 or the like, or the scanner unit 130. The image data acquired in (1) is transmitted to the terminal PC 5 connected to the network 5 or the like.

  Furthermore, an IO unit 118 is connected to the control CPU 110. The IO unit 118 operates as an interface that exchanges information with each unit in the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, the IO unit 118 includes a NIC 119 (network interface card), and the network 2 is connected to the NIC 119. The NIC 119 is responsible for transmission and reception with the server 3 and functions as an image formation transmission unit and an image formation reception unit of the present invention. Note that the function of performing communication is not limited to the NIC 119, and may be one that does not go through the IO unit.

The server 3 includes a server control unit 300 that controls the entire server 3 and is connected to a NIC 310 that is connected to the network 2. The NIC 310 is connected to the server control unit 300 in a controllable manner.
The server 3 also includes a nonvolatile memory 320 that stores control information of units included in the image forming apparatus 1 in association with unit specific values. The nonvolatile memory 320 is connected to the server control unit 300 in a controllable manner. In addition to the units currently included in the image forming apparatus 1, the nonvolatile memory 320 similarly stores control information related to units that can be installed in the image forming apparatus 1 in the same manner. Information can be stored.

  When there is a request accompanied by a unit unique value from the image forming apparatus 1 through the NIC 310, the server 3 reads out control information corresponding to the unit unique value from the nonvolatile memory 320 and transmits the control information to the image forming apparatus 1 through the NIC 310. That is, the NIC 310 functions as a server reception unit and a server transmission unit.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, a procedure for accumulating image data in the image forming apparatus main body 10 will be described. In the image forming apparatus main body 10, a case where the scanner unit 130 reads an image and generates image data will be described. The scanner unit 130 optically reads an image from a document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the control CPU 110. The reading of the document may be performed while automatically feeding the document by the automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, or may be performed by placing the document on the platen glass.

  The control CPU 110 operates according to a program, and issues a command to the scanner unit 130 based on an operation (read instruction or copy instruction) by the operation unit 140. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image data subjected to the data processing is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 and compressed by a predetermined method. The compressed data is stored in the image memory (DRAM) 120 via the DRAM control IC 115.

  In addition, the image data may be input to the image forming apparatus main body 10 via the network 4. Examples of the image data include those generated by an application program such as the terminal PC5. The method for generating image data is not particularly limited.

  The image data is received by the print controller unit 160 via the network 4, and the print data developed by the print controller unit 160 is transferred to the DRAM control IC 115 via the PCI bus 114 and temporarily stored in the page memory 122. The data stored in the page memory 122 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115, subjected to compression processing, and stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 115.

  When the image data is stored, output settings are made before or after storing the image data. The output setting can be performed by an operation input by an operator by displaying a setting screen on which operation input is possible on the operation unit 140. Further, when the output setting item is selected in the initial setting and the setting input by the operator is not made, the output setting is made by the initial setting.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, that is, when used as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 to decompress the data. The expanded data is sent to the writing processing unit 125, and writing is performed by the LD 152 on the photosensitive member charged by the charging unit.

  In the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 151 that receives a command from the control CPU 110. In the image forming unit, the latent image written on the photoreceptor is developed as a toner image by a developing unit (not shown), and the toner image is transferred to a sheet supplied by a conveyance path by a transfer unit (not shown) and fixed by a fixing unit. The In the photoconductor, after the toner image is transferred to the paper, the residual toner is removed by the cleaning unit. The paper is fed from the large capacity paper feed tray 50 or the paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus main body 10 according to the setting. The large-capacity paper feed tray 50 and the paper feed tray in the image forming apparatus main body 10 are controlled according to the control information.

  The paper on which the image has been formed is transported to the first post-processing device 20 via the transport path, or reversed by the reverse transport path and circulated to the image forming unit. The recirculated paper is subjected to image formation and fixing on the back side, and is conveyed to the first post-processing device 20. The paper that has passed through the first post-processing device 20 is transported to the second post-processing device 30, and is discharged by the second post-processing device 30 or further transported to the third post-processing device 40. The first post-processing device 20, the second post-processing device 30, and the third post-processing device 40 are controlled directly by the control information from the control CPU 110 or via each post-processing device controller, and perform desired processing.

  In this embodiment, the description has been given on the assumption of monochrome image formation. However, the image forming apparatus main body may be provided with a photoconductor for each color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). .

In the image forming apparatus 1, each unit is controlled according to the control information. A procedure for setting the control information of each unit will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, as a process adjustment, the image forming apparatus is adjusted (step s1). As one of the adjustments of the image forming apparatus, the S / N of each unit of the image forming apparatus and the adjustment value are transmitted to a server connected to the image forming apparatus (step s2).
The server that acquired the adjustment value and the S / N stores the adjustment value in the nonvolatile memory in association with the S / N, and centrally manages the adjustment value as an adjustment value management server (step s3).
By centrally managing the adjustment values in the server in this way, the adjustment values already stored in the image forming apparatus can be returned to the process shipment state if there is any accident (non-volatile damage or adjustment value setting error). Is possible.

Next, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in the market or when a new unit is provided, it is determined whether an adjustment value for each unit is set (step s10).
If the adjustment value of each unit has been set (step s10, Yes), the printer is ready for printing. If the adjustment value is not set (step s10, No), it is transmitted to the server 3 through the NIC 119 and the network 2, and the necessary adjustment value is acquired through the NIC 119 (step s11).

  When the server 3 receives the S / N, the server 3 reads the adjustment value associated with the S / N and stored in the nonvolatile memory 320 and transmits the adjustment value to the image forming apparatus 1 through the NIC 310.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the acquired adjustment value is stored in the nonvolatile memory 113. When the image forming apparatus 1 is activated, the adjustment values of the post-processing devices are read from the nonvolatile memory 113 and transmitted to the first post-processing device 20, the second post-processing device 30, and the third post-processing device 40, respectively. Adjustment values can be stored in the volatile memory of the post-processing device and used for control.

The image forming apparatus obtains the adjustment value (step s11, OK) and sets the printable state.
On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus cannot be connected to the adjustment value management server (No in step s11), a warning message such as “Please make adjustments or connect to the network” is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 140. Then, the printing is prohibited (step s12). Thereafter, the server 3 is connected to determine whether or not the adjustment value can be acquired (step s13). Acquisition can be performed by an operator instructing through the operation unit 140. Further, it may automatically detect a network connection and connect to a server.
If the adjustment value cannot be acquired (No at Step s13), the process returns to Step s12 and the warning display is continued. If the adjustment value can be acquired (Yes at Step s13), the adjustment value is acquired from the server 3. Then, the printer is brought into a printable state.
Note that the warning method is not particularly limited. In addition to being displayed on the operation unit, a warning may be given by sound or voice, and notification is given to a terminal or other server connected to the image forming apparatus. You may do it. This warning may be performed alone, or may be performed together with the display on the operation unit.

FIG. 5 shows an adjustment screen on which adjustment values can be manually acquired and input through the operation unit 140.
The adjustment screen 1400 for adjusting the unit has a model-specific button of the post-processing device, and a desired model of the model-specific button (in this figure, a finisher adjustment button 1401 and a flat stitcher adjustment button 1402 are provided. The adjustment value can be obtained or entered. When one of the models is selected and the adjustment value acquisition button 1404 is pressed, processing for acquiring the adjustment of the corresponding model from the server is started.
If the adjustment value can be acquired from the server, a message indicating that the adjustment value has been acquired is displayed on the screen. If the adjustment value cannot be acquired or cannot be connected to the server, acquisition of the adjustment failed on the screen. A warning can be displayed. The warning can be performed in the same manner as the warning.

The adjustment value can be manually set by the operator through the operation unit 140 as desired regardless of whether the adjustment is acquired.
By pressing a necessary adjustment item from among the adjustment content buttons 1403 on the adjustment screen 1400 in FIG. 5, the adjustment value of the content can be set.

  FIG. 6 shows an adjustment value input screen 1410. A message column 1411 shows an overview of adjustment values. The adjustment value can be input through the numeric keypad 1412, and the input value is displayed in the set value column 1413. By pressing the set button 1414, the input value is displayed in the current value column 1415, and the adjustment value is set by this numerical value. In the input screen 1410, the user can return to the adjustment screen 1410 by pressing the previous screen button 1416. Further, after adjustment, the print mode button 1417 can be used to shift to the print mode.

  If the adjustment value of the unit included in the image forming apparatus 1 is not acquired, as shown in FIG. 7, “Set post-processing adjustment.” Or network in the message field 1421 of the setting screen 1420. "Please connect to" and display a warning message to disable printing. Note that this warning can also be performed by various methods in the same manner as the warning described above.

In the setting screen 1420, an adjustment button 1422 is provided so that it can be pushed, and if it is desired to obtain an adjustment value, the adjustment button 1422 is pushed to move to the adjustment screen 1400 to access the server manually or manually. An adjustment value can be input. Further, when the network connection is not established, the adjustment value may be acquired by automatically connecting to the server when the network connection is detected.
Further, when printing is not possible, if the unit does not interfere with printing, it may be changed so that printing can be manually performed.

  In this embodiment, a unit externally connected to the image forming apparatus main body 10 is described. However, control information can be similarly set for a unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body 10. And centralized management by the server.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Network 3 Server 10 Image forming apparatus main body 20 1st post-processing apparatus 30 2nd post-processing apparatus 40 3rd post-processing apparatus 110 Control CPU
113 Nonvolatile memory 119 NIC
140 Operation unit 300 Server control unit 310 NIC
320 Non-volatile memory 1400 Adjustment screen 1404 Adjustment value acquisition button 1410 Adjustment value input screen 1420 Setting screen 1422 Adjustment button

Claims (20)

An image forming apparatus, and a server connected to be communicable with the image forming apparatus,
The server includes a storage unit that holds unit control information for each unit eigenvalue corresponding to at least one of the units included in the image forming apparatus, and a server receiving unit that receives information from the image forming apparatus. A server transmission unit that transmits information to the image forming apparatus; and the eigenvalue transmitted from the image forming apparatus is received through the server reception unit, and control information corresponding to the eigenvalue is read from the storage unit and transmitted to the server. A server control unit that replies through
The image forming apparatus includes an image formation transmitting unit that transmits information to the server, an image formation receiving unit that receives information from the server, and a control unit that controls the unit based on control information for the unit. ,
The control unit has a function of transmitting a unique value of the unit to the server through an image forming transmission unit, and receiving control information returned from the server based on the unique value transmitted to the server through the image formation receiving unit. An image forming system comprising:   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a nonvolatile memory that stores the control information.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus issues a warning when the control information of the units constituting the image forming apparatus is not recorded in the nonvolatile memory.   4. The image according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus prohibits printing when control information of the units constituting the image forming apparatus is not recorded in the nonvolatile memory. 5. Forming system.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus issues a warning if the connection to the server cannot be confirmed by the image forming transmission unit when transmitting the unique value of the unit to the server. The image forming system according to claim 1.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control information can be set by an operator through an operation unit.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is operable to access the server based on an operator instruction through an operation unit and acquire the control information. The image forming system described.   8. The image according to claim 1, wherein the unit is accommodated in an image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and / or externally connected to the image forming apparatus main body. Forming system.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server holds all control information regarding the unit. A unit constituting the image forming apparatus, an image forming transmitting unit for transmitting information to a server communicably connected to the image forming apparatus, an image forming receiving unit for receiving information from the server, and a control for the unit A control unit for controlling the unit based on information,
The control unit transmits the unit eigenvalues to the server holding unit control information for each unit eigenvalue corresponding to at least one unit of the units constituting the image forming apparatus through the image forming transmission unit. An image forming apparatus having a function of transmitting to the server and receiving the control information returned from the server based on the eigenvalue transmitted to the server through the image forming receiving unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a non-volatile memory that stores the control information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit issues a warning when the control information of the unit is not recorded in the nonvolatile memory.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit prohibits printing when control information of the unit is not recorded in the nonvolatile memory.   14. The control unit according to claim 10, wherein when the eigenvalue of the unit is transmitted to the server, the image forming transmission unit issues a warning if the connection to the server cannot be confirmed. The image forming apparatus described in the item. An operation unit that receives the operation of the operator under the control of the control unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit can set the control information by an operator through the operation unit. An operation unit that receives the operation of the operator under the control of the control unit;
The control unit according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the control unit is operable to access the server based on an operator instruction through the operation unit and acquire the control information. The image forming apparatus described.   The image according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the unit is housed in an image forming apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus and / or externally connected to the image forming apparatus main body. Forming equipment.   The control information transmitted from the server by transmitting the unique value of the unit from the image forming apparatus including the unit to the server holding the control information of the unit for each unit unique value corresponding to at least one individual of the unit And controlling the unit based on the control information for each unit eigenvalue.   When the server requests control information of units constituting the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus, the server sends the stored control information to the image forming apparatus based on the eigenvalue. 19. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 18.   The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 18, wherein the server centrally manages the control information of the unit.

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