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JP-2026075511-A - Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, method for managing an image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program

JP2026075511AJP 2026075511 AJP2026075511 AJP 2026075511AJP-2026075511-A

Abstract

[Problem] To improve user-friendliness regarding the settings of the image forming apparatus. [Solution] The image forming apparatus includes a notification means for notifying of multiple items that can change the settings of the image forming apparatus, and a warning means for issuing a warning when an item related to a setting that changes power consumption is selected from among the multiple items. [Selection Diagram] Figure 6

Inventors

  • 小野 裕昭

Assignees

  • キヤノン株式会社

Dates

Publication Date
20260508
Application Date
20241022

Claims (11)

  1. A notification means for notifying multiple items that allow the image forming apparatus to be modified, A warning means that issues a warning when one of the aforementioned items related to a setting that changes power consumption is selected as the target of selection, An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features.
  2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination means for determining whether or not the item relates to the setting that changes the power consumption.
  3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination means determines whether or not the power consumption may increase, based on information associated with the item.
  4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means provides notification by displaying a plurality of the items.
  5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning means stops issuing warnings after the number of warnings exceeds a predetermined number.
  6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning means displays a warning on the display unit of the image forming apparatus.
  7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning means displays a warning on a display unit provided on a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus.
  8. A notification means for notifying multiple items whose settings can be changed on an information processing device, A warning means that issues a warning when one of the aforementioned items related to a setting that changes power consumption is selected as the target of selection, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.
  9. A step of notifying the user of multiple items that can be changed in the image forming apparatus, A step of issuing a warning when, among the multiple items, the item related to a setting that changes power consumption is selected as the target of selection, A method for managing an image forming apparatus, characterized by having the following features.
  10. An image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a host computer are connected via a network, At least one of the image forming apparatus and the host computer, Notification means for notifying multiple items that allow the image forming apparatus to change settings, A warning means that issues a warning when one of the aforementioned items related to a setting that changes power consumption is selected as the target of selection, An image forming system characterized by having the following features.
  11. Computers, A notification means for notifying multiple items that allow the image forming apparatus to be modified, A warning means that issues a warning when one of the aforementioned items related to a setting that changes power consumption is selected as the target of selection, A program to make each of them function as a separate entity.

Description

This disclosure relates to the configuration of an image forming apparatus. Examples of image forming devices include printers and multifunction devices. Image forming devices are sometimes connected to networks such as the Internet. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system in which an image forming device and a personal computer are connected via a network. This image forming system allows for setting whether to prioritize communication speed or power saving. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-213703 This figure shows an example of the external appearance of an image forming apparatus.This figure shows an example of the configuration of an image forming system.This figure shows an example of a settings menu screen.This figure shows an example of a power saving settings screen.This figure shows an example of an additional information correspondence table.This flowchart shows an example of a process performed in an image forming apparatus.This figure shows an example of a warning screen.This figure shows an example of an application screen.This flowchart shows an example of a process performed on a host computer.This flowchart shows an example of a warning stop process performed in an image forming apparatus. Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are not limiting to the scope of this disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are essential to the solutions of this disclosure. The same reference numerals are used for identical components, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In this specification, "image formation" (sometimes referred to as "printing") refers not only to the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also to the formation of images, patterns, etc., regardless of whether they are meaningful or not. Furthermore, it broadly includes the formation of images, patterns, etc., on a recording medium, regardless of whether they are manifested in a way that can be perceived visually by humans. Furthermore, the term "recording medium" refers not only to paper commonly used in image forming apparatuses, but also to a wide range of ink-receiving materials such as cloth, plastic film, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather. In the following embodiments, the recording medium is described as recording paper, but as mentioned above, it can be applied to other types of recording media and is not limited to recording paper. Also, "image forming apparatus" refers to an apparatus that forms images on the aforementioned recording media. Furthermore, "ink" (sometimes referred to as "liquid") should be interpreted broadly, similar to the definition of "record (print)" above. Therefore, it refers to a liquid that, when applied to a recording medium, can be used for forming images, patterns, designs, etc., processing the recording medium, or treating the ink (for example, solidifying or insolubilizing the colorants in the ink applied to the recording medium). <First Embodiment> In recent years, there has been a growing demand to reduce the power consumption of image forming machines in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. One way to reduce power consumption is to implement power-saving modes in image forming machines, which is becoming increasingly common. The implementation of power-saving mode increases the number of configurable settings on the image forming apparatus. With an increased number of configurable settings, users may not know whether changing a setting will affect power consumption. Therefore, power consumption may increase or decrease due to setting changes without the user's knowledge. The following describes examples of improving the usability of image forming apparatus settings. Figure 1 shows an example of the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is described using an inkjet printer that uses ink as the recording material as an example, but it is not limited to this. Various printing methods of image forming apparatuses are applicable to the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may be a thermal printer such as a dye-sublimation or thermal transfer type, a dot matrix printer, an LED printer, or a laser printer. The image forming apparatus 100 comprises a paper output guide 101, a display/operation panel 102, and an ink tank unit 103. The paper output guide 101 loads the outputted recording paper. The display/operation panel 102 accepts various setting operations, such as setting the recording mode and setting the recording paper. The display/operation panel 102 displays various information, such as recording information and setting results. The ink tank unit 103 has a housing section capable of accommodating one or more ink tanks, such as black, cyan, magenta, a