Title of Invention: Image forming apparatus and management system therefor
Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, a network interface for connecting the image forming apparatus to a network as a network terminal, an electronic mail communication control unit for communicating an electronic mail with another network terminal through said network interface, a memory for storing an address of a predetermined network terminal, a sensor for detecting an abnormal condition of the image forming apparatus, a controller for producing the electronic mail according to the address stored in the memory, and wherein the electronic mail communication control unit sends an electronic mail produced by the controller to the predetermined network terminal when the sensor detects an abnormal condition such as when the sensor detects a paper jam, toner empty and paper-out.
Detailed Description: Part PAC: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Part PAR: The image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used in facsimile machines, copy machines, printers, and the like, that are connected to a communication network like a LAN (local area network) and have a function for sending an electronic mail to a destination terminal.
Part PAR_2: However for convenience, the image forming apparatus will only be described in use with a facsimile machine, such as the machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Part PAR_3: In FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 20, a personal computer 30 and a server 40 are connected to LAN 50 as network terminals. The facsimile machine 20, personal computer 30 and server 40 have a function for sending and receiving electronic mail (E-mail) to/from each other through the LAN 50 using communications procedures which are explained later.
Part PAR_4: The facsimile machine 20 is connected to a PSTN (public switched telephone network) 60 through a network interface 8 and to a LAN 50 through the LAN interface 9, and includes general facsimile functions including a group 3 facsimile communications function for sending and receiving facsimile image information.
Part PAR_5: The personal computer 30 is connected to LAN 50 through the LAN interface 30a. In FIG. 1, the personal computer 30 shows a representative example of a client terminal. In actuality, many client terminals including personal computers may be connected to the LAN 50.
Part PAR_6: The server 40 has the function of a mail server and a file server, and is connected to LAN 50 through the LAN interface 40a. When the network terminals including the facsimile machine 20 and personal computer 30 send E-mail to another terminal connected to the LAN 50 or a destination client terminal connected to a wide-area network like the Internet, the sent E-mail is first stored in the server 40 and is then sent to an addressed terminal.
Part PAR_7: Generally, a so-called protocol suite is applied for communications between network terminals connected to LAN 50. In an operation of the protocol suite, a communication protocol such as the so-called TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) is used in combination for communications up to a transport layer of the OSI (open systems interconnection) stack, and for communications through layers higher than the transport layer, respectively. For example, an SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol) is used as a higher layer protocol for communications such as E-mail.
Part PAR_8: Each of the above-mentioned communication protocols, such as the TCP/IP, SMTP, as well as the data format and structure of the E-mail are defined in a RFC (request for comments) published by IETF (Internet engineering task force). For example, the TCP and IP are defined in RFC793, the SMTP is defined in RFC821, and the data format and structure of the E-mail in RFC822, RFC1521, RFC1522, and RFC1468.
Part PAR_9: The network terminals have the function of sending and receiving E-mail having the data format and structure defined in the RFCs.
Part PAR_10: Next, an exemplary structure of the facsimile machine 20 is explained with reference to FIG. 2.
Part PAR_11: In FIG. 2 the facsimile machine 20 has a system controller 1, a system memory 2, a parameter memory 3, an image memory 4, a scanner 5, a printer 6, a communication control unit 7, a network interface 8, a LAN interface 9, an E-mail communication control unit 10, a toner empty sensor 11, a paper jam sensor 12, a paper-out sensor 13, an encoding/decoding unit 14, a display panel unit 15, an operation panel unit 16, and an internal bus 17.
Part PAR_12: The system controller 1 controls the operation of the facsimile machine 20 and, specifically, performs various kinds of controls, including a facsimile data transmission control for sending and receiving image information. The system memory 2 stores control programs to be performed by the system controller 1 and various kinds of data necessary for the execution of the control programs. The parameter memory 3 stores various kinds of parameters and information specific to the network facsimile machine 20. In addition, the parameter memory 3 includes a working memory area reserved for use of the system controller 1.
Part PAR_13: The image memory 4 stores the compressed image data to be transmitted and the received data from the other facsimile machine. The scanner 5 reads original documents at a predetermined resolution and produces an image signal. The printer 6 has an electrophotographic printer engine and prints out an image on a recording paper fed from a sheet cassette one by one. The electrophotographic printer engine includes a photoconductive drum and developing device, and develops a latent image formed on the photoconductive drum by toner supplied from a toner bottle.
Part PAR_14: The communication control unit 7 controls the network interface 8 and includes a modem that performs functions of a modem for, e.g., a group 3 facsimile machine, and includes a low-speed modem function, such as a V.21 modem, for transmitting and receiving communication protocols and a high-speed modem function, such as V.17, V.34, V.29, V.27ter modems, for mainly transmitting and receiving image information. The network interface 8 includes an automatic sending and receiving function and controls the connection and disconnection of the facsimile machine 20 to the PSTN 60.
Part PAR_15: The LAN interface 9 interfaces the connection between the facsimile machine 20 and the LAN 50 and controls the communication with other network terminals on the basis of the TCP/IP. The E-mail communication control unit 10 controls the E-mail communication on the basis of the SMTP.
Part PAR_16: The toner empty sensor 11 is provided in the printer 6 and detects an empty state of the toner bottle. The paper jam sensor 12 is provided in the printer 6 and detects a paper jam in a paper feeding passage. The paper-out sensor 13 is provided in the printer 6 and detects when the sheet cassette is out of paper.
Part PAR_17: The encoding/decoding unit 14 encodes an image signal of the original document and compresses the image signal for transmission, and decodes the compressed received information into a format for printing.
Part PAR_18: The display panel unit 15 includes a display panel and indicators and displays guidance and other information for operator viewing. The operation panel unit 16 includes various kinds of operational keys for inputting a command and parameter information and for setting operational modes of the facsimile machine 20.
Part PAR_19: The internal bus 17 is connected to the system controller 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, image memory 4, scanner 5, printer 6, communication control unit 7, network interface 8, LAN interface 9, E-mail communication control unit 10, toner empty sensor 11, paper jam sensor 12, paper-out sensor 13, encoding/decoding unit 14, display panel unit 15, operation panel unit 16 and allows communications between the different devices.
Part PAR_20: A preferred embodiment of the facsimile machine 20 of the present invention is arranged in this way.
Part PAR_21: The facsimile machine 20 calls a destination terminal and sends the image signal, and is called from the destination terminal and prints out the image on a recording paper. In due time, the remaining amount of recording paper in the sheet cassette and the toner in toner bottle decreases by degrees. In addition, it may happen that the recording paper jams in the paper feeding passage.
Part PAR_22: Accordingly, the facsimile machine 20 needs to swiftly notify some party about the abnormal conditions when the facsimile machine 20 detects a paper-out, toner empty or paper jam.
Part PAR_23: In this embodiment of the present invention, the facsimile machine 20 uses E-mail for forwarding, notice of the abnormal conditions. The following are operations performed by the facsimile machine 20 to notify of the abnormal conditions.
Part PAR_24: Turning now to FIG. 3, a description will be given of an E-mail address storing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Part PAR_25: In step 101, initially the system controller 1 generates a guidance message on the display panel unit 15 which encourages an input of an E-mail address for notice of the abnormal conditions when there is a key operation to set a mail address storing mode in motion.
Part PAR_26: Then, the system controller 1 keeps a watch waiting for on input of the E-mail address (102). When an operator has inputted the E-mail address (Yes in step 102), the system controller 1 stores the inputted E-mail address in the parameter memory 3. The E-mail address indicates where and whom to notify of the abnormal conditions (103).
Part PAR_27: Next, the system controller 1 generates a guidance message on the display panel unit 15 which encourages an input of an E-mail address to be used to order the paper (104). When an operator has inputted the E-mail address (Yes in step 105), the system controller 1 stores the inputted E-mail address in the parameter memory 3. This E-mail address indicates where to order the paper(106).
Part PAR_28: The system controller 1 then generates a guidance message on the display panel unit 15 Which encourages an input of an E-mail address to be used to order the toner (107). When an operator has inputted the E-mail address (Yes in step 108), the system controller 1 stores the inputted E-mail address in the parameter memory 3. This E-mail address indicates where to order the toner (108).
Part PAR_29: One example of the E-mail address table stored in the parameter memory 3 is shown in FIG. 4.
Part PAR_30: In FIG. 4, the E-mail address indicating where to notify of the abnormal conditions is stored in step 103 in FIG. 3 as [syomu @ xxx. co.jp], and this is an assigned address for an official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 in the LAN 50. Further, the E-mail address indicating where to order the paper is stored in step 106 in FIG. 3 as [paper @ zzz. co.jp], and this is an address of a dealer that handles the recording paper and the address is also typically in a wide-area network like the Internet which is connected to the LAN 50. Furthermore, the E-mail address indicating where to order the toner is stored in step 109 in FIG. 3 as [toner @ yyy. co.jp], and this is all address of a dealer that handles the toner and the address is also typically in a wide-area network like the Internet which is connected to the LAN 50.
Part PAR_31: Turning now to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a mailing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Part PAR_32: In FIG. 5, initially the system controller 1 continuously monitors for a paper-out (201), paper jam (202) and toner empty (203) on the basis of a signal from a paper-out sensor 13, paper jam sensor 12 and toner empty sensor 11. If there is no paper-out (No in step 201), no paper-jam (No in step 202) and no toner empty (No in step 203), the check loop steps 201-203 are repeated.
Part PAR_33: When a paper-out is detected by the paper-out sensor 13 (Yes in step 201), the system controller 1 reads out the E-mail address which indicates where to notify of the abnormal conditions, which is stored in step 103 in FIG. 1, from the parameter memory 3 (204). Further, the system controller 1 reads out an E-mail address indicating where to order the paper, which is stored in step 106 in FIG. 1, from the parameter memory 3 (205).
Part PAR_34: After that, the system controller 1 produces a mail header according to RFC822 to send the E-mail (206) and the main body of the E-mail (207).
Part PAR_35: Then, the E-mail communication control unit 10 sends the E-mail which is prepared in step 206 and step 207 to the address of the official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 in the LAN 50 (208).
Part PAR_36: One example of an E-mail format which is prepared in step 206 and step 207 is shown in FIG. 6.
Part PAR_37: In FIG. 6, the mail head is prepared according to RFC822 and includes [Date] field which shows a date of mailing, [From] field which shows a sender address, [To] field which shows a destination address [Reply-to] field which shows a return address of this mail, and [Subject] field which shows a title of the mail.
Part PAR_38: The E-mail address of the facsimile machine 20 is embedded in the [From] field. The E-mail address indicating, where to notify of the abnormal conditions is embedded in the [To] field. Further, the E-mail address indicating where to order the paper is embedded in the [Reply-to] field, and the title of the mail is embedded in the [Subject] field.
Part PAR_39: Furthermore, the message to notify of the paper-out, for example "a paper-out condition has occurred", is embedded in the main body.
Part PAR_40: Accordingly, an official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 can grasp the occurrence of the paper-out and check the backup supply of paper immediately.
Part PAR_41: Further, the main body of the E-mail includes a purchase order form to order the recording, paper and a message to an official responsible for the facsimile machine 20, which states for example "in case of necessity, please fill out a form and order the recording paper". The purchase order form includes a section to indicate paper size and number of units desired and name of the person in charge.
Part PAR_42: Accordingly, if there is no backup supply, the responsible official can order the recording paper easily by sending the E-mail to the address embedded in the [Reply-to] field.
Part PAR_43: Now, returning to FIG. 5, when a paper jam is detected by the paper jam sensor 12 (Yes in step 202), the system controller 1 reads out the E-mail address indicating where to notify of the abnormal conditions, which is stored in step 103 in FIG. 1, from the parameter memory 3 (209).
Part PAR_44: After that, the system controller 1 produces a mail head according to RFC822 used to send the E-mail (210) and the main body of the E-mail (211).
Part PAR_45: Then, the E-mail communication control unit 10 sends the E-mail which is prepared in step 210 and step 211 to the address of the official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 in the LAN 50 (208).
Part PAR_46: One example of an E-mail format which is prepared in step 210 and step 211 is shown in FIG. 7.
Part PAR_47: In FIG. 7, the mail head is prepared according to RFC822 and includes [Date] field which shows a date of mailing, [From] field which shows a sender address, [To] field which shows a destination address, and [Subject] field which shows a title of the mail.
Part PAR_48: The E-mail address of the facsimile machine 20 is embedded in the [From] field. The E-mail address indicating where to notify of the abnormal conditions is embedded in the [To] field. Further, the title of the mail is embedded in the [Subject] field. Furthermore, a message to notify of the paper jam, which states for example "a paper jam has occurred, please return the facsimile machine to its original state", is embedded in the main body.
Part PAR_49: Accordingly, an official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 can grasp the occurrence of the paper jam and return the facsimile machine 20 to its original state immediately.
Part PAR_50: Now, returning to FIG. 5, when a toner empty is detected by the toner empty sensor 11 (Yes in step 203), the system controller 1 reads out an E-mail address indicating where to notify of the abnormal conditions, which is stored in step 103 in FIG. 1, from the parameter memory 3 (212). Further the system controller 1 reads out an E-mail address indicating where to order the toner, which is stored in step 109) in FIG. 1, from the parameter memory 3 (213).
Part PAR_51: After that, the system controller 1 produces a mail head according to RFC822 used to send the E-mail (214) and the main body of the E-mail (215).
Part PAR_52: Then, the E-mail communication control unit 10 sends the E-mail which is prepared in step 214 and step 215 to the address the official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 in the LAN 50 (208).
Part PAR_53: One example of an E-mail format which is prepared in step 214 and step 215 is shown in FIG. 8.
Part PAR_54: In FIG. 8, the mail head is prepared according to RFC822 and includes [Date] field which shows a date of mailing, [From] field which shows a sender address, [To] field which shows a destination address, [Reply-to] field which shows a return address of this mail, and [Subject] field which shows a title of the mail.
Part PAR_55: The E-mail address of the facsimile machine 20 is embedded in the [From] field. The E-mail address indicating where to notify of the abnormal conditions is embedded in the [To] field. Further, the E-mail address indicating where to order the toner is embedded in the [Reply-to] field, and the title of the mail is embedded in the [Subject] field.
Part PAR_56: Furthermore, a message to notify of the toner empty condition, which states for example "a toner empty condition has occurred", is embedded in the main body.
Part PAR_57: Accordingly, an official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 can grasp the occurrence of the toner empty and can check the backup supply of toner immediately.
Part PAR_58: Further, the main body includes a purchase order form for ordering the toner and a message to an official responsible for the facsimile machine 20 which states, for example "in case of necessity, please fill out a form and order the toner". The purchase order form includes a section for indicating the type of toner, toner bottle model, and number of units and the name of the person in charge.
Part PAR_59: Accordingly, if there is no backup supply of toner, the responsible official can order the toner bottle easily by sending the E-mail to the address embedded in the [Reply-to] field.
Part PAR_60: This application is based on Japanese document 9-196422 filed in Japan on Jul. 8, 1997, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Part PAR_61: Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.


{'bibliographic_information': "{'Patent Number': '061080993', 'Series Code': '9', 'Application Number': '1083449', 'Application Type': '1', 'Art unit': '272', 'Application Filing Date': '19980630', 'Title of Invention': 'Image forming apparatus and management system therefor', 'Issue Date': '20000822', 'Number of Claims': '42', 'Exemplary Claim Number(s)': '1', 'Assistant Examiner': 'Wallerson; Mark', 'Primary Examiner': 'Coles; Edward L.', 'Number of Drawing Sheets': '7', 'Number of figures': '8'}", 'source_file': './grant/2000/pftaps20000822_wk34.txt', 'source_data': 'USPTO-Grant'}