JP2002215351A - Job queue interrupt control method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] A method of controlling interruption to a job queue which enables interruption to a job queue while preventing a user who has input a job first from feeling dissatisfied or inconvenient. An image forming apparatus capable of suitably implementing the control method is provided. An interrupt control method according to the present invention is provided. When an interrupt request for a new job is issued, the processing of the running job is temporarily interrupted to interrupt the new job, or the processing of the running job is performed. Is terminated, and a selection of whether to execute a new job is made in accordance with the progress of the job being executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method of controlling an interrupt to a job queue in an image forming apparatus having a composite function, and an image forming apparatus capable of implementing the control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many image forming apparatuses capable of using various functions such as copying, printer, facsimile, scanner, and e-mail transmission in a complex manner have been developed. In an image forming apparatus having such a composite function, input jobs are sequentially stored in a memory, a job queue (job processing queue) is created, and output processing is sequentially performed on a first-in first-out basis. Control of the system is being performed.

In an image forming apparatus controlled by such a method, for example, while a previously input print job is being executed, it is often the case that a later user wants to interrupt and execute a copy job. appear. As an interrupt control method capable of coping with such a case, an interrupt control method in a printing apparatus disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-21528 has been known. In this interrupt control method, a user who comes later operates an interrupt key provided on the operation panel to temporarily interrupt the print job being executed and execute the interrupted copy job. ing.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional interrupt control method, the currently executing job is interrupted almost simultaneously with the operation of the interrupt key, and the processing status up to the interrupt point is stored and executed. Since the middle job is saved and a new job is interrupted, the following inconvenience occurs.

[0005] That is, even if the number of jobs being executed by the previous user is small until the end thereof, the previous job is forcibly interrupted by the operation of the interrupt key. Despite waiting for the job being executed to finish, the output product of the previous job cannot be obtained until the interrupted job ends.

For example, if the image forming apparatus informs the user of the scheduled required time and the scheduled end time of the input job, the previous user may wait after the scheduled required time elapses or the scheduled end. Even if it is time to retrieve the output product, the previous job may be interrupted due to the interrupted job, and the previous user may be kept waiting for a longer time.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and makes it possible to interrupt a job queue, and at the same time, to make a user who has input a job first not feel dissatisfied or inconvenient as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of controlling an interruption to a job queue and an image forming apparatus capable of suitably executing the control method.

[0008]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling interruption to a job queue, the method comprising: temporarily interrupting processing of a running job during execution of a job registered in the job queue; In the interrupt control method for interrupting and executing a new job, when an interrupt request for a new job is issued, the processing of the running job is temporarily interrupted to interrupt the new job, It is characterized in that the selection of whether to execute a new job after the processing of the running job is completed is made according to the progress of the running job.

That is, according to the present invention, when there is a running job, the job is temporarily interrupted to allow interruption of a new job, or a new job is executed after the processing of the running job is completed. , Is selected according to the progress of the job being executed. According to the invention,
Even when an interrupt request for a new job is made, if the processing of the running job is to be finished soon, the running job can be processed with priority. In this way, by selecting whether or not to permit an interrupt based on a reasonable standard, the user who has registered the running job can output the output product for a long time for the interrupted job. The problem of not being able to be obtained can be solved, and the user can be prevented from feeling dissatisfied or inconvenient as much as possible.

In the method for controlling interruption to a job queue according to the present invention, whether or not to permit an interrupt can be selected based on the following criteria.

That is, the selection according to the progress of the running job is made based on the number of unprocessed pages of the running job. When the number of unprocessed pages is less than a predetermined number of pages, priority is given to the processing of the job being executed. According to the present invention, since the number of unprocessed pages is used as a reference, it is possible to select whether or not to permit an interrupt by a simple determination process.

The selection according to the progress of the running job is made based on the remaining time until the processing of the running job is completed. If the remaining time is longer than a predetermined time, a new selection is made. When the remaining time is less than a predetermined time, priority may be given to the processing of the running job. According to the present invention, for example, even when there is a difference in processing time between image modes (monochrome print or color print, normal image quality or high image quality, etc.) and print mode (single-sided print or double-sided print, etc.), Since the remaining time can be based on the difference, it is more accurate and rational than when selecting based on the number of pages.
It is possible to select whether or not to allow an interrupt.

Further, in the interrupt control method for a job queue according to the present invention, the selection according to the progress of the job being executed is performed when reading of the document of the new job is completed. It is preferred that According to the present invention, when the job to be newly interrupted is, for example, a copy job, the time to read the original,
That is, the processing of the running job can be continued until the data for printing is generated and the preparation for printing is completed. In this way, the selection of whether or not to permit the interruption is made at the time when the reading of the original is completed, so that the loss time of the printing time is reduced, and the output of the output from the user before the interruption of the subsequent job can be reduced. You can increase the chance to get things.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention interrupts the processing of the running job while the job registered in the job queue is being executed, and interrupts and executes a new job. An image forming apparatus having a function, wherein, when an interrupt request for a new job is issued, the interrupt control function temporarily suspends the processing of the job being executed and interrupts the new job, or It is characterized in that a setting is made so as to select whether to execute a new job after processing of the current job is completed or not, in accordance with the progress of the job being executed. According to the present invention, the above-described method of controlling interruption to a job queue can be suitably implemented, and user dissatisfaction and inconvenience can be reduced.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a hard key switch group 21, a transparent touch panel 22, and an LCD (liquid crystal display) 23.
Input / display means 2 comprising a key input controller 3
1 and an input / display control means 3 comprising an LCD display controller 32; a control unit 4 for controlling the whole; an image forming means 5 comprising a scanner 51 and a printer 52;
A storage unit 6 including an M61 and a RAM 62;
External device connection means 7 comprising
And a post-processing unit 8.

The input / display means 2 forms an operation panel 20 as shown in FIG. Among the input / display means 2, a switch group 21 for hard keys and a transparent touch panel 22
Are connected to the key input controller 31. The LCD 23 is connected to the LCD display controller 32. The key input controller 31 outputs a key operation signal input from the hard key switch group 21 or the transparent touch panel 22 to the control unit 4. The LCD display controller 32 outputs display data corresponding to the content to be displayed to the LCD 23 based on a command from the control unit 4, and displays an image based on the display data on the screen of the LCD 23.

The control unit 4 receives input data input from the input / display unit 2 via the key input controller 31 and outputs it to the image forming unit 5. Further, of the various data generated and processed by the image forming unit 5, data to be displayed on the LCD 23 is output to the LCD display controller 32. The control unit 4 communicates with the storage unit 6, the external device connection unit 7, the post-processing unit 8, and the like to control them.

The scanner 51 reads an original and generates image data, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited. The image data generated by the scanner 51 is appropriately image-processed by an image processing unit (not shown) under the control of the control unit 4 and output to the printer 52. The printer 52 prints the image data on paper. The specific configuration of the printer 52 is not particularly limited.

The ROM 61 stores various programs such as a display program, a coordinate conversion program, a key input processing program, and a function execution program. RA
M62 is provided with various storage areas such as a display image memory, an icon image memory, and a processing condition memory.

The modem 71 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to an external telephone line to transmit and receive FAX data and electronic mail data. The interface unit 72 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a LAN formed by a PC (personal computer) 9 serving as an information terminal, and transmits and receives print job data and e-mail data.

The post-processing unit 8 controls the printed paper
For example, post-processing such as stapling, punching, and bookbinding is performed. The specific type and content of the post-processing are appropriately selected depending on the use conditions and use of the image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 shows an operation panel 20 as a specific configuration example of the input / display means 2. This operation panel 20
Is provided near the scanner 51 in the image forming apparatus 1, for example. The operation surface of the operation panel 20 includes a hard key unit 201 in a substantially right half and a display unit 202 in a substantially left half.

The hard key unit 201 includes a start key 21
1, a ten key 212, a clear key 213, an all clear key 214, and a plurality of condition keys. A start key 211 is a key for starting image data generation processing and output processing under the conditions displayed on the display unit 202. The numeric keypad 212 is a key for inputting on a screen for inputting various conditions displayed on the display unit 202. The clear key 213 is a key for setting the numeric value input by the ten keys 212 to zero or canceling the immediately preceding input value. The all clear key 214 is a key for returning the display contents of the display unit 202 to the initial screen, and for canceling the image data generation processing and output processing if the processing is being executed.

In this example, the condition keys include, for example, a print mode key 215, a scan mode key 216,
Copy mode key 217, job status key 21
8 and a custom setting key 219. The print mode key 215 is a key for printing image data or document data, and switches to a print mode by pressing this key. The scan mode key 216 is a key for operating the scanner 51, and is used to execute, for example, facsimile transmission or network scan (delivery of a scanned image by e-mail). The copy mode key 217 is a key for performing copy printing. Pressing this key switches to the copy mode. The job status key 218 is a key for displaying the execution status of various jobs on the display unit 202. The custom setting key 219 is a key for setting various execution conditions.

Among these condition keys, for example, a print mode key 215 is provided with [online] and [data] lamps 221 in the vicinity thereof. When the print mode is executed, these lamps 221 notify the online state, whether data is transferred, and the like by lighting. Similarly, the scan mode key 216 is provided with [line] and [data] lamps 221 in the vicinity thereof. These lamps 221
When the scan mode is executed, a state such as whether the line is connected to the line or data is read is notified by lighting.

The display unit 202 displays input contents and execution states of each mode and inputs various execution conditions. In this example, the LCD 23 is employed for miniaturization, power saving, and ensuring high resolution, and is attached together with the transparent touch panel 22. However, the display device for display is not necessarily L
It is not limited to CD23. This display unit 202
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 16.

In the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a job list is displayed by using most of the display screen. A plurality of soft keys using the transparent touch panel 22 are arranged to the right and below the job list. In this example, the standby screen of the display unit 202 is a waiting job list for a print job. In the waiting job list, print jobs being executed and waiting are listed in the order registered in the job queue.

In the job list, first, the leftmost column (column, a vertical arrangement formed by dividing the display screen in the horizontal direction) is a number column 2 indicating the execution order of the job.
It is 31. Here, for example, from the top [1],
[2], [3]... And the numbers assigned to the respective jobs are displayed.

The column on the right of the number column 231 is an icon column 2 on which an icon indicating the type of job is displayed.
32. In the display example of FIG. 3, among the four print jobs, the first, second, and fourth jobs have print icons indicating that they are print jobs transmitted from the PC 9 or the like in the LAN. A displayed FAX reception icon indicating that the job is a received FAX print job is displayed for the third job.

The column on the right of the icon column 232 is
A user / mode column 233 is provided. here,
A user name is displayed for a print job transmitted from the PC 9 or the like in the LAN, and a transmission source name is displayed for a received fax print job. In the case of a copy job, a user name is not normally input on the spot, so that a character indicating that the copy mode is set is displayed instead of the user name. In the display example of FIG. 3, the user name is displayed for the first, second, and fourth jobs, and the transmission source FA is displayed for the third job.
The X number is displayed.

The column on the right of the user / mode column 233 is a set time column 234. Here, the date and time when each job is registered in the job queue is displayed. In the display example of FIG. 3, the time is displayed on the left side, and the date is displayed on the right side. The display of the date may be omitted depending on the use environment of the image forming apparatus 1.

The column on the right of the set time column 234 is a job amount column 235. Here, the total number of pages and the number of processed pages of each job are displayed. In the display example of FIG. 3, a three-digit number is displayed on each of the left and right sides separated by a slash, the number of processed pages is displayed on the left side, and the total number of pages is displayed on the right side. Before the job is executed, the number of processed pages on the left side is all [000]. For example, for the first job currently being executed, the number on the left is [00
5], the number on the right side is [015], so it can be confirmed that 5 out of the total 15 pages have been processed at this time.

The column on the right of the job amount column 235 is
The status column 236 is provided. Here, [JO] indicates whether each job is currently running or waiting.
BING] or [WAITING]. Note that, for the job being executed, for example, its number column 2
The status column 236 does not necessarily need to be provided if it is possible to make the 31 blink, change the display color, or reverse the character string for displaying the job.

On the right side of the status column 236, a page space 237 for displaying the number of pages of the job list is provided. In the display example of FIG.
[1/2] indicating that the first page is currently displayed is displayed in this page space 237. Page space 2
Below the 37, a page switching key 241 is provided as a soft key for switching the displayed page of the job list. The page switching key 241 includes an up key 241a for displaying an upward arrow and a down key 241b for displaying a downward arrow.
Pressing the key switches the display of the job list to the previous page, and pressing the down key 241b switches the display of the job list to the next page. In the state where the first page of the job list is displayed as shown in FIG. 3, since there is no previous page, the up key 241a is lightly displayed and the operation is invalid, and only the down key 241b is darkly displayed and operated. Will be possible. Here, when the down key 241b is pressed, the next page as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and the display of the number of pages becomes [2/2]. In the display example shown in FIG. 4, the total number of pages is two,
Since there is no next page, the up key 241a is displayed dark and operable, and the down key 241b is lightly displayed and operation disabled. If there is a third or subsequent page in the job list, the up key 241a and the down key 2
41b are both displayed dark and operable.

On the right side of the job list, a state switching key 242 is used as a soft key for switching the displayed job list between a waiting job list and an end job list.
Is provided. The state switching key 242 is set to [JOB QUEU
[E] and [COMPLETE], each of which is a key for switching the display state. In the display examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the character portion of [JOB QUEUE] indicating the waiting job list is shaded, indicating that the displayed job list is the waiting job list. Here, when the character part of [COMPLETE] is pressed, an end job list as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.
The character part of [COMPLETE] is shaded. The end job list displays the date and time when the processing of each job ended, and characters such as [OK] indicating normal end or [ERROR] indicating abnormal end.

Below the job list, a plurality of job type display keys are provided as soft keys for selecting a job to be displayed in the job list by job type. The job type display key is from the left in this example,
A print job display key 243, a mail job display key 244, a FAX transmission job display key 245, and an all job display key 246 are arranged in this order.

When the print job display key 243 is selected, if the status switching key 242 is displaying a waiting job list, all print jobs being executed and waiting are displayed, and the status switching key 242 is terminated. If the job list is displayed, all print jobs for which processing has been completed are displayed.

When the mail job display key 244 is selected, if the status switching key 242 is displaying the waiting job list, all the running and waiting mail transmission jobs are displayed, and the status switching key 242 is terminated. If the job list is displayed, all mail transmission jobs for which processing has been completed are displayed. FIG. 7 shows a display example of a waiting job list of the mail transmission job. In this display example, a mail icon indicating e-mail transmission is displayed in the icon column 232, and a destination mail address is displayed in the user / mode column 233. Further, in this display example, since there are only two waiting jobs, the up key 241a and the down key
41b are all displayed lightly and the operation is invalid.

When the facsimile transmission job display key 245 is selected, if the status switching key 242 is displaying the waiting job list, all the currently executing and waiting facsimile transmission jobs are displayed, and the status switching key 242 is displayed. If the display is a completed job list, all fax transmission jobs for which processing has been completed are displayed. FIG. 8 shows a display example of a waiting job list of a FAX transmission job. In this display example, a facsimile transmission icon is displayed in the icon column 232, and the transmission destination FA is displayed in the user / mode column 233.
The X number is displayed.

The all job display key 246 is a key for displaying all jobs irrespective of the type of job. When this key is selected, when the status switching key 242 is displayed on the waiting job list, If all print jobs, mail jobs, and fax transmission jobs that are being executed and are on standby are displayed, and the status switching key 242 is displayed as an end job list, all print jobs and mail jobs that have been processed are displayed. , FAX transmission job is displayed.

To the right of the four job type display keys, an interrupt key 247 is provided at a slightly longer interval. The interrupt key 247 is a key for temporarily interrupting a currently executing job and allowing interruption of another job. The interrupt key 247 is displayed only when there is at least one job being executed or waiting. That is, as shown in FIG.
Even if a page other than the first page of the waiting job list is displayed, it is always displayed if one or more waiting jobs are registered in the job queue. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when there is no job being executed or waiting, the interrupt key 247 is hidden or lightly displayed and the operation becomes invalid.

In the operation panel 20 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, when the interrupt key 247 is pressed while the waiting job list as shown in FIG. A waiting job list as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. That is, the display of the interrupted copy job is inserted into the uppermost line of the waiting job list shown in FIG. 3, and the other waiting jobs are displayed one line at a time. At this point, the number column 231 for the interrupted copy job contains
The character [IN] indicating the interruption is displayed, and the same number as the immediately preceding number is assigned to the number column 231 of the other job registered earlier. Thus, it is possible to know in which position in the job queue the newly interrupted copy job is registered.

At this point, however, the setting of the copy conditions and the reading of the original for the interrupted copy job have not been completed yet. If the currently executing job is interrupted simultaneously with the operation of the interrupt key 247, the image forming apparatus 1
Printer 52 stops its operation even though the printing process can be continued, so that the time until the next print data is prepared is wasted. Therefore, until a predetermined copy condition is set, and the original of the interrupted copy job is read by the scanner 51 and print data of the copy job is generated, the previous job (FIG. In the example of 3, the user [OKAMOTO]
Print job) is continuously executed as it is.

When the job list after the interruption as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed and a predetermined time elapses, the job list display screen is overlaid and the copy mode input screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. You. The copy mode input screen is displayed so as to overlap most of the job list. However, the number column 231 and the icon column 232 of the job list are not hidden on the copy mode input screen and remain displayed on the left side thereof. become.

The input screen of the copy mode is constituted, for example, as follows. That is, a schematic diagram 251 of the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed at the center, and the scanner 51 on which the document is to be set is indicated by [▼]. At the top, [Interrupt copy is available. Enter the conditions or set the manuscript. Is displayed to notify the user that the interrupt process is to be accepted and to prompt the user to prepare for copying. In the upper right corner, a number indicating the number of copies ([1] representing one copy in this example) is displayed. A special function key 2 is provided on the left side of the external appearance schematic diagram 251 of the image forming apparatus 1.
52, condition input keys such as a one-side / two-side switch key 253 and an output key 254 are displayed. Single / double-sided switching key 25
In this example, 3 is a default value of [single-sided copy], and by pressing this, the mode is switched to [double-sided copy] as shown in FIG. In addition, condition input keys such as an exposure condition setting key 255, a sheet selection key 256, and a magnification selection key 257 are displayed on the right side of the schematic appearance diagram 251 of the image forming apparatus 1. In this display example, these condition input keys indicate, as default values, that the automatic exposure and paper are A4 in automatic selection and the magnification is 100%, respectively.

Here, for example, when the paper selection key 256 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 11, the copy mode input screen is switched to the paper selection screen. On this paper selection screen, for example, a paper key 25 indicating a plurality of types of paper having different sizes and orientations corresponding to the position of the paper cassette of the image forming apparatus
8 is displayed, and the frame of the currently selected paper key 258 is displayed thick.

After inputting the above conditions on the copy mode input screen as shown in FIG. 10 and setting the original on the scanner 51, the start key 211 of the operation panel 20 shown in FIG. 2 is pressed. Then, the reading of the original by the scanner 51 is started. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the message “Interrupt copy is being read. Is displayed. When the reading is completed, the message is displayed as shown in FIG.
As shown in [Completed reading interrupt copy. ]
Is displayed.

When the original of the interrupted copy job is read by the scanner 51, the previous job (print job of the user [OKAMOTO]) being executed at the time of the interrupt is temporarily stopped at this time. In other words, the job being executed at the time of the interruption is continuously processed until the reading of the original by the scanner 51 is completed and the print data of the interrupted copy job is generated. The print data of the temporarily stopped job is evacuated from the image memory for executing printing, and is stored in the image memory for waiting for printing while distinguishing between the processed and unprocessed data.

After the screen indicating that the reading of the original shown in FIG. 14 is completed is displayed for a predetermined time, as shown in FIG.
A job list indicating the start of execution of the interrupted copy job is displayed. Here, the interrupted copy job is the first job, and [1] is displayed in the number column 231 thereof.
Is displayed, and [JOBING] indicating that the job is being executed is displayed in the status column 236. On the other hand, the job that was temporarily stopped halfway down to the second [WAIT
ING] is displayed. While the interrupted copy job is being executed, the interrupt key 247 arranged at the lower right of the job list is hidden or lightly displayed, and the operation is invalidated.

Thereafter, when printing of the interrupted copy job is completed, the completed copy job is added to the completed job list shown in FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, the waiting job list returns to the state before the interruption of the copy job, and resumes the execution of the previous job that has been stopped by the interruption. When the execution of the previous job is resumed and a certain time has elapsed, the interrupt key 247 is displayed again,
The display shows a state of waiting for the interruption of a new job.

Next, the flow of the interrupt control in the above-described series of operations will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, at step S1 in FIG. 17 (hereinafter, each step is abbreviated as "S"), the control unit 4 determines whether a waiting job (executing or waiting job) is registered in the job queue. Determine whether or not. If there is no waiting job, the display unit 202 displays a blank job list as shown in FIG.

If there is no waiting job in S1, the process proceeds to S2, and it is determined whether or not a fax has been received. If a facsimile has been received, the process proceeds to S3, where the received facsimile data is stored in the memory. Then, the process proceeds to S4, where the received FA
The print job of X is registered in the job queue, and the process returns to S1.

On the other hand, if no fax has been received in S2, the flow advances to S5 to determine whether a print job has been received from the PC 9 or the like. If it has been received, the process proceeds to S6, this print job is registered in the job queue, and the process returns to S1. If the print job has not been received, the process proceeds to S7, and it is determined whether the job type display key has been operated. If the job type display key is operated, a job list in a mode corresponding to the job type display key is displayed on the display unit 202, for example, as shown in FIGS.

If the job type display key has not been operated in S7, the process proceeds to S9, and it is determined whether or not a condition key in any one of the job modes has been operated. If any of the condition keys has been operated, the process proceeds to S10, where conditions corresponding to each mode such as the print mode, scan mode, and copy mode are displayed, and the process returns to S1.

If none of the condition keys have been operated in step S9, the flow advances to step S11 to determine whether or not the start key 211 has been operated on any of the mode screens. If the start key 211 has been operated, the process proceeds to S12, starts the operation of the corresponding mode, and returns to S1.

On the other hand, if the start key 211 has not been operated in S11, the flow advances to S13 to determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed without any key operation. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S14, displays a default screen during standby, and returns to S1. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed in S13, the process returns to S1.

If there is one or more waiting jobs in S1, the process proceeds to S15, and the waiting job list of the waiting screen (in this example, the waiting job list of the print job shown in FIG. 3) is displayed on the display unit 202. In both cases, an interrupt key 247 is displayed. Then, from here, S shown in FIG.
16 and the interrupt key 247 or the copy mode key 2
It is determined whether or not 17 has been operated.

At S16, if neither the interrupt key 247 nor the copy mode key 217 has been operated, the program proceeds to S17.
To determine whether another job type display key has been operated. If the job type display key is operated in S17, the job list of the mode corresponding to the job type display key is displayed on the display unit 202, the interrupt key 247 is displayed, and the process returns to S16.

On the other hand, if another job type display key is not operated in S17, the process proceeds to S19, and other hard keys (start key 211, numeric key 212, clear key 213, all clear key 214, each condition key, etc.) ) Is operated. If the hard key has been operated, the process proceeds to S20, in which the operation is invalidated, and
Return to 16.

On the other hand, if the hard key has not been operated in S19, the flow advances to S21 to determine whether or not there is a print job in the waiting job. If all the waiting jobs are not print jobs, the process proceeds to S22, in which the interrupt key 247 is not displayed in the job list of the currently displayed mode, and the process returns to S1 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if there is a print job in the waiting job, the flow advances to step S23 to determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed without any key operation. If the predetermined time has elapsed, S24
To display the waiting job list on the standby screen,
It returns to S16.

In S16, if either the interrupt key 247 or the copy mode key 217 is operated, the flow advances to S25 to display the interrupt position on the print job waiting job list as shown in FIG. .

Then, the process proceeds to S26, in which it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since either the interruption key 247 or the copy mode key 217 was operated. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, this process is repeated until the predetermined time has elapsed.
If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S27, where a copy job input screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed by overlaying the print job on the waiting job list. On this input screen, condition input keys for inputting copy conditions such as paper and magnification are displayed with default values.

Next, the process proceeds to S28, in which an interrupt cancel timer is set to a predetermined cancel time. And S
The process proceeds to step 29, where a message prompting the user to input copy conditions and set a document is notified. Then, the process proceeds to S30, in which an interrupt cancel timer is started, and the process proceeds to S31, in which it is determined whether the set time of the interrupt cancel timer has elapsed or the all clear key 214 has been pressed. When the set time of the interrupt cancel timer elapses or the all clear key 214 is pressed, S
Proceeding to S32, the interrupt mode is released, and the process returns to S16.

If any key other than the all clear key 214 is pressed before the set time of the interrupt cancel timer elapses in S31, the process proceeds to S33, and the start key 2
It is determined whether or not 11 has been pressed. Start key 211
If is pressed, the flow advances to S34 to determine whether a document is set on the scanner 51 or not. If the document is not set, the process proceeds to S35, where the reading operation in the scanner 51 is stopped, a message urging the user to set the document is notified to the user, and the process returns to S31. If a document is set in S34, the process proceeds to S43 shown in FIG.

If the start key 211 has not been pressed in S33, the flow advances to S37 to determine whether or not a condition input key for inputting copy conditions has been operated. If the condition input key has been operated, the process proceeds to S38, and FIG.
As shown in 2, the copy condition corresponding to each condition input key is displayed so as to be selectable, and the process returns to S31.

If the condition input key has not been operated in S37, the flow advances to S39 to determine whether or not the ten key 212 has been operated. If the numeric keypad 212 has been operated, the process proceeds to S40, where the number of the numeric keypad 212 is displayed in the upper right portion of the copy mode input screen to display the number of copies.
Return to 31.

If it is determined in step S39 that the numeric keypad 212 has not been operated, the flow advances to step S41 to determine whether the clear key 213 has been operated. If the clear key 213 has been operated, the process proceeds to S42, where the display of the number of copies is cleared, and the process returns to S31. On the other hand, if the clear key 213 has not been operated, the process returns to S31.

If the original is set in the scanner 51 in S34, the flow advances to S43 shown in FIG.
The reading operation of the original is started. At this time, the display unit 2
02, a message indicating that an interrupt copy is being read is displayed as shown in FIG. And S4
Then, it is determined whether or not reading of all the originals has been completed (step 4). At the stage where the reading is not completed, at S45,
It is determined whether the document has jammed (paper jam). If the document is not jammed, the process returns to S44. If the document is jammed, the process proceeds to S46 and the reading operation is interrupted. Then, the process proceeds to S47, where the user is notified of a document jam and a message prompting the user to process the jam. Thereafter, the flow advances to S48 to determine whether or not the recovery from the jam of the document has been completed.
If the jam recovery has not been completed, the determination process of S48 is repeated. If the jam recovery has been completed, the process proceeds to S49, resumes the reading operation, and returns to S44.

If the reading of the original is completed in S44,
As shown in FIG. 14, a screen indicating the completion of reading is displayed on the display unit 202. Subsequently, in S50 and subsequent steps, a determination is made as to whether or not to permit an interrupt process for the currently executing job. The control of the process of the allowance determination here is the main part of the present invention. First, in S50, it is determined whether or not the remaining number of jobs currently being executed is equal to or less than a predetermined number. Here, in order to determine how long the currently executing job is to be completed, it is determined whether or not the remaining number of sheets is, for example, 5 or less based on the number of sheets to be processed. Becomes Note that to reasonably determine the time remaining until the job ends,
For example, processing takes a long time in consideration of a difference in processing time depending on an image mode (monochrome print or color print, normal image quality or high image quality, etc.) or print mode (single-sided print or double-sided print, etc.). In the case of the mode, an adjustment such as reducing the number of reference sheets for determination may be performed. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the remaining time calculated according to the mode instead of the number of sheets.

In S50, if the remaining number of jobs currently being executed is not equal to or less than the predetermined number (or the remaining time is equal to or less than the predetermined time), the flow advances to S51 to interrupt the currently executing job. Then, the process proceeds to S52, where the processing status of the currently executing job is stored in the image memory for printing standby, and
Proceeding to S53, the currently executing job is saved, and the process proceeds to S5.
Go to 5.

In S50, if the remaining number of jobs currently being executed is equal to or less than a predetermined number (or the remaining time is equal to or less than a predetermined time), the flow advances to S54 to determine whether or not the currently executed job has been completed. . This determination process is repeated until the job being executed is completed, and the process proceeds to S55 when it is determined that the job is completed.

In S55, the interrupted copy job is
Register at the top of the print job waiting job list,
The number [1] is newly assigned to the number column 231 of the interrupted copy job. Then, the process proceeds to S56, where the input screen of the copy mode is closed, and a waiting job list as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to S57, in which the printing process of the interrupted copy job is started, and the process proceeds to S58.

In S58, it is determined whether or not the interrupted copy job has been completed. At the stage where it has not been completed, S
At 59, it is determined whether the paper has jammed. If the paper is not jammed, the process returns to S58, but if the paper is jammed, the process proceeds to S60 and the printing operation is interrupted. And
Proceeding to S61, the user is notified of a paper jam and a message prompting the user to perform the processing. Then, the process proceeds to S62, and it is determined whether or not the paper jam recovery is completed. If the jam recovery has not been completed, the determination process of S62 is repeated. If the jam recovery is completed,
Proceeding to S63, restart the printing operation of the interrupted copy job, and return to S58.

In S58, if the printing of the interrupted copy job is completed, the flow advances to S64 to transfer the interrupted copy job to the completed job list. Next, the process proceeds to S65, and when starting the interrupted copy job, it is determined whether or not the previous job has been interrupted. Without interruption,
Proceeding to S66, the interrupted copy job is deleted from the waiting job list, and the next job is displayed first. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S67, in which the printing process is started from the next job, and returns to S16 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the interruption of the preceding job is interrupted when the interrupted copy job is started in S65, the process proceeds to S68.
To read the processing status of the interrupted job from the print standby image memory. Then, the process proceeds to S69, where the interrupted copy job is deleted from the waiting job list, and the interrupted job is displayed first. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S70, in which the printing process of the interrupted job is resumed, and FIG.
The process returns to S16 shown in FIG.

As described above, when an interrupt request for a new job is made during execution of a job registered in the job queue, the processing of the running job is temporarily interrupted in accordance with the progress of the running job. Interrupt control is performed to select either a new job to be interrupted or a new job to be executed after the processing of the job being executed is completed.

In the present invention, the various key arrangements of the display panel 20 shown in the above-described embodiment and the display unit 202
The example of display such as job list in
This is an example for forming the display unit 2, and the key arrangement, the display mode, and the like are not limited to these.

[0081]

As described above, the interrupt control method for the job queue according to the present invention, when an interrupt request for a new job is made, temporarily suspends the processing of the job being executed and creates a new job. Since the selection of either interrupting the job or executing a new job after finishing the processing of the running job is made according to the progress of the running job, a new Even when a job interrupt request is made, if the processing of the running job is to be finished soon, the running job can be processed with priority.

The progress of the running job can be based on the number of unprocessed pages of the running job or the remaining time until the processing of the running job is completed.
If the remaining time is used as a reference, it is possible to more accurately select whether or not to permit the interruption.

Further, the selection of whether or not to permit the interruption is made when the reading of the original is completed,
Until then, if the processing of the job being executed is continued, the loss time of the printing time can be reduced, and the chance of the earlier user obtaining the output product can be increased.

As described above, by selecting whether or not to permit an interrupt on a reasonable basis, the user who has registered the running job can output for a long time for the interrupted job. It is possible to solve the problem that a product cannot be obtained and to make the user feel less frustrated or inconvenient as much as possible.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that when an interrupt request for a new job is made, the processing of the job being executed is temporarily interrupted to interrupt the new job.
It has an interrupt control function to select whether to execute a new job after finishing the processing of the running job according to the progress status of the running job. Can be suitably implemented, and user dissatisfaction and inconvenience can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of an operation panel in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example on a display unit of the operation panel, showing a state in which a waiting job list of a print job is displayed as a standby screen.

4 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit of the operation panel, showing a state in which a down key is pressed from the state of FIG. 3 to display a next page of a waiting job list.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit of the operation panel, and is a diagram showing a display state when there is no print job waiting job.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example on a display unit of the operation panel, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which an end job list of a print job is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example on a display unit of the operation panel, showing a state in which a waiting job list of a mail transmission job is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example on a display unit of the operation panel, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which a waiting job list of a FAX transmission job is displayed.

9 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit of the operation panel, showing a state in which a copy job is interrupted in a waiting job list by pressing an interruption key from the state of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example on a display unit of the operation panel, which is overlaid on the job list of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a copy mode input screen is displayed.

11 is a diagram illustrating a display example on the display unit of the operation panel, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which a paper selection key is pressed in a state of FIG. 10 to display a paper selection screen.

12 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit of the operation panel, showing a state in which a single-side / double-side switching key is pressed in the state of FIG. 10 to switch to a double-sided copy mode.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example on a display unit of the operation panel, and is a diagram illustrating a display state when a document of a copy job is read.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example on a display unit of the operation panel, and is a diagram illustrating a display state when reading of a document of a copy job is completed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example on the display unit of the operation panel, and is a diagram illustrating a state in which a job list indicating the start of execution of the interrupted copy job is displayed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit of the operation panel, showing a display state when processing of the interrupted copy job has been completed and processing of the interrupted job has been resumed; It is.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of interrupt control according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing a flow of processing from a standby state until an interrupt key is displayed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of interrupt control according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing the flow of processing from when an interrupt key is displayed to when an original of an interrupted copy job is read.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of interrupt control according to the present invention, showing the flow of execution processing of a copy job in which a document has been read and processing of restarting the interrupted job.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Input / display means 20 Operation panel 247 Interrupt key 3 Input / display control means 4 Control part 5 Image forming means 51 Scanner 52 Printer 6 Storage means 7 External device connection means 8 Post-processing part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor: Masashi Matsumoto 22-22, Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 AS02 HH03 HJ06 HK05 HK11 HN15 HR04 5B021 AA01 BB01 CC04 DD00 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB22 AB42 AC21 AC55 AC60 AF07 BA04

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An interrupt control method for temporarily interrupting the processing of a running job while a job registered in a job queue is being executed, and interrupting and executing a new job. When a request is made, select either to suspend the processing of the running job and interrupt the new job, or to execute the new job after finishing the processing of the running job Is performed in accordance with the progress of a job being executed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection according to the progress of the running job is performed based on the number of unprocessed pages of the running job. When the number of unprocessed pages is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, interruption of a new job is permitted, and when the number of unprocessed pages is less than the predetermined number, priority is given to processing of the job being executed. Control method for interrupting the job queue. 3. The job queue interruption control method according to claim 1, wherein the selection according to the progress of the running job is based on the remaining time until the processing of the running job is completed. A job interrupted when the remaining time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, and a priority is given to the processing of the running job when the remaining time is shorter than the predetermined time. Queue interrupt control method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection according to the progress of the job being executed is performed when reading of a document of a new job is completed. An interrupt control method for a job queue, wherein the method is performed. 5. An image forming apparatus having an interrupt control function for temporarily interrupting the processing of a running job during execution of a job registered in a job queue and interrupting and executing a new job. The interrupt control function, when an interrupt request for a new job is made, temporarily suspends the processing of the running job and interrupts the new job, or terminates the processing of the running job. An image forming apparatus configured to select whether to execute a new job after execution of the job according to the progress of the job being executed.