JP2005088474A - Image forming apparatus and method for controlling image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform an optimum processing on a print job which can receive an influence when an error is generated in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with an error detecting means which monitors a condition of each part and detects generation of the error disturbing processing and practicing the print job in accordance with the result of monitoring before the print job reaches an order of practicing, an informing means which informs a message to a host computer being an origin requiring the print job, and a controlling means which controls to inform the content of the detected error as a message of the informing means to the host computer being the origin requiring the print job when the error is detected in advance by the error detecting means in relation to the reserved print job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus control method in consideration of appropriate handling of reserved print jobs.

  Image data from at least one host computer is input via the network, and the image data is stored in the storage means while being reserved as a print job, and the image data stored in the storage means is sequentially imaged according to the output setting. Some are configured to form and output.

  In the case of an image forming apparatus capable of reserving print jobs in this way, a plurality of print jobs can be stored in accordance with the capacity of a storage unit such as a hard disk device. For this reason, even when an image is being formed for a certain print job, it is possible to read a document, store output settings, and store a reservation for a new print job, and use the image forming apparatus efficiently. There is an advantage that it becomes possible.

  In the case of an image forming apparatus capable of reserving a print job in this way, as described in Patent Document 1 below, for a print job once reserved, the output setting may be changed. It was possible to change the priority (output order) or delete the print job.

Further, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 below is proposed to have a function of changing the execution order so that execution is performed from an executable print job when a reserved print job cannot be executed. Has been.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-143013 (first page, FIG. 1) JP 2001-47697 A (first page, FIG. 1)

  For this reason, a print job that has become unexecutable is determined to be unexecutable after the order in which the print jobs are executed. Thereafter, the print job itself is deleted (cancellation of reservation) and all originals are read. In this case, it is necessary to make a new print job reservation.

  Further, some of the above-described patent documents 1 change the setting so that the print job can be output and automatically output it. However, the print job reservation is not desired by the user who made the print job reservation. It may be output. For example, when the A4 recording paper that has run out of paper is automatically changed to A3 due to the automatic setting change of the image forming apparatus, there is no problem for a user who does not care about the recording paper size, but A4 is always desired. In the case of a user or a user who desires B5, a problem occurs. In such a case, the user knows that the desired state is not obtained when the output result is received.

  Further, in the above-described Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561, a print job in a state where it cannot be output is postponed, and the print job is not executed no matter how long it waits, and the user continues to wait. It can happen.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and does not require a lot of work time and labor, and when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, the print job that is affected is optimally handled. An object of the present invention is to realize an image forming apparatus that can perform the above-described process.

  That is, the present invention as means for solving the above problems is as described below.

  (1) The invention described in claim 1 is connectable to at least one host computer via a network, and performs data reservation means for inputting a print job from the host computer and reservation / management of the print job. The print job reservation management means, the storage means for storing the setting contents of the reserved print job, and the status of each unit are monitored, and an error that prevents the execution of the print job according to the monitoring result has occurred. An error detection unit that detects a job before it reaches the execution order, a notification unit that notifies a host computer that is a request source of a print job, and an error in advance by the error detection unit regarding a reserved print job If the error is detected, the content of the detected error is An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising: a control unit that performs control to notify the host computer is a print job requester as di, the.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data input step for inputting a print job from at least one host computer via a network, a print job reservation management step for performing reservation / management of a print job, and a reservation A storage process for storing print job settings and the status of each unit is monitored, and an error that prevents execution of the print job is detected according to the monitoring result before the print job reaches the execution order. When an error is detected in advance by the error detecting step with respect to the reserved print job and the reserved print job, the content of the detected error is notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message. An image forming apparatus control method comprising: a notification step.

  In these inventions, when a print job is input from at least one host computer via a network, the print job is reserved and managed, and the setting contents of the reserved print job are stored. At this time, the state of each part of the image forming apparatus is monitored, and if it is detected before the print job processing execution order is reached, an error that prevents execution of the print job is detected according to the monitoring result. The contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  (2) The invention described in claim 2 is connectable to at least one host computer via a network, and performs data reservation means for inputting a print job from the host computer, and reservation / management of the print job. The print job reservation management means, the storage means for storing the setting contents of the reserved print job, and the status of each unit are monitored, and an error that prevents the execution of the print job according to the monitoring result has occurred. Error detection means for detecting before the job reaches the execution order, notification means for notifying the host computer that is the request source of the print job, and when a print job is newly reserved, the reserved Errors that have already been detected by the error detection means for the print job are Control means for performing control to notify the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message of the notification means when the error processing is affected. The image forming apparatus is characterized.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data input process in which a print job is input from at least one host computer via a network, a print job reservation management process for reserving and managing a print job, and a reservation A storage process for storing print job settings and the status of each unit is monitored, and an error that prevents execution of the print job is detected according to the monitoring result before the print job reaches the execution order. Error detection process to be performed, and when a new print job is reserved, the error already detected by the error detection process with respect to the reserved print job is detected when the print job processing execution is affected. Host computer that requested the print job with the error content as a message An image forming apparatus control method characterized by comprising a notification step of notifying against.

  In these inventions, when a print job is input from at least one host computer via a network, the print job is reserved and managed, and the setting contents of the reserved print job are stored. Here, when it is detected that an error that prevents execution of the print job is generated according to the result of monitoring the state of each part of the image forming apparatus, if the print job is newly reserved, the reserved When an error that has already been detected in the error detection step with respect to a print job affects print job processing execution, the contents of the detected error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message. To do.

  (3) The invention according to claim 3, wherein the message includes a model name or an identification number for identifying the image forming apparatus, or an IP address. The image forming apparatus described in the above.

  The invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that the message includes a model name or identification number for identifying the image forming apparatus, or an IP address. The image forming apparatus control method described.

  In these inventions, the message sent to the host computer includes a model name or identification number or an IP address for identifying an image forming apparatus that has troubled executing a reserved print job due to an error.

  (4) In the invention according to claim 4, the error is an error caused by the absence of the recording paper in the selected tray. The image formation according to claim 1 or 2, Device.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the error is an error caused by the absence of recording paper in the selected tray. It is a control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error due to the absence of recording paper in the selected tray has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and when the error affects the reserved print job, The error content is notified as a message to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  (5) The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected recording paper size. An image forming apparatus.

  The image according to claim 13, wherein the error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected recording paper size. It is a forming apparatus control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error due to the absence of recording paper of the selected recording paper size has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of the print job, and when the error affects the reserved print job, The contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  (6) In the invention described in claim 6, the error is an error caused by the absence of recording paper in the selected paper type. The image according to claim 1 or 2, Forming device.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected paper type. It is an apparatus control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error resulting from the absence of the recording paper of the selected paper type has occurred as an error that hinders the execution of the print job processing, and when the error affects the reserved print job, The error content is notified as a message to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  (7) The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the error is a failure of a double-sided image forming mechanism when double-sided image formation is selected. This is an image forming apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 19 is characterized in that the error is a failure of a double-sided image forming mechanism when double-sided image formation is selected. An image forming apparatus control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error due to the failure of the double-sided image forming mechanism has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and if the error affects the reserved print job, the error The contents are notified as a message to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  (8) The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the error is a failure of a stapling mechanism when a stapling process is selected. Device.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the error is a failure of a stapling mechanism when stapling is selected. It is a control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error due to a stapling mechanism failure has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and when the error affects the reserved print job, the content of the error is displayed. A message is sent to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  (9) The image of any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the error is an error without a staple when the stapling process is selected. Forming device.

  The invention according to claim 21 is the image formation according to claim 13, wherein the error is an error without stapling when stapling is selected. It is an apparatus control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error resulting from the absence of staples has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and when the error affects the reserved print job, the content of the error is displayed. A message is sent to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  (10) The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the error is a failure of a punch mechanism when punching is selected. Device.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, the error is a failure of a punch mechanism when a punch process is selected. It is a control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error due to a punch mechanism failure has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and when the error affects the reserved print job, the contents of the error are displayed. A message is sent to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  (11) The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the error is a failure of a paper folding mechanism when paper folding processing is selected. An image forming apparatus.

  The image according to claim 13, wherein the error is a failure of a paper folding mechanism when a paper folding process is selected. It is a forming apparatus control method.

  In these inventions, it is detected that an error due to a paper folding mechanism failure has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and when the error affects the reserved print job, the content of the error As a message to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  (12) The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the message includes setting information for enabling execution of the corresponding print job as the message. Device.

  The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein the message includes setting information for enabling execution of a corresponding print job as the message. It is a control method.

  In these inventions, information for setting to enable execution of the corresponding print job is included in the message notifying the error.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) In the inventions according to claim 1 and claim 13, when a print job is input from at least one host computer via a network, the print job is reserved and managed and reserved. Stores print job settings. At this time, the state of each part of the image forming apparatus is monitored, and if it is detected before the print job processing execution order is reached, an error that prevents execution of the print job is detected according to the monitoring result. The contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  Therefore, when an error that prevents processing of a reserved print job has occurred, the host computer that is a request for the print job is prompted to promptly deal with execution of print job processing in a desired state. As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. It becomes possible.

  (2) In the inventions according to claim 2 and claim 14, when a print job is input from at least one host computer via a network, the print job is reserved and managed and reserved. Stores print job settings. Here, when it is detected that an error that prevents execution of the print job is generated according to the result of monitoring the state of each part of the image forming apparatus, if the print job is newly reserved, the reserved When an error that has already been detected in the error detection step with respect to a print job affects print job processing execution, the contents of the detected error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message. To do.

  Therefore, if an error that prevents execution of processing of a reserved print job has occurred and a new print job that is affected is reserved, the host computer that is the request source of the print job is in a desired state. This will promptly deal with the execution of print job processing. As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. It becomes possible.

  (3) In the inventions according to claim 3 and claim 15, as a message to be sent to the host computer, a model for identifying an image forming apparatus that has caused an error and has interfered with execution of a reserved print job Include name or identification number or IP address.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, even if there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses, it is possible to identify the image forming apparatus in which the error has occurred from the host computer side, and a lot of work time. This makes it possible to optimally handle an affected print job without the need for time and effort, or without causing unnecessary printouts.

  (4) In the inventions according to claims 4 and 16, it is detected that an error caused by the absence of recording paper in the selected tray has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and the reserved print If the error affects the job, the contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error due to the absence of recording paper in the selected tray has an effect on the reserved print job.

  (5) In the inventions according to claims 5 and 17, it is detected that an error caused by the absence of the recording paper of the selected recording paper size has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of the print job, and is reserved. If the error affects the print job, the contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error due to the absence of recording paper of the selected recording paper size has an effect on the reserved print job.

  (6) In the inventions according to claims 6 and 18, it is detected that an error caused by the absence of the recording paper of the selected paper type has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of the print job, and the reserved print If the error affects the job, the contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error caused by the absence of recording paper of the selected paper type has an effect on the reserved print job.

  (7) In the inventions according to claims 7 and 19, it is detected that an error due to a failure of the double-sided image forming mechanism has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and the reserved print job When the error has an influence, the content of the error is notified as a message to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error caused by the failure state of the double-sided image forming mechanism has an influence on the reserved print job.

  (8) In the inventions according to claims 8 and 20, it is detected that an error due to a staple mechanism failure has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and the error is related to the reserved print job. If the error occurs, the contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error due to a staple mechanism failure state has an effect on the reserved print job.

  (9) In the inventions according to claims 9 and 21, it is detected that an error caused by the absence of a staple is generated as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and the error relating to the reserved print job is detected. If the error occurs, the contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error due to a stapleless state has an influence on the reserved print job.

  (10) In the inventions described in claims 10 and 22, it is detected that an error due to a punch mechanism failure has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job, and the error is related to the reserved print job. If the error occurs, the contents of the error are notified to the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error due to a failure state of the punch mechanism has an influence on the reserved print job.

  (11) In the inventions described in claims 11 and 23, it is detected that an error due to a paper folding mechanism failure has occurred as an error that hinders execution of processing of a print job. When an error has an influence, the content of the error is notified as a message to the host computer that is the request source of the print job.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. In addition, it becomes possible for the host computer to know that an error caused by the paper folding mechanism failure state has an effect on the reserved print job.

  (12) In the inventions described in claims 12 and 24, the message for notifying an error includes information on setting for enabling execution of the corresponding print job.

  As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming device, it is possible to reserve a print job without causing an error, and a lot of work time and labor are not required, or a wasteful printout occurs. Without affecting the print job that is affected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the image forming apparatus will be described using a copying machine provided with a document reading unit as a specific example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a printer-type image forming apparatus that does not include an original reading unit.

<First Embodiment>
First, the overall configuration of an apparatus to which the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, 10 is an image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper by an electrophotographic method, 20 is a document reading unit that generates and outputs image data by reading an image of a document, and 30 is from the image forming unit 10. This is a post-processing means for performing various post-processing such as sorting (sorting) processing by the sorting mechanism, stapling processing by the stapling mechanism, punching (punching) processing by the punching mechanism on the discharged recording paper.

  The image forming unit 10 includes a photoconductor 11, forms a toner image on the photoconductor 11 by charging, exposure, and development, and transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 11 onto a recording sheet. 12, a paper feed unit 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d for storing recording paper on which an image is formed, a recording paper reversing unit 14 for double-sided image formation, and a fixing device 15 for fixing a toner image on the recording paper.

  The document reading means 20 receives a document placing portion 21 on which a document is placed, a platen roller 22 that conveys the document and forms a reading position, a document discharge table 23 on which the read document is placed, and image light. And an image sensor 24 for converting into an image signal.

  Next, FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration of main components of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Here, the image forming apparatus 100 and host computers 301 to 30n constituting a plurality of host computers 300 are connected via a network 200. Here, the network 200 means various networks, and may be any of LAN, WAN, Internet, intranet, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 100 can be connected to at least one host computer via the network 200, and is configured to accept a print job from the host computer and perform image formation while accumulating it as a reserved print job. ing.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a control unit that controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, error notification control regarding a reserved print job is performed.

  120 is a data input means for inputting image data from the host computer as a print job via the network 200, 130 is a document reading means for reading the document and generating image data, and 140 is the external host computer 300 or the document reading means. Image processing means for performing various image processing necessary for image formation on the image data from 130, 150 is a storage means for storing the setting contents of the reserved print job together with the image data, and 160 is image data in the print job format. An image forming unit composed of a print engine that forms an image according to the order and forms an image on recording paper. 170 is a post-processing unit that executes post-processing such as stapling and punching on the recording paper on which the image is formed. Displays various states of the image forming apparatus 100 Is a display means.

  The control unit 110 also executes a print job reservation management unit 111 that reserves and manages a plurality of print jobs, and that the print job executes an error that prevents execution of the print job by monitoring the status of each unit. An error detection unit 112 that detects before reaching the turn, and a reservation job processing execution impossibility notification unit (notification unit) 113 that notifies a message related to an error to the host computer that is the request source of the print job. Has been. When an error is detected in advance by the error detection unit 112 with respect to the reserved print job, the control unit 110 uses the content of the detected error as a message of the notification unit 113 and is the request source of the print job. It is characterized by performing control to notify the host computer 300.

  The control unit 110 executes a control program for image formation and image processing, and executes operation control, various image processing control, and error notification control according to the present embodiment based on the control program. Is. In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, the image forming unit 160 may be an electrophotographic type using a laser beam, an LED print head, or an ink jet type.

  In this embodiment, “print job” or “JOB” refers to a copy print job, and output settings (related to image formation output) for image data generated by reading a document or by a host computer. This means that a series of image data is stored in the storage means together with various settings).

  Further, the “reserved print job” means that the image data received from the host computer and the image formation output are not performed in real time, but are stored (reserved) in the storage unit 150 in a waiting state for image formation and are in a waiting state. Means a print job.

  In the image forming apparatus as described above, the operation of the characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart showing the error notification control routine of FIG. 2 and the explanatory diagrams of FIG.

  First, the control unit 110 uses the error detection unit 112 to constantly detect the occurrence of an error that hinders execution of a print job in each part of the image forming apparatus during the operation of the image forming apparatus. The errors that hinder the execution of print job processing in each part of the image forming apparatus include at least the recording paper out of each tray, the failure of the double-sided image forming mechanism, the failure of each part of the post-processing means, and the like. There are also various other errors. Therefore, when various errors occur, the error notification control routine shown in FIG. 2 is executed.

  Then, the control unit 110 checks whether a reserved print job (reserved print job) is stored in the storage unit 150 (step S1 in FIG. 2). Here, it is assumed that the image data already generated by the host computer side via the network 200 is stored in the storage unit 150 as a reserved print job together with the output setting. At this stage, the job reservation management unit 111 in the control unit 110 checks the reservation print job list shown in FIG.

  In the screen example of the reserved print job list in FIG. 4, JOB1 to JOB5 have already been assigned as reserved print jobs, and JOB6 and later are unregistered print jobs.

  Here, the control unit 110 confirms the number of reserved print jobs and sets the maximum value to MAX (step S2 in FIG. 2). Here, since the reserved print job is 5, MAX = 5 is set.

  Next, a check counter loop LOOP_CNT, which is a counter for checking whether or not an error in each part of the image forming apparatus affects the reserved print job, is set to 1 (step S3 in FIG. 2).

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not the check counter loop LOOP_CNT exceeds MAX (step S4 in FIG. 2). If it exceeds (YES in step S4 in FIG. 2), the error notification control routine is terminated. FIG. 2 Step S4: NO) The error notification control routine is continued.

  First, the control unit 110 checks whether there is a case where the detected error affects the reserved print job and the reserved print job cannot be processed (step S5 in FIG. 2). Here, since LOOP_CNT is 1, whether or not an error already detected by the error detection unit 112 affects the execution of print job processing is checked for JOB001 present in the first place in the reserved print job list. Here, tray # 1 is selected for JOB001, there is no special paper type selection, and there is no post-processing selection.

  That is, if the recording paper in tray # 1 has run out (YES in step S5 in FIG. 2), an error message is sent from the reserved job processing execution notifying notification unit 113 to the host computer PCNT0001 in the network 200. (Step S6 in FIG. 2). Note that if there is an error other than the state in which the recording paper of tray # 1 has run out, the print job process execution is not affected (NO in step S5 in FIG. 2), and therefore the reserved job process execution impossibility notification means 113 gives an error. Never send a message.

  Thereafter, the check counter loop LOOP_CNT is incremented by 1 and the process returns to confirming whether the check counter loop LOOP_CNT does not exceed MAX (step S4 in FIG. 2). If it exceeds (YES in step S4 in FIG. 2), error notification control is performed. The routine is terminated, and if not exceeded (NO in step S4 in FIG. 2), the error notification control routine is continued.

  Here, since LOOP_CNT is 2, the control unit 110 determines whether the error already detected by the error detection unit 112 affects the execution of print job processing for JOB002 present in the second place in the reserved print job list. Is examined (step S5 in FIG. 2). Here, tray # 2 is selected for JOB002, there is no special paper type selection, and there is no post-processing selection.

  That is, if there is an error in the state that the recording paper of tray # 2 has run out (YES in step S5 in FIG. 2), an error message is sent from the reserved job processing execution disabling notification means 113 to the host computer PCNT0013 in the network 200. (Step S6 in FIG. 2). Note that if there is an error other than the state in which the recording paper in Tray # 2 has run out, the print job process execution is not affected (NO in step S5 in FIG. 2). Never send a message.

  Thereafter, the check counter loop LOOP_CNT is incremented by 1 and the process returns to confirming whether the check counter loop LOOP_CNT does not exceed MAX (step S4 in FIG. 2). If it exceeds (YES in step S4 in FIG. 2), error notification control is performed. The routine is terminated, and if not exceeded (NO in step S4 in FIG. 2), the error notification control routine is continued.

  Here, since LOOP_CNT is 3, the control unit 110 determines whether the error already detected by the error detection unit 112 affects the execution of print job processing for JOB003 existing in the third place in the reserved print job list. Is examined (step S5 in FIG. 2). Here, tray # 1 is selected for JOB003, there is no special paper type selection, and stapling is selected in post-processing.

  That is, if there is an error in the state that the recording paper of tray # 1 is cut, an error without stapling needles, or an error due to a stapling mechanism failure (YES in step S5 in FIG. 2), the reserved job processing execution failure notification An error message is notified from the means 113 to the host computer PCNT0009 via the network 200 (step S6 in FIG. 2). Note that if there is an error other than Tray # 1 recording paper out, stapling staple missing, stapling mechanism failure, print job processing execution will not be affected (NO in step S5 in FIG. 2), reserved job processing execution disabled notification means. No error message is issued from 113.

  Thereafter, the check counter loop LOOP_CNT is incremented by 1 and the process returns to confirming whether the check counter loop LOOP_CNT does not exceed MAX (step S4 in FIG. 2). If it exceeds (YES in step S4 in FIG. 2), error notification control is performed. The routine is terminated, and if not exceeded (NO in step S4 in FIG. 2), the error notification control routine is continued.

  Here, since LOOP_CNT is 4, whether or not the error already detected by the error detection unit 112 affects the execution of the print job for the job 004 present in the fourth place in the reserved print job list. Is examined (step S5 in FIG. 2). In this example, tray # 3 is selected for JOB004, and color paper is selected in the paper type selection and post-processing is not selected.

  In other words, if there is an error in the state that the recording paper of tray # 3 has run out, or there is no color paper in any tray (YES in step S5 in FIG. 2), an error message is output from the reserved job processing execution notifying means 113. To the host computer PCNT0005 via the network 200 (step S6 in FIG. 2). Note that if there is an error other than tray # 3 out of recording paper or no color paper, the print job process execution will not be affected (NO in step S5 in FIG. 2), so that an error message is output from the reserved job process execution disable notification means 113. It will not be emitted.

  Thereafter, the check counter loop LOOP_CNT is incremented by 1 and the process returns to confirming whether the check counter loop LOOP_CNT does not exceed MAX (step S4 in FIG. 2). If it exceeds (YES in step S4 in FIG. 2), error notification control is performed. The routine is terminated, and if not exceeded (NO in step S4 in FIG. 2), the error notification control routine is continued.

  Here, since LOOP_CNT is 5, the control unit 110 determines whether the error already detected by the error detection unit 112 affects the execution of the print job for JOB005 existing in the fifth place in the reserved print job list. Is examined (step S5 in FIG. 2). Here, tray # 2 is selected for JOB005, there is no special paper type selection, and punch processing is selected in post-processing.

  That is, if there is an error in the state that the recording paper of tray # 2 has run out or an error due to a failure of the punch mechanism (YES in step S5 in FIG. 2), an error message is sent from the reserved job processing impossibility notification means 113 to the host It notifies to PCNT0004 which is a computer via the network 200 (step S6 of FIG. 2). Note that if there is an error other than Tray # 2 recording paper out or punch mechanism failure, the print job processing execution is not affected (NO in step S5 in FIG. 2). Will not be issued.

  Thereafter, the check counter loop LOOP_CNT is incremented by 1, and the process returns to the confirmation of whether the check counter loop LOOP_CNT does not exceed MAX (step S4 in FIG. 2). At this point, the check counter loop LOOP_CNT becomes 6 and exceeds MAX = 5 (YES in step S4 in FIG. 2), so the error notification control routine is terminated.

  Therefore, when an error that prevents processing of a reserved print job has occurred, the host computer that is the request source of the print job is prompted to promptly cope with execution of the print job in a desired state. As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. It becomes possible. As a result, the host computer cancels the reserved print job before it reaches the execution order, reserves a new print job in an executable state, or reserves a print job for another image forming apparatus. It is also possible to do.

  In other words, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by changing the setting so that the print job can be output and automatically outputting it, the print job is output in a state not desired by the user who made the reservation. Can be avoided. As a result of the print job order being automatically changed, the order of print jobs that cannot be output will be postponed, and the user will continue to wait without waiting until the print job is executed. However, according to the present embodiment, it can be avoided.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2 described above, the routine is an error notification control routine for a reserved print job that exists when a new error occurs. For this reason, after the processing of this routine is completed, the reserved print job newly input from the host computer side is not checked. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, even when a new reserved print job is generated, it is preferable to execute the same error notification control routine as in FIG. 2 for this new reserved print job. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, for the newly generated reserved print job, the setting contents of the print job and the error contents are checked as in FIG.

  Therefore, if an error that prevents execution of processing of a reserved print job has occurred and a new print job that is affected is reserved, the host computer that is the request source of the print job is in a desired state. This will promptly deal with print job execution. As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. It becomes possible. As a result, the host computer cancels the reserved print job before it reaches the execution order, reserves a new print job in an executable state, or reserves a print job for another image forming apparatus. It is also possible to do.

  In the above description of the operation, when the paper type is selected, if there is a recording paper of the corresponding paper type in any tray different from the initial setting tray, image formation is executed on the recording paper. Because it is possible, it may not be treated as an error. Similarly, if a recording sheet having the same size as that of the selected tray exists in another tray, image formation can be executed on the recording sheet, so that it may not be handled as an error.

  Further, as an error message from the above reserved job process execution impossibility notifying means 113 to the corresponding host computer side, as shown in FIG. 6A, an error related to the setting contents of the print job on the image forming apparatus 100 side. In addition to a message simply indicating that the process cannot be executed due to the occurrence of an error, an error relating to the setting contents of the print job has occurred on the image forming apparatus 100 side as shown in FIG. And a message indicating both the error content and the like. In this case, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, it is possible to optimally handle the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without causing unnecessary printout. It becomes possible.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, an error relating to the setting contents of the print job occurs on the image forming apparatus 100 side, the processing cannot be executed, the error contents, and an identification number (model name or model name) of the image forming apparatus 100 An IP address etc.) is also conceivable.

  In this case, when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus, even if there are a plurality of image forming apparatuses without requiring a lot of work time and labor, or without generating unnecessary printouts. It is possible to identify the image forming apparatus in which an error has occurred from the host computer side, and it is optimal for the affected print job without requiring a lot of work time and labor or generating unnecessary printouts. It becomes possible to handle.

  In addition, the error message includes a list of currently occurring errors and information indicating whether the print job can be executed depending on which setting is canceled, that is, the setting information that enables execution of the corresponding print job. You may do it. As a result, when an error occurs in the image forming device, it is possible to reserve a print job without causing an error, and a lot of work time and labor are not required, or a wasteful printout occurs. Without affecting the print job that is affected.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the job reservation management unit 111, the error detection unit 112, and the reserved job process execution impossibility notification unit 113 are described as being present in the control unit 110. It is not something that can be done. That is, any of the job reservation management unit 111, the error detection unit 112, and the reserved job process execution impossibility notification unit 113 does not have any problem even if it exists outside the control unit 110.

1 is a configuration block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the mode of the image forming apparatus of the embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the image forming apparatus of the embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Control means 111 Job reservation management means 112 Error detection means 113 Reserved job processing execution impossibility notification means 120 Data input means 130 Image reading means 140 Image processing means 150 Storage means 160 Image forming means 170 Post-processing means 180 Display means 200 Network 300 (301 to 30n) Host computer

Claims (24)

A data input means connectable to at least one host computer via a network and to which a print job from the host computer is input;
Print job reservation management means for performing print job reservation and management;
Storage means for storing the settings of the reserved print job;
An error detection unit that monitors the status of each unit and detects that an error that hinders execution of print job processing occurs according to the monitoring result before the print job reaches the execution order;
Notification means for notifying the host computer which is the request source of the print job;
When an error is detected in advance by the error detection unit with respect to a reserved print job, control is performed to notify the host computer that is the request source of the print job as a message of the notification unit of the content of the detected error. Control means to perform;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A data input means connectable to at least one host computer via a network and to which a print job from the host computer is input;
Print job reservation management means for performing print job reservation and management;
Storage means for storing the settings of the reserved print job;
An error detection unit that monitors the status of each unit and detects that an error that hinders execution of processing of the print job according to the monitoring result occurs before the print job reaches the execution order;
Notification means for notifying the host computer which is the request source of the print job;
When a new print job is reserved, if an error already detected by the error detection unit relating to the reserved print job affects the execution of print job processing, the contents of the detected error are notified. Control means for performing control to notify the host computer that is the request source of the print job as means message;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A model name or identification number for identifying the image forming apparatus or an IP address is included as the message.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected tray.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected recording paper size.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected paper type.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is a failure of a double-sided image forming mechanism when double-sided image formation is selected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is a failure of the stapling mechanism when the stapling process is selected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is an error without a stapling needle when the stapling process is selected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is a failure of the punch mechanism when punching is selected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The error is a failure of the paper folding mechanism when the paper folding process is selected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. As the message, information on settings that enable execution of the corresponding print job is included.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A data input process in which a print job from at least one host computer is input via a network;
Print job reservation management process for print job reservation and management,
A storage process for storing the settings of the reserved print job;
An error detection step of monitoring the status of each unit and detecting that an error has occurred that hinders execution of processing of the print job according to the monitoring result before the print job reaches the execution order;
A notification step of notifying the content of the detected error as a message to a host computer that is a request source of the print job when an error is detected in advance by the error detection step with respect to the reserved print job;
An image forming apparatus control method comprising: A data input process in which a print job from at least one host computer is input via a network;
Print job reservation management process for print job reservation and management,
A storage process for storing the settings of the reserved print job;
An error detection step of monitoring the state of each unit and detecting that an error has occurred that hinders execution of print job processing according to the monitoring result before the print job reaches the execution order;
When a print job is newly reserved, if the error already detected by the error detection step with respect to the reserved print job affects the execution of print job processing, the content of the detected error is used as a message. A notification step of notifying the host computer that is the request source of the print job;
An image forming apparatus control method comprising: A model name or identification number for identifying the image forming apparatus or an IP address is included as the message.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected tray.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected recording paper size.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is an error caused by no recording paper in the selected paper type.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is a failure of a double-sided image forming mechanism when double-sided image formation is selected.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is a failure of the stapling mechanism when the stapling process is selected.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is an error without a stapling needle when the stapling process is selected.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is a failure of the punch mechanism when punching is selected.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, The error is a failure of the paper folding mechanism when the paper folding process is selected.
The image forming apparatus control method according to claim 13 or 14, As the message, information on settings that enable execution of the corresponding print job is included.
The image forming apparatus control method according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein

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