JP2008062584A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device which can improve productivity by reducing the stopping time of a print output by a print job which is impossible to be performed. <P>SOLUTION: The image formation device provides a storage means for storing the print job and a judging means for judging whether the print job during waiting stored in the storage means is performable or impossible to be performed. Whether the print job is performable or impossible to be performed is judged before the performance by the judging means. Further, a control means for changing the performing order of the print job during waiting judged to be impossible to be performed by the judging means after the following other print job during waiting is provided. Thereby, the performable other print job following to the print job impossible to perform can be rapidly performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that executes a plurality of print jobs in a predetermined order.

  A so-called digital multifunction machine having various functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a facsimile function is known. When such a multi-function peripheral is used as a printer, a plurality of print jobs may be transmitted simultaneously from a plurality of personal computers connected via a network, for example. The plurality of transmitted print jobs are temporarily stored in the image memory and executed in a predetermined order.

  However, even if the execution order changes for a specific print job, it cannot be executed if there is no paper of the size specified by the user in the paper feed cassette (paper empty state). In such a case, the user either cancels the print job, refills the paper cassette with a specified size, or changes the size of the paper and restarts the execution of the print job. You must take the method. Unless the user performs any operation, the print output remains stopped.

  When the print output is in a stopped state, even the next executable print job that is waiting can be stopped without being printed out.

  Such a print stop state is not limited to the case caused by paper empty, but may be caused by various causes. In other cases, for example, when there are no staples when you want to use the staple function, or when the punch waste collection box is full when you want to use the punch function, For example, when color ink is used up when printing in full color. Also in these cases, as described above, the print output is in a stopped state until the user performs some operation to eliminate these problems.

When there are a plurality of waiting print jobs, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a waiting print job is preferentially interrupted before another waiting print job, and the execution order is changed. The method is taken. The change of the execution order is effective, for example, when a print job with a large size is waiting before a print job to be output quickly. A print job with a high degree of urgency is interrupted before a print job with a large preceding size, and a print job with a high degree of urgency can be executed first.
JP 2000-305421 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot be changed when the print output is stopped even if the execution order of the print jobs on standby during the print output can be changed. For example, when a print job cannot be executed due to paper empty, the print output is stopped until the paper empty is canceled. Once the print output is stopped, the execution order of the standby jobs cannot be changed even by the method disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The present invention is proposed to solve the above-described conventional problems, and determines whether or not a waiting print job can be executed before execution, and can be executed prior to an unexecutable print job. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing print output stop time and improving printing productivity by executing a print job.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is premised on executing print jobs relating to image formation in a predetermined order. A storage unit that stores the print job and a determination unit that determines whether the standby print job stored in the storage unit can be executed or cannot be executed. The determination by the determination unit is performed before the print job is executed, that is, when the print job is waiting in the storage unit.

  The determination content of the determination means is not particularly limited, but for example, there is paper in the paper cassette, staples, the punch scrap collection box is not full, or any color ink is ink. It can be determined by detecting whether or not there is a break.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a control unit that changes the execution order of the waiting print jobs determined to be unexecutable by the determining unit after the other subsequent waiting print jobs. ing. By executing the waiting print job that cannot be executed by the control unit later, it is possible to prevent the print output from being stopped by the print job that cannot be executed. As a result, it is possible to prevent waiting for other waiting print jobs.

  In addition, while another print job is being executed first, the user can perform an operation so that the print job determined to be unexecutable can be executed, thereby eliminating the cause of hindering the execution. Accordingly, all standby print jobs can be executed without stopping the print output, and the print processing can be efficiently operated as the entire printing system.

  By adopting the above configuration, in the present invention, even when a standby print job cannot be executed, it is possible to efficiently prevent and prevent trouble with other subsequent standby print jobs. A printing system can be operated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is embodied as a so-called digital multifunction machine having a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  When the user uses the multifunction device 100 to copy a document, the user places the document on, for example, the document table 103 and instructs the operation unit to print. When the instruction is given, printing is performed by operating the following units (drive units).

  In the image reading unit 101, the light emitted from the light source 104 is reflected by the document placed on the document table 103 and guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirror 105. The image sensor 108 photoelectrically converts the received light to generate document image data.

  The image forming unit 102 forms an image on the paper fed from the paper feed cassette 122. The image forming unit 102 includes a photosensitive drum 109, a charger 110, an exposure unit 111, a developing unit 112, a transfer unit 113, and the like disposed around the photosensitive drum 109, and a fixing device 118 disposed on the downstream side thereof. Have. The surface of the photosensitive drum 109 is charged by the charger 110, and then light is irradiated by the exposure device 111 according to the image data. By doing so, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 109. The developing device 112 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image, whereby a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 109. Thereafter, the toner image is transferred onto a sheet by the transfer unit 113.

  Further, the image forming unit 102 feeds one sheet from any one sheet feeding cassette 122 by using a pickup roller 115 when performing printing. The paper drawn from the paper feed cassette 122 is drawn to the paper transport path 125 by the transport roller 116. Thereafter, the sheet is fed between the photosensitive drum 109 and the transfer unit 113 by the registration roller 117.

  When the sheet passes between the heating roller 119 and the pressure roller 120 in the fixing device 118, the visible image is fixed to the sheet by heat and a pressing force to the sheet. The image forming unit 102 discharges the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 118 to the discharge tray 121.

  Next, an operation method when the user uses the copying machine will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the operation panel in the present embodiment.

  The user can use the operation panel 201 to give a copy start and other instructions to the copying machine as described above, and to check the state and settings of the copying machine. The operation panel 201 is composed of a touch-type liquid crystal panel that is integrally provided with a display function and an operation function, and displays, for example, an operation screen having operation keys 202 and a message field 203. The user can make various settings such as the size, orientation, magnification, and density of the paper using the operation keys 202. The message field 203 displays a message notifying the user of settings such as the status of the copying machine, such as whether copying is possible or whether paper supply is necessary, the number of copies, the copying magnification, and the size of the selected paper.

  Further, the user can set the correspondence relationship between the type and size of paper and the paper feed cassette in which each paper is stored, using the operation panel 201.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction machine. The control circuit 301 of the multifunction peripheral 100 main body accepts the above settings and instructions and operates the multifunction peripheral. The control circuit 301 is connected to each circuit such as the circuit 302 of the operation panel 201 and the sheet feeding device.

  In the control circuit 301, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 303, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 304, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 305, and an image memory 306 are connected via an internal bus 307.

  The ROM 304 stores control programs, standard settings, and other data. The CPU 303 controls the operation of each drive unit by exchanging data and commands with a driver corresponding to each drive unit, which is also stored in the ROM 304, in accordance with a command of a control program in the ROM 304. The RAM 305 is used by the CPU 303 as a work area or for storing temporary data. Also, the correspondence between the type and size of the paper and the paper feed cassette that stores each paper is described in the paper management table on the RAM 305. This paper management table can be updated sequentially as the user changes the settings.

  The paper detection sensor 308 is provided in each paper feed cassette and detects whether there is paper in the paper feed cassette. There are various detection methods by the paper detection sensor 308. In this embodiment, the position of the lift plate provided in each paper feed cassette is detected. That is, the lift plate can be raised and lowered according to the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed cassette. For example, when all the paper is sent out and is no longer in the paper feed cassette, it is at the highest position, which is the highest position. Therefore, when the sheet detection sensor 308 detects that the lift plate is at the uppermost position, it can be understood that the sheet has disappeared from the sheet cassette.

  The image memory 306 is constituted by, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and has a function as a storage unit that stores a print job. The image memory 306 stores image data read by the image reading unit 101, image data transmitted from a computer via the network 321, and the like. The image memory 306 also stores a job ID assigned to identify the image data together with the image data. By retrieving the job ID, the image data corresponding to the job ID can be read from the image memory.

  A communication interface 309 and an internal interface 310 are connected to the internal bus 307 of the control circuit 301. The communication interface 309 receives image data sent from the computer 320 via the network 321.

  The internal interface 310 connects the operation panel circuit 302 and other circuits to the control circuit 301. The CPU 303 receives a signal from a circuit such as an operation panel through the internal interface 310 or transmits a signal to a circuit such as the operation panel.

  The operation panel circuit 302 includes a CPU 312, a display 313, operation keys 202, and an internal interface 314 on a bus 311. When the user operates the operation key 202, the CPU 312 transmits a signal based on the operation to the control circuit 301 through the internal interface 314. For example, when the density or copy magnification is set with the operation key 202, the setting data is sent to the control circuit 301. The control circuit 301 controls the image forming unit 302 according to the installation data.

  Further, when the CPU 312 receives a command from the control circuit 301 through the internal interface 314, the CPU 312 displays a message on the display 313 according to the command. For example, when the paper in the paper cassette or the large capacity paper feeder runs out, the display 313 displays a message prompting replenishment.

  Next, a processing procedure for executing a print job will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the job queue. A print job stored in the image memory is managed in the job queue 401. The job queue 401 has a so-called FIFO (First-In First-Out) method (first-in first-out method) in which a print job input first is output first. In FIG. 4A, four jobs are registered in the job queue 401 in the input order of job A, job B, job C, and job D, and job A located at the head of the job queue 401 is the execution target. When the execution of job A is completed, as shown in FIG. 4B, the job queue 401 deletes job A and slides job A to advance the execution order one by one. In this way, the print job positioned at the head of the job queue 401 is always executed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the job list. The job queue corresponds to job data arranged in the job list 501. The job list 501 includes an area for storing “job ID” 502, an area for storing “job status” 503, an area for storing “paper size” 504, and an area for storing “number of pages” 505. Yes.

  “Job ID” 502 is a number unique to a print job that is automatically assigned in the order in which the print job is input to the image memory. “Job status” 503 indicates a job execution state, and represents any one of a “PRINTING” state in execution, a “NEXT” state scheduled to be executed next, and a “WAIT” state in standby. Since the jobs are executed in the order from the upper column to the lower column of the job list 501, the “PRINTING” state is arranged in the uppermost column, and subsequently arranged in the order of “NEXT” and “WAIT”. “Paper size” 504 indicates the paper size designated by the user. “Number of pages” 505 indicates the number of documents to be printed.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction machine according to the present embodiment.

  The executability determination unit 601 determines whether a print job scheduled to be executed next (a print job in the “NEXT” state in FIG. 5) can be executed or cannot be executed.

  Specifically, the paper size of the standby job scheduled to be executed next is determined with reference to the job list. Subsequently, it is searched which paper feed cassette contains the paper size of the standby job. Information on which size paper is stored in which paper cassette is obtained from a paper management table described in the RAM.

  When a paper cassette that stores the paper size of the standby job is searched, it is determined whether or not there is paper in the paper cassette. The presence / absence of paper is determined based on a paper detection signal from the paper detection sensor 308. That is, when the paper detection sensor outputs a paper detection signal indicating that there is no paper, the execution determination unit 601 determines that the standby job cannot be executed.

  The execution order control unit 602 changes the execution order of the standby jobs determined to be unexecutable after other standby jobs. The standby job execution order is changed by changing the registration order of the print jobs in the job queue 401.

  The image forming unit 102 outputs jobs according to the registration order of print jobs in the job queue 401. When the execution order of the standby job is changed by the execution order control unit 602, the print job is executed according to the changed execution order.

  If the execution determination unit 601 determines that the standby job cannot be executed, the CPU of the control circuit instructs the operation panel 201 to display a message indicating that the standby job cannot be executed. When receiving a command from the control circuit, the CPU of the operation panel causes the operation panel 201 to display a message according to the command.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation panel displaying a message indicating that the standby job cannot be executed. The user of the standby job can obtain information that the sheet for which printing has been instructed has disappeared in the paper feed cassette by viewing this message 701. The user performs operations such as replenishing paper or changing the paper to make the standby job executable.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of replacing print jobs in the job queue. The job queue accepts four jobs, an execution job A and standby jobs B, C, and D (FIG. 8A).

  While the execution job A is being executed, whether or not the standby job B scheduled to be executed next (job status “NEXT” state) can be executed is determined by the execution determination unit. The timing for determining whether or not the standby job B can be executed may be any time before the standby job B is executed. The determination may be made while the execution job A is being executed, or may be made when the execution order of the standby job B comes around, that is, immediately before the execution of the standby job B.

  If it is determined that the standby job B cannot be executed, the execution order control unit moves the execution order of the standby job B to the end (FIG. 8B). To move the standby job B to the tail, the standby job B is temporarily deleted, the execution order of the subsequent standby jobs C and D is moved forward one by one, and the standby job B is moved to the tail (after the standby job D). ). As a result of the movement of the standby job B, the execution job A is followed by the standby job C, then the standby job D, and finally the standby job B is executed. However, it is determined before execution whether or not the standby job C can be executed. If it is determined that the standby job C cannot be executed, the execution order of the standby job C is turned to the end. If it is determined that the standby job C can be executed, the standby job C is executed after the execution of the execution job A is completed.

  Using the time during which the standby jobs C and D are executed, the user of the standby job B can replenish paper. Since the execution order of the standby job B is at the end, there is sufficient time until the execution order of the waiting job B is reached, and paper can be replenished slowly.

  The standby job B can be executed when paper is replenished, and is executed when the execution order comes around. In this embodiment, even after the paper is replenished and job B can be executed, the execution order of job B is left at the end, but there is no particular limitation. For example, when job B becomes executable, it may be preferentially advanced to the next execution order (job status “NEXT” state).

  In this way, it is determined before execution whether or not the standby job scheduled to be executed next is executable. If it is determined that the standby job is not executable, the standby job is executed later. In this way, it is possible to prevent the print output from being stopped due to a non-executable standby job and to execute another subsequent standby job first.

  In addition, it is possible to make a non-executable standby job executable while other standby jobs are being executed. As a result, it is possible to efficiently operate the entire copying machine without stopping the printing output of the copying machine.

  The embodiments described above do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Various modifications and applications other than those already described are possible within the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the standby job is changed to the end, but it may be moved anywhere as long as it moves after other standby jobs. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of replacement of print jobs in the job queue. The job queue accepts four jobs, an execution job A and standby jobs B, C, and D (FIG. 9A).

  The executability determination unit determines whether or not all the standby jobs B, C, and D can be executed. The execution order control unit changes the execution order of the standby jobs determined to be unexecutable after other standby jobs determined to be executable.

  For example, in FIG. 9A, it is determined that the standby jobs B and D are not executable and the standby job C is determined to be executable. In this case, the execution order control unit switches the execution order of the standby job B that cannot be executed and the standby job C that can be executed (FIG. 9B). As a result of the replacement, the execution job A is followed by the standby job C, then the standby job B, and finally the standby job D.

  The user of the standby job B can replenish paper using the time during which the standby job C is executed. Since the standby job B is not rotated at the end as described above, it is executed immediately after the standby job C is executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the standby job stored in the storage unit is determined based on the paper detection sensor as a method for determining whether the standby job is executable or not executable. However, the method is particularly limited. It is not a thing.

  For example, in addition to (or instead of) the paper detection sensor, a staple sensor that detects the presence or absence of staples for staple processing may be provided. A standby job for performing a stapling process cannot be executed if there are no staples. Therefore, a staple sensor is provided to detect whether or not there are staples before executing the print job.

  When the staple sensor detects that there are no staples, it transmits a detection signal to that effect to the execution determination unit. The execution availability determination unit that has received the detection signal determines that the standby job is not executable. The job management control unit moves the unexecutable standby job to the end of the execution order.

  As described above, the execution determination unit may determine whether the execution is possible or not based on the detection result of the staple sensor.

  In addition, a punching sensor that detects whether the punch scrap collection box is full or not may be provided. A standby job for performing a punching process cannot be executed when the collection box is full. Therefore, a punching sensor is provided to detect whether the collection box is full before executing the job. When the punching sensor detects that the collection box is full, the execution determination unit determines that the standby job cannot be executed.

  As described above, the execution determination unit may determine whether the execution is possible or not based on the detection result of the punching sensor.

  Furthermore, an ink remaining amount sensor that detects whether or not there is a remaining amount of color ink may be provided. A print job cannot be executed if any color ink is not used even though printing is to be executed in the full color mode. Therefore, an ink remaining amount sensor is provided to detect whether or not there is an ink remaining amount in each toner tank before the job is executed. When the remaining ink sensor detects that there is no remaining amount of any color ink, the execution determination unit determines that the standby job cannot be executed.

  As described above, the execution feasibility determination unit may determine whether the execution is possible or not based on the detection result of the ink remaining amount sensor.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for various apparatuses such as a copying machine, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral that simultaneously accept a plurality of print jobs.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multifunction machine. The figure which shows the operation screen of an operation panel. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware of a multifunction machine. The figure which shows the structure of a job queue. The figure which shows the data structure of a job list. Functional block diagram of the multifunction machine. The figure which shows an example of the operation panel which displayed the message to the effect that the standby job cannot be executed. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of replacing print jobs in a job queue. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of replacing print jobs in a job queue.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP 101 Image Reading Unit 102 Image Forming Unit 201 Operation Panel 306 Image Memory 308 Paper Detection Sensor 501 Job List 601 Executability Determination Unit 602 Job Management Control Unit

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus that executes print jobs in a predetermined order,
Storage means for storing print jobs;
A determination unit that determines whether the print job on standby stored in the storage unit is executable or not executable;
Control means for changing the execution order of the waiting print jobs determined to be inexecutable by the determining means after the other waiting print jobs that follow.
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the execution order of the waiting print jobs determined to be unexecutable to the last of the subsequent waiting print jobs. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the execution order of the standby print jobs determined to be unexecutable after the other standby print jobs determined to be executable. . Multiple paper cassettes,
Paper detection means for detecting the presence and size of paper in the paper cassette;
With
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the execution is possible based on a detection result of the paper detection unit.

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