JP2018043387A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus, such as a printer, and a job processing method therefor allow a user to easily grasp the current job execution status, and change the output method and timing of his / her job based on the grasped status. A hardware load measuring unit measures the load status of hardware corresponding to a function to be executed by a target job input by a user. The job execution status analysis unit 115 analyzes the execution status of the target job. The system load determination unit 116 determines the current system load based on the load status measured by the hardware load measurement unit 114 and the execution status of the target job analyzed by the job execution status analysis unit 115. When the system load determination unit 116 determines that the current system load has exceeded a predetermined threshold, the display control unit 117 (interaction processing unit) provides the user with, for example, an operation panel (display unit) 118 of the target job. The current execution status is displayed, and interactive processing is performed to allow the user to interactively change the execution mode of the target job. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer.

  A multi-function printer (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) that can input a job via a network from a terminal device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) and has a combined function such as copy, fax, and scanner in addition to the printer function. ") Is popular.

  In such an MFP, a plurality of users may concentrate on the MFP from individual terminal devices via a network and transmit job data instructing job execution. In this case, there are various usage forms of the MFP depending on the purpose of use of the user, such as a general usage form with a small data capacity of about several pages, or the data capacity of one job and the number of printed sheets. There are some very large usage patterns.

  In that case, when printing instructions are actually given, many different jobs are mixed, and the resources of the MFP compete, so it takes more time than expected for job processing. Or a situation where printing is not in time for the meeting.

  Conventionally, in response to such a problem, when printing is not possible at a designated printing time or when printing cannot be completed by a designated printing completion time, a printing impossible state handling process set in advance for the job is performed. A technique for automatically changing to another print setting is known (for example, Patent Document 1 or 2).

  Conventionally, a function pack that executes a job is queried for the required job execution amount, and based on the answered job execution amount, the job execution amount required by the job is calculated and output as a permission request. A technique is known in which a decrease in job execution speed is suppressed by continuously executing jobs within a range of job execution amounts (for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2012-35458 A JP 2012-101390 A JP 2012-226537 A

  However, all of the above-described conventional techniques automatically change to another setting when job execution is stagnant or congested, or control in advance so that job execution does not stagnate. Therefore, for example, when job execution is stagnant or congested, there is a low degree of freedom for each user to select, and in some cases, execution of processing desired by the user may take a very long time.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily grasp the current job execution status and to change the output method and timing of his job based on the grasped status.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a hardware load measuring unit that measures a hardware load status corresponding to a function to be executed by a target job with respect to a target job submitted by a user. The current system based on the job execution status analysis unit that analyzes the execution status of the target job, the load status measured by the hardware load measurement unit, and the execution status of the target job analyzed by the job execution status analysis unit When the system load determination unit for determining the load and the system load determination unit determine that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold, the current execution status of the target job is displayed to the user and the user is interactive A dialogue processing unit that executes dialogue processing that causes the execution mode of the target job to be changed.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the dialog processing unit determines that the system load determination unit determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the same image formation target is included in the target job. If there is more than one, an interactive screen that prompts the user to rewrite the target section page with multiple identical image formation targets to a predetermined job format and output it to the outside is displayed. The target section page in the job is rewritten to a predetermined job format and output externally.

  According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the external output is output to a removable disk connected to the image forming apparatus or to another image forming apparatus via a network to which the image forming apparatus is connected. One of the outputs.

  In the first invention, the job execution status analysis unit calculates a predicted execution end time of the target job, and the dialogue processing unit determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold when the system load determination unit In addition, the estimated execution time of the target job is displayed to the user, a free time during which the target job can be executed is searched, and an interactive screen is displayed to prompt the user to execute the target job during the free time. When an instruction is given to execute the job during the idle time, the execution time of the target job may be moved to the idle time.

  Further, in the first invention, the dialogue processing unit is the target when the system load determining unit determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold and the target job specifies color printing. An interactive screen that prompts monochrome printing for job designation may be displayed to the user, and when the user instructs monochrome printing of the target job, the target job may be changed to monochrome printing.

  Further, in the first invention, the dialogue processing unit is a target when the system load determination unit determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold and the target job specifies inline prepress. An interactive screen that prompts the user to stop specifying the inline prepress in the job may be displayed to the user, and when the user instructs to stop specifying the inline prepress in the target job, the specification of the inline prepress in the target job may be stopped.

  In the above invention, when the system load determination unit determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold, the dialog processing unit executes a dialog process for the user via the display unit included in the image forming apparatus. You may do it.

  In the above invention, the dialogue processing unit is a terminal device operated by a user via a network to which the image forming apparatus is connected when the system load determination unit determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold. You may make it perform the interactive process with respect to a user via a display part.

  According to the first invention, the user can easily grasp the current job execution status, and can change the output method and timing of his job based on the grasped status. According to the second invention, the execution mode of the target job can be flexibly changed by rewriting a target section page having a plurality of the same image forming targets into a predetermined job format and outputting the same to the other image forming apparatus. It becomes possible to do. According to the third invention, the external output destination in the second invention can be set to another image forming apparatus connected via a removable disk or a network, and external output can be flexibly performed.

  According to the other invention, it is possible to easily grasp the estimated execution end time of the target job and flexibly change it to another idle time. Further, the execution mode of the target job can be flexibly changed from color printing to monochrome printing according to the degree of job congestion. Also, according to the degree of job congestion, it is possible to cancel the inline prepress designation and flexibly change the execution mode of the target job.

  Further, if the dialog processing for the user in the above invention can be executed via the display unit provided in the image forming apparatus and / or the display unit of the user terminal device connected via the network, the various settings described above. Changes can be made easily.

It is a figure which shows the block structural example of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the various control data in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a job control process. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a system load measurement process. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a job execution condition analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a dialogue process. It is a figure which shows the example of a dialogue screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration example of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to user terminal apparatuses 120 exemplified as # 1, # 2,..., #N via a LAN or USB network. The user terminal device 120 is, for example, a personal computer (# 1), a smartphone (# 2), a tablet terminal (#N), or the like. The user terminal device 120 outputs an image forming command such as printing, scanning, and fax transmission to the image forming device 100 from the application program executed on the device via the printer driver software.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101, an external reception I / F (interface) analysis unit 102, a data reception unit 103, and a job data analysis unit 104, for example, an external storage device 105 that is a hard disk storage device (HDD). The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a paper feed control unit 106 that controls paper feeding during printing and copying, paper transport, and paper discharge, a paper transport unit 107, and a paper discharge control unit 108. In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a WWW (World Wide Web) server unit 109 and an operation panel (display unit) 118.

  The control unit 101 includes an image forming unit 110, a storage control unit 111, a job control unit 112, a plan management unit 113, a hardware load measurement unit 114, a job execution status analysis unit 115, a system load determination unit 116, and a display control unit 117. (Dialog processing unit).

  In the configuration of the above embodiment, the instruction of the image forming command output from the user terminal device 120 is input from the external reception I / F analysis unit 102 to the data reception unit 103 via a network such as a LAN or USB. The data received here is further sent to the job data analysis unit 104, where job data as an image formation command is analyzed. Based on the analysis result, the image forming unit 110 in the control unit 101 forms image data for a specified function, such as printing or fax transmission. This image data is temporarily held in the external storage device 105 based on the control of the storage control unit 111. For this image data, the job control unit 112 controls the execution order of the corresponding job, and the plan management unit 113 controls the execution time and the like, and image formation (printing, faxing, scanning) at an appropriate timing. Etc. are executed.

  The hardware load measurement unit 114 in the control unit 101 measures the hardware load status corresponding to the function to be executed by the target job for the target job submitted by the user. The hardware here is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that constitutes the control unit 101. Next, the job execution status analysis unit 115 in the control unit 101 analyzes the execution status of the target job. Next, the system load determination unit 116 in the control unit 101 determines the current system based on the load status measured by the hardware load measurement unit 114 and the execution status of the target job analyzed by the job execution status analysis unit 115. Determine the load. Furthermore, when the system load determination unit 116 determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold, the display control unit 117 in the control unit 101 notifies the user via the operation panel (display unit) 118 or WWW. The server unit 109 displays the current execution status of the target job on the display of the user terminal device 120 via the LAN, and executes interactive processing that allows the user to interactively change the execution mode of the target job.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating examples of various control data in the present embodiment. These control data are temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) in the control unit 101. The control data includes CPU load (%) 201, job holding memory usage (%), job function number 203, job file size 204, job sheet number 205, consumables remaining amount 206, system monitoring target time. (T) 207 and the number of sampling times (n) 208 are stored.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of job control processing executed by the control unit 101. This process is a process in which a CPU (not shown) constituting the control unit 101 executes a job control processing program stored in a memory (not shown).

  First, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the system is operating, that is, whether or not a job is input from the user terminal device 120 and an image forming process is being executed (step S301 in FIG. 3). If determination of step S301 is NO, the control part 101 will wait until it will be in an operation state.

  When the system enters an operating state and the determination in step S301 is YES, the control unit 101 executes a system load measurement process (step S302 in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the system load measurement process in step S302 of FIG. First, the control unit 101 performs CPU load measurement corresponding to the function of the hardware load measurement unit 114 in FIG. 1 (step S401 in FIG. 4). Here, the control unit 101 measures the execution state of the CPU by executing a predetermined CPU load measurement program, acquires the current CPU utilization rate, and obtains the CPU load (%) 201 of FIG. Hold it in memory as data.

  Next, the control unit 101 executes job execution status analysis processing corresponding to the function of the job execution status analysis unit 115 in FIG. 1 (step S402 in FIG. 4). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the job execution status analysis process in step S402 of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, first, the control unit 101 obtains a percentage value indicating how much the job is retained in a memory (not shown) that holds the job, and uses the job holding memory usage (%) in FIG. This data is stored as data 202 (step S501 in FIG. 5).

  Next, the control unit 101 acquires the number of functions applied to the currently staying job, and retains it as data of the number of functions 203 applied to the job in FIG. 2 (step S502 in FIG. 5).

  Next, the control unit 101 acquires the job file size related to the target job and other jobs of the specific user who is staying, and holds it as the file size 204 of the job of FIG. 2 (step S503 of FIG. 5).

  Next, the control unit 101 acquires the number of sheets (number of pages) of the job relating to the target job and other jobs of the specific user who is staying, and holds it as the number of sheets 205 of the job in FIG. 2 (FIG. 5). Step S504).

  Finally, the control unit 101 calculates the estimated job execution end time of the target job, and particularly holds it as data on a memory (not shown) (step S505 in FIG. 5).

  After finishing the job execution state analysis process in step S402 of FIG. 4 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 described above, the control unit 101 passes the remaining amount of consumables (especially through a sensor (not shown) in the image forming apparatus 100). For example, the remaining amount of toner, etc.) is measured and stored as data of the remaining amount of consumables 206 in FIG. 2 (step S403 in FIG. 4).

  When the control unit 101 finishes the system load measurement process in step S302 of FIG. 3 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 above, it determines whether or not the current system load is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. (Step S303 in FIG. 3). For example, if the CPU load (%) 201 obtained as the data in FIG. 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined percentage threshold, the determination in step S303 is YES. Alternatively, if the job holding memory usage (%) 202, the job file size 204, or the job sheet number 205 obtained as the data in FIG. 2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage threshold value, the determination in step S303 is YES. . Alternatively, even if these control data values are equal to or smaller than a predetermined percentage threshold, if the number of functions 203 applied to the job obtained as data in FIG. Alternatively, the determination in step S303 is also YES when the remaining amount of consumables 206 is less than or equal to the predetermined number. The threshold determinations of the various control data in FIG. 2 may be combined, for example, weighted and added, and the result may be further determined as the system load.

  If the determination in step S303 is NO, the control unit 101 returns to the process in step S301. On the other hand, when the determination in step S303 is YES and it is determined that the load on the system is high, the control unit 101 executes an interactive process for the user corresponding to the function of the display control unit 117 in FIG. 1 (FIG. 3). Step S304). FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of the dialogue processing in step S304 of FIG. The user separately performs a login operation on the operation panel (display unit) 118, and the following description is an interactive process after successful login.

  First, the control unit 101 displays the estimated job execution end time calculated in step S505 in FIG. 5 on the operation panel (display unit) 118 of the image forming apparatus 100 (step S601 in FIG. 6). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an interactive screen 700 displayed on the operation panel (display unit) 118, and a message shown as 701, for example, is displayed by the processing in step S601. At this time, when the user taps the “Continue” button on the right side of the message 701 on the operation panel (display unit) 118, the control unit 101 continues the current target job as it is.

  Next, the control unit 101 makes an inquiry to the plan management unit 113 in FIG. 1 to search for a free time during which the target job can be executed (step S602 in FIG. 6). Then, the control unit 101 displays on the operation panel (display unit) 118 a message proposing to move the target job to the idle time (step S603 in FIG. 6). By the processes in steps S602 and S603, for example, a message shown as 702 in FIG. 7 is displayed. At this time, when the user taps the “change” button on the right side of the message 702 on the operation panel (display unit) 118, the control unit 101 searches for the target job in step S602 via the plan management unit 113. The execution schedule of the target job is changed so that the job is executed in the free time.

  Through the control processing of steps S601 to S603, the estimated end time of execution of the target job can be easily grasped, and can be flexibly changed to another free time.

  Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not full-color printing is designated in the target job (step S604 in FIG. 6). If the determination in step S604 is YES, the control unit 101 first calculates the execution time when the target job is changed to monochrome printing (step S605 in FIG. 6). Then, the control unit 101 displays a proposal message for urging to change the target job to monochrome printing on the operation panel (display unit) 118 (step S606 in FIG. 6). By the processing in steps S605 and S606, for example, a message shown as 703 in FIG. 7 is displayed. At this time, when the user taps the “change” button on the right side of the message 703 on the operation panel (display unit) 118, the control unit 101 determines that the target job is monochrome via the job control unit 112 in FIG. Change the setting of the target job to execute printing. If the determination in step S604 is NO, the control unit 101 skips the processes in steps S605 and S606.

  With the control processing in steps S604 to S606, the execution mode of the target job can be flexibly changed from color printing to monochrome printing according to the degree of job congestion.

  Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not inline prepress (for example, a function for realizing folding, enclosing, and sealing) is specified in the target job (step S607 in FIG. 6). If the determination in step S607 is YES, the control unit 101 first calculates the execution time when the inline prepress process is stopped in the target job (step S608 in FIG. 6). Then, the control unit 101 displays on the operation panel (display unit) 118 a proposal message that prompts to stop the inline prepress processing related to the target job (step S609 in FIG. 6). By the processing in steps S608 and S609, for example, a message shown as 704 in FIG. 7 is displayed. At this time, when the user taps the “Cancel” button on the right side of the message 704 on the operation panel (display unit) 118, the control unit 101 causes the target job to be displayed via the job control unit 112 in FIG. Change the setting of the target job so that the inline prepress process is canceled. If the determination in step S607 is NO, the control unit 101 skips the processes in steps S608 and S609.

  Through the control processing from step S607 to S609, it becomes possible to cancel the inline prepress designation and flexibly change the execution mode of the target job according to the degree of job congestion.

  Next, the control unit 101 determines whether the same image formation target exists in a target job over a plurality of sections (hereinafter referred to as “target sections”) regardless of whether they are continuous or discontinuous (FIG. 6). Step S610). If the determination in step S610 is YES, the control unit 101 first executes processing corresponding to the function of the data conversion unit 119, and converts the job format of the target section page into a format that can be processed by an external stencil printer (for example). Step S611 in FIG. Thereafter, the control unit 101 displays a proposal message for prompting external output regarding the target section page of the target job on the operation panel (display unit) 118 (step S612 in FIG. 6). By the processing in steps S611 and S612, for example, a message shown as 705 in FIG. 7 is displayed. At this time, when the user taps the “output” button on the right side of the message 705 on the operation panel (display unit) 118, the control unit 101 converts the data converted in step S611 regarding the target section page of the target job. The image data is output to a removable disk connected to the image forming apparatus 100, such as a USB memory (not shown). If the determination in step S610 is NO, the control unit 101 skips the processes in steps S611 and S612.

  By executing the control processing in steps S610 to S612, the target section page in which a plurality of the same image formation target exists is rewritten to a predetermined job format and output to the other image forming apparatus such as a stencil printing machine. It is possible to flexibly change the execution mode. For example, if you have a range of some pages that may print tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pages, and there is a sheet cluster that is sufficient in monochrome from one page to another, the removable disk should be It is possible to flexibly cope with such a situation by moving it and executing it with a stencil printing machine.

  Note that the target section page may be output directly to another image forming apparatus to which the image forming apparatus 100 is connected via a LAN or the like instead of the removable disk.

  As described above, when the interactive process in step S304 of FIG. 3 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 ends, the control unit 101 ends the current job control process.

  In the embodiment described above, the interactive process is executed by allowing the user to perform a login operation via the operation panel (display unit) 118 provided in the image forming apparatus 100. On the other hand, the dialog processing in step S304 in FIG. 3 shown in the flowchart in FIG. 6 corresponding to the function of the display control unit 117 in FIG. 1 is performed by the user terminal device 120 via the WWW server unit 109 in FIG. It may be displayed on the browser screen and executed. In this case, display data for interactive processing and data designated by the user are transmitted between the user terminal device 120 and the image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) communication protocol under the control of the WWW server unit 109. Communicated between.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Control part 102 External reception I / F analysis part 103 Data reception part 104 Job data analysis part 105 External storage device 106 Paper feed control part 107 Paper conveyance part 108 Paper discharge control part 109 WWW server part 110 Image formation part 111 Storage Control Unit 112 Job Control Unit 113 Plan Management Unit 114 Hardware Load Measurement Unit 115 Job Execution Status Analysis Unit 116 System Load Determination Unit 117 Display Control Unit 118 Operation Panel (Display Unit)
119 Data conversion unit 120 User terminal device 201 CPU load (%)
202 Job holding memory usage (%)
203 Number of functions applied to job 204 File size of job 205 Number of sheets of job 206 Remaining consumables

Claims (3)

A hardware load measuring unit that measures a hardware load status corresponding to a function to be executed by the target job for a target job submitted by a user;
A job execution status analysis unit for analyzing the execution status of the target job;
A system load determination unit that determines the current system load based on the load status measured by the hardware load measurement unit and the execution status of the target job analyzed by the job execution status analysis unit;
When the system load determination unit determines that the current system load exceeds a predetermined threshold, the current execution status of the target job is displayed to the user, and the execution of the target job is interactively performed to the user. A dialogue processing unit for executing dialogue processing for changing the mode;
An image forming apparatus.   When the system load determination unit determines that the current system load has exceeded a predetermined threshold and there are a plurality of the same image formation targets in the target job, the dialogue processing unit An interactive screen that prompts the user to rewrite a target section page having a plurality of targets into a predetermined job format and externally output is displayed to the user, and the target section page in the target job when the user instructs the external output The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is rewritten to the predetermined job format and output externally.   The external output is either an output to a removable disk connected to the image forming apparatus or an output to another image forming apparatus via a network to which the image forming apparatus is connected. The image forming apparatus described.