JP2018103633A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

When a user moves a job and changes the execution order on a list of jobs in which a plurality of jobs are displayed in the execution order, a change in the job status that occurs after the job execution order is changed is displayed. By presenting it to the user, the situation that the user does not expect is prevented. An image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a control method thereof store input job information, and display a list of the stored jobs on a display unit in an execution order. In the displayed job list, the job is moved on the list in accordance with a user operation for changing the job execution order, and the job is moved in accordance with the movement of the job. The status of the job in question. [Selection] Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  When the user executes a plurality of print jobs, there is a case where the execution order of the print jobs for which a print instruction has been issued is desired to be changed once. In such a case, conventionally, after canceling the print instruction, the user changes the order of a plurality of print jobs by performing the print instruction again in the order in which the user wants to print. Alternatively, the user can change the print order by setting a print job whose print order is to be advanced as an interrupt job and executing the print job before a print job for which a print instruction has already been issued. .

  However, the former method of canceling all print jobs and issuing a print instruction again requires complicated procedures and operations such as screen switching. In addition, the method of advancing the execution order of a specific print job using the latter interrupt job must take into account various factors such as the characteristics of the interrupt job and the timing at which the interrupt job is executed. It was difficult to change the printing order on the street.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the user changes the execution order of print jobs more intuitively. According to this method, the user can change the execution order of the print jobs by dragging and dropping the print jobs on the list of print jobs displayed on the touch panel to change the order of the print jobs.

JP 2002-63004 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technique, the execution order of print jobs can be changed intuitively. However, changes in the printing status, such as the start time and end time of the print job, and changes in productivity that occur when the jobs before and after the print job are changed, are not known until the print job is actually executed. For this reason, the user has only to change or change the execution order of the print jobs by guessing or imagining the change in the printing situation caused by changing the execution order of the print jobs with experience or feeling. As a result, there is a possibility that the printing job execution order may be changed and a printing situation that is not assumed by the user may occur.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

  The feature of the present invention is that when a job is moved in the job list and the job execution order is changed, a change in job status caused by changing the job execution order is displayed, and the actual job order is displayed. Before the job is executed, the change of the job status is presented to the user.

In order to achieve the above object, a job management apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An image forming apparatus,
Storage means for storing input job information;
Display processing means for displaying a list of jobs stored in the storage means on the display unit in the order of execution;
Moving means for moving a job on the list according to a user operation for changing the execution order of the job in the job list displayed on the display unit;
Job status display means for displaying the status of the job when the job is moved according to the movement of the job by the moving means.

  According to the present invention, when changing a job execution order by moving a job in the job list, it is possible to display a change in job status caused by changing the job execution order. Accordingly, since the user can change the job execution order after grasping the change in the job status, it is possible to prevent the user from falling into an unintended situation by changing the job execution order.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including a printing apparatus that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a program module of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a list of print jobs displayed on the operation panel, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a list of print jobs when five types of print jobs are stored in a print queue. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the user selects a line of a print job (JobD) whose print order is to be changed from the state of FIG. 3B and performs a drag operation, and FIG. 3B shows a print job (JobD) by the drag operation. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the line is moved immediately below the line of the print job (JobA). Figure (A) showing a display example that shows the amount of change in productivity caused by adjustment of the fuser when the print job execution order is changed, and adjustment of the case binding machine when the print job execution order is changed The figure which shows the example of a display which displayed the variation | change_quantity of productivity resulting from (B). Fig. 7A shows a display example in which information on a shortage of paper and a display of a paper feed stage in which the paper is currently stored are added when the execution order of the print job is changed, and a print job currently being printed. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a display example when interruption of a print job being dragged is not permitted before. A diagram (A) showing a display example when displaying that the job being printed stops due to the movement of the dragged print job before the print job currently being printed, and the print currently being printed FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a display example for notifying that the job printing order cannot be changed. When a print job currently being printed is moved, a diagram (A) showing a display example for notifying that print processing by the print job is stopped and a row of the print job being executed (JobA) are moved by dragging. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of doing. A diagram (A) showing a display example when the row of the print job (Job A) being executed is moved by dragging, and the print job analyzed by the print job analysis unit according to the embodiment are stored in the print queue. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job management table for managing print jobs registered in a print queue. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the control unit when the user changes the order of print jobs on the operation panel of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the case of displaying the start time and end time of printing as auxiliary information of a print job being dragged in S1105 of FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of S1105 in FIG. 11 in a case where a change in productivity due to adjustment of the fixing device is displayed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in S1105 of FIG. 11 when displaying a change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine. FIG. 12 is a flowchart in which the process in S1105 of FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing processing when the dragged print job is moved before the print job being printed in the processing in S1105 of FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing when the processing in S1105 of FIG. 11 is permitted to change the printing order of a print job currently being printed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in S1105 in FIG. 11 when the printing order of jobs belonging to a group job is changed. The flowchart explaining the detail of the other process of S1801 of FIG. The flowchart explaining the other process of S1802 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a system including a printing apparatus 110 that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  In this system, an external terminal 101 that is an information processing apparatus such as a PC and a printing apparatus 110 are connected via a network 105. As a matter of course, a plurality of external terminals 101 may be connected to the network 105, and many users can use their own computers as external terminals.

  The external terminal 101 executes various applications, acquires input information from the user under the applications, generates a print job to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 110, and transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 110 via the network 105.

  Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 110 will be described.

  The control unit 150 includes an I / O control unit 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, CPU 114, HDD 115, and system bus 116. The control unit 150 performs various data processing to control the operation of the printing apparatus 110. The operation panel 120 receives various operations from the user via the UI via a touch panel or the like. The paper feed unit 130 has a plurality of paper feed stages, and each paper feed stage can accommodate a plurality of sheets. When printing, the paper fed from the selected paper feed stage is sent to the printer engine 140. The paper is conveyed and printed on the paper. The printer engine 140 prints an image on a sheet according to the image data.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 150 will be described.

  The I / O control unit 111 performs communication control with the external terminal 101 via the network 105. The ROM 112 stores a boot program. When the power is turned on, the CPU 114 executes the boot program, reads the OS and control program installed in the HDD 115, and expands them in the RAM 113. The RAM 113 functions as a main memory that stores a control program, and the CPU 114 provides a work area when the control process is executed. The CPU 114 controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus 110 by executing a control program developed in the RAM 113. The HDD 115 is used for the purpose of temporarily or long-term storing large-capacity data such as programs, image data, and print data. A system bus 116 connects the CPU 114 and the above-described units to transmit control signals, data, address signals, and the like. Furthermore, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided, and mode information from the operation panel 120 may be stored. The operation panel 120 displays a job list that is a list of print jobs, which will be described later, and the user can change the execution order of the print jobs by dragging and moving the line of the print job in the list. Can do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating program modules of the printing apparatus 110 according to the embodiment. Note that these program modules indicate functions realized by the CPU 114 executing a program expanded in the RAM 113.

  The print job analysis unit 201 analyzes a print job received from the external terminal 101, and reads out print data, print setting information, and the like included in the print job. Note that the print setting information is information related to the paper size, paper type, paper feed stage, finishing settings, etc., mainly used for printing. The print settings read by the print job analysis unit 201 are temporarily stored in a storage unit such as the RAM 113 or the HDD 115. The input processing unit 202 receives various inputs input by the operator via the operation panel 120. The display processing unit 203 displays a list of print jobs, a message described later, and the like on the operation panel 120. The status change acquisition unit 204 acquires information indicating how the print status changes compared to the current print order when the print job execution order is changed by the drag operation. When the user performs a drag operation of a print job on the list of print jobs, the change prediction unit 205 drops the print job from the coordinate information of the dragged print job and the display coordinates of the print job list. In this case, the printing order is determined. The memory unit 206 corresponds to the RAM 113 and the HDD 115, and holds data acquired by the situation change acquisition unit 204 and the change prediction unit 205. The control processing unit 207 controls the execution of each unit described above.

  FIG. 3A is a view for explaining the configuration of a list of print jobs displayed on the operation panel 120. The data on this screen is stored in the memory unit 206 and displayed on the operation panel 120 under the control of the CPU 114. The operator can grasp the execution order of the print jobs and the printing status by viewing this screen. The data on this screen can be transferred to the external terminal 101 via the network 105 and displayed, and the external terminal 101 can accept an input for displaying the list.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes an area for displaying a print job name. In this area 301, the print jobs in the print queue of the RAM 113 are displayed in order, and the print job currently being printed or the next print job is displayed at the top. In the display column 302, information for each print job such as the number of pages and the number of copies printed in each print job, or the current print state is displayed corresponding to the print job name 301. Note that these pieces of information need not always be displayed.

  FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a state in which the print job analyzed by the print job analysis unit 201 according to the embodiment is stored in the print queue in the RAM 113. Here, the print job input to the print queue is managed by the print job management table (FIG. 10) in the RAM 113. The update of the print job management table (FIG. 10) and the job list screen drawing process are also periodically performed during the print process.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a display example of a list of print jobs when five types of print jobs (Job A, Job B, Job C, Job D, and Job E) are stored in the print queue. In FIG. 3B, Job A is printing and the other print jobs are in a print waiting state.

  FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job management table for managing print jobs registered in the print queue in the case of FIG. At this time, the CPU 114 reads out the print job information from the print job management table shown in FIG. Then, the read print job information is transferred to the display processing unit 203 and displayed on the operation panel 120.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user selects a row 400 of a print job (JobD) whose print order is to be changed from the state illustrated in FIG. 3B and performs a drag operation.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state where the line 400 of the print job (JobD) is moved immediately below the line of the print job (JobA) by the drag operation.

  When the line 400 of the print job (JobD) is dropped in this state, the display processing unit 203 acquires the coordinate information where the print job (JobD) was dropped and the information of the dropped print job and performs control processing. To the unit 207. Thus, the control processing unit 207 obtains a new print order of the dropped print job from the coordinate information of the dropped position and the information of the dropped print job, and updates the print job management table. In FIG. 4B, the print start time (16:30) and the expected print end time (17:00) when the print job (JobD) is dropped are displayed. This will be described later. .

  FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of the print job management table updated by performing the drop operation in the state of FIG. In FIG. 10B, the print job (JobD) is moved after the print job (JobA), and the execution order of the print jobs is changed.

  When the print job management table is updated in this way, the CPU 114 reads the print job information from the print job management table according to the order of the print jobs, and displays it on the operation panel 120. In this way, the print job order is changed and displayed in the print job list.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the control unit 150 when the user changes the order of print jobs on the operation panel 120 of the printing apparatus 110 according to the embodiment. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 114 executing a program loaded in the RAM 113 at the time of execution. Therefore, in the following description, it is assumed that the CPU 114 performs the process shown in the flowchart.

  The user selects a line of the print job whose print order is to be changed on the list of print jobs displayed on the operation panel 120 and performs a drag operation. As a result, the CPU 114 detects a user operation on the operation panel 120. It should be noted that while the print job is being dragged, the processing of the other print job may be suspended, or the drag and drop operation may be performed while another print job is being executed. In step S1101, the CPU 114 determines whether or not the operation is a drag operation on a line of a displayed print job, for example, as illustrated in FIG. If it is determined that the operation is other than the drag operation of the print job, the process advances to step S1106 to execute processing corresponding to the operation. In step S1106, if the operation is a print job drop operation, a print job list in which the print job execution order is changed is displayed in accordance with the print status at that time.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1101 that the operation is a drag operation for a print job, the process advances to step S1102, and the CPU 114 acquires information about the dragged print job from the print job management table stored in the RAM 113. The process advances to step S1103, and the CPU 114 acquires information on the coordinate position of the line of the currently dragged print job. In step S1104, the CPU 114 displays the display coordinates of each print job line displayed in the print job list, the position information of the line of the print job being dragged acquired in step S1103, and the dragging line acquired in step S1102. The following processing is performed based on the print job information. That is, when the row of the currently dragged print job is dropped at the current display position, the printing order to be changed is obtained. In step S1105, the CPU 114 changes the display on the operation panel 120 based on the current print order, the print order obtained in step S1104, and the information of the print job currently dragged. The above process is repeated during the drag operation.

  With this processing, the printing apparatus 110 allows the user to drag the line of the print job and drop information at the dragged position to change the order of the print job. 120 can be displayed. As a result, the user simply drags the print job line on the print job list to change the print order, and how the print status changes when the print job order is changed. This can be grasped without changing the order of print jobs and executing printing.

  Hereinafter, an example of job status display and a specific example of displaying changes in the job status display and the like as auxiliary information will be described in detail.

<When displaying the print start time and print end time>
First, a process for displaying a print start time and a print end time of a moved print job when the line of the print job is moved on the print job list will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the case where the print start and end times are displayed as auxiliary information of the print job being dragged in S1105 of FIG. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 114 executing a program loaded in the RAM 113 at the time of execution. Therefore, the description will be made assuming that the CPU 114 performs the processing shown in the flowchart. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 12 is detailed only for displaying the print start time and the print end time in S1105 shown in FIG. For this reason, description of portions such as detection of a drag operation and acquisition of job information is omitted.

  First, in step S1201, when the movement of the line of the print job being dragged on the print job list is stopped, the CPU 114 prints the current print time of all print jobs that are being printed and are scheduled to be printed prior to the dragged print job. Get the time. Then, the print start time of the print job being dragged is calculated according to the order of the print job corresponding to the stopped position. In step S1202, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for printing from the information of the print job being dragged, and calculates the scheduled print end time based on the obtained time required for printing and the print start time calculated in step S1201. In step S1203, the CPU 114 displays the print start time and scheduled print end time of the print job being dragged on the operation panel 120 together with the print job being dragged.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example in which the print start time and the scheduled end time when the print job is dropped at the current position are displayed together with the print job being dragged.

  In the example of FIG. 4B, when the print job (JobD) is moved immediately below the print job (JobA), the print start time of the print job (JobD) is 16:30 and the scheduled end time is 17: It turns out that it becomes 00. When the user drops the print job (JobD) at the drag position in FIG. 4B, the print order in the print queue is changed, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B in S1106 in FIG. In FIG. 10B, the print job (JobD) is moved next to the print job (JobA), followed by the print job (JobB), the print job (JobC), and the print job (JobE).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when an operation for changing the print order by dragging a print job on the list of print jobs is performed, the print start time and the print end schedule of the print job moved by the drag are performed. The time can be displayed in real time. As a result, the user can grasp the print start time and the scheduled end time of the print job without executing printing by the print job, and the convenience for the user is increased.

<When displaying the change in productivity due to fixing device adjustment>
Next, a case will be described in which information regarding the change in productivity due to adjustment of the fixing device is displayed instead of the above-described printing start time and scheduled printing end time.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of S1105 in FIG. 11 in a case where a change in productivity due to adjustment of the fixing device is displayed. For this reason, description of the drag operation detection and job information acquisition will be omitted.

  First, in step S <b> 1301, when the movement of the dragged print job line stops, the CPU 114 acquires information about print jobs located before and after the stopped print job on the print job list from the job management table in the RAM 113. To do. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether the two print jobs can be printed in the same fixing device state (hereinafter referred to as a fixing mode) based on the sheet types included in the acquired two print jobs before and after. As a result, if it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1303 because the order is that the productivity can be improved originally, and if it is determined that printing must be performed in a different fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1302. In S <b> 1302, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the fixing device that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in S <b> 1301 are continuously printed. Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the determined time, the determined time is stored in the RAM 113 as the productivity change amount. This is because if the print job currently being dragged is placed between the two print jobs, adjustment of the fixing device, which should have occurred when the two print jobs are executed in succession, becomes unnecessary. This is because it is determined that productivity can be improved.

  In step S <b> 1303, the CPU 114 acquires information on a print job scheduled to be executed immediately before the stopped print job being dragged from the job management table. Then, based on the paper type included in the print job being dragged and the paper type included in the print job to be printed immediately before, it is determined whether or not these two print jobs can be printed in the same fixing mode. If it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the productivity can be improved by the amount obtained in S1302, and thus the process proceeds to S1305. If it is determined that printing must be performed in a different fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1304. In step S <b> 1304, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjustment of the fixing device that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S <b> 1303 are continuously executed. Then, it is determined that the productivity is reduced by the determined time, and the determined time is stored in the RAM 113 as the productivity change amount. This means that if the printing order of the print job currently being dragged is changed to a position on the list of print jobs that have been dragged, it will take time to adjust the fuser, and productivity will be increased accordingly. This is because a decrease occurs.

  In step S <b> 1305, the CPU 114 acquires information about a print job that is scheduled to be printed immediately after the print job stopped during dragging from the job management table. The CPU 114 determines whether these two print jobs can be printed in the same fixing mode from the print job being dragged and the paper type of the print job scheduled to be printed immediately after the dragged print job. As a result, if it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the productivity can be improved by the amount obtained in S1302, and thus the process proceeds to S1307. If it is determined that printing must be performed in a different fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1306. In step S <b> 1306, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the fixing device that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S <b> 1305 are continuously printed. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the determined time, it is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  The process advances to step S1307, and the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on print jobs originally located before and after the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when a print job (JobD) is dragged, for example, information on the print job (JobC) and the print job (JobE) positioned before and after the print job (JobD) on the list of FIG. It corresponds to acquiring. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether or not the two print jobs can be executed in the same fixing mode from the paper types included in the acquired two print jobs. In this method, by moving a print job, the print jobs before and after the print job are continuously executed, and it is determined whether or not the productivity is lowered. If it does not occur, it does not affect the productivity change. If it is determined in S1307 that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1309. If it is determined that printing is performed in a different fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1308. In step S <b> 1308, the CPU 114 acquires time required for fixing device adjustment that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S <b> 1307 are printed in succession. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the acquired time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  The process advances to step S1309, and the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job scheduled to be printed immediately before the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when a print job (JobD) is dragged, for example, information on the print job (JobC) located before the print job (JobD) on the list in FIG. To do. Then, the CPU 114 determines that the two print jobs are in the same fixing mode from the information of the print job being dragged and the paper type included in the print job scheduled to be printed immediately before the print job being dragged in the current print order. It is determined whether printing is possible. As a result, if it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1311. If it is determined that printing is performed in a different fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1310. In step S <b> 1310, the CPU 114 adjusts the fixing unit that occurs when the dragging print job and the print job that is scheduled to be printed immediately before are printed in the current print order. Find the time it takes to complete. Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity. This is because the dragged print job is moved to another location in the print order of the current print job list, so that it is not necessary to adjust the fuser with the print job scheduled to be printed immediately before. Because.

  The process advances to step S <b> 1311, and the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job that is scheduled to be printed immediately after the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when a print job (JobD) is being dragged, for example, information on the print job (JobE) located after the print job (JobD) on the list in FIG. 3B is acquired. . The CPU 114 can print these two print jobs in the same fixing mode from the information of the print job being dragged and the paper type of the print job scheduled to be printed immediately after the print job being dragged in the current print order. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1313. If it is determined that printing is performed in a different fixing mode, the process proceeds to S1312. In step S1312, the CPU 114 is required to adjust the fixing unit that is generated when the information about the print job being dragged and the print job scheduled to be printed immediately after the print job being dragged in the current print order are continuously printed. Ask for time. Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  In this way, the process proceeds to S1313, and the CPU 114 obtains the total productivity change amount generated by adjustment of the fixing device, which is stored in the RAM 113 in S1302, S1304, S1306, S1308, S1310, and S1312. Then, the amount of change in productivity when the print job is moved to the position of the line of the print job that is currently being dragged and stopped is displayed on the operation panel 120.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a display example in which the amount of change in productivity due to adjustment of the fixing device is displayed when the execution order of print jobs is changed.

  FIG. 5A shows that when the print job (JobC) being dragged is moved after the print job (JobD), the productivity is improved and the time required for adjusting the fixing device is reduced by 5 minutes. In this state, when the user drops the print job (JobC) at the current position, the print order of the print jobs in the print queue is changed to JobA, JobD, and JobC in step S1106 in FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the execution order of a print job is changed by dragging a line of the print job on the print job list, it is caused by adjustment of the fixing device according to the movement position. The amount of change in productivity can be displayed in real time. As a result, the user can confirm whether the productivity of the entire job is reduced by adjusting the fixing device only by changing the order of the print jobs without actually executing the print job.

<Displaying changes in productivity due to adjustment of case binding>
Next, an example of displaying a change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in S1105 of FIG. 11 in the case where a change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine is displayed. For this reason, description of the drag operation detection and job information acquisition will be omitted.

  First, in step S <b> 1401, when the movement of the dragged print job line stops, the CPU 114 acquires information about print jobs located before and after the stopped print job on the print job list from the job management table in the RAM 113. To do. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether or not case binding is set for any one of the print jobs based on the acquired print job information before and after. If case binding is set for both print jobs, or case binding is not set for any print job, the process advances to step S1403. If case binding is set for only one of the print jobs, The process proceeds to S1402. In step S1402, the CPU 114 obtains a time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1401 are continuously executed. Then, it is set as the amount of change in productivity and stored in the RAM 113 as the productivity is improved by the determined time. This eliminates the need for adjustment of the case binding machine, which should have occurred in the order of the previous print jobs when the currently dragged print job has moved to a position where the drag operation has stopped. This is because productivity is improved accordingly.

  In step S1403, the CPU 114 acquires information on a print job scheduled to be executed immediately before the print job stopped by dragging from the job management table. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether or not case binding is set for any one of the print job being dragged and the print job scheduled to be executed immediately before the dragged print job. To do. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or case binding is not set for both, the process advances to step S1405. If case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs, the process advances to step S1404. In step S <b> 1404, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjustment of the case binding machine, which occurs when the print job being dragged and the previous print job are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the calculated time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity. This means that when the print job being dragged has moved to the current position, adjustment of the case binding machine, which should not have occurred in the previous printing order, is necessary, which reduces productivity. Because.

  The process advances to step S1405, and the CPU 114 acquires information on a print job scheduled to be executed immediately after the print job stopped during dragging from the job management table. Then, the CPU 114 sets the case binding for only one of the print job stopped during the dragging and the print job scheduled to be executed immediately after the print job stopped during the dragging. It is determined whether or not. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or if case binding is not set for both, the process advances to step S1407. If case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs, the process advances to step S1406. move on. In step S <b> 1406, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when these two print jobs are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the calculated time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  In step S1407, the CPU 114 acquires information about print jobs before and after the print job being dragged from the job management table in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when a print job (JobD) is dragged, for example, information on the print job (JobC) and the print job (JobE) positioned before and after the print job (JobD) on the list of FIG. It corresponds to acquiring. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether or not case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs from the acquired information of the two print jobs. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or if case binding is not set for both, the process advances to step S1409. If case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs, the process advances to step S1408. move on. In step S1408, the CPU 114 obtains a time required for adjusting the case binding machine that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1407 are executed in succession. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the calculated time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  In step S1409, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job scheduled to be executed immediately before the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when a print job (JobD) is dragged, for example, information on the print job (JobC) located immediately before the print job (JobD) on the list of FIG. To do. Then, the CPU 114 sets the case binding for only one of the information on the print job being dragged and the print job executed immediately before the print job being dragged in the current print order. Judge whether it is. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or case binding is not set for both, the process advances to step S1411. If case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs, the process advances to step S1410. In step S1410, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the case binding machine that occurs when two print jobs are executed in succession. Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  In step S1411, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job scheduled to be executed immediately after the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when the print job (JobD) is dragged, for example, the information of the print job (JobE) located immediately after the print job (JobD) on the list of FIG. To do. Then, the CPU 114 sets the case binding for only one of the information on the print job being dragged and the print job executed immediately after the print job being dragged in the current print order. Judge whether it is. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or case binding is not set for both, the process advances to step S1413. If case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs, the process advances to step S1412. move on. In step S <b> 1412, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the case binding machine that is generated when two print jobs are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  In this way, the processing proceeds to S1413, and the CPU 114 moves the information on the total amount of change in productivity caused by adjustment of the case binding machine to the position of the line of the print job that is currently stopped while dragging. It is displayed as the amount of change in productivity.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the display of the change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine is added to the row of the print job being dragged.

  FIG. 5B shows that when the dragged print job (JobC) is moved after the print job (JobD), productivity is improved and the time required for adjusting the case binding machine is reduced by 5 minutes. . In this state, when the user drops the print job (JobC) at the current position, the print order of the print jobs in the print queue is changed according to the position in S1106 of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the print job line is dragged on the print job list to change the execution order of the print jobs, the adjustment time of the case binding machine is set according to the moved position. The amount of change in productivity can be displayed in real time. Thus, the user can confirm whether the productivity of the entire job is reduced by adjusting the case binding machine by changing the order of the print jobs without actually executing the print job.

<When displaying information about the paper source>
Next, an example will be described in which information regarding the paper feed tray is displayed as the print auxiliary information.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in S1105 of FIG. 11 in the case where information relating to the paper feed tray is displayed. For this reason, description of the drag operation detection and job information acquisition will be omitted.

  In step S <b> 1501, the CPU 114 acquires information (paper size, type, number, etc.) of paper currently stored in the paper feed stage of the printing apparatus 110 from the paper feed unit 130. In step S1502, the CPU 114 specifies a job that matches the information of the print job being dragged from the print job list representing the print order. Then, the CPU 114 acquires paper information (size, type, number of sheets) used by all the print jobs scheduled to be printed before the specified print job from the print job management table (FIG. 10). In step S1503, the CPU 114 obtains information on paper stored in the current paper feed stage and information on paper used by a print job scheduled to be executed before the print job being dragged. Based on the information on the paper, when the dragging print job is executed, the information on the paper stored in the paper feed stage is obtained. In step S <b> 1504, the CPU 114 executes the dragging print job based on the paper information used for printing by the dragged print job and the paper information stored in the paper feed stage obtained in step S <b> 1503. It is determined whether or not a sheet runs out. In step S1504, if the CPU 114 determines that the sheet runs out, the process advances to step S1505. If the CPU 114 determines that no sheet runs out, the process ends. In step S <b> 1505, the CPU 114 obtains the type and number of sheets that are insufficient when the print job being dragged is executed. In step S1506, the CPU 114 moves the print job to the position of the line of the print job currently being dragged on the operation panel 120 based on the information on the shortage paper. The type and the paper feed stage in which the paper is currently stored are displayed.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a display example in which the display of the paper size, type, type, and paper feed stage in which the paper is currently stored is added to the row of the print job (JobD) being dragged. It is. In FIG. 6A, it is displayed that there is a shortage of paper, that the paper is A4 size, plain paper, the number of sheets is 500, and that there is no paper feed stage storing that much paper. Yes.

  In this state, when the user drops the print job (JobD) at that position, the printing order in the print queue is changed according to the user's drop operation in S1106 of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the print job line is dragged on the print job list to change the execution order of the print jobs, the paper used for the print job is changed according to the movement position. Information and information related to the paper feed tray can be displayed in real time. Thus, the user can confirm whether there is a sheet on which the print job can be executed by changing the order of the print jobs without actually executing the print job. In this way, the user can prevent printing from being stopped due to running out of paper due to changing the execution order of the print jobs.

<When the move destination of the print job being dragged is before the print job currently being printed>
Next, as auxiliary print information, display of auxiliary information when the destination of the job print being dragged is before the print job currently being printed will be described.

  FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts for explaining processing in the case where an attempt is made to move the dragged print job before the print job being printed in the processing in S1105 of FIG. For this reason, description of the drag operation detection and job information acquisition will be omitted.

  FIG. 16A is a flowchart showing processing when an interrupt of another print job is not permitted before the print job currently being printed.

  In step S <b> 1601, the CPU 114 specifies a print job corresponding to the row of the print job currently being dragged, and acquires information on the print job scheduled to be printed after the print job being dragged from the print job management list. If the CPU 114 determines from the acquired print job information that there is a print job being printed after the moved print job, the process advances to step S1602, and if not, the process ends. In step S <b> 1602, the CPU 114 indicates that the currently dragged print job is going to interrupt before the currently printed print job, so that the currently dragged print job cannot be moved to the current dragged position. 120.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a display example when interruption of a print job being dragged is not permitted before the print job currently being printed.

  In FIG. 6B, the print job (JobD) being dragged is moved before the print job (JobA) being printed. Therefore, the message “Cannot move before the current print job” is displayed on the print job (JobD) to inform the user that the print job being dragged cannot be moved to the current drag position. .

  When the print job being dragged by the user is dropped at that position in the state shown in FIG. 6B, the print order of the print job (JobD) is changed in S1106 of FIG. The process ends without performing it.

  Next, FIG. 16B is a flowchart showing processing in a case where interruption of another print job is permitted before the print job being printed.

  Since the process of S1611 is the same as the process of S1601 of FIG. If the current job is moved before the job being printed in step S1611, the process advances to step S1612. The CPU 114 displays that the job being printed is stopped because the print job currently being dragged is going to interrupt before the job being printed. To do.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a display example when a message indicating that the job being printed is stopped is displayed because the print job being dragged is moved before the print job being printed. In FIG. 7A, the print job (JobD) being dragged is moved before the print job (JobA) being printed. Accordingly, in this case, the printing process by the print job (Job A) being executed is stopped.

  If the user drops the print job (JobD) at the current position in the display state of FIG. 7A, the CPU 114 causes the printer engine 140 to be currently executing in S1106 of FIG. A print job (Job A) stop instruction is issued. After the stop instruction of the print job being executed, the print order of the print job (JobD) is changed according to the user's drop operation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the print job line is dragged on the print job list to change the execution order of the print jobs, and the movement destination is before the print job being printed. You can show what happens when you actually change it. Thereby, although the user does not intend, the user can immediately understand the reason that the job being printed is stopped or the execution order is not intended by the user, just by changing the order of the print jobs.

<When trying to change the print order of a job that is currently printing>
Next, display of auxiliary information when changing the printing order of a job currently being printed will be described as print auxiliary information.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are flowcharts showing processing when the change of the printing order of the print job currently being printed is permitted. For this reason, description of the drag operation detection and job information acquisition will be omitted.

  FIG. 17A is a flowchart illustrating a process in the case where the change of the print order of the print job currently being printed is not permitted.

  In step S <b> 1701, the CPU 114 acquires the print status of the print job currently being dragged from the print job management list. If the acquired printing status indicates that printing is in progress, the process moves to S1702, and if waiting for printing, the process ends. In step S <b> 1702, the CPU 114 displays on the operation panel 120 that the print job being dragged is a job being printed, and thus the print order cannot be changed.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a display example for notifying that the print order of the print job being printed cannot be changed because the print job currently being printed is moved. In FIG. 7B, the print job (JobA) that is executing the printing process is dragged and its execution order is about to be changed, so the message “Printing order cannot be changed because it is printing” is displayed. Has been.

  When the user drops the print job (JobA) in the display state of FIG. 7B, in S1106 of FIG. 11, the CPU 114 ends the process without changing the execution order of the print job.

  FIG. 17B is a flowchart showing the processing when the change of the printing order of the print job currently being printed is permitted.

  The processing in S1711 is the same as the processing in S1701 in FIG. If the dragged print job is being printed in S 1711, the process proceeds to S 1712, and if the print order of the print job is changed, the CPU 114 displays on the operation panel 120 that the print processing by the print job is stopped.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a display example for notifying that the print processing by the print job is stopped when the print job (Job A) currently being printed is moved.

  When the user drops the print job (JobA) at the displayed position in the display state of FIG. 8A, the job currently being executed to the printer engine 140 in S1106 of FIG. The stop instruction is issued. Then, after an instruction to stop the currently executed print job, the execution order of the print job is changed according to the user's drop operation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display what operation is performed when the execution order of a job currently being printed is changed. This allows the user to immediately understand the reason why the job currently being executed stops unintentionally or changes to the execution order of an unintended print job by changing the order of the print jobs. It becomes.

<When trying to change the print order of jobs included in a group job>
Next, display of auxiliary information when the print order of jobs included in a group job is to be changed as print auxiliary information will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in S1105 of FIG. 11 in the case where the printing order of jobs belonging to a group job is changed. For this reason, description of the drag operation detection and job information acquisition will be omitted.

  First, in step S <b> 1801, the CPU 114 determines the content to be displayed by determining a change in print status that occurs depending on whether the print job currently being dragged is a group print job, and stores the result in the RAM 113. Next, the processing advances to step S1802, and the CPU 114 determines a change in the print status that occurs according to the print status of the group job to which the print job currently being dragged belongs, determines the content to be displayed, and stores it in the RAM 113. In step S1803, the CPU 114 acquires the display contents stored in the RAM 113 in steps S1801 and S1802, and displays information related to changing the printing order of the group job to which the currently dragged job belongs on the operation panel 120.

  FIGS. 19A and 19B are flowcharts illustrating details of the processing of S1801 in FIG. Therefore, the description of the information display portion is omitted.

  FIG. 19A is a flowchart when a change in the execution order of only some print jobs belonging to a group job is permitted.

  First, in step S1901, the CPU 114 determines whether it belongs to the group from the job information of the currently dragged print job. As a result, if it is determined that it belongs to the group, the process proceeds to S1902, and if it is determined that it does not belong to the group, the process is ended as it is. In step S1902, the CPU 114 stores the print job being dragged in the group in the RAM 113 that displays that the execution order of only the print job being dragged is changed.

  If the user drops a print job while the UI indicating that the execution order is changed only for the print job currently being dragged, the execution order of the print jobs in the print job management table is changed in S1106 of FIG. To do. In other words, the group-related information is deleted from the print job attribute being dragged in the print job management table, and the execution order of the print job is changed according to the user's drop operation.

  FIG. 19B is a flowchart when the printing order is changed for all jobs belonging to the group.

  Since the process of S1911 is the same as S1901 of FIG. If the print job being dragged belongs to the group in step S1911, the process advances to step S1912, and the CPU 114 stores in the RAM 113 so as to display that the print order of the entire group is to be changed.

  In this case, a UI indicating that the print order of the entire group to which the print job belongs is changed by dragging the print job is displayed. In this state, when the user drops the dragged print job, the group to which the currently dragged print job belongs is obtained from the print job management table in S1106 of FIG. Then, the printing order of all print jobs belonging to the group is changed.

  As a result, it is possible to move the entire group to which the print job being dragged belongs, or to move only the print job being dragged within the group.

  20A and 20B are flowcharts for explaining the processing in S1802 of FIG.

  FIG. 20A is a flowchart illustrating a process in a case where the change of the print order is permitted even when a part of the print jobs belonging to the group job is being printed.

  First, in step S2001, the CPU 114 acquires the print statuses of all print jobs belonging to the same group as the currently dragged print job from the print job management table. Then, it is determined whether there is a print job in the acquired print job. If it is determined that there is a job being printed, the process proceeds to S2002. If not, the process ends. In step S2002, since there is a job being printed in the group to which the print job being dragged belongs, the CPU 114 displays that the execution of the print job being printed is stopped.

  FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a display example when the row of the print job (JobA) being executed is dragged and moved. Here, it is displayed that the entire group to which the print job (JobA) belongs is moved in accordance with the dragging of the row of the print job (JobA), and the print processing of the print job (JobA) currently being printed is stopped.

  In this state, when the user drops the print job (JobA), the printing order of the print job (JobA) and the job of the group to which the print job (JobA) belongs is changed in S1106 of FIG. In step S1106, if the printing apparatus permits the change of the execution order of some print jobs in the group, the execution order is changed according to the user's drop process. At this time, if it is set to change the execution order of all the print jobs belonging to the group, the printer engine 140 is instructed to stop the currently executed print job. Thereafter, the execution order of the print jobs is changed according to the user's drop operation.

  FIG. 20B is a flowchart for explaining processing when a change in the printing order is not permitted when a part of the jobs belonging to the group job is being printed.

  Since S2011 is the same as S2001 in FIG. 20A, description thereof is omitted. If it is determined in step S2011 that a part of the group to which the currently dragged print job belongs is being printed, the process advances to step S2012, and the CPU 114 displays that the print order cannot be changed.

  FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a display example when the row of the print job (Job A) being executed is dragged and moved. Here, since the group to which the print job being dragged (JobA) belongs includes the job being printed, it is displayed that the print order cannot be changed.

  If the user drops the print job (JobA) in this state, the process ends without changing the print order in S1106 of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the print job being dragged belongs to a group, it is possible to display what operation is performed when the print order is changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally changing the printing order of a print job belonging to a certain group.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the job execution order can be changed by performing a drag operation of a job on the job list displayed on the touch panel. At this time, it is possible to display in real time a change in printing status caused by changing the order in which jobs are executed. Thus, the user can change the job execution order after understanding that the print status changes when the job execution order is changed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from falling into a printing situation that is not intended by changing the job execution order.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  101 External terminal: 110 Printing device: 112 ROM: 113 RAM: 114 CPU

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus,
Storage means for storing input job information;
Display processing means for displaying a list of jobs stored in the storage means on the display unit in the order of execution;
Moving means for moving a job on the list according to a user operation for changing the execution order of the job in the job list displayed on the display unit;
Job status display means for displaying the status of the job when the job is moved according to the movement of the job by the moving means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images