JP2006035442A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image forming apparatus in which designation of cleaning is accepted even during processing of a print job and cleaning is performed with good timing, and processing of an ordinary print job is prevented from being interrupted when the cleaning requires a series of processing, e.g. output of a cleaning sheet and cleaning with the outputted sheet. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 102 comprises a print request accepting means for accepting a plurality of print requests by print data, or the like, and a processing request control means for controlling various processing requests including print requests accepted by the print request accepting means in the predetermined processing order. The apparatus is further provided with an adjustment processing execution means for executing a predetermined adjustment processing for an image forming mechanism, and an adjustment request accepting means for accepting an adjustment request for executing adjustment processing by the adjustment processing execution means in according with a designation from a user wherein the adjustment request accepting means accepts a new adjustment request even during processing of a print request accepted by the print request accepting means in the processing request control means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including peripheral devices such as a printer and a digital multifunction peripheral, an image forming method, and a program for executing the image forming method.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, for example, a laser beam printer, there is a pressure roller cleaning function as a means for avoiding a decrease in print quality caused by toner adhering to a pressure roller of a fixing unit (for example, Patent Document 1). This pressure roller cleaning process may be performed actively by the printer engine, or may be performed in accordance with instructions from users including service personnel.

On the other hand, the cleaning process includes not only the pressure roller of the fixing unit but also the transfer roller cleaning of the transfer unit and the drum cleaning of the drum unit. Further, not only an electrophotographic system but also an image forming apparatus of another system, for example, an inkjet image forming apparatus, has a cleaning process such as nozzle cleaning.
JP 2000-112279 A

  However, in the case where the above-described cleaning process is performed in accordance with an instruction from the user, as a condition for the user to perform the cleaning process on the image forming apparatus, if there is a print job being processed, it is necessary to stop the processing of the job. Or there was a need to leave the print job itself absent. Furthermore, it is necessary to newly accept a print job. It is inconvenient for the user to restrict the cleaning instruction depending on the state of the image forming apparatus. In addition, it is inconvenient for a user who wants to use a print job remotely since the reception of a print job is restricted.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and even when a print job is being processed, a cleaning instruction is received and executed at a good timing. An image that prevents normal print job processing from being interrupted when processing requires a series of processing, such as the output of cleaning paper and the execution of cleaning using the output paper. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first invention according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on at least print data supplied from data processing, and includes a plurality of print requests based on print data or the like. In addition to a print request accepting unit that accepts a print request, and a process request control unit that controls various processing requests including the print request accepted by the print request accepting unit according to a predetermined processing order, a predetermined adjustment is made to the image forming mechanism. Adjustment processing executing means for executing processing, and adjustment request receiving means for receiving an adjustment request for executing adjustment processing by the adjustment processing executing means in accordance with an instruction from a user, wherein the adjustment request receiving means includes the processing request Even if the processing of the print request accepted by the print request accepting means is being executed in the control means, a new adjustment request is made. And wherein the attaching only.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the processing request control unit is configured to process a processing request that has been received and is being processed when the newly received processing request is an adjustment request received by the adjustment request receiving unit. Control is performed such that processing is started so that processing is performed next to the processing request received last.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the processing request control unit is configured to process a processing request that has been received and is being processed when the newly received processing request is an adjustment request received by the adjustment request receiving unit. Among them, the processing of the processing request that has not started the image forming process is stopped, and the processing of the processing request that has been stopped after starting the processing request that has started the image forming processing of the adjustment request is prioritized. Control is made to resume.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the process request control unit is configured to process all processes already accepted and being processed when the newly accepted process request is an adjustment request accepted by the adjustment request acceptor. Control is performed such that the processing of the request is stopped and the processing of the processing request that has been stopped is restarted after the processing of the adjustment request is preferentially started.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the processing request control unit is configured to process a processing request that has already been received and processed when the newly received processing request is an adjustment request received by the adjustment request receiving unit. If there is an adjustment request of the same type, the control is performed so that the adjustment request is ignored and deleted.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image based on at least print data supplied from data processing, a print request receiving unit that receives a plurality of print requests based on print data, and the like. In addition to a processing request control unit that controls various processing requests including a printing request received by the printing request receiving unit in accordance with a predetermined processing order, an adjustment processing execution unit that executes a predetermined adjustment processing on the image forming mechanism; An adjustment request accepting unit that accepts an adjustment request for executing the adjustment process by the adjustment process executing unit in accordance with an instruction from a user, and the print request accepting unit is configured by the adjustment request accepting unit in the process request control unit. It is characterized in that a new print request is accepted even when the accepted adjustment request is being processed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the adjustment process execution means displays a message notifying the start of execution of the adjustment process on the predetermined display means before executing the adjustment process, and there is a continuation instruction from the user. The process is interrupted until.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the processing request control means notifies the start of execution of the adjustment process before executing the predetermined adjustment process for the image forming mechanism executed by the adjustment process execution means in accordance with the adjustment request. Is displayed on a predetermined display means, and the process is suspended until a continuation instruction is received from the user.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the adjustment processing execution means is a kind of adjustment processing that requires a recording medium, a message informing the start of conveyance of the recording medium is executed before the adjustment processing is executed. The display is performed by a predetermined display means, and the process is suspended until a continuation instruction is received from the user.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the adjustment process execution means is a kind of adjustment process that requires a recording medium, a recording medium used for the adjustment process is executed before the adjustment process is executed. A message that prompts the user to place the document on a predetermined sheet feeding device is displayed on a predetermined display unit, and the processing is interrupted until an instruction to continue is received from the user.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the adjustment processing execution means performs a cleaning process in an image forming mechanism.

  According to the present invention, even if a print job exists in the image forming apparatus or a print job is being output, the user can instruct execution of the cleaning process regardless of the state of the image forming apparatus. Even during the cleaning process, by receiving a new print job and executing the process up to image formation, the user who wants to use it remotely transmits the print job regardless of the state of the image forming apparatus. be able to. Further, even when the cleaning process is a type that requires paper transport and a paper placement operation by the user during the cleaning process, the user is prompted to place the paper before the transport starts. Can easily know the cleaning start timing and paper placement timing, while controlling the series of cleaning processes as one job interrupts the output processing of another print job while waiting for placement. The cleaning process can be completed without any problems.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on examples.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Explanation of FIG. 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a data processing apparatus 101 is, for example, a computer, and functions as a supply source of image information or a printer control apparatus. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer (printer) is used as the image forming apparatus 102. It goes without saying that the image forming apparatus applied in the present embodiment is not limited to a laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing method such as an ink jet printer.

  The video controller 103 generates raster data for each page based on the image information (for example, ESC code, page description language, etc.) supplied from the data processing apparatus 101 and sends it to the printer engine 105.

  The printer engine 105 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the raster data supplied from the video controller 103, and records the image by transferring and fixing the latent image on a recording medium (electrophotographic method). To do.

  The panel unit 104 is used as a user interface. The user can instruct a desired operation by operating the panel unit 104. The panel unit 104 displays processing contents of the printer 102 and warning contents to the user.

[Explanation of FIG. 2]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the tandem color printer 102.

  In the figure, 201 is a printer housing. Reference numeral 202 denotes an operation panel on which a switch for giving various instructions by the user, an LED display, an LCD display, and the like for displaying messages, printer settings, and the like are arranged. It is one mode. Reference numeral 203 denotes a board housing unit that houses boards constituting the electronic circuit portions of the video controller 103 and the printer engine 105.

  A paper cassette 220 holds the paper (recording medium) S and has a mechanism for electrically detecting the paper size by a partition plate (not shown). Reference numeral 221 denotes a cassette clutch which takes out the uppermost sheet S of the paper S placed on the paper cassette 220 and feeds the taken paper S by a driving force transmitted from a driving means (not shown). It has a cam that conveys up to The cam rotates intermittently each time a sheet is fed, and feeds one sheet S corresponding to one rotation. Reference numeral 223 denotes a paper detection sensor that detects the amount of paper S held in each paper cassette 220.

  The paper feed roller 222 is a roller that conveys the leading edge of the paper S to the registration shutter 224. Reference numeral 224 denotes a registration shutter that can stop paper feeding by pressing the paper S.

  230 is a manual feed tray, and 231 is a manual paper feed clutch. The manual paper feed clutch 231 is used for conveying the leading edge of the paper S to the manual paper feeding roller 232, and the manual paper feeding roller 232 is used for conveying the leading edge of the paper S to the registration shutter 224. The sheet S to be used for image formation is fed by selecting one of the sheet cassette 220 and the manual feed tray 230.

  The printer engine 105 communicates with the video controller 103 according to a predetermined communication protocol, selects one of the paper feeding means from the paper cassette 220 manual feed tray 230 in accordance with an instruction from the video controller 103, and instructs to start printing. Accordingly, the sheet S is conveyed from the corresponding sheet feeding means to the registration shutter 224. The printer engine 105 includes a sheet feeding unit, a mechanism relating to an electrophotographic process such as formation, transfer, and fixing of a latent image, a sheet discharge unit, and a control unit thereof.

  204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d are image forming units having photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d, a toner holding unit, and the like, and form a toner image on the sheet S by an electrophotographic process. On the other hand, 206a, 206b, 206c, and 206d are laser scanner units that supply image information by a laser beam to the image forming unit.

  In the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, a sheet conveying belt 250 that conveys the sheet S is flattened in a sheet conveying direction (from the bottom to the top in the figure) by a plurality of rotating rollers 251 to 254. In the most upstream area, the sheet is electrostatically attracted to the sheet conveying belt 250 by the attracting roller 225 to which a bias is applied. Further, four photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d are arranged in a straight line so as to face the belt conveyance surface, and constitute an image forming unit. In each of the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, a charger and a developing device are disposed so as to sequentially surround the vicinity of the periphery of the photosensitive drum.

  In the laser scanner units 206a, 206b, 206c, and 206d, reference numerals 207a, 207b, 207c, and 207d are laser units that drive a built-in semiconductor laser in accordance with an image signal (/ VIDEO signal) sent from the video controller 103. And fire a laser beam. Laser beams emitted from the laser units 207a, 207b, 207c, and 207d are scanned by polygon mirrors (rotating polygon mirrors) 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d to form latent images on the photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d. To do.

  A fixing unit 260 heat-fixes the toner image formed on the paper S by the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d on the recording paper S. Reference numeral 261 denotes a conveyance roller that discharges and conveys the paper S. A paper discharge sensor 262 detects a paper discharge state of the paper S. Reference numeral 263 denotes a paper discharge roller / double-sided printing transport path switching roller that transports the paper S in the paper discharge direction. If the transport instruction of the paper S is a paper discharge, the paper S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 264 as it is. In the case of double-sided conveyance, immediately after the trailing edge of the paper S passes the paper discharge sensor 262, the rotation direction is changed to the reverse direction, and the paper S is conveyed to the double-sided printing conveyance path 270 by switching back. Reference numeral 265 denotes a discharge stack amount detection sensor that detects the stack amount of the sheets S stacked on the discharge tray 264.

  Reference numeral 270 denotes a duplex printing conveyance path. The sheet S conveyed for duplex printing by the paper discharge roller / double-sided printing conveyance path switching roller 263 is conveyed again to the registration shutter 224 by the duplex conveyance rollers 271 to 274. It waits for a conveyance instruction to the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d.

  The printer 102 can be further equipped with optional units such as an optional cassette and an envelope feeder.

[Explanation of FIG. 3]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video interface and the printer engine 105 that connect the video controller 103 and the printer engine 105.

  In the figure, a video controller 103 manages communication with a plurality of data processing devices 101 (including reception of image information), generation (development) of raster data based on received image information, and control of the printer engine 105.

  The engine control unit 150 controls the units 151 to 158 in the printer engine 105 based on a control signal supplied from the video controller 103.

  The outline of the units 151 to 158 will be described. Reference numeral 151 denotes a paper size detection unit that detects the size of the paper placed in the paper cassette 220 and other optional cassettes (not shown) and notifies the engine control unit 150 of the size. Reference numeral 152 denotes a paper feed port detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the paper feed ports of the paper cassette 220, the manual feed tray 230, the option cassette (not shown), and the envelope feeder (not shown) and notifies the engine control unit 150 thereof. , 153 is an option investigation unit for confirming the connection status of options such as an option cassette and an envelope feeder, 154 is a conveyance control unit for controlling the conveyance of paper, and 155 is a polygon mirror 208a, 208b, 208c, Optical system such as 208d drive motor and laser units 207a, 207b, 207c, 207d An optical system control unit 156 is a fixing temperature control unit 156 that performs not only temperature control of the fixing device 260 but also abnormality detection in the fixing device 260, and 157 controls options such as an option cassette and an envelope feeder. An option control unit 158 is a sensor for detecting environmental changes (status changes) such as the presence / absence of paper in the conveyance path such as registration, paper discharge, double-sided, and reversal, the outside air temperature, the number of printed pages, and the remaining amount of toner. Part.

  Next, an outline of signals constituting a video interface connecting the video controller 103 and the engine control unit 150 will be described.

  170 is a / CPRDY signal indicating that the video controller 103 is communicable with the engine control unit 150, and 171 is a / PPRDY signal indicating that the engine control unit 150 is communicable with the video controller 103, 172 is a / RDY signal indicating that the engine control unit 150 is in a printable state, 173 is a / PRNT signal for the video controller 103 to issue a print request to the engine control unit 150, and 174 is an engine control unit 150 is a / TOP signal as a vertical synchronization signal output to the video controller 103, 176 is a / BD signal as a horizontal synchronization signal output from the engine control unit 150 to the video controller 103, and 178 is a serial communication signal. / SCLK signal as a synchronous clock signal, 1 9 is a / CMD signal as a command signal for the video controller 103 to transmit a command to the engine control unit 150, 180 is a / CBSY signal as a strobe signal for transmitting the command, and 181 is a video controller A / STS signal for returning a response (including the internal status of the printer engine 105) to the command transmitted from the terminal 103, 182 is a / SBSY signal as a strobe signal for returning a response such as a status, and 183 is This is a / VIDEO signal as raster data.

  177 is a status in which the status of the printer engine 105 is not directly related to the / RDY signal, that is, a status change that is not directly related to whether or not printing is possible (for example, the temperature, the number of printed pages, the remaining amount of toner, etc. are reference values) / CCRT (Condition Change Report) signal which becomes “TRUE”.

[Explanation of FIG. 4]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the video controller 103.

  In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a panel interface unit that performs data communication with the panel unit 104. The CPU 309 can confirm the contents set and instructed by the user on the panel unit 104 via the panel interface unit 301.

  Reference numeral 302 denotes a host interface unit for two-way communication connection with the data processing apparatus 101 such as a host computer via a network.

  An image data generation unit 303 corresponds to an intermediate data creation unit that performs processing for converting print data into intermediate data that is easy to handle inside the printer 102.

  A ROM 304 stores processing described in the present invention and other control program codes executed by the printer 102.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a RAM used in the present invention, which holds intermediate data derived from print data received by the host interface unit 302, holds a bitmap obtained by rendering the intermediate data, and is necessary for other processing. A temporary buffer area and various processing statuses.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes an engine interface unit for communication connection with the printer engine 105. The CPU 309 controls the signals 170, 173, 175, 178, 179 and 180 via the engine interface unit 306, and the signals 171, 172, 174, 176, 176, 177, 181 and 182, that is, the printer engine. 105 states can be recognized.

  A DMA control unit 307 transfers bitmap data in the RAM 305 to the engine interface unit 306 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 309.

  A rendering unit 308 creates a print image that is actually printed out according to the content of the intermediate data stored in the RAM 305.

  A CPU 309 controls a device connected to the CPU bus 311 based on a control program code held in the ROM 304.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes an EEPROM, which includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory for holding control information such as a density correction table.

  Reference numeral 311 denotes a CPU bus including an address, data, and a control bus. The panel interface unit 301, host interface unit 302, image data generation unit 303, ROM 304, RAM 305, engine interface unit 306, DMA control unit 307, rendering unit 308, CPU 309, and EEPROM 310 are all devices connected to the CPU bus 311. Is accessible.

[Explanation of FIG. 5]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for receiving a cleaning job generated in accordance with a cleaning instruction.

  In the figure, when the cleaning acceptance process starts, first, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the panel unit 104 to give an instruction to execute cleaning. If no cleaning execution instruction is given, the process of step S101 is repeated.

  If an instruction to execute cleaning is given in step S101, it is determined in step S102 whether there is a job being executed in the printer. If there is no job being executed, the cleaning job is immediately executed in step S108, and the processing from step S101 is repeated.

  If there is a job being executed in step S102, it is determined in step S103 whether there is a job being output in the printer and there is a job waiting for the output of the job being output. To do. If there is no job waiting to be output, execution reservation is made so that it is executed next to the job being output in the processing of step S107, and the processing from step S101 is repeated.

  In step S103, if there is a job waiting for output, it is determined in step S104 whether there is a cleaning job of the same type among the jobs waiting for output. If the same type of cleaning job does not exist in the job waiting for output, in step S105, the execution is reserved to be executed next to the last job waiting for output, and the processing from step S101 is repeated.

  In step S104, if there is a cleaning job of the same type among the jobs waiting for output, the cleaning execution instruction determined to have been instructed in step S101 in step S106 is ignored, and the processing from step S101 is performed. repeat. This is a determination process for preventing multiple cleaning processes from being executed at the same time, and has the effect of saving unnecessary processing time and parts consumption.

[Explanation of FIG. 6]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception control of a cleaning job generated according to an instruction from the user.

  In FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 6A, the already received jobs 1, 2, and 3 exist in the control job queue in the processing order. In such a situation, when job A, which is a cleaning job, is received, as shown in FIG. 6B, registration is performed in the job queue so that processing is performed after job 3, which is the last received job. Job A waits in an execution waiting state until the output from job 1 to job 3 is completed.

  As described above, if there is a print job that is being processed at the time of the cleaning instruction, the execution is reserved to be executed after the last job of the already waiting job. Without interfering with the processing, it is possible to accept a cleaning instruction and to execute the accepted cleaning job at a predetermined timing.

[Explanation of FIG. 7]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of acceptance control of a print job transmitted in accordance with an instruction from the user in the cleaning execution state.

  In FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 7A, a job 1 that has already been received, that is, a cleaning job is being executed and exists in the control job queue. In such a situation, when job A, which is a normal print job, is received, as shown in FIG. 6B, processing is performed next to job 1, which is the last received job, that is, the cleaning job being executed. Register to the job queue so that Job A waits in an output waiting state until the processing of job 1, which is a cleaning job, is completed.

  As described above, even when cleaning is being executed, execution is reserved to be executed after the last job that has already been waiting. A general job can be received, and the received job can be executed at a predetermined timing.

[Explanation of FIG. 8]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a cleaning processing procedure performed when the cleaning job is ready to be executed.

  In the figure, when the cleaning process is started, first, in step S201, it is determined whether or not the cleaning process needs to carry the sheet. If the cleaning is not required to carry the paper, the process proceeds to step S209.

  If it is determined in step S201 that the process for transporting the paper is necessary, it is determined in step S202 whether printing is required for the paper used for cleaning. If printing is not necessary on the paper used for cleaning, the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S202, if it is necessary to print on the paper used for cleaning, a message prompting the user to place the paper used for cleaning is displayed in step S203.

  Next, in step S204, it is determined whether or not the panel unit 104 has instructed the continuation of the cleaning process, and a panel operation performed after the paper is placed by the user is awaited. If it is instructed to continue the cleaning process, the process proceeds to step S205, where the video controller 103 instructs the printer engine 105 to feed paper, and executes a pattern image printing process for cleaning. Thereafter, in step S206, the process waits for completion of the printing process of the pattern image for cleaning.

  In step S206, when the printing process of the pattern image for cleaning is completed, the process proceeds to step S207, and a message for prompting the placement of the paper used for cleaning is displayed. If the pattern image for cleaning is printed, a message prompting the user to place the paper on which the pattern image is printed is displayed.

  In step S208, it is determined whether or not the panel unit 104 has instructed the continuation of the cleaning process, and a panel operation performed after the paper is placed by the user is awaited. If it is instructed to continue the cleaning process, the process proceeds to step S209, where the video controller 103 instructs the printer engine 105 to execute cleaning, and the printer engine 105 performs predetermined cleaning according to the instruction from the video controller 103. Execute. Thereafter, in step S210, the process waits for the cleaning process to be completed.

  In step S210, when the cleaning process is completed, finally, in step S211, a cleaning process completion notification is given, and the series of cleaning processes ends.

  As described above, even if a print job exists in the image forming apparatus or a print job is being output, the user can instruct execution of the cleaning process regardless of the state of the image forming apparatus. . Even during the cleaning process, by receiving a new print job and executing the process up to image formation, the user who wants to use it remotely transmits the print job regardless of the state of the image forming apparatus. be able to. Further, even when the cleaning process is a type that requires paper transport and a paper placement operation by the user during the cleaning process, the user is prompted to place the paper before the transport starts. Can easily know the cleaning start timing and paper placement timing, while controlling the series of cleaning processes as one job interrupts the output processing of another print job while waiting for placement. The cleaning process can be completed without any problems.

  In the first embodiment, when there is a print job being processed at the time of the cleaning instruction, the execution order is controlled so as to be executed next to the last job of the already waiting job. However, the control may be performed so that the cleaning process is executed at an early timing within a range in which the output process of the job being output is not stopped.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Explanation of FIG. 9]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for receiving a cleaning job generated in accordance with a cleaning instruction.

  In the figure, when the cleaning acceptance process starts, first, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the panel unit 104 to instruct cleaning execution. If there is no instruction to execute cleaning, the process of step S301 is repeated.

  In step S301, if a cleaning execution instruction is issued, it is determined in step S302 whether there is a job being executed in the printer. If there is no job being executed, the cleaning job is immediately executed in step S308, and the processing from step S301 is repeated.

  In step S302, if there is a job being executed, it is determined in step S303 whether there is a job being output in the printer and there is a job waiting for the output of the job being output. To do. If there is no job waiting to be output, execution reservation is made so that it is executed next to the job being output in the processing of step S307, and the processing from step S301 is repeated.

  In step S303, if there is a job waiting for output, it is determined in step S304 whether there is a cleaning job of the same type among the jobs waiting for output. If there is no cleaning job of the same type in the jobs waiting for output, in step S305, all jobs other than those being output are temporarily stopped and reserved for execution to be executed next to the job being executed. Repeat the process.

  In step S304, if there is a cleaning job of the same type among the jobs waiting for output, the cleaning execution instruction determined to have been instructed in step S301 in step S306 is ignored, and the processing from step S301 is performed. repeat.

[Explanation of FIG. 10]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception control of a cleaning job generated according to an instruction from the user.

  In FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. 10A, already received jobs 1, 2 and 3 exist in the control job queue in the processing order. In such a situation, when job A, which is a cleaning job, is received, as shown in FIG. 10B, among jobs already received, jobs 2 and 3, which are jobs that are not being output, After instructing the temporary stop, the job is registered in the job queue so as to be processed next to the job 1 being output. After that, when the job A, which is a cleaning job, is in the waiting state, as shown in FIG. 10C, the job 2 and the job 3 that have been in the suspended state are instructed to cancel the suspension as shown in FIG. Until the execution of job A, which is a cleaning job, is completed, the apparatus waits in an output waiting state.

  As described above, if there is a print job waiting for output at the time of the cleaning instruction, the execution is reserved to be executed after the job being output and before the job waiting for output. A cleaning instruction can be received without interfering with job processing, and cleaning processing can be executed at an early timing within a range where output processing of a job being output is not stopped.

  In the first embodiment, when there is a print job being processed at the time of the cleaning instruction, the execution order is controlled so as to be executed next to the last job of the already waiting job. However, control may be performed so that the output processing of all jobs is stopped and the cleaning processing is executed with the highest priority.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Explanation of FIG. 11]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for receiving a cleaning job generated in accordance with a cleaning instruction.

  In the figure, when the cleaning acceptance process starts, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the user has operated the panel unit 104 to give an instruction to execute cleaning. If there is no cleaning execution instruction, the process of step S401 is repeated.

  If an instruction to execute cleaning is issued in step S401, it is determined in step S402 whether there is a job being executed in the printer. If there is no job being executed, the cleaning job is immediately executed in step S408, and the processing from step S401 is repeated.

  In step S402, if there is a job being executed, it is determined in step S403 whether there is a job being output in the printer and there is a job waiting for the output of the job being output. To do. If there is no job waiting for output, the job being output is temporarily stopped in the processing of step S407, and then the cleaning job is immediately executed, and the processing from step S401 is repeated.

  In step S403, if there is a job waiting for output, it is determined in step S404 whether there is a cleaning job of the same type among the jobs waiting for output. If there is no cleaning job of the same type in the jobs waiting for output, all the jobs are temporarily stopped in step S405, the cleaning job is immediately executed, and the processing from step S401 is repeated.

  In step S404, if there is a cleaning job of the same type among the jobs waiting for output, the cleaning execution instruction determined to have been instructed in step S401 in step S406 is ignored, and the processing from step S401 is performed. repeat.

[Explanation of FIG. 12]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception control of a cleaning job generated according to an instruction from the user.

  In FIG. 12, as shown in FIG. 12A, already received jobs 1, 2, and 3 exist in the control job queue in the processing order. In such a situation, when job A, which is a cleaning job, is received, as shown in FIG. 12B, all jobs that have been received are instructed to be paused and then processed as the first job. To the job queue. Thereafter, when job A, which is a cleaning job, is in a waiting state for execution, as shown in FIG. 12C, the suspension is canceled for job 1, job 2, and job 3 that have been suspended as subsequent jobs. And waits for an output waiting state until execution of job A, which is a cleaning job, is completed.

  As described above, if there is a print job that is being processed at the time of the cleaning instruction, the job is reserved for execution with the highest priority by stopping the output processing of all jobs. Can be executed.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a tandem color printer 102 in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video interface and a printer engine 105 that connect a video controller 103 and a printer engine 105 in the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video controller 103 in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for receiving a cleaning job generated according to a cleaning instruction in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception control of a cleaning job generated according to a user instruction in the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of acceptance control of a print job transmitted in accordance with an instruction from a user in a cleaning execution state in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a cleaning processing procedure performed when a cleaning job is ready to be executed in the first embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for receiving a cleaning job generated in accordance with a cleaning instruction in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of reception control of a cleaning job generated according to an instruction from a user in the second embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for receiving a cleaning job generated in accordance with a cleaning instruction in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of acceptance control of a cleaning job generated according to an instruction from a user in the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

301 Panel Interface Unit 302 Host Interface Unit 303 Image Data Generation Unit 304 ROM
305 RAM
306 Engine interface unit 307 DMA control unit 308 Rendering unit 309 CPU
310 EEPROM
311 CPU bus

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image based on at least print data supplied from data processing,
Print request accepting means for accepting a plurality of print requests by print data or the like;
In addition to the processing request control means for controlling various processing requests including the printing request received by the printing request receiving means according to a predetermined processing order,
Furthermore, an adjustment process execution means for executing a predetermined adjustment process on the image forming mechanism;
Adjustment request accepting means for accepting an adjustment request for executing the adjustment process by the adjustment process executing means in accordance with an instruction from a user;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the adjustment request accepting unit accepts a new adjustment request even when the processing of the print request accepted by the print request accepting unit is being executed in the processing request control unit.   The process request control means, when the newly accepted process request is an adjustment request accepted by the adjustment request accepting means, next to the last accepted process request that has already been accepted and is being processed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to start processing.   The process request control unit is a process that has not started the image forming process among the process requests that have already been received and processed when the newly received process request is the adjustment request that has been received by the adjustment request receiving unit. Controlling to stop the processing of the request, and to restart the processing of the processing request that has been stopped after the processing request that has started the image forming processing of the adjustment request is started with priority over the processing request. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The processing request control means, when the newly received processing request is an adjustment request received by the adjustment request receiving means, stops processing of all the processing requests that have already been received and are being processed. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to resume processing of the processing request that has been stopped after the request processing has been started with priority.   The processing request control means, when the newly received processing request is an adjustment request received by the adjustment request receiving means, there is an adjustment request of the same type among the processing requests already received and being processed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus performs control so as to ignore and delete the adjustment request. An image forming apparatus that forms an image based on at least print data supplied from data processing,
Print request accepting means for accepting a plurality of print requests by print data or the like;
In addition to the processing request control means for controlling various processing requests including the printing request received by the printing request receiving means according to a predetermined processing order,
Furthermore, an adjustment process execution means for executing a predetermined adjustment process on the image forming mechanism;
An adjustment request receiving means for receiving an adjustment request for executing the adjustment process by the adjustment process executing means in accordance with an instruction from a user;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print request accepting unit accepts a new print request even when the adjustment request accepted by the adjustment request accepting unit is being executed in the process request control unit.   The adjustment process execution means displays a message notifying the start of the adjustment process on the predetermined display means before executing the adjustment process, and suspends the process until a user instructs to continue. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The processing request control means displays on the predetermined display means a message informing the start of execution of the adjustment process before executing the predetermined adjustment process for the image forming mechanism executed by the adjustment process execution means in accordance with the adjustment request, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process is suspended until a continuation instruction is issued from a user.   If the adjustment process execution means is a kind of adjustment process that requires a recording medium, a message notifying the start of conveyance of the recording medium is displayed on the predetermined display means before executing the adjustment process, and the user The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is interrupted until a continuation instruction is issued from.   In the case where the adjustment process is a kind of adjustment process that requires a recording medium, the adjustment process execution unit places a recording medium used for the adjustment process on a predetermined paper feeding device before the adjustment process is executed. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a message prompting the user is displayed on a predetermined display unit, and the processing is suspended until a continuation instruction is received from the user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment processing execution unit performs a cleaning process in an image forming mechanism.

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