CN100480895C

CN100480895C - Image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN100480895C
Application number: CNB2007100007829A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 松前庆作; 中出敏之; 大西誓司; 西尾健
Original assignee: Kyocera Mita Corp
Current assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2006-02-08
Filing date: 2007-01-19
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-19
Also published as: CN101017360A; JP2007210170A

Abstract

An image forming apparatus which includes: a job storage unit for storing a plurality of print jobs; an image forming unit for executing the print jobs stored in the job storage unit; and a job managing unit for managing an execution order of the print jobs performed by the image forming unit. The job managing unit includes: priority job managing portion which, during execution of a specific print job carried out according to an execution order set in advance, manages the image forming unit to suspend the specific print job and preferentially to execute another print job; and job continuation judging portion which, when completing a priority print job that is executed by the priority job managing portion, judges whether or not to continue execution of the specific print job based on a job execution state of the specific print job that is being executed when starting the priority print job.

Description

Image forming apparatus with a toner supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including: a job storage unit that stores a plurality of print jobs; an image forming unit that executes the print job stored in the job storage unit; and a job management unit that manages an execution order of the print jobs executed by the image forming unit; the job management means includes priority job management means for interrupting the specific print job and preferentially executing another print job during execution of the specific print job in accordance with a predetermined execution order.

Background

In an image forming apparatus that is connected to a public line, a network, or the like and can receive print jobs from a plurality of terminals and store the print jobs, the print jobs are generally executed in a predetermined execution order, for example, a reception order. In addition, a device having a queue-up printing function is also common, and when there is an urgent print job, the device can temporarily stop the print job being executed and preferentially execute the urgent print job.

However, each time the queue printing function is utilized, there are disadvantages in that: in a case where the image forming apparatus discharges the output using the common discharging portion, the output of the executing print job that is temporarily stopped will be mixed with the output of the queued print job, so that the user who has instructed the execution of the queued print job must confirm and obtain the output of the queued print job from the mixed outputs.

Thus, japanese patent laying-open No. 10-149367 discloses an image forming apparatus comprising: an image output unit that executes a plurality of image tasks in an output order based on priorities given to the plurality of image tasks in advance, thereby forming and outputting an image; a priority changing unit that changes the priority of the first image task whose output order is the second order or later to the highest priority according to the priority changing request; and a control unit that, when the priority of the first image job changed by the priority changing unit is higher than the priority of a second image job whose output order is the first order, switches the output order of the first image job and the second image job before starting execution of the second image job, and determines whether or not to interrupt the second image job and preferentially execute the first image job based on whether or not there is subsequent processing after image formation corresponding to the first and second image jobs when the second image job is being executed.

The image forming apparatus is provided with a finisher-type discharge processing unit having at least two or more loading units divided according to whether or not to perform subsequent processing such as stapling, so that even when priority is changed and set for output at an early stage, the output state does not become a state in which the continuity of each job is disturbed. However, in the execution of the second image job, there is a case where the priority output processing is not executed depending on whether or not the first and second image jobs perform the subsequent processing after the image formation, and in this case, the priority cannot be changed such as when the urgent output is necessary, and there is room for further improvement.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-described conventional technology, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent mixing of output materials by interrupting a specific print job and executing another print job with priority without fail in the execution of the specific print job in accordance with a predetermined execution order.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a job storage unit that stores a plurality of print jobs; an image forming unit that executes the print job stored in the job storage unit; and a job management unit that manages an execution order of the print jobs executed by the image forming unit; wherein the task management unit includes: a priority job management unit configured to manage the image forming unit so that the specific print job is interrupted and another print job is preferentially executed, in the execution of the specific print job in a predetermined execution order; and a job continuation determination unit that determines whether or not to continue execution of the specific print job based on a job execution state of the specific print job being executed at the start of the priority print job when the priority print job executed by the priority job management unit ends.

Further, it is preferable that: when it is determined by the job continuation determination unit that the specific print job being executed at the time of the start of the priority print job is in a stopped state, the job management unit manages the image forming unit so as to wait without executing the specific print job.

In addition, it is preferable that: the job management unit manages the image forming unit to continue to execute the specific print job if a prescribed time has elapsed while the specific print job is waiting.

Other inventions will be apparent from the following examples.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of functional blocks of a digital multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the digital composite machine;

fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation section of the digital multifunction peripheral;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a print job status confirmation screen displayed in the operation section;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a print job status confirmation screen displayed in the operation section;

fig. 6 is an explanatory view of a print job status confirmation screen displayed in the operation unit;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of executing a priority print job;

fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of executing a priority print job according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description

Next, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking a digital multifunction peripheral as an example.

As shown in fig. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes: an operation section 2; an image reading section 4 that sequentially reads a series of originals placed on the original loading section 3 and converts them into electronic data; an image forming unit 5 of an electrophotographic system that forms and outputs a toner image on a sheet as an output based on image data converted into electronic data by the image reading unit 4, image data transmitted from an external FAX, image data transmitted from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), and the like; and a plurality of paper feed cassettes 6(6a to 6d) that contain paper sheets of different sizes or types.

The digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes, in addition to the operation unit 2, the image reading unit 4, and the image forming unit 5: a FAX modem 9 for performing image data transmission and reception with an external FAX not shown in the figure; an external interface 10 for receiving image data from a plurality of PCs through a network LAN; the control section 8 comprehensively controls the digital multifunction peripheral 1.

For example, if a copy mode in which image data read from a document is copied and output is described as an example, the operation unit 2 includes, as shown in fig. 3: a touch panel type color display unit 20 for displaying an operation screen in which a plurality of menu selection keys for designating copy conditions are arranged as software keys; a hardware key 21, for example, an LED24 such as a start key for starting an image forming operation or a numerical value input key for setting the number of copies, for notifying the user of the current state of the digital multifunction peripheral 1; and an operation control unit for controlling operation inputs from the various keys, display outputs of the software keys on the color display unit 20, and the like.

The hardware key 21 includes a basic control key group 22 disposed on the right side of the color display unit 20 and a special mode setting key group 23 disposed on the left side of the color display unit 20.

For example, in the copy mode, the basic control key group 22 includes a "numerical value input" key 220 for setting the number of printed sheets and the like, a "start" key 221 for starting printing, a "clear" key 222, a "stop" key 223, a "reset" key 224, and the like.

The special mode setting key group 23 includes, for example: a "status confirmation/job termination" key 230 for shifting to a status confirmation mode in which the status of a print job or the like of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is confirmed and the printing conditions of the selected print job or the like are changed or terminated; a "copy" key 231 for shifting to the copy mode; a "program" key 232 for shifting to a program mode in which various tasks to be executed by the digital multifunction peripheral 1 are programmed and a corresponding task mode is executed by calling out the program; a "send" key 233 for shifting to the FAX sending mode; and a "folder" key 234 for shifting to a folder mode in which image data inherent to each user is stored and a task is executed by calling out the image data.

The operation control unit detects an operation input from the software button or the hardware button 21 displayed on the color display unit 20, outputs the operation input to the control unit 8, controls on/off of the LED24 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 8, and notifies a user of a usage mode of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the like. Further, software keys and the like are arranged on the touch panel type color display unit 20, and an operation screen, a task list screen, and the like prepared for each use mode are switched and displayed.

The operation screen is prepared for each mode corresponding to each key of the special mode keys 23. For example, when the "status confirmation/task suspension" key 230 is pressed, the operation control unit 24 detects this and outputs the result to the control unit 8, and then displays a status confirmation screen as shown in fig. 4 on the color display unit 20 based on an instruction from the control unit 8.

The control unit 8 includes: a CPU for comprehensively controlling the digital multifunction peripheral 1; a ROM storing a control program executed by the CPU; a RAM as a work area for arithmetic processing and the like executed by the CPU; and a peripheral circuit; the control unit 8 realizes the functions of a task storage means or a task management means described later in relation to the present invention by a CPU or the like executing a control program.

As shown in fig. 1, the modules for implementing the related functions of the present invention include: a job storage unit 80 that stores a plurality of print jobs in a hard disk device or the RAM; an image forming unit 5 that executes the print job stored in the job storage unit 80; and a job management unit 81 that manages the execution order of print jobs and executes the print jobs by the image forming unit 5.

The task management unit 81 includes: a priority job management unit 82 that interrupts a specific print job and preferentially executes another print job in the execution of the specific print job in accordance with a predetermined execution order; and a job continuation determination unit 83 configured to determine whether or not to continue execution of the specific print job based on a job execution state of the specific print job being executed at the start of the priority print job when the priority print job executed by the priority job management unit 82 ends.

More specifically, the job storage unit 80 stores print jobs corresponding to documents read by the image reading unit 4 and print jobs received via the FAX modem 9 or the external interface 10, the job management unit 81 manages a plurality of print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80 so as to be executed in a predetermined execution order, for example, in a stored order or in a priority set by a terminal that issued the print job, and the image forming unit 5 executes each of the plurality of print jobs as the specific print job in the execution order in accordance with an instruction from the job management unit 81.

The job management section 81 instructs the operation control section as necessary to display a list of the specific print jobs on the color display section 20.

When the user selects a print job to be executed with priority from the plurality of print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80, the priority job management unit 82 performs control of interrupting the specific print job and executing the print job selected by the user with priority. That is, the job management unit 81 instructs the image forming unit 5 to interrupt the specific print job and execute the print job selected by the user as a priority print job. Further, the job management section 81 instructs the operation control section to cause the color display section 20 to display that the specific print job is in a temporarily suspended state and the priority print job is being executed, as necessary.

The job continuation judging means 83 is configured to store a job execution state indicating whether the specific print job being executed at the time of starting the priority print job is in the middle of a printing operation or in a stopped state in the RAM, and when it is stored that the specific print job is in the stopped state, the job continuation judging means 83 controls to wait at the time of ending the priority print job without performing the printing operation of the specific print job. The job continuation judging means 83 instructs the image forming means 5 to wait without executing the specific printing job until the user performs the recovery (or even open) operation of the specific printing job.

Next, the execution of the priority print job will be described in detail. When the user presses the "status confirmation/job termination" key 230 of the operation unit 2 when there is a print job that the user desires to preferentially execute among the plurality of print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80, the operation control unit switches the color display unit 20 to the operation screen in the status confirmation mode.

The operation screen 7 in the situation confirmation mode is configured as follows: as shown in fig. 4, a "print job" tab 70, a "send job" tab 71, a "save job" tab 72, a "device/communication" tab 73, and a "paper/consumable" tab 74 are arranged at the lower portion thereof, and when each tab is pressed, the operation screen corresponding to each tab is switched.

In the status confirmation mode, if the "print job" tab 70 is pressed, the print job status confirmation screen 7 showing the processing status of the print job is displayed, and if the status tab 75 arranged on the upper side of the screen is pressed, the processing status of the print job is displayed in a list in the order of being currently stored in the job storage unit 80 and managed by the job management unit 81 on the status display unit 76 arranged in the center of the screen. When the "history" tab 77 is pressed, the processing contents of the print jobs up to now are displayed in a list.

A pull-down list box 760 for selecting the type of print job to be displayed in a list is arranged on the upper portion of the status display unit 76, and if the pull-down list box 760 is operated to select the type of copy job, reception job, or the like from the displayed list, the processing status or history relating to the selected type of job is displayed in a list on the status display unit 76, and if "all" is selected from the list, the processing status or history relating to all jobs is displayed in a list. A scroll button 761 is disposed on the right portion of the status display unit 76, and by pressing the scroll button 761, a print job or a history not displayed on the status display unit 76 is scroll-displayed.

At a lower portion of the status display unit 76 are disposed: an "all printing temporary interruption" key 762, an "interruption" key 763, a "priority printing" key 764, and a "view information" key 765, which are stop keys for temporarily stopping a print job, temporarily interrupt execution of all print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80 if the "all printing temporary interruption" key 762 is pressed.

If a line of a print job desired to be suspended is pressed in the list of print jobs displayed on the status display unit 76, the print job is selected and displayed in a positive-negative inverted manner as shown in fig. 5, and if the "suspend" key 763 is pressed in this state, the print job desired to be suspended is deleted before the execution thereof. If the "suspend" key 763 is pressed without selecting a print job, the print job currently being executed is suspended and deleted.

If a row of a print job for which it is desired to change the number of printed sheets or the like is pressed in the list of print jobs displayed in the status display unit 76, the print job is selected and the row is displayed in a positive-negative inverted state as shown in fig. 5, and if the "view information" key 765 is pressed in this state, the job content of the job is displayed, and the number of printed sheets or the output destination can be changed.

If a line of a print job desired to be printed with priority is pressed in the list of print jobs displayed on the status display unit 76, the print job is selected and the line is displayed in a positive-negative inverted manner as shown in fig. 5, and if the "priority print" key 764 is pressed in this state, a specific print job currently being executed is interrupted and the print job is preferentially executed as a priority print job.

In this case, as shown in fig. 6, in the color display section 20, the line of the priority print job is inverted between positive and negative, and the "status" column thereof is displayed as "running", and the "status" column of the specific print job is displayed as "temporary interruption".

When the specific print job is under execution, i.e., under printing, while the priority print job is executed, the specific print job is automatically resumed after the priority print job is ended. When a print job desired to be printed preferentially is selected among the prints of the specific print job and preferential printing is performed, if the output destinations of the specific print job and the preferential print job are the same, the respective output products are mixed together.

The job continuation judging means 83 is provided to store in the RAM whether or not the specific print job is under printing when the priority print job is executed, and when the specific print job is stopped, the specific print job is controlled to be stopped after the priority print job is ended, thereby avoiding mixing of the output materials.

That is, if the "all printing temporary interruption" key 762 is pressed with the specific print job being in the middle of printing, the specific print job is temporarily stopped, so that the specific print job will be intentionally interrupted while the priority print job is executed. If a print job desired to be printed preferentially is selected thereafter and the "print priority" key 764 is pressed, execution of the specific print job is not automatically resumed after the priority print job is ended, so that mixing of output products can be avoided.

When the specific print job is stopped after the priority print job is executed, the specific print job can be resumed by pressing the "start" key of the operation unit 2 after the output of the priority print job is acquired.

Next, a process of prioritizing print jobs will be described based on a flowchart shown in fig. 7.

After storing the print job of the original document read by the image reading unit 4 and the print job received via the FAX modem 9 or the external interface 10 in the job storage unit 80 (S1), the job management unit 81 instructs the image forming unit 5 to execute the print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80 in a predetermined order (S2).

When no error occurs in the execution of the specific print job (S3), the "all-printing temporary interruption" key 762 is not pressed (S4), and the row of the print job desired to be printed with priority is selected on the print job status confirmation screen 7, and the "priority printing" key 764 is pressed (S5), the priority job managing section 82 instructs the image forming section 5 to interrupt the specific print job (S6), and instructs to execute the selected print job as the priority print job (S7).

After the execution of the priority print job is finished (S8), if the job continuation judging unit 83 judges that the specific print job is not in the stopped state at the time of executing the priority print job, an instruction to automatically resume the execution of the specific print job is given to the image forming unit 5 to execute the specific print job in step S2 (S2), and if all the print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80 are finished, a series of processes are finished (S19).

If an error occurs in the middle of execution of the specific print job (S3), or the "all printing temporary interruption" key 762 is pressed (S4), the job management unit 81 instructs the image forming unit 5 to interrupt the specific print job (S9). If a print job desired to be printed with priority is selected by the operation of the print job status confirmation screen 7 in this state and the "priority print" key 764 is pressed (S10), the priority job management unit 82 instructs the image forming unit 5 to execute the selected print job as a priority print job if there is no error such as paper exhaustion (S11) and executes the priority print job (S12).

Further, when affected by the error such as paper-out (S11), the user performs paper replenishment or the like to recover from the error state (S17), and if the "start" key 221 is pressed in this state (S18), the priority job managing unit 81 instructs the image forming unit 5 to execute the selected print job as the priority print job, thereby executing the priority print job (S12).

After the priority print job ends (S13), if the job continuation determination unit 83 determines that the specific print job is in the stopped state while the priority print job is being executed, an instruction to maintain the specific print job in the interrupted state is given to the image forming unit 5 so that the specific print job is always maintained in the interrupted state (S14).

If the "start" key 221 is pressed in this state (S16), the job management unit 81 instructs the image forming unit 5 to resume execution of the specific print job (S2). Similarly, when the user performs paper replenishment or the like to recover from the error state in the state where the specific print job is interrupted as shown in step S9 (S15), if the "start" key 221 is pressed (S16), the process returns to step S2, and execution of the specific print job is resumed.

Next, another embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the job management section 81 waits until the "start" key is pressed after the priority print job ends has been described (fig. 7 and S16), but the following configuration is also possible: the job management unit 81 is configured with a timer unit so that if the timer unit confirms that a predetermined time (for example, about 3 minutes) has elapsed while the specific print job is waiting, the image forming unit 5 is instructed to resume execution of the specific print job. The predetermined time may be set to a time required to take out an output related to the priority print job from the tray after the priority print job is completed, for example, an arbitrary time between 1 minute and 5 minutes.

Next, description will be made based on the flowchart shown in fig. 8. Since the basic process is the same as that described in fig. 7, only the different process will be described here. After the priority print job ends (S13), if the job continuation determination unit 83 determines that the specific print job is in the stopped state while the priority print job is being executed, an instruction to maintain the specific print job in the interrupted state is given to the image forming unit 5, so that the specific print job is always maintained in the interrupted state (S14). If the "start" key 221 is pressed in this state (S16), the job management unit 81 instructs the image forming unit 5 to resume execution of the specific print job (S2). When the "start" key 221 is not pressed, the job managing unit 81 waits until the count of the timer unit reaches a predetermined time (for example, about 3 minutes), and instructs the image forming unit 5 to resume execution of the specific print job after confirming that the count reaches the predetermined time (S20) (S2). Similarly, when the user performs paper replenishment or the like to recover from the error state in the state where the specific print job is interrupted as shown in step S9 (S15), if the "start" key 221 is pressed (S16), the process returns to step S2, and execution of the specific print job is resumed.

Of course, after step S14 or S15 in the above embodiment, the execution of the specific print job may be resumed after the timer unit counts a predetermined time without considering the operation of the start key 221.

All the above embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the specific structure of each module and the like may be appropriately modified within a range in which the effect of the present invention can be achieved.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus includes:

a job storage unit that stores a plurality of print jobs;

an image forming unit that executes the print job stored in the job storage unit; and

a job management unit that manages an execution order of the print jobs executed by the image forming unit;

wherein the task management unit includes:

a priority job management unit configured to manage the image forming unit so that the specific print job is interrupted and another print job is preferentially executed, in the execution of the specific print job in a predetermined execution order; and

and a job continuation determination unit configured to determine whether or not to continue execution of the specific print job based on a job execution state of the specific print job being executed at the start of the priority print job when the priority print job executed by the priority job management unit is ended.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job management unit manages the image forming unit to wait without executing the specific print job when it is determined by the job continuation determination unit that the specific print job that is being executed at the time of the start of the priority print job is in a stopped state.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the job management unit manages the image forming unit to continue execution of the specific print job if a predetermined time elapses while the specific print job is waiting.

4. An image forming apparatus includes:

a job storage unit that stores a plurality of print jobs;

an image forming unit that executes the print jobs stored in the job storage unit in a predetermined order;

a priority print key for interrupting the specific print job and preferentially executing another print job during execution of the specific print job in a predetermined execution order; and

a stop key for temporarily stopping a print job being executed; wherein,

continuing to execute the specific print job when the priority print job corresponding to the operation of the priority print key is ended,

when the priority print key is operated when the specific print job is stopped by the operation of the stop key, the execution of the specific print job is not continued and the priority print job is waited for when the priority print job is ended.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein if a prescribed time has elapsed while waiting for not continuing to execute the specific print job, the specific print job continues to be executed.

6. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a start key for starting an image forming operation,

if the start key is operated while waiting for not continuing to execute the specific print job, the specific print job continues to be executed.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein if a prescribed time has elapsed without operating the start key while waiting for the specific print job not to be continuously executed, the specific print job is continuously executed.