JP2001034140A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to go to the job cite earlier in accordance with the content of a job and the kind of picture data by setting a second waiting time which is different in length from the regular waiting time calculated by calculating means and notifying the user of the second waiting time with a notifying means concerning to the job. SOLUTION: When the present job or the job before one is different in job content from normal one, and it is better to inform a user of the same earlier than the start of the discharge operation by means of a printer part (S323), subtraction processing from the regular waiting time is executed with respect to the present job and the second waiting time is set (S324). Thereafter, the second waiting time is displayed on LCD and notified (S325). Therein, a flag which denotes that the calculation of the waiting time is over is set 1 and return processing is performed (S326). In such a manner, the second waiting time is set to be shortened less than the regular waiting time and, therefore, the user who goes to the job cite where the copy machine exists in accordance with the waiting time can attend the job cite earlier than the start of discharging operation by means of the printer part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied to a copying machine, a printer, and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to an image inputting means such as an image reading apparatus and an image forming means for outputting input image data. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a so-called multi-job function that operates asynchronously.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of apparatus, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-76155, a print processing time and a print end time are calculated based on program conditions of a print processing step and original contents. And
Display the waiting time until the print is completed,
Alternatively, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-190917, a method is known in which the time required to complete reading of a group of documents is calculated and displayed based on the number of documents and the size of the documents.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-335011, the time required from the set time to the completion of image formation is calculated and displayed according to the number of documents and image forming conditions. is there.

When such a time calculation and display function is applied to an image forming apparatus having the above-described multi-job function, when a new job is input in the presence of a job waiting to be printed, the image of the job is deleted. Since the time until completion of the formation and the like are displayed, the user who has input the job may conveniently go to the site where the image forming apparatus is located when the time elapses, which is convenient.

[0005]

By the way, errors occur easily in some jobs, such as when the capacity of a memory for storing image data is insufficient for printing a large number of sheets. In the case where the previous job is such a job, the input person of the next job goes to the site early, so that it is possible to quickly repair the error state that has occurred, and to execute the job input by itself. Processing can be performed smoothly. Further, when the input job is a copy job of a confidential document, it may be desirable to go to the site early before it is noticed.

However, in the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, the waiting time is uniformly calculated without considering the type of the input job or the immediately preceding job or the type of image data. Such quick recovery of an error state that has occurred and no consideration for confidential documents have been made. Therefore, for example, when an error occurs in the previous job, the repair is delayed and bother other users, or in the case of a confidential document,
Before arriving at the scene, confidential content could be seen by others.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and allows a user to select the content of a job or the type of image data input by the user or the content of a job or the type of image data immediately before the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of visiting a site early.

[0008]

The object of the present invention is to provide an image input unit and an image data input operation by the input unit which operate asynchronously and execute a job with respect to the image data input by the image input unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit; a calculating unit configured to calculate a waiting time until the execution of the job by the image forming unit; and a notifying unit configured to notify the calculated waiting time. According to the contents of the previous job or the type of image data, a second waiting time different in length from the normal waiting time calculated by the calculating means is set for the job, and the second waiting time is set. The problem is solved by an image forming apparatus characterized in that the time is notified by the notification means.

According to this image forming apparatus, a normal waiting time until execution of a job is started is calculated for image data input by the input means. Depending on the contents of the job or the immediately preceding job and the type of image data, a second waiting time different in length from the calculated normal waiting time is set for the job and notified. Therefore, by setting the second waiting time shorter than the regular waiting time and notifying the second waiting time in accordance with the content of the job or the previous job and the type of image data, the user can reduce the waiting time. If the error occurs during the execution of the immediately preceding job, the necessary countermeasures can be taken promptly if the user goes to the site where the apparatus is located when the time elapses. Further, even if the user's own job is related to a confidential document, the confidential content will not be seen by others.

[0010] Further, the apparatus may be provided with a correction means for correcting the calculated normal waiting time or the second waiting time.

According to this image apparatus, the waiting time is corrected, so that the user can know the current waiting time more accurately.

[0012] Further, it is possible to provide a notifying means for notifying the start of job execution by the image creating means.

In this image forming apparatus, even if the user inadvertently forgets the waiting time, the start of job execution can be recognized by the notification means, and the user can immediately go to the site and obtain a printed image.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system to which an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, a printing system 1 is configured by connecting a user-side data processing device 5a to 5c, a center-side data processing device 4, and copying machines 3a and 3b via a communication line 2. ing. This communication line 2 is connected to a public telephone line, a dedicated line, etc.
An AN or WAN is constructed and connected to a network such as the Internet.

The user-side data processing devices 5a to 5c
The center-side data processor 4 is used to input and output data from the user.
a-5c is used to store and manage data input by the user.

The copying machines 3a and 3b can be used to print images processed by the user-side data processors 5a to 5c in addition to normal image copying, and to a telephone line using a communication device (not shown). Facsimile transmission / reception, etc., by connection of Further, the copying machines 3a, 3b
Can exchange data with each other as needed.

These user-side data processing devices 5a to 5a
c, center side data processing unit 4, copying machines 3a, 3b
All or some of them can be installed in the same room, or they can be installed in completely different rooms.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of the copying machines 3a and 3b.

Hereinafter, one copier 3a will be described, but the configuration and operation are the same for the other copier 3b.

The copying machine 3a is a copying machine having a multi-job function. Here, a job refers to a print operation performed by a single print request for one or a group of a group of originals. The multi-job function is capable of independently operating an operation of reading a document and storing image data in an image memory, and an operation of reading image data from an image memory and printing the image data. A function that enables registration and sequentially prints registered jobs in a predetermined order.

The copying machine 3a roughly reads a document image and generates image data. A reading section IR as input means, and temporarily stores image data from the reading section IR and outputs the image data to the printer section P. A memory unit 30 including an image memory to be printed, a printer unit P as an image forming means for printing an image based on image data from the memory unit 30, and an operation panel (FIG. 2) provided on the upper surface of the main body of the copying machine 3a. (Not shown) and a document transport unit 500 that transports the document and reverses the front and back as necessary.

The copying machine 3a and external devices, that is, the other copying machine 3b, user-side data processing devices 5a to 5a
c, connection with the center side data processing device 4 and the like is performed via the memory unit 30 having the external device connection connector 90 connected to the external device through the communication line 2. As described above, when image data is input from a connected external device, the memory unit 30 serves as an input unit. Note that a printer controller or a modem may be connected as needed.

The document feeder 500 includes a document feed tray 51
The document set on the original 0 is automatically conveyed onto the document glass 19, and the document read by the scanning system 10 on the document glass 19 is discharged to the document discharge unit 511. The re-feed unit 600 has a function of temporarily storing the sheet discharged from the main body by the discharge roller 87 as necessary, performing switchback conveyance, and returning the sheet to the printer unit P. Is discharged onto the discharge tray 621.

The reading section IR includes a scanning system 10, an image signal processing unit 20, and the like. The scanning system 10 reads an original, converts the original into image data, and the image signal processing unit 20 sends the image data from the scanning system 10. Image data is processed.

The printer unit P includes a print processing unit 40,
It includes a laser optical system 60, an image forming system 70, and the like. In the print processing unit 40, the semiconductor laser 61 is driven based on the image data output from the memory unit 30,
In the laser optical system 60, a laser beam from the semiconductor laser 61 is guided to an exposure position on the photosensitive drum 71,
In, the latent image resulting from the exposure is developed and transferred onto recording paper.

Next, each part of the copying machine 3a will be described in detail below.

In the scanning system 10 of the reading section IR, a first scanner 1 having an exposure lamp 12 and a first mirror 13a is provided.
1. Further, the second scanner 14 having the second mirror 13b and the third mirror 13c is moved in the directions of arrows a and b (sub-scanning direction) by driving the scanner motor M2.

The light of the exposure lamp 12 is reflected by the original on the original glass 19, and is reflected by mirrors 13a, 13b, 13
c and a line sensor (CCD) via the lens 15
17 is irradiated. The line sensor 17 is composed of a large number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2, reads an image at, for example, 400 dpi, and outputs image data corresponding to each pixel.

The image data output from the line sensor 17 is processed by the image signal processing unit 20,
The data is sent to the memory unit 30.

The memory unit 30 compresses and temporarily stores the image data received from the image signal processing unit 20, transmits the image data to the printer unit P after performing the decompression process. At that time, if necessary, a rotation editing process is performed.

The print processing unit 40 of the printer unit P
The laser optical system 60 is controlled based on the image data received from the memory unit 30. The laser optical system 60 emits a laser beam modulated (on / off) by the print processing unit 40 and a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 61 to scan the photosensitive drum 71. Polygon mirror 62,
lens 63, and mirrors 64a and 64b.

Around the photosensitive drum 71, which is driven to rotate, a charging charger 72, a developing unit 73, a transfer charger 74, a separation charger 75, a cleaner 76, an eraser lamp 77, and the like are arranged along the rotation direction. I have.

The photosensitive drum 71 forms a toner image by a well-known electrophotographic process and transfers the toner image onto a sheet.
The paper is fed from the paper feed cassettes 81a and 81b to the paper feed rollers 8
2a and 82b, and are fed to the transfer charger 74 by the sheet conveying path 83 and the timing roller 84. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred at the position of the transfer charger 74 is transported by the transport belt 85 and the fixing device 8.
6. The sheet is discharged to the sheet re-feeding unit 600 via the discharge roller 87.

In the copying machine 3a, the various rollers and the photosensitive drum 71 of the image forming system 70 are driven by the main motor M1, and each unit is provided with a sensor as needed.

FIG. 3 shows the operation panel 3 of the copying machines 3a and 3b.
It is a top view which shows the structure of 00. A start key 301 is used to start a copy operation.
Is used to input a numerical value such as the number of copies, the clear key 303 is used to clear the input numerical value or to discard the image data in the memory unit 30, and the stop key 304 is used to read a copy operation or a copy operation. The panel reset key 305 is used to stop the operation, and is used to cancel a set job or the like.

Further, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 306
, And a touch panel is attached to the surface of the LCD 306. With this touch panel, various settings according to the display contents in the LCD 306 can be performed. For example, when a reservation setting key 306a is displayed on the LCD 306, a reservation job can be set by pressing the displayed reservation setting key 306a. Further, a copy magnification and other image modes can be set. Note that when image data is input to the memory unit 30 from an external device, a reservation job is automatically set.

Further, on the LCD 306, when a reserved job is set, a waiting time from the start of printing of the job to the start of paper discharge is displayed.

The copying machines 3a and 3b of this embodiment temporarily store the read image data or the image data input from the external device in the memory unit 30, read out the image data from the memory unit 30, and print the image data. Therefore, even if the previous job (original group) is being printed, if the reading of the previous original group (input of image data to the memory unit) has been completed, the reading of the next original group (or reading to the memory unit) is completed. Input), and a plurality of jobs can be stored as a whole. In other words, a plurality of print jobs can be reserved.
At this time, the reading of the next document group is started by the start key 301, the copy mode is set after reading, and the job is registered as a job by pressing the reservation setting key 306 a. When image data is input to the memory unit 30 from an external device, a reservation job is automatically registered. The registered job stores image data together with the copy mode such as the number of copies, magnification, and paper size. After the previously registered job is completed, printing is automatically executed.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the copying machines 3a and 3b. A control unit 101 controls the entire copying machine.
The entire copier is controlled according to a program stored in the OM 103. When a reserved job is registered, the control unit 101 calculates a regular waiting time until the execution of printing of the job is started, or calculates the content of the job or the immediately preceding job. It is determined whether the type of image data is a predetermined type, or when the type is predetermined,
The job also has a function of changing the length of the calculated normal waiting time, setting a second waiting time, and modifying these waiting times as time elapses.

The memory unit 30 has a RAM 3
1 and a code memory 32, and a RAM 31 stores a job management table. In the code memory 32, image data of each job is encoded and stored.
The control unit 101 is connected to an operation panel control unit 105 that controls the operation panel.
Reference numeral 5 performs display control while performing communication with the control unit 101, and transmits input data input by operation to the control unit 101. A RAM 106 is a RAM for storing data for display, and develops and stores a display screen based on operation mode information and an operation state of the copying machine.

The image data read by the image reading section IR is processed by the image signal processing unit 20, and is encoded and stored in an image memory (code memory) in the memory unit 30. Similarly, image data sent from an external device is also encoded and stored in an image memory (code memory) in the memory unit 30. The stored image data is sent to the print processing unit 40 in a predetermined order, and the operation of the printing unit P is performed.

A buzzer 107 is connected to the control section 101 as a notifying means. When the printing section P starts executing a job, the buzzer is operated to notify the buzzer. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 108 denotes other control blocks.

FIG. 5 shows the control unit 101 of the copying machine 3a, 3b.
5 is a flowchart of a main routine executed by the user. In the following description and drawings, steps are abbreviated as S.

In FIG. 5, when the power of the copying machine 3a is turned on, in S1, initialization such as clearing of a RAM and setting of various registers is performed. Communication with the control unit.

Next, after performing the status judgment processing in S3, the sequence of the reading unit IR is determined in S4, the printing sequence of the printing unit P is determined in S5, and the process returns to S2. The processing of S5 is repeated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the status judgment processing in S3.

First, in S31, it is determined whether or not an image of another job is being formed at the start of reading of the original. If an image of another job is being formed at the start of reading of the original (YES in S31), the process waits in S32. Perform the time calculation process, then
After performing the waiting time correction process in S33, the process returns.
If the image of another job is not being formed at the time of reading of the original document (NO in S31), the job is printed immediately without any waiting time, and therefore, the process returns.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the waiting time calculation process 32 of FIG.

First, in S321, it is determined whether or not a flag indicating whether or not the waiting time has been calculated is set (flag = 1). If the waiting time has been calculated (YE in S321)
S), that is, if the flag = 1, the process returns because there is no need to calculate again.

If the waiting time has not been calculated (S32
1 is NO), that is, if the flag is ≠ 1, S322
Then, a normal waiting time until the printing unit P starts outputting (discharging) the read image data is calculated.
The time until the printing unit P starts outputting (discharging) the read image data is, in other words, the time until the printing operation for the previous job ends, and this time is calculated by a known method. Just do it.

Next, in step S323, an unusual job such as whether the print job for the image data input immediately before is an error-prone job or the currently read image is a confidential document. It is determined whether the current job or the immediately preceding job is different from the normal job (NO in S323), and in S327, the job (current job) is determined in S322. L is the normal waiting time calculated for
The message is displayed on the CD 306 and the process returns.

The current job for which the waiting time is to be displayed or the immediately preceding job is different from the normal job content.
If the notification should be made earlier than the start of the discharging operation by the printer unit P (YES in S323), the process proceeds to S32
In step S4, the second waiting time is set by performing a subtraction process from the normal waiting time for the current job, and the second waiting time is displayed on the LCD 306 in step S325. Then, in S326, the flag for which the waiting time has been calculated is set to 1, and
To return. As described above, the second waiting time is set to be shorter than the regular waiting time. Will be present at the site.

In the above description, the jobs that are likely to cause an error include a staple mode job in which the copying machine may stop if the copy user does not come or a large-capacity copy in which the copying machine may stop due to bin full. There is a job or the like, and it may be determined whether the job is applicable when the job is input. Whether the read image is a confidential document is determined by adding a specific pattern such as a confidential mark to the image and using a pattern matching method, or providing a "confidential button" on the copying machine 3a. In the meantime, in the case of confidential data, the user may determine this by manually operating this.

If the immediately preceding job is a job that is likely to cause an error, an error occurs during execution of the printing of the immediately preceding job by setting a waiting time for the current job input earlier. Even when the job input user is not at the job site, the subsequent job input user can take appropriate measures against this error. In addition, even if the job input by the user is related to a confidential document, it is possible to collect the confidential document without being noticed by going out early.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the waiting time correcting process in S32 of FIG.

First, in S331, it is determined whether or not the display of the waiting time is correct. If the display time is not correct (NO in S331), the waiting time is recalculated in S332, and then S333. The waiting time is
And the process proceeds to S334. Therefore, as the time elapses, the display of the waiting time is updated, for example, every one minute.

When the display of the waiting time is accurate (S3
Then, the process proceeds to S334. In S334, it is determined whether or not the discharge start time has come for the job. If the discharge start time has come (the determination in S334 is YES), in S335, the buzzer 10 informs the start of discharge.
7. After notifying by a pager, lamp, electronic bulletin board, etc., the flag 1 for which the waiting time has been calculated is set to 0, and the routine returns. If it is not the discharge start time (the determination in S334 is N
O), returning to S331.

In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the case where the image data is read by the image reading unit IR has been described as an example. However, when the image data is input from an external device, the determination in S31 is made based on the memory unit 30 of the image data.
At the start of input to the printer, it is determined whether printing is in progress. Also, the notification of the waiting time to the user is sent to the LCD 3.
Although the waiting time is displayed in 06, it may be notified by means such as a mobile phone, PHS, and e-mail. Also, when the actual output start of the printing unit P is earlier or later than the waiting time, this is also notified to the mobile phone, P
The notification may be made by means such as HS and e-mail.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, the contents of the job input by itself or the job immediately before it,
Depending on the type of image data, the second waiting time can be set shorter than the regular waiting time for the input job and the user can be notified of the second waiting time. By going to the site where the device is located, even if an error occurs in the immediately preceding job, the necessary countermeasures can be taken promptly, and even if the own job is related to a confidential document, This prevents confidential content from being viewed by others.

In the case where a correction means for correcting the calculated normal waiting time or the second waiting time is provided, the correction of the waiting time allows the user to know a more accurate current waiting time. Can be.

In the case where there is provided a notifying means for notifying the start of job execution by the image forming means, even if the user has inadvertently forgotten the waiting time, the notifying means can recognize the start of job execution. You can go to the site immediately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a print system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a copying machine used in the printing system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of the copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a main flowchart showing control of the entire copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a status determination process in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a waiting time calculation process of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a waiting time correction process of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 3a, 3b,..., Copier (image forming apparatus) 101,..., Control unit 107,. ········ Memory unit IR ··· Read unit P ··· Print unit (image forming unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 BB10 HK03 HN05 HN15 HQ12 HQ17 2C087 AB06 AB08 BC03 BD01 BD46 2H027 DA50 EE02 EJ11 FD08 GB05 GB10 GB17 ZA07 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB22 AB23 AF15

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image input unit that operates asynchronously with an input operation of the image data by the input unit, and executes a job on the image data input by the image input unit; Means for calculating the waiting time until the execution of the job by the means, and notifying means for notifying the calculated waiting time, wherein the content or image of the job or the previous job is provided. According to the type of data, a second waiting time having a length different from the normal waiting time calculated by the calculating means is set for the job, and the notifying means notifies the second waiting time. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit that corrects the regular waiting time or the second waiting time. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit that notifies a start of execution of the job by the image creating unit.