JP2001156969A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably interrupt processing and to prevent the processing time of a low-priority job from being delayed irrespective of the length of image processing time related to jobs in the case of parallel processing plural print jobs. SOLUTION: A compound machine 40 is provided with a printer board 68 capable of inputting data related to the print job, in which a feeding direction and a size are contained, a FAX board 71 and a scanner 40 and respective input parts are provided with image processing parts 64, 66 and 69 for performing image processing. In the case of interrupting copies 102a and 102b to prints 101a-101d inputted from input parts 68, 71 and 49, on the condition of copy time t2>(print interval t1-print time t2), the print interval is controlled into print interval t4 longer than the total time of copy time and print time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an original copying function,
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having at least any two of a data printing function and a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a multifunction machine) having at least any two of a document copying function, a data printing function, and a facsimile function has, for example, a facsimile function and a printer function. In such a case, a plurality of operations can be processed in parallel, such as performing a printer operation during facsimile reception.

However, for example, in a multifunction machine having a copy function and a printer function, even if a user requests a copy function processing while the multifunction machine is operating as a printer, the multifunction machine has a copy function and a print function. When the same image forming unit is used, the parallel processing as described above cannot be performed.

[0004] In this case, the user who wants to make a copy gives up once, gives up after a lapse of time,
Or, if you want to execute copying quickly, go to the multifunction device many times to check whether the printing process is completed, and in some cases, check that the printer process is completed in front of the multifunction device. This causes a problem that copying is executed from the beginning.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the conventional multifunction peripheral allows print jobs to be received in parallel, sets priorities for the print jobs, and determines whether a newly generated print job is If the priority of the print job being processed is higher than that of the print job being processed, the print job currently being processed is temporarily interrupted, the new print job is interrupted, and after the interrupted new print job is completed, the interrupt is performed. It is configured to restart a print job that has been performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the priority order and job interruption. A printer job 101 (101a to 101a to print four sheets by the printer function) is illustrated.
1d) and a case where a copy job 102 (102a, 102b) for copying two sheets by a copy function is processed in parallel.

Here, for example, when the printer function of the multifunction machine is operating to process the printer job 101,
When the copy job 102 occurs, the copy job 10
If the job 2 has a lower priority than the printer job 101, as shown in FIG. 5A, the copy jobs 102a and 102b are turned after the printer jobs 101a to 101d.

Conversely, the copy job 102 has a higher priority than the printer job 101, for example, print 101b.
And the print job 101c, the copy job 10
2 occurs, the copy jobs 102a and 102b are transferred to the printer job 101 as shown in FIG.
Is interrupted between the print 101b and the print 101c.

However, in the above-described prior art, the processing of a job with a low priority is given to a job of a high priority that has been requested later, so that the processing of the job with a low priority is completed. It takes a long time until. Therefore, for example, even if a low-priority job has a small number of printers or copies (hereinafter, referred to as the number of processed sheets), the job is executed after the processing with a relatively large number of processed sheets, and the user may feel dissatisfied. Become.

On the other hand, the multifunction machine is characterized by the fact that the area and cost for installing a dedicated copier, printer, or facsimile for each function can be reduced, and the multifunction machine is installed in a relatively small office or the like. It has a plurality of functions (copy, facsimile, printer, etc.) necessary for forming, and generally has inferior image forming capability as compared to a large-scale dedicated machine.

The image forming ability is deteriorated due to a small diameter of the photosensitive drum, a low rotation speed, and the like. In this case, the processing time for performing image processing becomes longer.

Accordingly, since the multifunction peripheral generally has a lower image forming ability than a dedicated machine or the like, a low priority job is transferred to a higher priority job which has been requested later. This exacerbates the problem that low priority jobs take a long time to complete.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-191362 has been proposed, which is capable of accepting a plurality of print jobs and outputting a currently output page. If the image processing for the next page is not completed by the time the job is completed, another print job waiting for processing is performed to maximize the image forming ability, and the job with the highest priority is completed. There has been disclosed a technology capable of avoiding a problem that a job having a low priority is made to wait for a long time until the job is performed.

FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining the priority and job interruption disclosed in the publication, and copies (copy) to printer jobs 101a to 101d for printing four sheets by the printer function. A case where the copy job 102a by the function is interrupted and processed in parallel is illustrated. Then, each printer job 101a
10 to 101d each require a processing time interval of “t1”, and each image formation is stopped during “t0” (<t1) to perform image processing of each printer job.

That is, the printer jobs 101a to 101d
When the copy job 102a is interrupted, the copy job 102a newly generated during the image processing period t0 in which the image formation is stopped is interrupted. Therefore, specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, for example, the copy 102a is interrupted during the time t0 between the print 101b and the print 101c to perform the parallel processing.

[0016]

As described above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
According to the technology described in JP-A-191362, when the image processing of the next page is not completed by the completion of the output of the page currently being output, another print job waiting for processing is performed.
This is useful in that the image forming capability is maximized and a low-priority job does not have to wait for a long time until the processing of a high-priority job is completed.

However, according to the publication described above, if the image processing of the next page is not completed before the output of the page currently being output is completed, the print job waiting to be processed is interrupted. If the image processing of the next page is completed before the output of the page currently being output is completed, there is a problem that interruption cannot be performed.

In FIG. 6A, after the output of the print 101b is completed, the copy 102a can be interrupted and executed during the time t0 during which the image processing of the print 101c is being performed. However, as shown in FIG. Time t0 is short (Print 1
01c), the copy 102a
If the time t2 for forming an image is longer, copy 1
02a cannot be interrupted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to execute a plurality of jobs in parallel in the same image forming unit in a multifunction peripheral. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately performing an interrupt process regardless of the length of an image processing time for a job and preventing a processing time of a low priority job from being delayed. .

[0020]

According to the present invention, a plurality of data input units capable of inputting data relating to a print job are provided for each of the plurality of data input units, and a predetermined image processing is performed based on the input data. An image processing unit to be performed, and a second print job after the first print job is input from the data input unit.
When the first print job is input, the first print job is a time interval for each sheet on which an image is formed in the first print job based on the input data or the image processing result of the first and second print jobs. An image formation time interval, a first image formation time required for image formation for each sheet, and a second image formation time required for image formation for each sheet in the second print job are set, and the first image formation time is set. An image forming time obtained by subtracting the first image forming time from the image forming time interval is compared with the second image forming time, and when the second image forming time is longer than the image forming time, the second image forming time is determined. A control unit that sets a time interval longer than the sum of the one image formation time and the second image formation time as the new first image formation time interval, and a control unit that sets the newly set first image formation time interval. Based on the first An image forming apparatus and an image forming unit for forming an image according to the second print job.

Further, according to the present invention, the control unit may control the first,
If both of the second print jobs are a plurality of print jobs, the image forming unit controls to execute image formation or image processing for each single leaf in each print job alternately. Item 2. An image forming apparatus according to Item 1.

The present invention further provides a plurality of data input units capable of inputting data relating to a print job, an image processing unit provided for each of the plurality of data input units, and performing a predetermined image processing based on the input data. A storage unit connected to at least one of the plurality of image processing units and configured to store image data after image processing, and a second print job after the first print job is input from the data input unit. When a print job is input, image formation is performed based on the input data relating to the first print job, and image processing in the second print job is performed within a time interval for performing image formation in the first print job. The image processing is performed in parallel, the image-processed data is sequentially stored in the storage unit, and the image processing for the second print job is completed and the first print job is not completed. The control unit controls to alternately perform the image formation of the first print job and the image formation of the second print job, and based on the control of the control unit, An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image related to a print job.

[0023]

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view of a multifunction peripheral 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates the overall configuration of the multifunction peripheral 30. As shown in FIG. A document table 35 made of transparent glass or the like is provided on the upper surface of the multifunction device 30, and an automatic document feeder 36 is provided above the document table 35. The automatic document feeder 36 is a device for automatically feeding the documents placed on a document set tray (not shown) provided in the automatic document feeder to the document table 35 one by one automatically. .

Below the original table 35, an original reading unit 31 including a scanner 40 for optically scanning and reading an original image placed on the original table 35 is provided. The scanner 40 is provided to guide the reflected light image from the document to the photoelectric conversion element 44 (CCD: Charge Coupled Devices) to further reflect the reflected light from the document. The first scanning unit 40a having the first reflecting mirror 42a mounted thereon, and the reflected light from the first reflecting mirror 42a
A second scanning unit 40b including a second reflection mirror 42b and a third reflection mirror 42c for guiding the light to the reflection mirror 44;
An optical lens 43 for forming an image on the CCD 44 via 42c, and a CCD 44 for converting a reflected light image from an original into an electric image signal.

The scanner 40 reads an image of a document automatically conveyed by the automatic document feeder 36 at a predetermined exposure position by an operation related to the automatic document feeder 36. Then, the document image read by the scanner 40 is sent as image data to an image data input unit (not shown), and the image data is subjected to predetermined image processing. Once stored, the image in the memory is read out according to the output instruction and transferred to the laser writing unit 46.

In this embodiment, the scanner 40 is connected to the CC
D44 is fixed, and the first and second scanning units 40a and 40a
Although the type in which b moves is illustrated, the CCD 44
May be scanned along a document placed on the document table 35 to read a document image.

The laser writing unit 46 includes a semiconductor laser light source for emitting laser light and a polygon for deflecting the laser light at an equal angular velocity in accordance with image data read from the memory or image data transferred from an external device. Mirror, laser beam deflected at constant angular velocity is used for image forming unit 3
An f-θ lens and the like for correcting the light to be deflected at a constant angular velocity on the photosensitive drum 48 constituting the second member are provided.

The image forming unit 32 supplies a toner around the photosensitive drum 48 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 48 by charging the photosensitive drum 48 to a predetermined potential. Developing device for developing the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 48 on a recording paper (recording medium, transfer body)
, A cleaning device for collecting excess toner on the photosensitive drum 48, and a static eliminator.

In the present embodiment, the image forming section of the multifunction machine employs the above-described electrophotographic system, but the image forming section is not limited to this. Of course, other recording methods such as an ink jet method, a thermal transfer method, or a heat-sensitive method may be used, and it is needless to say that an image formation of not only a single color but also a plurality of colors may be possible. Although a single image forming unit is illustrated, it is needless to say that at least one of the plurality of image forming units can form an image from a plurality of input sources.

The read data relating to the original image read by the scanner 40 is temporarily stored in an image memory, read out as appropriate, and subjected to predetermined image processing.
The laser beam is scanned by the laser writing unit 46 on the photosensitive member 48 charged to a predetermined potential, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the original image on the photosensitive member 48.

Next, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by the developer in the developing device described above, and the visualized image is transferred onto recording paper (recording medium, transfer paper, branches and leaves) by the above-described transfer device. The recording paper onto which the visual image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 49.

The fixing unit 49 includes a fixing roller 49a having a built-in heater, a fixing roller 49a or a fixing roller 4a.
A temperature detector 49b for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of 9a is provided, and a temperature detection value of the temperature detector 49b is connected to a control unit 72 described later, and according to the detected temperature detection value. In this way, the heater is energized to control the temperature of the fixing roller 49a. Incidentally, a halogen lamp can be suitably used as the heater, and a thermistor can be suitably used as the temperature detector 49b. For example, the surface temperature of the fixing roller or the like is detected at intervals of about several tens of milliseconds to several seconds.

On the discharge side of the image forming unit 32, besides the fixing unit 49, a switchback path 56 for reversing the front and back of the recording paper in order to form an image again on the back of the recording paper,
And post-processing such as stapling on the recording paper on which the image is formed, and a post-processing device 34 having an elevating tray.
And The recording paper on which the visible image is fixed by the fixing unit 46 is guided to the post-processing device 34 by the discharge roller 57 via the switchback path 56 as necessary, where the predetermined post-processing is performed. It will be discharged later.

The paper feed unit is disposed below the image forming unit 32, and includes a manual feed tray 54 and a duplex unit 5.
5, a multi-stage paper feed tray section provided with paper cassettes 51 to 53, and transport means for transporting the paper fed from these paper cassettes 51 to 54 to a transfer position in the image forming unit 32 where a transfer unit is arranged. It has. The duplex unit 55 includes a switchback path 56 for reversing the recording paper.
And is used when images are formed on both sides of the recording paper.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall electrical configuration of the multifunction device 30. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 30 is roughly divided into a scanner unit 40, a printer board 68, a FAX board 71, an image forming unit 61,
Large-capacity storage unit 73, image processing units 64 and 66 for each function
69, a storage unit 65, 67, 70, and a control unit 72. The control unit 72 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores various data such as the number of prints, the number of prints completed, the presence or absence of an interrupt instruction, priority information, and a control program for a print job.

That is, the multifunction device 30 has a copying function of recording image data read by the scanner 40 on recording paper by the image forming section 61, and the personal computer 6.
2. Receiving print data or a print command from a word processor, a portable information terminal, or the like, and transmitting a printer function for recording on recording paper by the image forming unit 61 and data of an image read by the scanner 40 to the facsimile device 63;
The image forming unit 61 has a facsimile function of recording image data received from the facsimile device 63 on recording paper. Therefore, the scanner 40, the printer board 68, and the FAX board 71 correspond to a plurality of data input units.

This configuration is for inputting and performing image processing on the copy function, the facsimile function, and the printer function in parallel, respectively. For example, the specification of the multifunction peripheral 30 is such that the facsimile function and the copy function or If the facsimile function and the printer function are not processed in parallel and only the copy function and the printer function are processed in parallel, only the part related to the copy function and the printer function among the image processing parts may be provided independently. .

In the case where the copying function or the facsimile function (in this case, the facsimile transmission function) is used in the multifunction peripheral 30, the original image to be copied or transmitted by the scanner 40 is read. Predetermined image processing is performed by the image processing unit 64, and data before and after the image processing is appropriately stored and stored in the storage unit 65.

Next, in the case of copying, the data after image processing is transferred to the image forming unit 61 by the control unit 72 to perform copying, while in the case of facsimile transmission, the control unit 72 performs image processing. Later data is FAX board 7
1 and again stored in the storage unit 70, subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 69 in a form in which facsimile transmission is possible, and transmitted to the external facsimile 63 by facsimile.

When using the printer function in the multifunction device 30, an external personal computer (PC)
62, image data or a print request signal is input from a word processor, a portable information terminal, or the like via the printer board 68, and the image processing unit 66 can record based on the input data itself or the input request signal. The image data is expanded, and the expanded image data is stored in the storage unit 67 and stored in the large-capacity storage unit 73 including a hard disk or the like via the control unit 72, or the image forming unit 61 performs the printing process. Done.

Further, when using the facsimile reception function in the multifunction device 30, image data and control signals are input from the external facsimile 63 via the FAX board 71, and the image processing section 69 is input. The expanded image data and the like are expanded into image data that can be formed by the image forming unit 61, and the expanded image data is stored in the storage unit 70 and stored in the large-capacity storage unit 73 via the control unit 72. Alternatively, a printing process is performed in the image forming unit 61. Accordingly, the image processing units 64, 66, and 69 are provided with an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing based on input data, and storage units 65 and 67.
Reference numeral 70 corresponds to a storage unit that stores image data after image processing.

FIG. 3 shows a multifunction machine 3 configured as described above.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining parallel processing of 0. MFP 30
Is a normal image forming interval (first image forming time interval) t1
If the image forming time (second image forming time) t2 of the newly generated job can be inserted during the image processing period (image forming available time) t0 within the period, the parallel processing is performed as it is, but the insertion is not performed. If possible, the image forming interval t1 is appropriately extended to enable parallel processing.

(1) Interruption without Changing the Time Interval of Image Formation A case where a copy job 102a is interrupted by a plurality of print jobs 101a to 101d will be described.
For example, for a printer operation, a process speed of 120 mm
/ Sec, and the continuous recording sheet speed is 15 sheets / minute, the image forming time interval t1 is 60/15 = 4 seconds, and the paper feed interval is 120 × 4 = 480 mm.

If the paper is A4, the A4 size is 210
mm × 297 mm, the image forming time t2 of the A4 horizontal size is 210/120 = 1.75 seconds, and the image forming time t0 = t1−t2 = 4-1.
75 = 2.25 seconds. At this time, when a new copy job 102a occurs, the image processing time t0 is 2.2.
Since it is 5 seconds, it is possible to interrupt the copy job 102a that performs A4 landscape size copying with a recording time t2 of 1.75 seconds.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3A, an image processing period t during which image formation is stopped in a printer job
This makes it possible to interrupt the image recording of a copy job newly generated during 0. At this time, the actual recording interval is t4 (2 seconds), and when a newly generated copy job is interrupted, the continuous recording number is set to 30 sheets / min (the printing time interval in this case is t4). Can be.

(2) When Interrupting is Performed by Changing the Time Interval of Image Formation A plurality of print jobs 101a are executed in the same manner as in (1).
A case in which the copy job 102a is interrupted by the print job 102a will be described. In this case, if the printer operation is performed at a process speed of 120 mm / sec and a continuous recording sheet speed of 20 sheets / min, the image forming time interval t
1 is 60/20 = 3 seconds, and the paper feed interval is 120 ×
3 = 360 mm.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
The image forming time t2 for four horizontal sizes is 210/120 =
1.75 seconds, image processing time t0 = t1- until next job
t2 = 3-1.75 = 1.25 seconds. At this time, if a new copy job 102a is generated, the image processing time t0 is 1.25 seconds, so the recording time t2 is 1.75 seconds (in this case, the image forming time is the same for the copy and the printer, A4). Copy job 10 for copying in horizontal size
It becomes impossible to interrupt 2a.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3C, the image forming interval t4, which was 3 seconds, was changed to t3 (4 seconds), and the image recording by the copy job was performed between the printer jobs 101b and 101c. Insertion can be performed, the actual image forming interval t4 is set to 2 seconds, and the continuous recording number is set to 30 sheets / minute. That is, the first image forming time t2 and the second image forming time t
By setting the total time of 2 to 4 seconds longer than 3.5 seconds, an interrupt can be made.

When a plurality of image data are interrupted and recorded by the parallel processing, the recording of each job is performed alternately as shown in FIG. However, when there is no interruption or when the conventional copy function is prioritized, the image forming interval is set to the time of post-processing rotation when ending or temporarily ending the mode of the previously executed job and switching to another mode. Therefore, it takes several seconds.

In the above description, for the sake of simplicity, if t0> t2, it can be inserted as it is.
In general, since the time between images cannot be set to 0, an optimum margin value may be provided, and a judgment may be made with an appropriate margin. Further, depending on the image processing time of each job, it is possible to flexibly cope with an alternate printing operation such as an interruption of one copy on two printers and an interruption of two copies on three printers. desirable.

Further, recording sheets (recording medium, transfer material) on which an image has been formed and processed by different jobs may be output to different discharge units. This eliminates the need for a complicated process of inserting the copied recording paper between a plurality of printed recording papers and sorting them for each job, for example.

In the above description, the parallel processing of the copy function and the printer function has been described. If there is only one image processing unit for each function, for example,
Data obtained by performing only image processing during the idle time during image recording is stored in advance in the large-capacity storage unit 73, and when the image processing is completed, images are formed alternately so that parallel processing in the same type of job can be performed. It is possible.

In the above description, the image forming interval is appropriately changed. However, in general, the image forming conditions (so-called process conditions in an electrophotographic system) are not changed, and the The image forming interval can be changed by changing the paper conveyance timing by the conveyance roller or the like. Accordingly, image processing such as image data for forming an image can be performed in parallel.

Further, the image processing related to the job to be processed in parallel may be configured to be performed at a time excluding the image forming time. However, since the image formation can be executed from the portion where the image processing is completed, The image processing may be performed with a time delay, or may be performed during the image formation depending on the case. In general, during image formation, it may be configured to perform image processing relating to a job that is not currently performing image formation processing.

(3) Description of Flowchart FIG. 4 shows the parallel recording of the MFP 30 according to the present embodiment.
This will be specifically described according to the flowchart of FIG. First, when image formation starts, it is determined in step S2 (hereinafter abbreviated as S2) whether or not there is an interrupt instruction. If there is no interrupt instruction, normal image formation (printing and recording) is performed.
Therefore, if the recording interval has been changed, the normal recording interval is set, while if the recording interval has not been changed, the process proceeds to S4 as it is (S3).

At S4, one image of the job specified in advance is recorded, and at S5 the number of recordings is checked, and if there is a remaining number, the process returns to S2. On the other hand, when the end of the recording for the number of recordings is detected in S5, it is checked whether or not there is the recording instructed by the interruption (S11).
If there is no recording instructed by the interruption, the image recording ends.

On the other hand, if it is detected in S2 that an interrupt instruction has been issued, the image forming time t0 of the preceding job is detected in S6.
Is compared with the image recording time t2 of the interrupt job.
If 0 <t2, it is not possible to insert the image recording of the interruption job between the recording times of the preceding job (the period during which no recording is performed). Therefore, the recording paper interval of the preceding job is increased in S7, and the interruption is performed in S8. Record one image of the job.

Next, in step S6, if t0> t2, the image recording of the interrupt job can be inserted between recordings of the preceding job (a period during which recording is not performed) without widening the sheet interval. Without executing S7, one image of the interrupt job is recorded in S8.

After recording the image of the interruption job, the number of recordings of the interruption job is checked in S9, and if the recording instructed by the interruption is not completed, the flow proceeds to S4 to proceed with the image formation, and the job recording or the interruption instructed. The recording of the job specified in advance is repeatedly executed.

If it is confirmed in S9 that the recording of the job instructed to be interrupted is completed, the interrupt instruction is canceled in S10, and the normal recording interval is returned in S3 via the above-described processing in S4 to S6. As a result, even if the image forming interval becomes longer due to the interruption, the preceding job can be executed with a minimum delay, and the interruption process can be executed without delay.

If the preceding job has completed the recording first during the parallel processing, the processing shifts from S5 to S11.
In step S12, the interrupt instruction is canceled, the remaining interrupt job is upgraded to the preceding job, and image recording is continuously executed in step S2. Thereafter, when all image recording ends, the image forming operation ends.

As for the interrupt instruction, specifically,
When the user presses an interrupt key or the like provided on an operation unit (not shown) of the multifunction peripheral 30, the multifunction peripheral 30 can recognize the information via the control unit 73 connected to the operation unit, and print the operation unit. When the instruction key is pressed, it may be recognized that the interruption is actually performed. In addition, when an operation key (setting key or the like) related to copying is pressed during the operation of the printer function, it may be predicted that there is an interruption.

Further, when there is a print job or a facsimile job during copying, for example, the control unit 72
This can be achieved by checking the communication interface unit provided on the printer board 68 or the FAX board 71 at predetermined intervals or by providing an interrupt input unit or the like for detection.

As described above, even if an attempt is made to form an image for a new print job between image formations for a previous print job, the image formation for the new print job is inserted at the normal image forming interval. If this is not possible, the image forming interval can be extended so that the image forming time is not greatly exceeded, and image forming can be interrupted between them, so that the capabilities of the image forming unit can be fully utilized. Therefore, it is possible to increase opportunities for parallel processing and to speed up the overall progress of the print job.

In performing the parallel processing, the control unit 72 performs only the input of the newly generated print job and the image processing in parallel, stores it in the large capacity storage unit 73, and stores the image data in the new print job. After the completion of all the image processing, the image formation by the new print job and the image formation by the previous print job can be alternately performed.

By taking into account the case where the processing of the image data input for interruption is not in time for the alternate image formation timing, the image data is temporarily stored in the large capacity Image formation with the job being performed by the user can be performed alternately.

Accordingly, the recording data can be prepared while minimizing the influence of the preceding job on the image formation, and the image formation is performed alternately from the time when the preparation is completed. It is possible to avoid a problem such as delay.

In the above-described embodiment, the copy job 10 is inserted between the plurality of print jobs 101a to 101d.
2a and 102b are interrupted and parallel processing is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, one or more print jobs or facsimile printing may be performed between a plurality of copy jobs. A job may be interrupted, or a copy job or a print job may be interrupted between facsimile print jobs. Further, the present invention may be applied to an interruption between a plurality of print jobs or an interruption between print jobs related to a plurality of facsimile machines.

Although FIG. 2 shows the external device transmitting the data to be printed as if it were one PC 62, more preferably, the external device is shared by a plurality of external devices via a network. In this case, priority can be set for print requests from a plurality of external devices, and interrupt processing can be performed as appropriate, thereby enabling efficient print output according to the priority. Become.

Further, in FIG. 2, the multi-function device 30 is illustrated as if it were integrally formed, but the image forming section 61, the scanner section 40, and the like may be provided separately. The control unit 72 in FIG. 2 and a part of the processing in FIG. 4 may be configured by hardware or software.

Further, the multifunction peripheral 30 according to the present embodiment
Has a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, but it is sufficient if at least two functions are provided without all the above three functions.

Further, in the flowchart according to FIG. 4, it is determined in S2 whether or not an interrupt instruction has been issued each time one sheet is printed. May be determined for each predetermined number of sheets according to. Thus, the present invention can be implemented even when the processing capacity of the control unit 72 is relatively low.

[0073]

According to the present invention, when print jobs from respective data sources such as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile are duplicated, image processing that requires a relatively long time is performed in parallel rather than simply performing interrupt processing. Then, an image of a newly generated job is formed between image formations of the preceding job.

Therefore, when the previously designated print job and the later designated print job overlap, the previously designated job is interrupted or the later designated job is not made to wait, and Image processing and image formation of the job are performed in parallel, and one image formation can be performed while the other image formation is performed.

For example, since the output from the printer or the like is performed while the original is scanned and the image processing is performed, any job can be executed without waiting for a long time.

Further, it is possible to eliminate the time wasted during printing such as the switching operation of the recording mode, to operate the image forming section efficiently, and to further advance the progress of the print job.

Further, even if an attempt is made to form an image for a new print job between image formations for the previous print job, if the image formation for the new print job cannot be inserted at the normal image forming interval, , Widening the interval so as not to greatly exceed the image forming time,
Make full use of the capabilities of the image forming unit. Therefore, opportunities for parallel processing can be increased, and the overall progress of the print job can be accelerated.

According to the present invention, even if not only one interrupt but also a plurality of new print jobs are generated,
Parallel processing is possible, and the overall progress of a print job can be accelerated by making full use of the capabilities of the image forming unit without significantly extending the image forming end time of both.

Further, according to the present invention, the image data and the like are temporarily stored in the storage unit in consideration of the case where the processing of the image data input due to the interruption is not in time for the alternate image forming timing. Then, the printing that is being performed is continued without providing a waiting time to suspend the printing, and the image formation with the preceding job is performed alternately after the completion of the image processing.

Accordingly, the recording data can be prepared without affecting the image formation of the preceding job, and the image formation is performed alternately when the preparation is completed, so that the influence on the preceding job is minimized and a new image is formed. A special effect that the print job is not unnecessarily delayed can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an interruption of a print job according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an interruption of a print job according to the related art.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an interruption of a print job according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 MFP 31 Document reading unit 32 Image forming unit 34 Post-processing device 35 Document table 36 Automatic document feeder 40 Scanner 40a, 40b Scanning unit 46 Laser writing unit 48 Photoconductor drum 49 Fixing unit 49a Fixing roller 49b Temperature detector 61 Image Forming unit 62 Personal computer (PC) 63 Facsimile device 64, 66, 70 Image processing unit 65, 67, 69 Storage unit 68 Printer board 71 FAX board 72 Control unit 73 Large-capacity storage unit 101 Printer job 101a to 101d Print 102 Copy job 102a, 102b copy

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06 AS02 HN15 5B021 AA01 AA02 AA05 AA19 CC04 CC05 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB02 AB22 AB42 AC04 AC60 AC67 AE15 AF07 AF10 BA00

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of data input units capable of inputting data relating to a print job; an image processing unit provided for each of the plurality of data input units, for performing predetermined image processing based on the input data; When a second print job is further input after the first print job is input from the input unit, the first print job is input based on the input data or the image processing result of the first and second print jobs. A first image forming time interval which is a time interval for each sheet for performing image formation in a print job; a first image forming time required for image forming for each sheet;
A second image forming time required for image formation for each sheet in a print job is set, and an image forming available time obtained by subtracting the first image forming time from the first image forming time interval; and the second image forming time. When the second image forming time is longer than the image forming available time, the first image forming time and the second image forming time are compared.
A controller configured to set a time interval longer than the sum of the image forming times as the first image forming time interval, and a newly set first image forming time interval.
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form images related to the first and second print jobs. 2. The image forming section according to claim 1, wherein, when both of the first and second print jobs are print jobs covering a plurality of sheets, the image forming section performs image formation or image processing for each single leaf in each print job. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to alternately execute the operations. 3. A plurality of data input units capable of inputting data relating to a print job, an image processing unit provided for each of the plurality of data input units, and performing a predetermined image processing based on the input data; A storage unit that is connected to at least one of the image processing units and stores image data after image processing, and further receives a second print job after a first print job is input from the data input unit Then, the first
Performing image formation based on the input data relating to a print job, performing image processing in the second print job in parallel within a time interval for performing image formation in the first print job, and executing the image-processed data. Are sequentially stored in the storage unit. When it is determined that the image processing for the second print job is completed and the first print job is not completed, the first
A control unit configured to control alternately the image formation of the print job and the image formation of the second print job; and the image formation of the first and second print jobs based on the control of the control unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that performs the following.