JP2004254047A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which efficiently performs an interrupt job without causing trouble in the performance of the preceding print job. <P>SOLUTION: When the preceding print job requires post-processing on a paper receiving rest (yes in S2) and when the interrupt job is confirmed to require post-processing on the paper receiving rest (yes in S8), post-processing of a paper bundle existing on the paper receiving rest at that point in time is finished, and then a shift is subsequently made to the processing of interrupt job (S9 and S10). When the interrupt job needs no post-processing on the paper receiving rest (no in S8), processing of the preceding print job is immediately stopped to proceed to the processing of the interrupt job (S3 to S6). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that sequentially processes a plurality of print jobs including an interrupt job to form an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that sequentially processes a plurality of print jobs to form an image, interrupts a print job being executed when there is an interrupt job, and executes an interrupt job process is known. Have been. As an image processing apparatus having such a technology, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, if there is an interrupt job during the processing of a print job, it is determined whether the execution of the interrupt job is possible. In some cases, when interrupt execution is possible, the preceding job processing is interrupted and the interrupt job is executed with priority as much as possible.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-163068
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Today's image forming apparatuses include a finisher (paper post-processing mechanism) that performs post-processing on paper after image formation. The finisher temporarily performs post-processing such as sorting and stapling to perform post-processing such as sorting and stapling. In some cases, a sheet stock unit for stocking a sheet bundle is provided. In such an image forming apparatus, when an interrupt job is executed by interrupting a preceding job process, in the above-described prior art, when an interrupt job occurs during post-processing operation of a sheet by a finisher, a sheet stock is generated at that time. The interrupt job is not executed until post-processing of the sheet bundle existing in the set is completed. That is, the post-processing for the sheet bundle existing in the sheet stock unit is completed, and the interrupt job processing is not executed until the sheet bundle is discharged from the sheet stock unit. Therefore, even if the operator instructs the interruption of the printing, the interruption job is not executed immediately, and the waiting time until obtaining the print result is long.
[0005]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can efficiently execute an interrupt job without hindering execution of a preceding print job. I do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus configured to sequentially process each print job to form an image when a plurality of print jobs including an interrupt job are generated. ,
A finisher that has a paper stock unit that temporarily stocks a sheet bundle after image formation and performs post-processing on the paper;
Interrupt job detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an interrupt job during processing of a preceding print job;
When an interrupt job is detected by the interrupt job detecting unit, a print job content checking unit that checks the content of the interrupt job and the content of the preceding print job;
When it is confirmed by the print job content confirmation means that the preceding print job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit, and it is confirmed that the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit. After the post-processing of the sheet bundle existing in the paper stock unit at that time is completed, the process proceeds to the interrupt job processing, and it is confirmed that the interrupt job does not require the post-processing in the paper stock unit. Control means for immediately stopping the processing of the preceding print job and shifting to processing of an interrupt job.
It is provided with.
[0007]
According to this configuration, even when the paper stock section of the finisher is used in the processing of the preceding print job, if the paper stock section is not used in the processing of the interrupt job, the processing of the interrupt job is immediately executed. Therefore, the waiting time until the processing of the interrupt job is executed is reduced. Also, if there is an interrupt job that uses the paper stock unit when the paper stock unit is used in the processing of the preceding print job, the interrupt job process is not immediately executed. The occurrence of the job does not hinder the processing of the preceding print job. As a result, the efficiency of the interrupt job processing can be improved without any trouble in the processing of the preceding print job, and the waiting time during interrupt printing can be reduced.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit controls the print job content confirmation unit to post-process a preceding print job in the paper stock unit. If it is confirmed that the interrupt job is not required, regardless of whether or not the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit, the process of the preceding print job is immediately stopped and the interrupt job is processed. It is a thing to shift.
[0009]
According to this configuration, when the processing of the preceding print job does not use the paper stock part of the finisher, the processing of the preceding print job is performed regardless of whether the processing of the interrupt job uses the paper stock part. Since the process is immediately stopped and the process moves to the interrupt job, the control of the preceding print job and the interrupt job is performed more safely without hindering the execution of the processes of both the preceding print job and the interrupt job. be able to.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading means for reading an image on a document,
Image forming means for forming an image read by the document reading means on a sheet,
When the print job content confirmation unit determines that both the preceding print job and the interrupt job require post-processing in the paper stock unit, the control unit controls the paper stock unit based on the preceding print job. The document reading means is caused to execute the document reading based on the interrupt job even during the post-processing of the above.
[0011]
According to this configuration, even when both the preceding print job and the interrupt job require post-processing by the finisher, the paper post-processing in the paper stock unit based on the preceding print job and the paper stock The document reading by the document reading means based on the interrupt job which does not hinder the paper post-processing at the same time is performed in parallel, so that the efficiency of the interrupt job processing can be further improved, and the interruption from the time of the interrupt printing can be performed. The waiting time until a print result of printing is obtained can be reduced.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which sequentially processes each print job to form an image when a plurality of print jobs including an interrupt job are generated,
A finisher that has a paper stock unit that temporarily stocks a sheet bundle after image formation and performs post-processing on the paper;
Interrupt job detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an interrupt job during processing of a preceding print job;
Interrupt job content checking means for checking the content of the interrupt job detected by the interrupt job detecting means;
Paper detection means for detecting whether or not paper is present in the paper stock unit;
When the paper detection unit detects that paper is present in the paper stock unit, and when the interrupt job content confirmation unit determines that the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit, When the paper detection unit no longer detects the paper in the paper stock unit, the process proceeds to an interrupt job, and the interrupt job content confirmation unit does not require the interrupt job to perform post-processing in the paper stock unit. A control means for immediately stopping the processing of the preceding print job and proceeding to the processing of the interrupt job when confirmed;
It is provided with.
[0013]
According to this configuration, even when paper is present in the paper stock unit in the finisher, if the paper stock unit is not used in the interrupt job, the interrupt job process is immediately executed. The waiting time before executing is reduced. Also, if there is an interrupt job that needs to use the paper stock unit when there is paper in the paper stock unit, the interrupt job processing is not executed immediately, and Thus, there is no problem in processing the preceding print job. As a result, the efficiency of the interrupt job processing can be improved without any trouble in the processing of the preceding print job, and the waiting time during interrupt printing can be reduced.
[0014]
In addition, when there is an interrupt job, regardless of whether or not the preceding print job performs post-processing by the paper stock unit, if paper actually exists in the paper stock unit, the paper is stored in the paper stock unit. Since the processing does not shift to the processing of the interrupt job requiring the sheet post-processing, the safety in the case of executing the processing of the interrupt job immediately is improved.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the control unit detects that the paper is not present in the paper stock unit by the paper detection unit, Regardless of whether or not the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit, the process of the preceding print job is immediately stopped and the process shifts to the process of the interrupt job.
[0016]
According to this configuration, regardless of whether or not the processing of the interrupt job uses the paper processing unit, when there is no paper in the paper stock unit, the processing of the preceding print job is immediately stopped and the interrupt job is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to more safely control the preceding print job and the interrupt job without hindering the execution of both the preceding print job and the interrupt job.
[0017]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein: a document reading unit configured to read an image on the document;
Image forming means for forming an image read by the document reading means on a sheet,
The control unit is configured to detect that the paper is present in the paper stock unit by the paper detection unit, and to confirm that the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit by the print job content confirmation unit; Is for causing the document reading means to execute the document reading based on the interrupt job even in a state in which the sheet detecting means detects that a sheet is present in the sheet stock section.
[0018]
According to this configuration, even if paper is present in the paper stock unit due to processing of the preceding job, and paper is present in the paper stock unit even when processing of the interrupt job requires use of the paper stock unit. The original reading by the original reading means based on the interrupt job, which can execute the processing even when the interrupt job is performed, can further improve the efficiency of the interrupt job processing, and print the interrupt print from the time of the interrupt print. The waiting time until obtaining a result can be reduced.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multifunction device 1 includes a main body 2 having an image forming unit 100, a document transport mechanism 3 and a document reading unit 4, which also serve as a document presser provided above the main body 2, and a lower part of the main body 2. And a finisher 6 installed on one side of the main body 2.
[0020]
The document transport mechanism 3 includes a document placement unit 301, a loading drive unit 302 having a pair of loading rollers, a pair of transport rollers 303, a pair of discharge rollers 304, a discharge tray 305, and a document for detecting the presence or absence of a document. A detection switch 306 is provided to automatically convey the originals placed on the original placing portion 301 one by one while making contact with the contact glass 402, and discharge the originals to the paper output tray 305 after scanning the originals. .
[0021]
The document reading unit 4 includes a scanner unit (not shown) for generating image data from an image of a document optically acquired, and includes a contact glass 401 and a contact glass 402 on the upper surface thereof. The document reading unit 4 reads image data obtained from a document placed on the contact glass 401 or a document conveyed in contact with the contact glass 402 by the document conveying mechanism 3 with a scanner unit. It outputs to the control part mentioned later.
[0022]
The paper supply unit 5 includes paper supply cassettes 501 and 502 that store paper of each size, vertical and horizontal types, and a manual paper supply unit 503. The paper supply unit 5 includes a transport path 504 for transporting paper from the paper cassettes 501 and 502 to the image forming unit 100 and a transport path 505 for transporting paper from the manual paper feed unit 503 to the image forming unit 100. . Each of the paper cassettes 501 and 502 and the manual paper feed unit 503 include pickup rollers 506, 507, and 508 for taking out stored paper (recording paper) and a paper feed roller pair for feeding paper one by one to a transport path. 509, 510, and 511.
[0023]
The conveyance path 504 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 512 and 513 that convey the sheet, and a pair of registration rollers 514 for holding the sheet conveyed in front of the image forming unit 100 at a predetermined position. The transport path 505 joins the transport path 504 on the upstream side of the pair of registration rollers 514.
[0024]
The image forming unit 100 includes a drum-shaped photoconductor 101 rotatably supported, a charging unit 102 disposed around the photoconductor 101, a developing unit 103, a cleaning unit 104, and a laser scanning unit 105. , A transfer roller 106, and a fixing roller pair 107. The charging unit 102 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor 101 to a predetermined potential. The laser scanning unit 105 irradiates a laser beam to the surface of the photoconductor 101 based on the image data transmitted from the control unit 10 (FIG. 2), and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 101.
[0025]
Further, the developing unit 103 is for attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image to make the image visible, the transfer roller 106 is for transferring the developed toner image to paper, and the fixing roller pair 107 is for Is to fix the toner image transferred to the paper. Further, the cleaning unit 104 cleans toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 101 after image transfer.
[0026]
Further, a paper discharge unit 108 is provided above the main body 2, and the paper conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 109 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 108. The discharge roller pair 110 discharges the sheet conveyed from the fixing roller pair 107 to the finisher 6. The discharge branch guide 111 driven according to a control signal from the control unit 10 discharges the sheet in the discharge direction. Can be switched between the discharge roller pair 109 side and the discharge roller pair 110 side.
[0027]
When an image is formed on both sides of a recording sheet, the image forming section 100 forms an image on one side of the recording sheet, and the recording sheet is nipped by a discharge roller pair 109. In this state, the recording paper is switched back by inverting the discharge roller pair 109, the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L, and is again conveyed to the upstream area of the image forming unit 100, and the image is formed on the other surface by the image forming unit 100. Is formed, the recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 108 or conveyed to the finisher 6.
[0028]
The finisher 6 will be described. The finisher main body 60 includes a punch unit 601 that performs a punching process as post-processing on the paper conveyed from the discharge roller pair 110 of the main body unit 2, a carry-in roller pair 602 that conveys the carried paper, and A paper receiving tray (paper stock unit) 603 and a finisher main body 60 that temporarily stock the received paper as a paper bundle are transport rollers that transport the image-formed paper and the original paper that have been transported by the carry-in roller pair 602. Pair 620, a discharge roller pair 607 for discharging the paper conveyed from the paper receiving tray 603 to the main main discharge tray 623, an evacuation drum 621 for retreating the conveyed paper when post-processing on the paper is not in time, not shown. The paper can be moved up and down by the elevating mechanism, and the paper conveyed from the paper receiving tray 603 can be conveyed. The mail box 622 including a plurality of bins capable of discharging the paper directly conveyed from the roller pair 602, the main discharge tray 623, and the conveyance direction of the paper from the carry-in roller pair 620 are determined by the paper receiving table 603 side and the mailbox 622. And a transfer branch guide 624 for switching to a pair of discharge rollers 607 for discharging a sheet to the main discharge tray 623.
[0029]
Further, the finisher main body 60 includes a stapling device 625 for performing stapling processing on the paper conveyed to the paper receiving tray 603, a receiving member 626 for receiving and holding a lower end of the paper conveyed to the paper receiving tray 603, and a paper receiving tray. A conveying roller pair 627 that conveys the sheet from 603 downward, a book binding unit 628 that folds the sheet conveyed from the conveying roller pair 627 at the center and binds the book, and a sheet bound by the book binding unit 628. Is provided with a discharge tray 629 from which is discharged.
[0030]
The sheet receiving table 603 includes a driving unit (not shown) that moves the receiving member 626 in the sheet unloading direction. When the driving unit is driven in response to a control signal from the control unit 10, the sheet held by the receiving member 626 is transported to the discharge roller pair 607 and discharged to the main discharge tray 623 by the discharge roller pair 607. Is done. Further, the paper receiving tray 603 is provided with a paper detecting sensor 62 (FIG. 2) including an optical sensor or the like, so that it is detected whether or not a paper is present in the paper receiving tray 603.
[0031]
Note that the finisher body 60 has a receiving roller (not shown) for loading paper into the paper receiving tray 603, a movable guide member for guiding the loading of paper into the paper receiving tray 603, and a stationary guide portion (not shown). Are provided at different positions at predetermined intervals with respect to the sheet carrying direction. Thus, the position at which different sizes of paper or paper having different lengths in the transport direction depending on the paper direction are changed into the paper receiving tray 603 according to the size and direction of each paper is changed. The sheets are carried into the sheet receiving tray 603 in a state where the sets are aligned, and the stapling process by the stapling device 625 is enabled.
[0032]
The stapling device 625 is configured to be movable by a driving unit (not shown) that is driven by a control signal from the control unit 10, and a position near the edge of the sheet when performing a normal stapling process on the sheet carried into the sheet receiving tray 603. The stapling process is performed near the edge of the sheet, and the stapling process is performed near the center of the sheet when book binding is performed.
[0033]
The book binding section 628 includes a saddle stitch receiving tray 630 on which a sheet stapled by the stapling device 625 is placed, a carry-in roller pair 631 that carries the sheet transported from the transport roller pair 627 into the saddle stitch receiving tray 630, and a middle. The sheet placed on the binding receiving tray 630 is folded in the middle by a pushing member 632, a center folding roller pair 633, and a center folding roller pair 633 provided to face each other so as to sandwich the front and back near the center of the sheet to be in a book binding state. A discharge roller pair 634 that discharges the discharged sheet to the discharge tray 629 is provided.
[0034]
The pushing member 632 is configured to be movable by a driving unit (not shown), and is moved in the direction of the center folding roller pair 633 so that the center is stapled by staples and the sheet placed on the saddle stitching tray 630. Is pushed toward the center folding roller pair 633 to make the center folding.
[0035]
The center folding roller pair 633 folds the paper pressed by the pressing member 632 into a book binding state and conveys the paper bound by the discharging roller pair 634 to the discharge tray 629. Is discharged.
[0036]
The elevating mechanism 605 causes the upper surface of the sheet bundle discharged onto the main main discharge tray 623 in response to a control signal from the control unit 10 to be positioned at a reference position suitable for discharging the sheet bundle from the discharge roller pair 607. Then, the position of the main discharge tray 623 is raised and lowered.
[0037]
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, a setting for selecting a discharge bin of the mailbox 622 for discharging a document and a sheet on which an image is formed, a setting for post-processing for the sheet, and a setting for performing book binding processing on the sheet after image transfer. Such operations can be performed by an operator inputting an operation instruction from an operation panel unit (described later).
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction peripheral 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 10 that controls the operation of the entire device. The control unit 10 is connected to a scanner unit 40 including an exposure lamp 41 and a CCD 42 that can read a document image, and an image forming unit 100. The control unit 10 includes an image memory 71 used as a work area for temporarily storing document data read by the scanner unit 40, and a large memory having a storage capacity capable of storing a large amount of document data. An HDD (internal storage device) 72 having a capacity is connected.
[0039]
The image processing unit 73 converts an analog image signal output from the scanner unit 40 into a digital image at the time of reading a document by the scanner unit 40, performs image processing for improving image quality, and then converts the image signal into a compressed image. This compressed image is written to the image memory 71. The control unit 10 stores the compressed image written in the image memory 71 in the HDD 72 as file data to be managed. When the registered document is printed out, file data to be printed out (compressed image) is written out from the HDD 72 or each computer on the network to the image memory 71, and the image processing unit 73 stores the compressed file data in the image memory 71. The image is expanded and subjected to image processing according to the output state. For example, in the case of laser exposure, analog modulation is performed on a laser signal. Printout is performed in the image forming unit 100 based on the analog modulated signal.
[0040]
Further, the control unit 10 functions as a scanner controller 11, a facsimile controller 12, a printer controller 13, a copy controller 14, and a network controller 15 for controlling each function executable by the multifunction peripheral 1.
[0041]
The scanner controller 11 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the operation of the scanner unit 40. The facsimile controller 12 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the facsimile operation, and controls the facsimile communication unit 74 that adjusts data necessary for the facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 74 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line to a destination facsimile which is a data transmission / reception partner. The copy controller 14 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the copy operation.
[0042]
The printer controller 13 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the operation of the printer. The printer controller 13 includes a parallel I / F unit 75 connected to an external device by parallel transmission in which several bits are simultaneously transmitted using a plurality of signal lines, and a 1-bit unit using a single signal line. A serial I / F unit 76 connected to an external device by serial transmission for transmitting data is connected.
[0043]
The network controller 15 controls data transmission and reception performed between the MFP 1 and a computer or the like on a network. The network controller 15 transmits and receives data to and from the outside via the network I / F unit 77.
[0044]
The multifunction device 1 is provided with an operation panel unit 78 to which various operation instructions are input from the operator. The operation panel unit 78 is also controlled by the control unit 10. The operation key unit 781 includes a start key for inputting a print execution instruction by the operator, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies to be printed, and the like. The display unit 782 displays operation guide information and the like for various copying operations, and includes a liquid crystal display or the like having a touch panel function for inputting various settings.
[0045]
Further, the control unit 10 generates a print job in response to an instruction from the operator input from the operation panel unit 78, and also functions as a job management unit 17 that manages the print job. The job management unit 17 detects the presence or absence of an interrupt job during processing of a preceding print job, and confirms the contents of the interrupt job and the preceding print job. The control unit 10 determines which of the preceding print job and the interrupt job is to be prioritized based on the content detected and confirmed by the job management unit 17, and determines whether the document transport mechanism 3, the document reading unit 4, The forming unit 100 and the finisher 6 are controlled.
[0046]
The management memory 130 stores management information (document name, save destination folder, document data amount, etc.) of document data stored in the HDD 72 and a computer on the network, a document code, and the like.
[0047]
The finisher 6 is also controlled by the control unit 10. In the finisher 6, the operation of each part of the finisher main body 60 is controlled in accordance with the control signal received from the control unit 10 by the finisher control unit 61. When the sheet detection sensor 62 detects the presence of a sheet on the sheet receiving tray 603, a detection signal is sent from the sheet detection sensor 62 to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 performs subsequent printing based on the detection signal. It is determined whether or not to execute a job.
[0048]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of the interrupt job control by the multifunction peripheral 1. In the MFP 1, when an interrupt job is generated, even if a sheet bundle exists in the sheet receiving tray 603 due to the processing of the preceding print job, the sheet receiving tray 603 is not used in the processing of the interrupt job. The processing of the preceding print job is immediately stopped, and the processing shifts to the processing of an interrupt job. Hereinafter, control of the interrupt job will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0049]
In the multifunction device 1, if an interrupt job occurs according to an interrupt printing instruction from the operator during the processing of the print job (YES in S1), the processing of the preceding print job (the processing of the current job) is performed on the paper receiving tray. It is confirmed whether the process is a process for performing post-paper processing (sort or staple processing, etc.) using 603 (S2). Here, if the processing of the preceding print job does not perform the sheet post-processing using the sheet receiving tray 603 (NO in S2), the processing of the preceding print job is immediately stopped (S3), and the interruption job is executed. Then, the processing of the interrupt job is executed (S4). Then, after the processing of the interrupt job is completed (YES in S5), the processing of the preceding print job is restarted (S6).
[0050]
If the preceding print job performs paper post-processing using the paper receiving tray 603 (YES in S2), it is determined whether or not the interrupt job processing is to perform paper post-processing using the paper receiving tray 603. Confirmed (S8). When the interrupt job processing does not perform the sheet post-processing using the sheet receiving tray 603 (NO in S8), the processing of the preceding print job is stopped, and the processing of the interrupt job is executed (S3 to S6). ).
[0051]
If the sheet post-processing using the sheet tray 603 is being performed in the interrupt job process (YES in S8), the sheet tray 603 is discharged until the sheet bundle is discharged from the sheet tray 603 in the preceding print job process. The execution of the embedded job is awaited (NO in S9 and S10). This is because it is impossible to execute the sheet post-processing using the sheet tray 603 in the interrupt job processing because the sheet tray 603 is already used in the preceding print job.
[0052]
When the sheet bundle is discharged from the sheet receiving tray 603 in the processing of the preceding print job (YES in S10), that is, in the preceding print job, post-processing is being performed on the sheet receiving tray 603 at the time of occurrence of the interrupt job. If post-processing is completed for a bundle of sheets that have already been processed (when post-processing is performed on a plurality of copies of paper in the preceding print job and post-processing was performed when the interrupt job occurred), the preceding print job Is stopped, and the processing of the interrupt job is executed (S3 to S6).
[0053]
If there is no interrupt printing instruction from the operator and no interrupt job has occurred (NO in S1), the processing of the current print job is continued (S7).
[0054]
According to the interrupt job control, even when the paper receiving tray 603 of the finisher 6 is used in the processing of the preceding print job, if the paper receiving tray 603 is not used in the processing of the interrupt job, the interrupt is immediately performed. Since the job processing is executed, the waiting time until the processing of the interrupt job is executed is shorter than before. Further, when the paper receiving tray 603 is used in the processing of the preceding print job and there is an interrupt job using the paper receiving tray 603, the processing of the interrupt job is not immediately executed. The occurrence of the interrupt job does not hinder the processing of the preceding print job. As a result, the efficiency of the interrupt job processing can be improved without any trouble in the processing of the preceding print job, and the waiting time during interrupt printing can be reduced.
[0055]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the interrupt job control by the multifunction peripheral 1. In this interrupt job control, when an interrupt job is generated, even if the process immediately shifts to the interrupt job and all processes cannot be executed, the preceding print job is not included in the process of the interrupt job. Processing that can be executed irrespective of its existence is executed in parallel with processing of a preceding print job. Hereinafter, control of the interrupt job will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The description of the same processing as in the first embodiment will be omitted.
[0056]
If an interrupt job occurs during the execution of the print job (YES in S11), and both the preceding print job and the interrupt job perform sheet post-processing using the sheet receiving tray 603 (YES in S12, S18). YES), it is determined whether or not to perform the document reading process by the document reading unit 4 in the interrupt job process (S19). When the original reading process is performed by the interrupt job (YES in S19), the original reading process of the interrupt job is executed (S20). That is, if the paper receiving tray 603 is used in the processing of the preceding print job, and the paper post-processing using the paper receiving tray 603 cannot be executed in the processing of the interrupt job, Thus, a document reading process that can be performed without using the paper receiving tray 603 is executed.
[0057]
After the completion of the document reading process, in the other process of the interrupt job, the execution of the interrupt job process is on standby until the sheet is discharged from the sheet receiving tray 603 in the process of the preceding print job (S21). If the sheet is discharged from the sheet receiving tray 603 in the processing of the preceding print job, another processing of the interrupt job is executed (YES in S22, S13 to S16).
[0058]
According to the interrupt job control, when both the preceding print job and the interrupt job perform post-processing using the sheet tray 603 of the finisher 6, the sheet tray 603 based on the preceding print job is used. Since the sheet post-processing and the document reading process by the document reading unit 4 based on the interrupt job are performed in parallel, the time required to finish the process of the interrupt job is determined. As a result, the efficiency of the interrupt job processing can be further improved, and the waiting time during interrupt printing can be reduced.
[0059]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the interrupt job control performed by the MFP 1. This interrupt job control is performed when the interrupt job is generated, regardless of whether or not the processing content of the print job that is currently being executed performs the post-processing of the paper using the paper tray 603. If the sheet does not exist, the process immediately proceeds to the interrupt job processing. If the sheet exists in the sheet receiving tray 603, the process proceeds based on whether the sheet receiving tray 603 is used in the interrupt job processing. This is for determining whether or not to execute the processing of the interrupt job. Hereinafter, control of the interrupt job will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The description of the same processing as in the second embodiment is omitted.
[0060]
If an interrupt job occurs during execution of the print job (YES in S31), it is determined based on a signal from the sheet detection sensor 62 at that time whether or not a sheet is present in the sheet receiving tray 603 (S32). ). If there is a sheet in the sheet receiving tray 603 (YES in S32), it is confirmed whether or not the processing of the interrupt job is to perform post-processing of the sheet using the sheet receiving tray 603 (S38). . When the interrupt job processing does not perform the sheet post-processing using the sheet receiving tray 603 (NO in S38), the processing of the preceding print job is stopped, and the processing of the interrupt job is executed (S33 to S36). ).
[0061]
In the case where the interrupt job process performs the sheet post-processing using the sheet receiving tray 603 (YES in S38), it is determined whether or not the document reading unit 4 performs the document reading process in the interrupt job process (S39). ). When the original reading process is performed in the interrupt job (YES in S39), the original reading process of the interrupt job is executed (S40). That is, regardless of the processing content of the preceding print job, if paper actually exists in the paper receiving tray 603, a document reading process that does not use the paper receiving tray 603 in the interrupt job processing is executed. Is done.
[0062]
After the document reading process is completed, while the sheet is present in the sheet receiving tray 603, execution of another process of the interrupt job is on standby (YES in S41 and S42), and the process of the preceding print job is performed. When the sheet is discharged from the sheet receiving tray 603, another process of the interrupt job is executed (NO in S42, S43 to S46).
[0063]
According to this interrupt processing control, when there is an interrupt job, regardless of whether or not the preceding print job performs post-processing using the paper tray 603 of the finisher 6, the sheet tray 603 is actually processed. If there is a sheet in the printer, the process does not shift to the interrupt job requiring the sheet post-processing using the sheet receiving tray 603. Therefore, when the interrupt job process is executed immediately, the paper jam is surely caused. Generation can be prevented, and safety can be improved.
[0064]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the paper detection sensor 62 is described as being composed of an optical sensor. However, when the paper is stored in the paper receiving tray 603, the paper detection sensor 62 It may have another configuration, such as a switch mechanism for detecting the presence of a paper sheet.
[0065]
Further, in the second and third embodiments, the document reading process is described to be performed in parallel with the process of the preceding print job, but is performed in parallel during the process of the preceding print job. The processing is not limited to the original reading processing, and other processing can be performed as long as the processing can be performed without using the paper receiving tray 603. That is, as long as the sheet printed in the preceding print job and the sheet printed in the interrupt job process do not compete with each other on the sheet receiving tray 603, the image forming unit 100 starts the image forming process in the interrupt job process. It may be.
[0066]
Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is described as the MFP 1 having a copy function, a printer function, and a fax function. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, a device having only a single function, such as a so-called copier or printer, may be used. In the case of an image forming apparatus having only a single function such as a printer, the control related to the document reading process in each of the above embodiments is not performed.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the paper stock unit of the finisher is used in the processing of the preceding print job, if the paper stock unit is not used in the processing of the interrupt job, the interrupt job is immediately executed. Since the processing is executed, the waiting time until the processing of the interrupt job is executed is reduced. Also, if there is an interrupt job that uses the paper stock unit when the paper stock unit is used in the processing of the preceding print job, the interrupt job process is not immediately executed. The occurrence of the job does not hinder the processing of the preceding print job. As a result, the efficiency of the interrupt job processing can be improved without any trouble in the processing of the preceding print job, and the waiting time during interrupt printing can be reduced.
[0068]
When the processing of the preceding print job does not use the paper stock unit of the finisher, regardless of whether or not the processing of the interrupt job uses the paper stock unit, the processing of the preceding print job is immediately stopped. Since the processing shifts to the processing of the interrupt job, the control of the preceding print job and the interrupt job can be performed more safely without hindering the execution of the processing of both the preceding print job and the interrupt job.
[0069]
Even when both the preceding print job and the interrupt job require post-processing at the finisher, the sheet post-processing at the paper stock unit based on the preceding print job and the post-processing at the paper stock unit Since the document reading by the document reading unit based on the interrupt job that does not hinder the processing is performed in parallel, the efficiency of the interrupt job process can be further improved, and the print result of the interrupt print from the time of the interrupt print is performed. The waiting time until obtaining is reduced.
[0070]
Also, even when paper is present in the paper stock unit in the finisher, if the paper stock unit is not used in the interrupt job, the interrupt job process is executed immediately. Waiting time is reduced. Also, if there is an interrupt job that needs to use the paper stock unit when there is paper in the paper stock unit, the interrupt job processing is not executed immediately, and Thus, there is no problem in processing the preceding print job. As a result, the efficiency of the interrupt job processing can be improved without any trouble in the processing of the preceding print job, and the waiting time during interrupt printing can be reduced.
[0071]
In addition, when there is an interrupt job, regardless of whether or not the preceding print job performs post-processing by the paper stock unit, if paper actually exists in the paper stock unit, the paper is stored in the paper stock unit. Since the processing does not shift to the processing of the interrupt job requiring the sheet post-processing, the safety in the case of executing the processing of the interrupt job immediately is improved.
[0072]
Also, regardless of whether or not the interrupt job process uses the sheet processing unit, if there is no sheet in the sheet stock unit, the process of the preceding print job is immediately stopped and the process proceeds to the interrupt job process. Therefore, it is possible to more safely control the preceding print job and the interrupt job without hindering the execution of the processing of both the preceding print job and the interrupt job.
[0073]
Further, even if there is paper in the paper stock unit due to the processing of the preceding job and the processing of the interrupt job requires the use of the paper stock unit, the processing is performed even if there is paper in the paper stock unit. The original reading by the original reading means based on the interrupt job, which can execute the process, can further improve the efficiency of the interrupt job processing, from the time of the interrupt printing until the print result of the interrupt print is obtained. Waiting time can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of interrupt job control by the multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the interrupt job control by the multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the interrupt job control by the multifunction peripheral.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 MFP (image forming device)
3 Document transport mechanism
4 Document reading unit (document reading means)
6 Finisher
10 control unit (interrupt job detection means, print job content confirmation means, control means)
40 Scanner section
41 Exposure lamp
60 Finisher body
61 Finisher control unit
62 Paper detection sensor (paper detection means)
603 Paper tray (paper stock part)
100 Image forming unit (image forming means)

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that sequentially processes each print job to form an image when a plurality of print jobs including an interrupt job are generated,
A finisher that has a paper stock unit that temporarily stocks a sheet bundle after image formation and performs post-processing on the paper;
Interrupt job detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an interrupt job during processing of a preceding print job;
When an interrupt job is detected by the interrupt job detecting unit, a print job content checking unit that checks the content of the interrupt job and the content of the preceding print job;
When it is confirmed by the print job content confirmation means that the preceding print job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit, and it is confirmed that the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit. After the post-processing for the sheet bundle existing in the paper stock unit at that time is completed, the process proceeds to the interrupt job processing, and it is confirmed that the interrupt job does not require the post-processing in the paper stock unit. And a control unit for immediately stopping the processing of the preceding print job and proceeding to the processing of an interrupt job. The control unit, if the print job content checking unit determines that the preceding print job does not require post-processing in the paper stock unit, the interrupt job is post-processed in the paper stock unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein regardless of whether or not the process is required, the process of the preceding print job is immediately stopped and the process is shifted to the process of the interrupt job. Document reading means for reading an image on the document,
Image forming means for forming an image read by the document reading means on a sheet,
If the print job content confirming unit confirms that both the preceding print job and the interrupt job require post-processing in the paper stock unit, the control unit controls the paper stock unit based on the preceding print job. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein even when the post-processing is performed, the document reading unit is caused to execute the document reading based on the interrupt job. 4. An image forming apparatus that sequentially processes each print job to form an image when a plurality of print jobs including an interrupt job are generated,
A finisher that has a paper stock unit that temporarily stocks a sheet bundle after image formation and performs post-processing on the paper;
Interrupt job detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an interrupt job during processing of a preceding print job;
Interrupt job content checking means for checking the content of the interrupt job detected by the interrupt job detecting means;
Paper detection means for detecting whether or not paper is present in the paper stock unit;
When the paper detection unit detects that paper is present in the paper stock unit, and when the interrupt job content confirmation unit determines that the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit, When the paper detection unit no longer detects the paper in the paper stock unit, the process proceeds to an interrupt job, and the interrupt job content confirmation unit does not require the interrupt job to perform post-processing in the paper stock unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that, when confirmed, immediately stops processing of a preceding print job and shifts to processing of the interrupt job. The control unit, when the paper detection unit detects that no paper is present in the paper stock unit, regardless of whether the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processing of the print job to be executed is immediately stopped, and the process is shifted to the processing of the interrupt job. Document reading means for reading an image on the document,
Image forming means for forming an image read by the document reading means on a sheet,
The control unit is configured to detect that paper is present in the paper stock unit by the paper detection unit, and to confirm that the interrupt job requires post-processing in the paper stock unit by the print job content confirmation unit; 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein even when the sheet detection unit detects that a sheet is present in the sheet stock unit, the document reading unit executes the document reading based on the interrupt job. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

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