JP2004345117A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which a discharged sheet can be prevented effectively from being left, as it is, for a long time even under a situation of high use frequency. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is arranged such that after completion of image formation is notified by a first notification means 17A to a first external terminal 2a, the first external terminal 2a acknowledges the notification and, in response to detection of the acknowledgement, a second notification means 17D delivers an alarm for urging take-out of a discharged sheet M to second external terminals 2b and 2c from which the sheet M is not yet taken out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied to a printer device, a copying machine, and a multi-function MFP (Multi Function Peripherals).
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of networks, for example, in MFPs and the like, the MFPs and the like are often shared by a plurality of users by connecting to personal computers respectively assigned to a plurality of users.
[0003]
However, in the case where the MFP is shared by a plurality of users, the user designates the print, and even though the sheet on which the image is formed is discharged to a discharge unit such as a discharge tray, the user can perform the discharge sheet holding unit. Often, people forget to take their own paper and leave it alone. Further, the user may forget that the sheet has been ejected and give the output instruction again.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, when the power of the MFP is switched from OFF to ON or when the sleep mode (power saving mode) is released, if the user forgets to take out the printed paper, the user of the data transmission source leaves the paper unattended. There is known a warning that a warning is issued (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-86079 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When an MFP or the like is used as a network printer, a plurality of users may receive instructions for a print job one after another. Under such a situation where the MFP is frequently used, there is almost no opportunity for the MFP to enter the sleep mode.
[0007]
Therefore, in the configuration in which the MFP is switched from OFF to ON or when the sleep mode is canceled as in the above-described related art, a warning that the sheet is left unattended is provided in such a case where the MFP is frequently used. Below, when paper is ejected almost continuously, and sheets of print jobs from a plurality of users are left in an ejected state, sheets of a plurality of users may be mixedly loaded in a sheet group. In spite of this, there is a case where a paper leaving warning is not issued.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of effectively preventing discharged paper from being left for a long time even under a frequently used situation. Make it an issue.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is to provide a communication unit capable of communicating with a plurality of external terminal devices, receiving a print job from the external terminal device via the communication unit, and forming an image on a sheet based on the received print job. Storage means for storing an external terminal device which has transmitted the print job and which has not taken out the paper discharged to the discharge portion; and a first external terminal. A first notification unit that notifies the first external terminal device that the image formation has been completed after the image formation based on the print job from the device has been completed; and a first notification unit that notifies the first external terminal device that the image formation has been completed. Detecting means for detecting a reply of confirmation from the first external terminal device; and detecting the reply from the first external terminal device, and taking out the discharged sheet based on the storage contents of the storage means. And second notification means for notifying a warning to prompt the extraction of the sheet against issued non second external terminal device, is solved by the image forming apparatus characterized in that it comprises.
[0010]
In this image forming apparatus, when a print job from the external terminal device is received by the communication unit, an image corresponding to the print job of the external terminal device is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit, and the image-formed sheet is discharged. Is discharged to the department. Further, an external terminal device from which the sheet has not been taken out from the sheet discharge unit is stored in the storage means.
[0011]
After the image formation based on the print job from the first external terminal device is completed, the first notification means notifies the first external terminal device that the image formation is completed. The second external terminal device from which the ejected sheet has not yet been taken out based on the storage contents of the storage device after the detection response is detected by the detection device from the first external terminal device receiving this notification. Is notified by the second notification means.
[0012]
In other words, while managing the status of paper removal, the receipt of a confirmation reply from the first external terminal device triggers a warning to the second external terminal device that has not yet taken out the paper to prompt the user to remove the paper. Since the notification is made, it is possible to prevent the paper related to the user that has been discharged to the discharge unit and has not yet been taken out from being left for a long time, even in a use situation in which image forming processing is performed one after another. .
[0013]
Further, the above-described problem is caused by a communication unit capable of communicating with a plurality of external terminal devices, receiving a print job from the external terminal device via the communication unit, and forming an image on a sheet based on the received print job. Image forming means for forming and discharging to a discharge unit; storage means for storing an external terminal device which has transmitted a print job and which has not taken out the paper discharged to the discharge unit; After completion of image formation based on a print job from an external terminal device, a first notification unit for notifying the first external terminal device that the image formation has been completed, and the first notification unit After the notification, detecting means for detecting a reply of confirmation from the first external terminal device, and after the detecting means detects the reply, the discharged paper is Display means for displaying one or a plurality of second external terminals that have not been removed, and designating, from among the displayed second external terminals, one that issues a warning prompting the user to remove a sheet. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a designation unit; and a second notification unit that notifies the warning to the second external terminal device designated by the designation unit.
[0014]
In this image forming apparatus, when a print job from the external terminal device is received from the communication unit, an image corresponding to the print job of the external terminal device is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit, and the sheet on which the image is formed is discharged. Is discharged to the department. Further, an external terminal device from which the sheet has not been taken out from the sheet discharge unit is stored in the storage means.
[0015]
After the image formation based on the print command from the first external terminal device has been completed, the first notification unit notifies the first external terminal device that the image formation has been completed. After the first external terminal device receiving the notification receives a confirmation reply from the first external terminal device, the first external terminal device detects one or more of the discharged sheets based on the content stored in the storage device. The second external terminal device is displayed on the display means.
[0016]
When one of the displayed second external terminal devices that notifies a warning prompting the user to remove the paper is designated by the designation unit, the designated second external terminal device is sent to the designated second external terminal device. The notification unit notifies the warning.
[0017]
That is, triggered by receiving the confirmation reply from the first external terminal device, one or a plurality of second external terminal devices from which the ejected sheets have not yet been taken out are displayed on the display means. When a warning notification is given to a designated terminal device from among the displayed second external terminal devices, the paper relating to the user who has been ejected to the ejection unit and has not yet been removed is left for a long time. Is prevented beforehand.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, an image forming system A includes an MFP 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus and a plurality of personal computers (PCs) as an example of an external terminal device connected to the MFP 1 via a network (including wireless communication) NW. 2) (2a, 2b, 2c).
[0021]
The MFP 1 has a printer function of receiving a print job including print data from the PC 2, printing the print data on a sheet M in accordance with the content of the job, and outputting the print data to a discharge tray (discharge unit) 10.
[0022]
The PC 2 is used by a user to create a print job and to transmit the created print job to the MFP 1.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP 1 and the PC 2.
[0024]
In FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes a CPU 11, an image reading unit 12, an image forming unit 13, an interface (I / F) unit 14, a display unit 15 on an operation panel (not shown), a memory 16, and the like. .
[0025]
The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the MFP 1, and in this embodiment, in particular, has functions of a first communication unit 11A, a reply detection unit 11B, an update unit 11C, and a second communication unit 11D. ing.
[0026]
The first notification unit 11A notifies the PC 2a that the image formation has been completed after the image formation on the paper M is completed based on, for example, a print job from the PC 2a (first external terminal device). Thus, the user of the PC 2a is prompted to take out the paper M discharged to the paper discharge tray 10.
[0027]
The reply detection section 11B detects the confirmation reply when a confirmation reply is transmitted from the PC 2a in response to the image formation completion notice sent to the PC 2a.
[0028]
The update unit 11C updates the job management information including the ejection paper ejection status stored in the memory 16 described later when the reply detection unit 11B detects the confirmation reply from the PC 2a.
[0029]
After updating the job management information, the second notification unit 11D notifies another external terminal device (e.g., 2b) that has not yet taken out the discharged paper M of a warning that prompts the user to take out the paper. It is.
[0030]
The image reading section 12 reads a document image placed on a document table (not shown).
[0031]
The image forming unit 13 prints the image data read by the image reading unit 12 or the print data sent from the PC 2 on a sheet M according to the content of a job, and then discharges the sheet M to a discharge tray 10. It is. Therefore, the MFP 1 also has a copy function of printing the image data read by the image reading unit 12 with the image forming unit 13.
[0032]
The I / F unit 14 is a communication unit for performing communication with the PC 2. The MFP 1 receives data and jobs from the PC 2 via the I / F unit 14, and A notification of print completion and a warning notification for prompting paper removal are transmitted to the PC 2 via the PC.
[0033]
The display unit 15 is capable of displaying information on a job to be image-formed and a job history as will be described later, in addition to displaying the mode selection information of the image forming process. For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) And so on.
[0034]
The memory 16 has job management information, and stores information on whether the paper M discharged to the paper discharge tray 10 remains or has been removed for a completed print job.
[0035]
The contents of the job management information in the memory 16 are shown in FIGS. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the job history list displayed on the panel display unit 15, and the contents of the job management information in the memory 16 correspond to this.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the memory 16 stores a job history list having information items of “user”, “state”, “number of documents”, “number of copies”, and “ejected paper state”. Here, the information item of “user” indicates whether or not the job is a copy job, or, in the case of a print job, the type of the PC 2 that has issued the print instruction. The information item of “status” indicates whether each job has been completed, whether the job is being executed, and the like. Further, the information item of “discharged paper state” indicates whether or not the discharged paper has been removed for each print job from the PC 2. Is set.
[0037]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, two copy jobs and three print jobs transmitted from the PCs 2a to 2c have been completed, and all users of the PCs 2a to 2c have yet to pick up the discharged paper M. It shows that it is not. Incidentally, FIGS. 5 and 6 show that the younger the number (NO.), The longer the elapsed time from sheet discharge.
[0038]
When the reply detection unit 11B detects a confirmation reply transmitted from the PC 2a in response to the image formation completion notification sent to the PC 2 (for example, the PC 2a), the "discharge" of the corresponding job in the job list of the memory 16 is performed. As shown in FIG. 6, the item of "paper state" is updated by the updating unit 11C to the information "removed" indicating that the paper has been removed, as shown in FIG.
[0039]
On the other hand, the PC 2 includes a CPU 21, an I / F unit 22, a memory 23, a display 24 and the like as shown in FIG.
[0040]
The CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the PC. The I / F unit 22 is a unit for performing communication with the MFP 1.
[0041]
The memory 23 stores the created print data and the like, temporarily stores a print completion notification from the MFP 1, a warning prompting to take out the paper, and the like.
[0042]
The display 24 displays the created print data, a print completion notification from the MFP 1, a warning prompting to take out the paper, and the like.
[0043]
Next, a flow of processing when a print job is transmitted from the PC 2 to the MFP 1 in the image forming system A having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0044]
First, for example, when a print job is transmitted from the PC 2a to the MFP 1 (arrow a), the MFP 1 prints (images) the data received from the PC 2a on paper M and discharges the data to the paper discharge tray 10.
[0045]
When the MFP 1 executes the print job from the PC 2a and discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 10, the MFP 1 notifies the PC 2a of the completion of the printing by the first notification unit 11A (arrow b). This notification is for urging the user to take out the paper M discharged onto the paper discharge tray 10.
[0046]
The PC 2 a displays a notification of the print completion transmitted from the MFP 1, for example, a message “Your print has been completed” on the screen of its display 24 as shown in FIG.
[0047]
Then, after the user of the PC 2a that has transmitted the print job has taken out the paper M or immediately before going to take out the paper M, if the confirmation button P in the dialog display is pressed, the confirmation button P is pressed from the PC 2a. Is notified to the MFP 1 (arrow c).
[0048]
When the reply detecting unit 11B detects the confirmation reply from the PC 2a, the MFP 1 determines that the discharged paper M has been taken out, and determines the “eject paper state” for the corresponding job in the job history list in the memory 16. Is updated by the update unit 11C.
[0049]
For example, when a job history list is displayed on the display unit 15 of the MFP 1 as shown in FIG. 5, when a reply of confirmation from the PC 2a is received and detected, the MFP 1 displays NO. As shown in FIG. 6, the "remaining" of item 2 changes to "removed". In this embodiment, the job history list in the memory 16 may not be displayed on the display unit 15.
[0050]
After the update of the memory 16, the second notification unit 11 </ b> D of the MFP 1 prompts the PCs 2 b and 2 c from which the paper M has not been taken out in the job history list stored in the memory 16 to take out the discharged paper M. A warning notification is issued (arrow d).
[0051]
Next, a print job completion notification process and a warning notification process for prompting removal of a sheet performed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. In the following description and drawings, steps are abbreviated as S.
[0052]
FIG. 7A shows a print job completion notification process. In step S101, for example, when a print job from the PC 2a is executed and sheets are discharged to the discharge tray 10, the CPU 11 sends a print completion notification in step S102. Is transmitted to the PC 2a, and the completion notification processing ends. In response to the print completion notification, a confirmation dialog is displayed on the screen of the display 24 on the PC 2a side as shown in FIG.
[0053]
FIG. 7B shows a warning notification process.
[0054]
In S103, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the reply detection unit 11B has detected a confirmation reply to the MFP 1 by pressing the "confirmation" button P of the confirmation dialog on the PC 2a side. If no confirmation reply is detected (NO in S103), it is determined in S104 whether a confirmation reply from another PC 2 (PC 2b or 2c) has been detected. If there is no confirmation reply from the other PC 2 (NO in S104), the process returns to S103 to wait for a confirmation reply from the PC 2a, and further waits for a confirmation reply from the other PC 2 in S104.
[0055]
When the confirmation reply from the PC 2a is detected (the determination in S103 is YES), or when the confirmation reply from the other PC 2b or 2c is detected (the determination in S104 is YES), the process proceeds to S105, and the updating unit 11C checks the received confirmation reply. Update the information item of the “ejected paper status” for the job corresponding to the reply from “remaining” to “removed”.
[0056]
Next, in S106, it is determined whether or not there is a sheet M that has not yet been taken out among the sheets M that have been discharged onto the discharge tray 10. This determination is made by determining whether or not there is a job in which the information item “discharged paper state” remains “remaining” in the job history list of the memory 16.
[0057]
If there is no sheet M that has not been taken out yet on the sheet ejection tray 10 (NO in S106), the process ends because there is no need to issue a warning notification to prompt the user to take out the sheet M. If there is a sheet M that has not been taken out yet on the discharge tray 10 (the determination in S106 is YES), in S107, the second notification unit 11D sends a message to the PC 2 (PCs 2b and 2c in this embodiment) relating to the sheet M. A warning notification urging the user to take out the paper M is transmitted, and the process ends.
[0058]
As described above, in this embodiment, triggered by receiving the confirmation reply from the PC 2 a, the MFP 1 updates the information item of “discharge paper state” in the job history list in the memory 16, and updates the information item after the update. Since a warning is issued to the PCs 2b and 2c that have not yet taken out the paper M based on the contents of the memory 16 to prompt the user to take out the paper M, a situation in which the MFP 1 successively receives print jobs and performs image forming processing. Even below, an appropriate warning is issued, and the paper M is prevented from being left on the paper discharge tray 10 for a long time.
[0059]
It should be noted that the notification to the PCs 2 from which the paper M has not been taken out is not limited to being performed simultaneously to all the PCs 2 from which the paper M has not been taken out. For example, the notification may be made only to the PC 2 having the longest elapsed time after printing is completed, or may be notified only to the PC 2 having the largest number of discharged sheets including the number of documents and the number of copies.
[0060]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0061]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of MFP 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0062]
In FIG. 8, the display unit 15 is configured as a touch-sensitive touch panel type, and functions as a notification destination specifying unit 19 that specifies a notification destination by the second notification unit 11a. That is, in the state where the job history list is displayed as shown in FIG. 6, the information item of “discharged paper state” is “remaining”, that is, which of PC2b or PC2c from which paper M has not been taken out. By touching one or both, the notification destination of the second notification unit 11D can be specified.
[0063]
Next, the flow of processing when a print job is transmitted from the PC 2 to the MFP 1 in the image forming system shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0064]
First, for example, when a print job is transmitted from the PC 2a to the MFP 1 (arrow a), the MFP 1 prints (images) the data received from the PC 2a on paper M and discharges the data to the paper discharge tray 10.
[0065]
When the MFP 1 executes the print job from the PC 2a and discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 10, the MFP 1 notifies the PC 2a of the completion of the printing by the first notification unit 11A (arrow b). This notification is for urging the user to take out the paper M discharged onto the paper discharge tray 10.
[0066]
The PC 2a displays a notification of the print completion transmitted from the MFP 1, for example, a message "Your print has been completed" on the screen of its display 24 as shown in FIG.
[0067]
Then, after the user of the PC 2a that has transmitted the print job has taken out the paper M or immediately before going to take out the paper M, if the confirmation button P in the dialog display is pressed, the confirmation button P is pressed from the PC 2a. Is notified to the MFP 1 (arrow c).
[0068]
When the reply detection unit 11B detects the return of the confirmation from the PC 2a, the MFP 1 determines that the discharged paper M has been taken out, and determines the “discharge paper” for the corresponding job in the job history list in the memory 16. The item of “state” is updated by the update unit 11C.
[0069]
For example, upon receiving the confirmation reply from the PC 2a, the MFP 1 receives the NO. "Remaining" in the "discharged paper state" of No. 2 changes to "removed" as shown in FIG.
[0070]
While displaying the job history list on the screen of the touch panel display unit 15, for example, the user of the PC 2a who has taken out the paper M has touched on the screen a job history item corresponding to the PC 2c from which the paper M has not been taken out. At this time, the touch input is designated as a warning notification destination and transmitted to the second notification unit 17D. Then, the second notification unit 17D issues a warning notification to the designated PC 2c to urge the removal of the paper M (arrow d).
[0071]
Next, a print job completion notification process and a warning notification process for urging the user to take out a sheet performed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0072]
FIG. 10A shows a print job completion notification process. In S201, for example, when a print job from the PC 2a is executed and sheets are discharged to the discharge tray 10, the CPU 11 sends a print completion notification in S202. Is transmitted to the PC 2a, and the completion notification processing ends. In response to the print completion notification, a confirmation dialog is displayed on the screen of the display 24 on the PC 2a side as shown in FIG.
[0073]
FIG. 10B shows a warning notification process.
[0074]
In S203, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the reply detection unit 11B has detected a confirmation reply to the MFP 1 when the "confirmation" button P of the confirmation dialog is pressed on the PC 2a side. If no confirmation reply is detected (NO in S203), it is determined in S204 whether a confirmation reply from another PC 2 (2b or 2c) has been detected. If there is no confirmation reply from the other PC 2 (NO in S204), the process returns to S203 and waits for a confirmation reply from the PC 2a, and further waits for a confirmation reply from the other PC 2 in S204.
[0075]
If a confirmation reply from the PC 2a is detected (YES in S203) or a confirmation reply from another PC 2 is detected (YES in S204), the process proceeds to S205, where the updating unit 11C responds to the received reply. Update the information item of “Ejected Paper Status” for the job to be performed from “Remaining” to “Removed”.
[0076]
Next, in S206, the job history in the memory 16 is displayed in a list on the display unit 15. In this embodiment, the list is always displayed in S206 after the update process in S205. For example, the user who has picked up the paper M operates the display operation unit such as an icon or a key. May be displayed.
[0077]
Thereafter, in step S207, the CPU 11 inputs the job history by touching the job history corresponding to the PC 2 (for example, PC 2c) from which the paper M has not been taken out on the screen of the display unit 15 by the user who has come to take out the paper M. Determine whether it has been specified. If the destination PC 2c is not specified (NO in S207), the process is terminated, and if the destination PC 2c is specified (YES in S207), in S208, paper is taken out to the specified destination PC 2c. A warning is issued to prompt the user to terminate the process.
[0078]
As described above, the PC 2 as the warning notification target for prompting the removal of the paper M is specified from the job list displayed on the display unit 15 of the MFP 1 as shown in FIG. A warning is issued. Of course, a plurality of PCs may be specified as the destination of the warning notification.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, after the first notification unit notifies the first external terminal device that the image formation has been completed, the first notification unit receives the confirmation from the first command external terminal device. In this configuration, the second notification unit notifies the second external terminal device, which has not yet taken out the sheet, a warning urging the user to take out the sheet. Therefore, even if the operating state of the image forming apparatus is continued, A warning is accurately given to the second external terminal device, and it is possible to prevent a sheet discharged onto the sheet discharge tray from being left for a long time, thereby providing a highly convenient image forming apparatus.
[0080]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, after receiving the confirmation reply from the first external terminal device, the second external terminal device from which the ejected paper has not yet been taken out is displayed on the display means. The user who has picked up the paper can instruct on the display screen the second external terminal device from which the paper has not yet been taken out, and this triggers the second external terminal device to prompt the second external terminal device to take out the paper. Is notified to the second external terminal device, and the discharged sheet can be promptly removed without leaving the discharged sheet as it is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus (MFP) and an external terminal device (PC) in the image forming system.
FIG. 3 is a functional explanatory diagram of the image forming system.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a message indicating print completion displayed on a display of the external terminal device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a job history list on an operation panel side display unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state after updating the content of the job history list illustrated in FIG. 5;
7A is a flowchart illustrating a print job completion notification process executed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating a warning notification process.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus (MFP) and an external terminal device (PC) according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a functional explanatory diagram of an image forming system according to another embodiment.
10A is a flowchart showing a print job completion notification process executed by the CPU of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing a warning notification process.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 .... MFP (image forming apparatus)
2 (2a, 2b, 2c) ... personal computer (external terminal device)
10 ··· Output tray
13 Image forming unit
14 Interface section (communication means)
15 Display section
16 ··· Memory (storage means)
17A ・ ・ ・ First notification section
17B ・ ・ ・ Confirmation reply detection part
17C ・ ・ ・ Update section
17D ・ ・ ・ 2nd notification section
M ... paper

Claims (2)

Communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of external terminal devices;
An image forming unit that receives a print job from the external terminal device via the communication unit, forms an image on a sheet based on the received print job, and discharges the image to a discharge unit;
Storage means for storing an external terminal device that has transmitted a print job, wherein the external terminal device has not taken out the sheet discharged to the discharge unit;
After completion of image formation based on a print job from the first external terminal device, first notification means for notifying the first external terminal device of completion of image formation;
Detecting means for detecting a confirmation reply from the first external terminal device after the notification by the first notifying means;
After the detecting means detects the reply, based on the storage content of the storage means, a second external terminal device from which the ejected paper has not yet been taken out notifies a warning prompting the user to take out the paper. 2. notification means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Communication means capable of communicating with a plurality of external terminal devices;
An image forming unit that receives a print job from the external terminal device via the communication unit, forms an image on a sheet based on the received print job, and discharges the image to a discharge unit;
Storage means for storing an external terminal device that has transmitted a print job, wherein the external terminal device has not taken out the sheet discharged to the discharge unit;
After completion of image formation based on a print job from the first external terminal device, first notification means for notifying the first external terminal device of completion of image formation;
Detecting means for detecting a confirmation reply from the first external terminal device after the notification by the first notifying means;
Display means for displaying one or more second external terminal devices from which discharged sheets have not yet been taken out, based on the contents stored in the storage means, after the detection means has detected a reply;
Designating means for designating, from among the displayed second external terminal devices, one for notifying a warning prompting the user to remove a sheet;
Second notification means for notifying the warning to the second external terminal device designated by the designation means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images