JP2004351885A - Image forming device and method for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform users of the information on a print job without any particular operation and to make it possible for users to efficiently find their own printed matter. <P>SOLUTION: An electromagnetic wave carrying information such as personal ID is received from a noncontact IC card (S100). When a print job storage area stores the information on the print job whose client's ID is a personal ID which is received, information on the corresponding print job and a precedent print job is acquired, and an expected execution completion time is estimated (S120, S130). Such information is displayed on a screen of a console panel and outputted in voice from a built-in speaker (S140). As a result, users are informed of the information on a print job without any particular operation, and users can efficiently find their own printed matter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for executing a received print job to form an image on a medium such as paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of image forming apparatus, a laser printer or the like that executes and prints a print job transmitted from a client computer or the like has been proposed. In this printer, the status of the printer body is displayed on an operation panel, and the status of a transmitted print job is displayed on a screen of a client computer (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-194588
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a printer, the user needs to start a dedicated management program on the screen of the client computer to check the status of the print job sent to the printer, which is troublesome. Sometimes they go to the printer without it. Then, search for your own printout from the printed output, check the status of the printer by operating the operation panel, etc., or wait in front of the printer until the printout of your print job is output. Or This makes the user feel annoying and wastes time.
[0005]
An object of the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention is to notify a user of information about a print job without any special operation. Another object of the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention is to enable a user to efficiently find his or her own printed matter.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
The image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above object.
[0007]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes:
An image forming apparatus that executes a received print job to form an image on a medium such as paper,
Job information storage means for storing information including at least information on a requester of the print job as information on the received print job;
Electromagnetic wave transmitting means for transmitting electromagnetic waves in a predetermined frequency band to a predetermined area,
The information transmission / reception device is capable of exchanging information by transmitting / receiving electromagnetic waves in the predetermined frequency band and is transmitted from an information transmission / reception device existing in the predetermined area in response to reception of an electromagnetic wave transmitted by the electromagnetic wave transmission means. Information receiving means for receiving information about the owner of the
When information about the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device is received by the information receiving unit, printing related to the request of the owner is performed based on the received information about the owner and the information stored by the job information storage unit. Information output means for outputting information about the job,
The gist is to provide
[0008]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention transmits electromagnetic waves in a predetermined frequency band to a predetermined area and receives information about the owner of the information transmission / reception device transmitted from the information transmission / reception device existing in the predetermined area. And outputs information on the print job requested by the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device based on the received information on the owner and the information on the requester of the print job. Therefore, when the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device moves into a predetermined area, it is possible to output information on the print job requested by the owner. As a result, information on the print job can be notified without any special operation by the user. The “information transmitting / receiving device” includes a non-contact IC card, a mobile phone, and the like.
[0009]
In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the information output unit determines information regarding a print job whose owner is the information transmitting / receiving device as a requester from the information stored by the job information storage unit. It may be a means for outputting information about a print job requested by the owner based on the information about the print job thus performed. With this configuration, it is possible to output information on the print job requested by the owner based on the information on the print job of which the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device is the requester among the information stored by the job information storage unit. it can.
[0010]
Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the information output unit may be a unit that outputs a status of the print job as one of information on a print job requested by the holder. In this way, the status of the print job can be notified to the user. Here, the “print job status” includes “waiting”, “executing”, “execution completed”, and the like.
[0011]
Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the information output unit may be a unit that outputs information regarding a print job that is waiting or being executed among print jobs requested by the holder. In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the information output unit is a unit that outputs, as one of the information regarding the print job requested by the holder, a scheduled execution completion time at which the execution of the print job is completed. Or means for outputting information on a preceding print job to be executed prior to the print job as one of the information on the print job requested by the holder. By doing so, it is possible to output, as information on the print job requested by the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device, information on a scheduled execution completion time of the print job, information on a print job scheduled to be executed prior to the print job, and the like. The “information on the preceding print job” includes the number of jobs of the preceding print job, the number of pages of the preceding print job, information on the requester of the preceding print job, and the like.
[0012]
In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the information output unit may output information on a print job whose execution has been completed and which has elapsed within a predetermined time period from among the print jobs requested by the holder. It can also be a means to perform. In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, the information output unit may be a unit that outputs information regarding a discharge destination of the print job as one of information regarding the print job requested by the holder. Alternatively, it may be a means for outputting information relating to the charge amount of the print job as one of the information relating to the print job requested by the holder. By doing so, it is possible to output information on the discharge destination of the print job, information on the billing amount of the print job, and the like, as information on the print job requested by the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device.
[0013]
Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the information output unit may be a unit that outputs information regarding a print job requested by the holder on a screen, or may output information related to a print job requested by the holder. May be output as a means for outputting a voice. In this case, information on the print job requested by the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device can be output on the screen or output as audio.
[0014]
The image forming method of the present invention comprises:
An image forming method for executing an accepted print job to form an image on a medium such as paper,
(A) storing at least information including information on a requester of the print job as information on the received print job;
(B) transmitting an electromagnetic wave in a predetermined frequency band to a predetermined area,
(C) Information can be exchanged by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in the predetermined frequency band, and is transmitted along with the reception of the electromagnetic waves transmitted in the step (b) from the information transmitting / receiving device existing in the predetermined area. Receiving information about the owner of the information transmitting and receiving device,
(D) receiving information on the holder of the information transmitting / receiving device in step (c), based on the received information on the holder and the information stored in step (a), Output information about the print job pertaining to the request,
That is the gist.
[0015]
According to the image forming method of the present invention, an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency band is transmitted to a predetermined area, and information on the owner of the information transmission / reception apparatus transmitted from the information transmission / reception apparatus existing in the predetermined area is received. And outputs information on the print job requested by the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device based on the received information on the owner and the information on the requester of the print job. Therefore, when the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device moves into a predetermined area, it is possible to output information on the print job requested by the owner. As a result, information on the print job can be notified without any special operation by the user. The “information transmitting / receiving device” includes a non-contact IC card, a mobile phone, and the like.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a color laser printer 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing electromagnetic waves between the color laser printer 20 and a non-contact IC card 70 as an information transmitting / receiving device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a portion related to transmission and reception of the color laser printer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing input and output of control signals in a controller 40 of the color laser printer 20. The color laser printer 20 according to the embodiment is configured as a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing a single photoreceptor system and an intermediate transfer system. As shown in FIG. (M), an exposure device 22 that irradiates a laser onto an image decomposed for each color such as yellow (Y) and black (K) onto a charged photoconductor 21 to form an electrostatic latent image, and is mounted. A developing unit 24 that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 21 as a toner image using toner of each color supplied from the toner cartridges 23C, 23M, 23Y, and 23K of each color; A primary transfer unit 26 that forms a color toner image by transferring the developed toner images of the respective colors on a transfer belt 25; a transport unit 28 that transports paper from a paper cassette 27; A secondary transfer unit 29 for transferring the color toner image formed on the transfer belt 25 to the sheet, a fixing unit 30 for fusing and fixing the color toner image transferred on the sheet to the sheet, and a color toner image fixed A discharge unit 36 for discharging sheets to a tray selected from a plurality of discharge trays, an operation panel 31 for displaying and outputting a message or the like on a screen such as a liquid crystal display and outputting sound by a built-in speaker; The color laser printer 20 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 32 capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in a frequency band, and a controller 40 for controlling the operation of the entire color laser printer 20.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission / reception unit 32 of the color laser printer 20 transmits / receives a signal using an electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency band (for example, a 13.56 MHz band or a 2.4 GHz band) by an antenna 33 or a transmission / reception unit 34. The transmitting / receiving apparatus is configured to repeatedly transmit an electromagnetic wave (hereinafter, referred to as an information acquiring electromagnetic wave) carrying a signal set for transmitting information. As shown in FIG. 2, the non-contact IC card 70 includes an antenna 72 for transmitting and receiving signals using electromagnetic waves in the above-mentioned predetermined frequency band, and a rectifier for rectifying the received electromagnetic waves and supplying the energy of the electromagnetic waves as electric power. 76, a signal analysis unit RF (Radio Frequency) 74 for analyzing the received signal, a memory cell 79 for storing information such as an individual ID for identifying an individual, and a signal received by the antenna 72 and analyzed by the signal analysis unit RF74. And a control unit 78 for transmitting information stored in the memory cell 79 based on the signal from the antenna 72 via the signal analysis unit RF74. Therefore, the non-contact IC card 70 is located within a predetermined distance (for example, 70 cm) at which electromagnetic waves can be transmitted and received between the transmission and reception unit 32 of the color laser printer 20 (ie, the non-contact IC card 70). (When the user carrying 70 moves within a predetermined distance from the transmission / reception unit 32), the information acquisition electromagnetic wave repeatedly transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 32 is received by the antenna 72, and the personal ID and the like stored in the memory cell 79 are stored. Information is transmitted from the antenna 72 via the signal analysis unit RF74. Note that the personal ID is an ID for identifying a holder of the non-contact type IC card 70, and is information that has been written in the memory cell 79 in advance using a dedicated writing device or the like.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 40 of the color laser printer 20 is configured as a microprocessor mainly including a CPU 50, a RAM 51, and a ROM 52. The RAM 51 has a print job storage area for storing information on a received print job. 61 are provided. Further, the controller 40 is configured such that detection values from various sensors (for example, a temperature sensor) and other input signals (for example, a print instruction signal from an operator) are input via a signal line. Based on these input signals, the exposure unit drive control unit 53, the development unit drive control unit 54, the primary transfer unit drive control unit 55, the secondary transfer unit drive control unit 56, the fixing unit drive control unit 57, and the transport unit drive control unit 58, a paper discharge unit drive control unit 62, an operation panel control unit 59, a transmission / reception unit control unit 60, etc., the exposure unit 22, the development unit 24, the primary transfer unit 26, the secondary transfer unit 29, the fixing unit 30, the transport unit 28, the paper discharge unit 36, the operation panel 31, the transmission / reception unit 32, and other components of the color laser printer 20. To.
[0019]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information managed in the print job storage area 61 provided in the RAM 51 of the controller 40. As shown, the print job storage area 61 stores the ID of the print job (job ID), the ID of the requester who requested the print job (requester ID), the status of the print job, the number of pages of the print job, Information such as a reception time at which the job is received, an execution completion time at which the execution of the print job is completed, and a discharge destination tray (mail bin) of the print job are stored. These pieces of information are written when a print job is received or the like, and are deleted after a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed after execution of the print job has been completed. Note that the client ID is information added when a print job is transmitted by a client computer or the like, and uses the same code system as the personal ID stored in the memory cell 79 of the non-contact IC card 70 described above. It is information managed using.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the color laser printer 20 according to the embodiment configured as described above, in particular, processing relating to output of information via the operation panel 31 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information output process performed by the controller 40 of the color laser printer 20 according to the embodiment. This information output process is executed when the transmission / reception unit 32 receives the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the non-contact type IC card 70 as shown in the figure (step S100). As described above, the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the non-contact type IC card 70 is used to receive the information acquisition electromagnetic wave when the user holding the non-contact type IC card 70 moves within a predetermined distance from the transmission / reception unit 32. This is an electromagnetic wave transmitted along with information such as a personal ID stored in the memory cell 79.
[0021]
When an electromagnetic wave carrying information such as a personal ID is received from the non-contact type IC card 70, the received personal ID is included in the information about the print job stored in the print job storage area 61 provided in the RAM 51 of the controller 40. It is determined whether or not a print job having the requester ID is included (step S110). If information on the print job is not stored, the subsequent processing is skipped and the information output processing ends.
[0022]
On the other hand, if information on the print job having the received personal ID as the requester ID is stored, it is determined that the corresponding print job is the print job of the user holding the non-contact IC card 70, Information on the corresponding print job and the preceding print job to be executed prior to this print job is acquired from the print job storage area 61 (step S120). Then, if the execution of the print job is not completed, the estimated execution completion time required until the execution is completed is estimated (step S130). In the embodiment, an estimation formula for estimating the execution time required for executing the print job is set in advance based on the number of pages of the print job, and the execution time of the preceding print job or the corresponding print job is calculated using the estimation formula. The calculated execution time of each print job is added together, and the calculated execution time of each print job is summed up to be the scheduled execution completion time of the corresponding print job.
[0023]
Then, the information obtained from the print job storage area 61 in step S120 and the information such as the estimated execution completion time estimated in step S130 are displayed on the screen of the operation panel 31 as user notification information, and are also output by voice through a built-in speaker. (Step S140), the information output process ends. FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the user notification information displayed and output on the screen of the operation panel 31. FIG. In the example of FIG. 6A, a message “Job JOB001 was printed in the mail bin (1) at 15:03” is displayed and output as user notification information regarding the print job that has been executed. This information is displayed and output based on information such as the execution completion time and the discharge destination (mail bin) stored in the print job storage area 61. In the example of FIG. 6B, a message “Job JOB 102 is scheduled to be completed in about 3 minutes” and information on the preceding print job (job ID, requester ID, page Number etc.) is displayed and output. These pieces of information are displayed and output based on information such as the estimated execution completion time estimated in step S130, the job ID, the requester ID, and the number of pages stored in the print job storage area 61.
[0024]
According to the color laser printer 20 of the embodiment described above, when the user holding the non-contact type IC card 70 moves within a predetermined distance from the transmission / reception unit 32, the electromagnetic wave carrying information such as a personal ID is received. The information about the print job having the received personal ID as the requester ID is obtained from the print job storage area 61 provided in the RAM 51 of the controller 40, and the estimated completion time of the print job that has not been completed is estimated. Can be output via the operation panel 31 as user notification information. Therefore, the information on the print job can be notified to the user only by the user approaching the color laser printer 20 within a predetermined distance. That is, the user can be notified of the information regarding the print job without any special operation. Further, since the user notification information is displayed and output on the screen of the operation panel 31 and is output as a sound through a built-in speaker, the information about the print job can be notified more reliably.
[0025]
Here, in the color laser printer 20 of the embodiment, the print job storage area 61 provided in the RAM 51 corresponds to the job information storage unit, the transmission / reception unit 32 corresponds to the electromagnetic wave transmission unit, and the processing of the transmission / reception unit 32 and step S100 Is equivalent to an information receiving unit, and the controller 40 executing the processes of steps S110 to S140 is equivalent to an information output unit.
[0026]
In the color laser printer 20 of the embodiment, the print job having the personal ID received from the non-contact type IC card 70 and having the client ID as the requester ID is determined to be the print job of the user having the non-contact type IC card 70. However, as long as the print job of the user holding the non-contact type IC card 70 can be determined, the determination may be made by another method. For example, it is assumed that a personal ID is assigned in advance to each paper discharge tray (mail bin) of the paper discharge unit 36, and based on the personal ID allocated to the paper discharge destination tray set for the print job and the received personal ID. Alternatively, the print job of the user holding the non-contact IC card 70 may be determined. Also, the unit to which the personal ID or the requester ID is assigned may be a unit such as a group or a department.
[0027]
In the color laser printer 20 according to the embodiment, as the user notification information to be output, execution completion time, discharge tray (mail bin), scheduled execution completion time, information on the preceding print job (job ID, requester ID, number of pages) Although such information is exemplified, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such information, and various information regarding the print job may be output in various combinations. For example, only the number of jobs of the preceding print job may be output as information on the preceding print job, or a charge amount generated for execution of the print job may be calculated and output.
[0028]
In the color laser printer 20 according to the embodiment, the information about the print job stored in the print job storage area 61 is deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed after the execution of the print job is completed, but is deleted based on other criteria. For example, when the used area of the print job storage area 61 reaches a predetermined data size, the information may be erased according to a predetermined rule (for example, in the order of earlier reception time). With this configuration, the range of the print job to be subjected to the information output process for the print job that has been completed can be set as a different reference. Further, the range of the print job to be subjected to the information output processing may be selected in the information output processing. That is, a process for excluding a print job that has passed a predetermined time from the execution completion time from the target may be performed in the information output process.
[0029]
In the color laser printer 20 of the embodiment, the user notification information is displayed and output on the screen of the operation panel 31 and is output as audio by a built-in speaker. However, the mode of outputting the user notification information is not limited. For example, only the display output on the screen of the operation panel 31 may be performed, or only the audio output from the speaker may be performed.
[0030]
In the color laser printer 20 of the embodiment, the non-contact IC card 70 is exemplified as the information transmitting / receiving device, but any other device that can receive information acquisition electromagnetic waves and transmit information such as a personal ID can be used. For example, a mobile phone may be used.
[0031]
Although the color laser printer 20 according to the embodiment is configured as a full-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus employing a single photoreceptor system and an intermediate transfer system, a multiple photoreceptor system or a direct transfer type full-color image forming apparatus is used. A color laser printer or copier configured as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus described above, or a laser printer, copier, or inkjet printer configured as a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus may be used. Further, the image forming method may be used.
[0032]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described using the examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Obviously you can get it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a color laser printer.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a transmission / reception unit 32 and a non-contact type IC card 70.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing input and output of control signals in a controller 40.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of management information of a print job storage area.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information output process.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of user notification information displayed on the operation panel 31.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 20 color laser printer, 21 photoreceptor, 22 exposing device, 23C, 23M, 23Y, 23K toner cartridge, 24 developing device, 25 transfer belt, 26 primary transfer unit, 27 paper cassette, 28 transport unit, 29 secondary transfer unit, 30 transfer unit, 31 operation panel, 32 transmission / reception unit, 33 antenna, 34 transmission / reception unit, 36 paper discharge unit, 40 controller, 50 CPU, 51 RAM, 52 ROM, 53 exposure unit drive control unit, 54 developing unit drive control unit, 55 primary transfer unit drive controller, 56 secondary transfer unit drive controller, 57 fixing unit drive controller, 58 transport unit drive controller, 59 operation panel controller, 60 transceiver unit controller, 61 print job storage area, 62 Paper discharge unit drive control unit, 70 Non-contact IC car , 72 antenna, 74 signal analyzer RF, 76 rectifier, 78 control unit, 79 memory cells.

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus that executes a received print job to form an image on a medium such as paper,
Job information storage means for storing information including at least information on a requester of the print job as information on the received print job;
Electromagnetic wave transmitting means for transmitting electromagnetic waves in a predetermined frequency band to a predetermined area,
The information transmission / reception device is capable of exchanging information by transmitting / receiving electromagnetic waves in the predetermined frequency band and is transmitted from an information transmission / reception device existing in the predetermined area in response to reception of an electromagnetic wave transmitted by the electromagnetic wave transmission means. Information receiving means for receiving information about the owner of the
When information about the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device is received by the information receiving unit, printing related to the request of the owner is performed based on the received information about the owner and the information stored by the job information storage unit. Information output means for outputting information about the job
An image forming apparatus comprising: The information output unit determines information on a print job whose requester is the owner of the information transmitting / receiving device from information stored by the job information storage unit, and based on the information on the determined print job. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs information on a print job requested by the holder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit is a unit that outputs a status of the print job as one of information on a print job requested by the holder. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit is configured to output information on a print job that is waiting or being executed among print jobs requested by the holder. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information output unit is a unit that outputs a scheduled execution completion time at which the execution of the print job is completed as one of information regarding the print job requested by the holder. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information output unit is a unit that outputs information on a preceding print job to be executed earlier than the print job as one of information on a print job requested by the holder. apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information on the preceding print job is any one of the number of jobs of the preceding print job, the number of pages of the preceding print job, and information on a requester of the preceding print job. . 8. The information output unit is a unit that outputs information on a print job of which execution has been completed among print jobs requested by the holder and whose elapsed time since completion is within a predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information output unit is a unit that outputs information regarding a discharge destination of the print job as one of information regarding a print job requested by the holder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information output unit is configured to output information regarding a charge amount of the print job as one of information regarding the print job requested by the holder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit is a unit that outputs, on a screen, information about a print job requested by the holder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information output unit is a unit that outputs information on a print job requested by the holder by voice. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitting / receiving device is one of a non-contact IC card and a mobile phone. An image forming method for executing an accepted print job to form an image on a medium such as paper,
(A) storing at least information including information on a requester of the print job as information on the received print job;
(B) transmitting an electromagnetic wave in a predetermined frequency band to a predetermined area,
(C) Information can be exchanged by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in the predetermined frequency band, and is transmitted along with the reception of the electromagnetic waves transmitted in the step (b) from the information transmitting / receiving device existing in the predetermined area. Receiving information about the owner of the information transmitting and receiving device,
(D) receiving information on the holder of the information transmitting / receiving device in step (c), based on the received information on the holder and the information stored in step (a), Output information about the print job pertaining to the request,
Image forming method.

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