JP2005245000A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of enhancing image forming throughput. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises a means with which if image forming processing according to a predetermined execution instruction can not be executed by paper exhaustion, image forming processing is executed according to an execution instruction that is acquired next to this predetermined execution instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, and a printer function.

  In recent years, development of an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, that is, a so-called composite image forming apparatus (or a multifunction copying apparatus) has been actively promoted.

  Such an image forming apparatus is provided with a scanner and a printer. One scanner (including a document table) is used for both a copying function and a facsimile function, and one printer is also used for a copying function, a facsimile function, and a printer function. It is designed to be used in combination.

  However, as described above, when a single scanner or printer is also used for a plurality of functions, there are problems such as collision of operation requests for each function and differences in conventional control methods for each function.

  For example, when image data is printed out by the printer function, the printout is interrupted if a sheet of a specified size is not prepared. That is, as a printer function, printout is not executed on a sheet having a size other than the designated size. On the other hand, when image data is printed out by the facsimile function, when a paper of a specified size is not prepared and a paper of a size larger than the specified size is prepared, this designation is performed. The printout is performed on a sheet having a size larger than the specified size. This is due to the difference in culture between the two, and in the former case, the appearance is regarded as important, while in the latter case, the communication content itself is regarded as important.

  The printout process as described above occurs irregularly in each function. When printout processing is required for a plurality of functions and the printout processing in a specific function is in a printout waiting state due to a paper out or the like, even if the printout processing in another function can be executed Until this printout waiting state is resolved, the printout process in another function is waited.

  An object of the present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and is provided with an image formation having a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer function, etc., and each function also serving as various processing units. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving the image forming processing capability.

This invention has been made on the basis of the above problems,
According to this invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means;
The image forming process execution instruction based on the first type of image data stored in the storage unit is registered, and the first priority is given as the priority for executing the image forming process. First registered means,
Registering an execution instruction of an image forming process based on a second type of image data different from the first type among the image data stored in the storage unit, and as a priority for executing the image forming process A second registration means to which a second priority is given;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
Image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with execution instructions in the order acquired by the acquiring means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Moreover, according to this invention,
First acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Second acquisition means different from the first acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the first and second acquisition means for each file;
An image forming process execution instruction based on the image data file acquired by the first acquiring unit among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the image forming process is executed. A first registration means to which a first priority is given as a priority;
An image forming process execution instruction based on the image data file acquired by the second acquiring unit among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the image forming process is executed. A second registration means to which a second priority is given as a priority;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
Image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with execution instructions in the order acquired by the acquiring means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention,
A copying function for acquiring image data to be copied and executing image forming processing based on the image data, a facsimile function for acquiring image data by facsimile and executing image forming processing based on the image data, and image data to be printed In an image forming apparatus having at least two functions of printer functions for acquiring and executing image forming processing based on the image data,
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the function for each file;
An image forming process execution instruction based on the image data file acquired in the first function among the image data files stored in the storage means is registered for each file, and the priority of executing the image forming process As a first registration means to which a first priority is given,
A priority for executing the image forming process for registering an execution instruction for the image forming process based on the image data file acquired in the second function among the image data files stored in the storage unit. As a second registration means to which a second priority is given,
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
Image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with execution instructions in the order acquired by the acquiring means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means;
An instruction to execute an image forming process based on the first type of image data stored in the storage means and an acquisition time when the image data is acquired by the acquisition means are registered. A first registration unit to which a first priority is given as a priority for executing the image forming process;
An instruction to execute an image forming process based on a second type of image data different from the first type of the image data stored in the storage unit, and an acquisition time when the image data is acquired by the acquisition unit A second registration unit to which a second priority is given as a priority for executing the image forming process;
In accordance with the priority given to the first and second registration means and the order determined from the acquisition times registered in the first and second registration means, the first or second registration means An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute a registered image forming process;
Image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with execution instructions in the order acquired by the acquiring means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention,
A copying function for acquiring image data to be copied and executing image forming processing based on the image data, a facsimile function for acquiring image data by facsimile and executing image forming processing based on the image data, and image data to be printed In an image forming apparatus having at least two functions of printer functions for acquiring and executing image forming processing based on the image data,
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the function for each file;
Execution instruction of image forming processing based on the image data file acquired in the first function among the image data files stored in the storage means, and acquisition time when the image data is acquired in the first function For each file, and a first registration unit to which a first priority is given as a priority for executing the image forming process;
Execution instruction of image formation processing based on the image data file acquired in the second function among the image data files stored in the storage means, and acquisition time when the image data is acquired in the second function For each file, and a second registration unit to which a second priority is given as a priority for executing the image forming process;
The order determined from the acquisition times registered in the first and second registration means according to the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means, or when the priorities are equal. According to the first or second registration unit, an acquisition unit that acquires an execution instruction for the image forming process registered in the first or second registration unit;
Image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with execution instructions in the order acquired by the acquiring means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means;
Registering an execution instruction of an image forming process based on the first type of image data among the image data stored in the storage means, and a first registration given a priority for executing the image forming process Means,
An instruction to execute an image forming process based on a second type of image data different from the first type among the image data stored in the storage unit is registered, and the priority of executing the image forming process is A second registration means provided;
Priority setting means for setting the respective priorities given to the first and second registration means;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
Image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with execution instructions in the order acquired by the acquiring means;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means;
The image forming process execution instruction based on the first type of image data stored in the storage unit is registered, and the first priority is given as the priority for executing the image forming process. First registered means,
Registering an execution instruction of an image forming process based on a second type of image data different from the first type among the image data stored in the storage unit, and as a priority for executing the image forming process A second registration means to which a second priority is given;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
A second image forming unit that executes an image forming process in accordance with an execution instruction acquired next to the predetermined execution instruction when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction is not executable;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention,
A copying function for acquiring image data to be copied and executing image forming processing based on the image data, a facsimile function for acquiring image data by facsimile and executing image forming processing based on the image data, and image data to be printed In an image forming apparatus having at least two functions of printer functions for acquiring and executing image forming processing based on the image data,
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the function for each file;
Execution instruction of image forming processing based on the image data file acquired in the first function among the image data files stored in the storage means, and acquisition time when the image data is acquired in the first function For each file, and a first registration unit assigned a first priority as a priority for executing the image forming process;
Execution instruction of image formation processing based on the image data file acquired in the second function among the image data files stored in the storage means, and acquisition time when the image data is acquired in the second function For each file, and a second registration unit to which a second priority is given as a priority for executing the image forming process;
The order determined from the acquisition times registered in the first and second registration means according to the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means, or when the priorities are equal. According to the first or second registration unit, an acquisition unit that acquires an execution instruction for the image forming process registered in the first or second registration unit;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
A second image forming unit that executes an image forming process in accordance with an execution instruction acquired next to the predetermined execution instruction when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction is not executable;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means for each file;
An instruction to execute an image forming process based on the first type of image data file among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the first priority is given to executing the image forming process. A first registration means to which a priority of
An image forming process execution instruction based on a second type of image data file different from the first type among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file. A second registration means to which a second priority is given as a priority to be executed;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
A second image forming unit configured to execute the image forming process in accordance with an execution instruction acquired after the predetermined execution instruction after a predetermined time has elapsed when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction is not executable;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means for each file;
An instruction to execute an image forming process based on the first type of image data file among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the first priority is given to executing the image forming process. A first registration means to which a priority of
An image forming process execution instruction based on a second type of image data file different from the first type among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file. A second registration unit to which a second priority lower than the first priority is given as a priority to be executed;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
When the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction registered in the first registration unit is not executable, the execution registered in the second registration unit acquired next to the predetermined execution instruction A second image forming means for executing an image forming process according to the instruction;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Furthermore, according to the present invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means for each file;
An instruction to execute an image forming process based on the first type of image data file among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the first priority is given to executing the image forming process. A first registration means to which a priority of
An image forming process execution instruction based on a second type of image data file different from the first type among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file. A second registration unit to which a second priority lower than the first priority is given as a priority to be executed;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
When the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction registered in the first registration unit cannot be executed, the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction is interrupted, and after the predetermined execution instruction Second image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction registered in the second registration means acquired in
A third image forming unit that preferentially executes the interrupted image forming process when the interrupting factor of the interrupted image forming process is resolved;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

Still further, according to the present invention,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means for each file;
An instruction to execute an image forming process based on the first type of image data file among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the first priority is given to executing the image forming process. A first registration means to which a priority of
An image forming process execution instruction based on a second type of image data file different from the first type among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file. A second registration unit to which a second priority lower than the first priority is given as a priority to be executed;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
When the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction registered in the first registration unit cannot be executed, the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction is interrupted, and after the predetermined execution instruction Second image forming means for executing image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction registered in the second registration means acquired in
A third image forming unit that preferentially executes the interrupted image forming process when the interrupting factor of the interrupted image forming process is resolved;
A fourth image forming unit that executes in order from the last interrupted image forming process when a plurality of image forming processes can be executed by eliminating the interruption factor;
An image forming apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of improving the image forming processing capability can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of a composite image forming apparatus (multifunction copying apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 207 that also serves as a document cover and automatically feeds sheet-like documents one by one is provided at the top of the apparatus main body 200 so as to be openable and closable. An operation panel 202 provided with various operation keys and various displays for instructing copy start and copy start is provided on the upper front portion of the apparatus main body 200. The operation panel 202 will be described in detail later.

  On the right side of the apparatus main body 200, a paper feed cassette 257 that can store a small capacity of paper and a large capacity paper feed cassette 255 that can store a large capacity of paper are detachably provided. The paper feed cassette 257 includes a manual feed tray 256 for manually supplying paper.

  At the bottom of the apparatus main body 200, paper feed cassettes 252, 253, and 254 are detachably provided. Each of these paper feed cassettes stores sheets of the same size in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and is selected as necessary. On the left side of the apparatus main body 200, a paper discharge tray 262 for receiving copied paper is provided.

  An insertion port 204 for inserting a magneto-optical disk as a storage medium for storing image data and the like is provided below the operation panel 202 on the entire surface of the apparatus main body 200. The magneto-optical disk apparatus ( (Not shown) is provided.

  On the rear surface of the apparatus main body 200, a parallel port (FIG. 10), a serial port (not shown), a SCSI (FIG. 3), and the like are provided. The parallel port connects the apparatus and an external device such as a PC (personal computer) when the apparatus operates as a printer. The serial port connects the apparatus and an external device such as a PC for reading internal management information of the apparatus and setting functions of the apparatus during maintenance of the apparatus. The SCSI performs command / data communication between this apparatus and an external controller operating as a master.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram structurally showing an example of the internal configuration of the composite image forming apparatus of FIG.

  In the apparatus main body 200, a scanner unit 50 as an acquisition unit for acquiring image data and a printer unit 52 for forming an image are provided for realizing a copying function and a facsimile function.

  On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 200, a document placing table 212 made of transparent glass on which a reading object, that is, a document D is placed, and an ADF 207 for automatically sending the document on the document placing table 212 are arranged. ing. The ADF 207 is disposed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document placing table 212, and also functions as a document presser that brings the document D placed on the document placing table into close contact with the document placing table 212.

  The ADF 207 includes a document tray 208 on which the document D is set, an empty sensor 209 that detects the presence or absence of the document, a pickup roller 214 that picks up the document one by one from the document tray, and a paper feed roller 215 that conveys the extracted document. An aligning roller pair 216 that aligns the leading edge of the document, an aligning sensor 286 that is provided upstream of the aligning roller pair 216 and detects the arrival of the document, and a size sensor 287 that detects the size of the document D A conveying belt 218 disposed so as to cover almost the entire document placing table 212. Then, a plurality of documents set on the document tray 208 are taken out from the bottom page, that is, the last page in order, aligned by the aligning roller pair 216, and then placed on the document by the conveying belt 218. It is conveyed to a predetermined position on the table 212.

  In the ADF 207, a reverse roller 220, a non-reverse sensor 221, a flapper 222, and a paper discharge roller 223 are disposed at the end opposite to the aligning roller pair 216 with the conveyance belt 218 interposed therebetween. A document D whose image information has been read by a scanner unit 50 to be described later is sent out from the document placing table 212 by a conveyor belt 218, and the document is discharged on the upper surface of the ADF 207 via the reverse roller 220, the flapper 221, and the discharge roller 222. It is discharged onto the part 224.

  When reading the back side of the document D, the document D conveyed by the conveyance belt 218 is reversed by the reversing roller 220 by switching the flapper 222, and then again is transferred to a predetermined position on the document table 212 by the conveyance belt 218. Sent to location.

  The ADF 207 includes a paper feed motor that drives the pickup roller 214, the paper feed roller 215, and the aligning roller pair 216, and a transport motor that drives the transport belt 218, the reverse roller 220, and the paper discharge roller 223. Yes.

  The scanner unit 50 disposed in the apparatus main body 200 includes a light source 225 such as a fluorescent lamp that illuminates the document D placed on the document table 212 and a first light that deflects reflected light from the document D in a predetermined direction. 1 mirror 226 is provided. The light source 225 and the first mirror 226 are attached to a first carriage 227 disposed below the document table 212. On the first carriage 216, a size sensor 217 for detecting the size of the document placed on the document placement table 212 is attached. The first carriage 227 is disposed so as to be movable in parallel with the document placing table 212, and is reciprocated below the document placing table by a drive motor via a toothed belt (not shown).

  A second carriage 228 that is movable in parallel with the document placement table is disposed below the document placement table 212. Second and third mirrors 230 and 231 for sequentially deflecting reflected light from the document D deflected by the first mirror 226 are attached to the second carriage 228 at right angles to each other. The second carriage 228 is driven with respect to the first carriage 227 by a toothed belt or the like that drives the first carriage 227, and the document placement table at a half speed with respect to the first carriage. It is moved in parallel along 212.

  Further, below the document table 212, an imaging lens 232 that focuses the reflected light from the third mirror 231 on the second carriage 228, and the reflected light focused by the imaging lens is received and photoelectrically received. A CCD sensor 234 for conversion is provided. The imaging lens 232 is disposed so as to be movable via a driving mechanism in a plane including the optical axis of the light deflected by the third mirror 231. When the imaging lens 232 moves, the reflected light is reflected at a desired magnification. Form an image. The CCD sensor 234 photoelectrically converts the incident reflected light and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the read document D.

  On the other hand, the printer unit 52 includes a laser exposure device 240 that functions as an exposure unit. The laser exposure apparatus 240 includes a semiconductor laser 241 as a light source, a polygon mirror 236 as a scanning member that continuously deflects laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 241, and a polygon mirror that is driven to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed described later. A polygon motor 237 serving as a scanning motor, and an optical system 242 that deflects laser light from the polygon mirror and guides it to a photosensitive drum described later. The laser exposure apparatus 240 having such a configuration is fixed and supported on a support frame described later of the apparatus main body 200.

  The semiconductor laser 241 is controlled to be turned on / off according to the image information of the document D read by the scanner unit 50, and this laser beam is directed to the photosensitive drum via the polygon mirror 236 and the optical system 242, and the photosensitive drum An electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum peripheral surface by scanning the peripheral surface.

  Further, the image forming unit 52 has a rotatable photosensitive drum 244 as an image carrier disposed almost at the center of the apparatus main body 200, and a laser exposure device 240 is provided on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 244. The laser beam is exposed to form a desired electrostatic latent image.

  Around the photosensitive drum 244, a charging charger 245 for charging the peripheral surface of the drum to a predetermined charge, and toner as a developer is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 244. A developing device 246 that develops at a desired image density and a transfer material fed from a paper cassette 252, 253, 254, 255, or 257, that is, a copy paper P, is separated from the photosensitive drum 244. A peeling charger 247, a transfer charger 248 for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 244 to the paper P, a peeling claw 249 for peeling the copy paper from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 244, and the circumference of the photosensitive drum 244. A cleaning device 250 that cleans the toner remaining on the surface and a static eliminator 251 that neutralizes the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 244 are sequentially arranged.

  In the lower part of the apparatus main body 200, paper feed cassettes 252, 253, and 254 that can be pulled out from the apparatus main body 200 are arranged in a stacked state, and copy papers of different sizes are loaded in each cassette. A large-capacity paper feed cassette 255 is provided on the side of these cassettes. The large-capacity paper feed cassette 255 stores about 3000 sheets of frequently used copy paper, for example, A4 size copy paper. ing. A paper feed cassette 257 that also serves as a manual feed tray 256 is detachably mounted above the large capacity paper feed cassette 255.

  In the apparatus main body 200, a conveyance path 258 is formed extending from each cassette through a transfer portion located between the photosensitive drum 244 and the transfer charger 248, and a fixing device 260 is provided at the end of the conveyance path. Yes.

  In the vicinity of the paper feed cassettes 252, 253, 254, 255, and 257, pickup rollers 263 for taking out sheets one by one from the cassettes are provided. The transport path 258 is provided with a plurality of paper feed roller pairs 264 that transport the copy paper P taken out by the pickup roller 263 through the transport path 258.

  A registration roller pair 265 is provided on the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 244 in the transport path 258. The registration roller pair 265 corrects the inclination of the taken copy paper P and aligns the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 244 with the leading edge of the copying paper P so that the moving speed of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is the same. The copy paper P is fed to the transfer unit at a speed. An aligning sensor 266 for detecting the arrival of the copy paper P is provided in front of the registration roller pair 265, that is, on the paper feed roller 264 side.

  The copy paper P taken out from each cassette by the pickup roller 263 is sent to the registration roller pair 265 by the paper feed roller pair 264. The copy paper P is fed to the transfer section after the leading edge is aligned by the registration roller pair 265. In the transfer portion, the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 244, that is, the toner image is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer charger 248. The copy paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is peeled off from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 244 by the action of the peeling charger 247 and the peeling claw 249, and is transferred to the fixing device 260 via the conveyance belt 267 constituting a part of the conveyance path 252. Be transported. Then, after the developer image is melted and fixed on the copy paper P by the fixing device 260, the copy paper P is discharged from the discharge port 261 to the paper discharge tray 262 by the paper feed roller pair 268 and the paper discharge roller pair 269.

  Below the conveyance path 258, an automatic duplexer (ADD) 270 that reverses the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 260 and sends it again to the registration roller pair 265 is provided. The automatic duplexer 270 includes a temporary stacking unit 271 that temporarily stacks the copy paper P, and a reverse path 272 that branches from the conveyance path 258 and reverses the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 260 and guides it to the temporary stacking unit 271. A pickup roller 273 that picks up the copy sheets P collected in the temporary stacking unit one by one, and a paper feed roller 275 that feeds the taken sheets to the registration roller pair 265 through the transport path 274.

  In addition, a distribution gate 276 that selectively distributes the copy paper P to the discharge port 261 or the reverse path 272 is provided at a branch portion between the transport path 258 and the reverse path 272.

  When performing double-sided copying, the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing device 260 is guided to the reversing path 272 by the sorting gate 276 and temporarily accumulated in the temporary accumulating unit 271 in an inverted state, and then the pickup roller 273 and The paper is fed to the registration roller pair 265 through the conveyance path 274 by the paper feed roller pair 275. Then, after the copy paper P is aligned by the registration roller pair 265, it is sent again to the transfer unit, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the copy paper P. Thereafter, the copy paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 262 via the conveyance path 258, the fixing device 260 and the paper discharge roller 269.

  Further, by using the automatic duplexer 270, it is possible to discharge the paper with the printed side facing down.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the composite image forming apparatus.

  The apparatus includes a main CPU 30, a ROM 32 (for program and database), an NVRAM 34, and a DRAM (for work and data storage) 36. The main CPU 30 controls the entire apparatus. Here, the main CPU 30 controls each function according to an instruction from the operation panel 202, a signal input (FAX) from a communication line, and input signals from various external interfaces (external IF). Control. The main CPU 30 also has a function as an acquisition unit that acquires an execution instruction (print job) of an image forming process according to a predetermined condition from a print queue (Queue) table (virtual printer) described later.

  Further, this apparatus is provided with a hard disk drive HDD 37 as storage means for storing image data and an optical disk drive ODD 38 as storage means, thereby realizing storage of large-capacity image data. It becomes possible.

  The SIF 40 is a scanner interface that receives image data from the scanner unit 50, and the IPU 42 performs image editing processing such as high image quality processing, enlargement / reduction processing, pixel thinning processing, and whiteout processing of a specified area by marker detection according to the recording apparatus. A page memory (PM) 44 serving as an image processing unit and storage means is a multi-value page memory having a multi-value bit number per pixel, and a QNT / PM (QNT: quantization, PM: page memory) 46 is a multi-value. A part composed of a binarized page memory, a compression / decompression circuit, and various image processing ASICs for binarizing and storing data for storage, a PIF 48 is a printer interface for transferring image data to the printer unit 52, and a LANC 54 is an Ethernet ( CPU for controlling the connection interface with the registered trademark) and the N company network protocol It is a non-network control circuit.

  One end of the LANC 54 cable is connected to a device (not shown) constituting a network such as a router / repeater. The SCSI 56 as an acquisition means for acquiring image data for realizing the printer function is a SCSI bus control chip set for performing communication command control with an external device (not shown) such as a PC. For example, when a control command is received from the main CPU 30, it is interpreted and sent to the target device. Conversely, when a signal is received, the signal is passed to the main CPU 30 as it is. The main CPU 30 interprets the signal, returns a response as appropriate, and controls the entire apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a FAXC unit 58 as an acquisition means for acquiring image data transmitted by facsimile when realizing a facsimile function is a so-called MODEM 76 that forms a connection IF with a public line according to a facsimile procedure, and a transmission / reception buffer 74. , A file memory 68 as a storage means for storing FAX image data, a CODEC (CODER-DECODER) 66 for performing image encoding / decoding and resolution conversion, a CODEC 72, and their control and mutual communication with the main CPU 30. It consists of a FAX CPU 78 to perform.

  The PRNC 60 is a control circuit for performing protocol control and data transfer / compression / decompression control for receiving print data from a device such as an external PC. These devices are connected via an image bus 62, and control signals between the main CPU 30 and each device are exchanged at high speed via the system bus 64. This image bus 62 is a unique one provided when this controller operates as a copying machine. In order to guarantee the real-time operation of the copying machine, image data input from the scanner unit 50 is received by the SIF 40. Then, the IPU 42 performs image quality enhancement processing, enlargement / reduction processing, and various editing processing, and the PIF 48 outputs the output of the printer unit 52 in parallel. Of the boards connected to the image bus 62, processing boards unnecessary for the operation at that time are in a passing state. For example, the QNT / PM 46 is unnecessary because it is unnecessary in the case of a copying operation, and this binary page memory is necessary when editing a plurality of copy images using the memory.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the FAXC unit 58.

  In FIG. 4, the dotted line portion indicates the system bus 64 in FIG. 3, and the double line portion indicates the image bus 62. For example, in the composite type image forming apparatus having the configuration described in this embodiment, under certain operating conditions, FAX transmission data is input from the scanner unit 50 and then input / output from the image bus 62 to the FAXC unit 58. Accumulated in the buffer. The accumulated data is encoded / compressed by the CODEC 66 and accumulated in the file memory (FILEMEMORY) 68.

  After the line is selected by the NCU (NETWORK CONTROL UNIT) 70, the transmission data for FAX is converted by the CODEC 72 into an encoding method / resolution that matches the capability of the partner station, and transmitted from the MODEM 76 via the transmission / reception buffer 74. The At this time, a transmission header for FAX is also added by the CODEC 66.

  The FAX communication control command is sent from the main CPU 30 of the system to the FAXC unit 58 by DMA transfer. The FAX CPU 78 of the FAX C unit 58 executes the command contents and transmits the status or request to the main CPU 30 side by DMA transfer. In response to this command, the FAX CPU 78 sends a control signal (compliant with ITU-T / T.30) based on the standard protocol over the line via the MODEM 76. Further, the main CPU 30 sends out the next instruction according to the status or the content of the request.

  When the image data stored in the HDD 37 shown in FIG. 3 is transferred as a transmission image to the FAXC unit 58, it is DMA-transferred to each other via the transfer buffer of the FAXC unit 58.

  In the case of reception, the received data is temporarily stored in the transmission / reception buffer 74 of the FAXC unit 58, and after error checking, etc., is converted into a specified encoding method by the CODEC 66 and stored in the file memory 68 of the FAXC unit 58. The When the accumulated image data is stored in the HDD 37 shown in FIG. 3, it is DMA-transferred to the HDD 37 shown in FIG. 3 after performing coding conversion, resolution conversion processing, etc. in the CODEC 72.

  When printing the received image stored and stored in the file memory 68 of the FAXC unit 58, the stored received data is decompressed by the CODEC 66, expanded in the input / output buffer 80, and then printed out to the PIF 48 from the image bus 62 side. . When printing the image data stored and stored in the HDD 37 of FIG. 3, the image is developed on the QNT / PM 46 of FIG. 3, and printed out to the PIF 48 from the image bus 62 side.

  The image input / output buffer 80 of the FAXC unit 58 can rotate image data. For example, when an A4 image is received, a 90 degree rotation process is performed here, so that both A4 horizontal and A4 vertical cassette recording paper can be used, and at the same time, originals can be input in both portrait and landscape directions. It becomes.

  Furthermore, using the 180 degree rotation process, for example, all the directions of the image data input using the ADF 207 are corrected to the forward direction. Further, the automatic duplex device 270 alternately performs 180 degree rotation processing on the received document, and then performs printing processing on both sides of the recording paper.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation panel 202.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel 202 includes a touch panel display 82, a start key 90, a pause key 91, a clear key 92, a numeric key 93, a size key 94 for selecting a document size, a cassette key 95 for selecting a cassette, and a selected key. LEDs 84 and 85 for displaying a document size / cassette, a copy magnification setting key 96, an image mode selection key 97, and the like are provided. The numeric keypad 93 has the same arrangement as the numeric keypad arrangement of the button telephone apparatus so that it can be shared by copying or FAX (FAX number input). Incidentally, the above-described keys 90 to 97 are collectively referred to as hard keys.

  For example, when five copies are made, the menu on the touch panel display 82 is switched to copy, a desired process (such as double-sided copy) is selected, and then the “5” key of the numeric keypad 93 is pressed. Then, this number is displayed in a specific area on the touch panel display 82. After the user confirms this, if the document is set and the start key 90 is pressed, the copying operation is started.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of touch panel display 82 shown in FIG.

  The touch panel display 82 is configured by overlapping the touch panel 102 on the liquid crystal display 104. In the touch panel 102, a transparent resistor is uniformly applied to a transparent substrate, and transparent electrode groups are arranged in parallel at predetermined distance intervals in the X / Y direction. Under the control of the touch panel control unit 106, a voltage is sequentially applied to each transparent electrode in the X / Y direction in a certain direction. The position indicating operation on the touch panel 102 is performed using a dedicated conductive pen or a finger. The touch panel control unit 106 monitors the resistance value between the electrodes in the X / Y direction, and detects a position where the resistance value is locally reduced by an instruction from a conductive pen or a finger by calculating from the resistance value between the electrodes. I do.

  The liquid crystal display 104 is connected with a display control unit 108 for driving the display and a display RAM (VRAM) 110 for storing display data in units of display pixels.

  In the touch panel display 82 having the above configuration, the position data obtained by the touch panel control unit 106 is read by the main CPU 30 in the main control unit, and processing corresponding to the position data is executed by the main CPU 30. For example, when handwritten input is performed, the data on the VRAM 110 corresponding to the position designated on the touch panel 102 is reversed from the non-display state to the display state, and the keyboard display or various setting buttons displayed on the liquid crystal display 104 are displayed. The touch panel display 82 can be used for a wide range of applications such as input of operation parameters by selection from the menu.

  7 to 9 are diagrams showing the flow of a standard G3 facsimile communication protocol used in this composite type image forming apparatus. Here, all examples in the non-error correction mode are shown, but the communication protocol flow is basically the same in the error correction mode.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication protocol when transmitting transmission data for only one page (no subsequent page). As shown in FIG. 7, the FAX communication protocol is divided into five phases A to E. A: call setting, B: initial recognition, C: data transmission, D: transmission data confirmation, E: Divided into cutting.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication protocol when transmitting transmission data (with subsequent pages) of a plurality of pages without changing the transmission condition. In the case of FIG. 8, the called terminal side is informed of the multi-page in phase D (MPS), and then phase C and subsequent steps are repeated.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication protocol when transmitting transmission data (with subsequent pages) by changing the transmission condition. In the case of FIG. 9, the change of the communication condition is notified to the called terminal side in phase D (EOM), and then the phase B and subsequent steps are repeated.

  In phase B (initial recognition) of each communication procedure, first, an NSF (Not Standered facsimile) signal is transmitted from the called terminal (receiving terminal). In this signal, ITU-T / T. 35 stipulates that a country code and a manufacturer code are presented. Normally, in communication between facsimile machines of the same manufacturer, each signal is identified by this signal, and ITU-T / T. Communication is carried out in accordance with the procedures unique to each company, which are different from the 30 regulations.

  Next, the network transmission operation in the composite image forming apparatus will be described.

  In this case, first, a network transmission mode is set on the operation panel 202. Next, transmission destination information (network address, user ID, etc.) is set. Then, transmission image data is set. The set transmission destination information is set in the transmission queue under the control of the main control unit. The transmission data is subjected to an editing process based on the transmission condition, and then encoded / compressed, and a line connection to the transmission destination is performed according to a protocol corresponding to the network. When all pages are transmitted, line disconnection processing is performed.

  During the above operation, the main control unit manages transmission destination information from the operation panel 202 and sets parameters such as an image size and a compression method in the SIF 40 and the QNT / PM 46. If there is a start instruction, the scanner unit 50 is driven to perform resolution conversion, binarization, and compression processing on the input image data, and then hold these in the QNT / PM 46 until the final page. Do.

  Next, the facsimile transmission operation of the input document in the composite image forming apparatus will be described.

  First, the menu on the touch panel display 82 is switched to the FAX menu on the operation panel 202 described above, and then the facsimile transmission mode is set. Alternatively, the transmission mode is set from a terminal device such as a PC via a network or a serial interface such as 232C. When this mode setting is performed from the operation panel 202, the setting is performed by pressing a hard key corresponding to an instruction of a mode selection switch displayed on the touch panel display 82 and a desired condition.

  When mode setting is performed from a terminal device such as a PC, a facsimile transmission mode is selected from a menu on the screen. At this time, the destination information (telephone number, abbreviated dial number etc.), transmission size information, scaling information such as enlargement / reduction, desired resolution, presence / absence of rotation, and high security contents are included in the facsimile transmission mode setting screen. A transmission condition such as whether or not the document is a confidential document is set.

  The transmission data is input by the scanner unit 50, subjected to image processing such as enlargement / reduction and halftone processing specified by the operation panel 202 in the IPU 42, and then used by the input / output buffer 80 of the FAXC unit 58 of FIG. And developed as binary data. Subsequently, encoding / compression processing is performed using the CODEC 66 shown in FIG. 4, and if necessary, rotation processing / resolution conversion processing of the input image is performed and stored / saved in the file memory 68 of the FAXC unit 58. The

  When the HDD 37 is mounted, the data is expanded in the QNT / PM 46 of FIG. 3 and subjected to image processing specified by the user, and then the memory is stored in the HDD 37. The image processing specified by the user at this time is, for example, a so-called “Nin1 (N: integer)” process (reduction concatenation) in which a plurality of originals are reduced to one and transmitted as one original. Also referred to as processing).

  In the case of performing memory accumulation transmission, it is set in the transmission queue after the document input is completed. If the transmission time is specified, it is not transmitted until the time specified by the user, but if it is not specified and there is no state file waiting for transmission, the transmission procedure is immediately started.

  When starting the transmission process, the image data stored in the file memory 68 of the FAXC unit 58 uses the CODEC 72, and after performing the resolution conversion process and the size conversion process according to the reception performance on the receiving terminal side, Send to the other station. Also, using the HDD 37, the image file stored in the HDD 37 at the time of transmission execution is DMA-transferred to the FAXC unit, and the transmission procedure is started.

  When direct transmission is performed, the NCU 70 performs line connection control based on transmission destination information. When line connection is established, image data is input from the scanner unit 50, and the image processing unit converts the image data to a resolution that matches the capabilities of the partner station. At this time, the partner station ability is given priority over the resolution and image size desired by the user. Subsequently, the data is transferred to the input / output buffer 80 of the FAXC unit 58 shown in FIG. After transmission of all pages of transmission data is completed, line disconnection processing is performed.

  Next, the memory editing function of a copy image using the QNT / PM 46 in this composite type image forming apparatus will be described.

  The image input from the scanner unit 50 is subjected to resolution conversion and binarization processing according to the function selected by the user in the image processing unit, and then stored in the QNT / PM 46. The resolution conversion according to the function selected by the user corresponds to, for example, 71% reduction when a 2-in-1 function that reduces two originals and stores them in one sheet is selected. In the case of 2-in-1 processing, the QNT / PM 46 reads an image that has been decompressed by about 71% by the image processing unit. Further, after 90 degree rotation processing is performed, two sheets are printed as one sheet.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration of the PRNC 60 shown in FIG. The PRNC 60 includes an interface to the system bus 64 and a command control CPU 60a that controls their communication protocol, a buffer memory 60b, a data control ASIC 60c that performs high-speed data control, and a parallel port that connects itself to an external device such as a PC ( Centronics) 60d.

  For example, a document created by application software on a PC is expanded into image data on the PC, encoded / compressed, and stored in a memory on the PC. This encoded data is transferred at high speed according to a predetermined protocol with the PRNC 60. The PRNC 60 performs DMA transfer of the received image data to the QNT / PM 46 or the HDD 37.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a control software block of the composite image forming apparatus.

  The operation panel control unit 112 is a control software such as hard key operation detection, operation detection on the touch panel, display menu creation on the touch panel, display control, etc. in the operation panel 202 of the composite image forming apparatus described with reference to FIGS. Consists of For example, when FAX transmission is instructed from the operation panel 202, the information is transmitted to the overall control unit 114. In contrast, when FAX communication is started using a communication line, the information is notified via the overall control unit 114, and the LED 96 on the operation panel 202 is turned on and a message is displayed on the LCD 96.

  The overall control unit 114 manages a table (for example, a print queue table, which will be described later) that is commonly used among the control blocks, starts up the composite image forming apparatus, and manages the execution of the entire job (JOB). I do. For example, in the startup process after the power is turned on, a hardware configuration confirmation process for the entire apparatus and an initialization process for each control block are performed. Also, in job execution management, the execution status of the entire job is monitored using a job management table having a structure shown in FIG. For example, when an execution request (such as FAX reception printing) of a job occurs, the overall control unit 114 can execute the job from the hardware configuration of the composite image forming apparatus, the type of job being executed, and its phase. Determine whether or not.

  Here, the job management table shown in FIG. 12 will be described. This job management table is temporarily stored in the NVRAM 34.

  For example, when a control book registers a job in this table, a unique job ID is assigned to the job. Thereafter, when processing is performed for this job, the values of various parameters registered in the table are searched using this job ID. For example, commonly used parameters such as scanner settings are set in the common parameter table, and FAX-specific parameters are set in the FAX parameter table. In the figure, the portion described as “***” indicates that some value is set. Further, a part where “NULL” is set indicates an unused job ID.

  Here, the item displayed as FRONT / BACK in the table is a front job (described later) executed by a front (FRONT) operation, or a background job (executed in the background (BACK)) ( This will be described later.

  In this case, the job means a group of operation units as seen from the user. For example, in the case of copying, one job is from input to output of the original, and in the case of memory storage FAX transmission, the original input / memory storage is performed. Up to one job, the accumulated document transmission is one job.

  A front job means a job performed by the user standing on the front of the apparatus and occupying the operation panel 202. Generally, the job is required to operate immediately. Shows what needs to be done. Specifically, it corresponds to copying, document input at the time of FAX memory transmission, and the like.

  The background job means a job that is performed in a state where the operator does not perform an operation, that is, in a state where the operation panel 202 is released. Specifically, printing of FAX documents received in the background, FAX transmission / reception processing, communication information reports / lists issued periodically, and the like are applicable.

  Since it is assumed that the background job is performed in the absence of an operator, the priority at the time of execution is generally lower than that of the front job. However, when a background job is executed, the operator is often not nearby, so even if a problem occurs, it may not be immediately known. Therefore, when a problem is likely to occur, a background job that is likely to cause this problem may be executed preferentially. For example, when the remaining amount of the file memory 68 for storing received data is insufficient at the time of FAX reception, it is executed with priority over the front job.

  In the job management table shown in FIG. 12, the front job and the background job are distinguished and managed because the type and state of the front job are referred to in the determination at the start of execution of the background job. . Explaining with an example, when executing printing output (background job) of a FAX-received document in the overall control unit 114, the state of the front job is copying and the operation panel 202 is being operated. If the print output (background job) is interrupted and the operation panel 202 is not being operated or being executed, it is determined that the operation panel 202 is not being used, and a background job such as FAX reception printing is started. These procedures will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, as an example of this determination criterion, the one shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 is used.

  The FAX communication control unit 116 performs command control for the FAXC unit 58 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, FAX transmission control, reception control, list creation, file management, communication history management, transmission / reception job management, and the like. For example, in the case of FAX memory storage and transmission, when a FAX transmission request is received from the operation panel control unit 112, an instruction to input a FAX document is given to the overall control unit 114.

  When transmission data is encoded and compressed and input to the FAXC unit 58 or the HDD 37 under the control of the overall control unit 112, it is managed as a FAX transmission job under the management of the FAX communication control unit 116 and managed as a job waiting for transmission. The

  In the case of reception, when reception is started, it is registered (connected) in the job management table shown in FIG. 9 managed by the overall control unit 114, and FAX reception is executed under the control of the FAX communication control unit 116.

  The job management table always registers jobs operated on the operation panel 202 as front jobs in addition to background jobs operated in the background such as printing and FAX transmission / reception. The front job at this time corresponds to copying, FAX document input, and the like.

  The image data that has been received and stored in the file memory 68 of the FAXC unit 58 or the HDD 37 is sent to the overall control unit 114 as print waiting data. When printing is completed, the overall control unit 114 notifies the FAX communication control unit 116 to that effect, and the printed image data file is deleted.

  The external interface control unit 118 performs control of the SCSI controller and printer controller, control of their data and commands, and file management. For example, when printing out a document created on a PC, the external interface control unit 118 inquires of the overall control unit 114 whether data can be received. If the overall control unit 114 determines that data reception is possible, the image data is stored in the HDD 37 or the QNT / PM 46. When the image reception ends, the external interface control unit 118 instructs the overall control unit 114 to print out.

  The engine status management unit 120 monitors the statuses of the scanner unit 50 and the printer unit 52, and notifies the overall control unit 114 and the input / print execution unit 122 when an error or an out-of-paper event occurs. A message accompanying the occurrence is displayed on the operation panel 202. Further, when performing a scanner operation accompanying the operation of the operation panel 202, the operation panel control unit 112 instructs the engine state management unit 120 to perform these operations.

  The input / output execution management unit 124 is responsible for securing resources at the time of input processing and printing processing, and synchronization processing therebetween. For example, when storing the image data of FAX input using QNT / PM 46 and simultaneously starting printing output of FAX reception data, the overall control unit 114 confirms whether or not the concurrency of these plural jobs is possible. The input / output execution management unit 124 determines the shared use of the memory of the QNT / PM 46 used in common, and performs exclusive control of the scanner unit 50 and the printer unit 52. Also, in the case of editing copy using the QNT / PM 46, synchronization control is performed between input and printing.

  The input / print execution unit 122 is an engine control that performs scanner drive control at the time of image input, ADF control, printer control at the time of printing, paper conveyance control, and the like, and changes the resolution and size of the image, and also performs high image quality processing. An image processing unit for performing image processing, an input / output image processing unit for performing modification processing such as image rotation processing and image composition processing, and an image memory for decompressing / encoding / compressing the input image . The image processing unit performs, for example, a size conversion process specified by the user at the time of copying or a high image quality process such as error diffusion processing, and a conversion process to the resolution specified by the user when inputting a FAX image, in accordance with the performance of the receiver. Size conversion processing, image quality enhancement processing, and the like are performed. At this time, the image data input to the image memory is subjected to a modification process such as a rotation process or an image composition in accordance with the contents set by the user. Also, during FAX printing, resolution enhancement processing (interpolation processing) that matches the resolution of the printer, high image quality processing such as smoothing, and image rotation processing according to user settings Reduction processing or page division processing when a long document is received is performed. These scanners / printers are directly controlled by a mechanical control CPU, and the main CPU 30 shown in FIG. 3 performs these controls by inter-CPU communication.

  13 and 14 are diagrams showing an outline of the structure of a print queue table used when controlling the execution order of print jobs. This print queue table is a registration unit for registering an execution instruction (print job) for image forming processing.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the print queue table is roughly composed of a header section 301, an application header section 302, and a print management block 303 for the entire queue.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the overall header section 301 manages the total number of types of queues, the maximum number of jobs that can be registered, the first available management block number, the option configuration, and the like. The application header section 302 includes the print priority of each job, the management book number of the first job, and the last management block number. The print management block unit 303 displays the job ID of each job, job request source, preceding and following management block numbers, job status, job type, interruption factor at the time of interruption, total number of pages, number of finished pages, job reception time, etc. I manage. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the registered print job information is linked for each application.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in the overall control unit 114 for realizing the present invention.

  Here, this flowchart will be briefly described. First, the system is first initialized (ST10), and its own task initialization process is executed (ST12). After this, messages from other blocks and time confirmation are always performed alternately. When no message is received (ST14, ST16, NO), time confirmation processing is executed. This time confirmation process will be described in detail later. If there is an execution process after the time confirmation process (YES in ST20), the process proceeds to ST28.

  When a message is received (ST14, ST16, YES), a message analysis process for analyzing the received message is executed (ST22). If the received message is an undefined message (ST24, YES), an error occurs. That is, an error message is transmitted (ST26). If the received message is a defined message (ST24, NO), it is determined from the content of this message whether or not the process is a process of the system management unit (ST28). If it is not system management section processing (in the case of job management processing) (ST28, NO), job management processing is executed (ST30). In the case of system management processing (ST28, YES), system management processing is executed (ST30).

  Next, the time confirmation process will be described. Time confirmation refers to the occurrence of an abnormality in hardware, such as monitoring the execution start time of a process to be performed at a certain time, such as the transition time to the low power consumption power mode, and a command for performing communication between FAX CPUs 78 of the FAXC unit 58. In this case, a response waiting timer is set for a command that may cause a no-response state, and the time is monitored.

  A process showing the flow of this time confirmation process is shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the current time is acquired (ST42), and it is confirmed whether the acquired time exceeds the execution time (ST44) of each item shown in FIG. 17 or the timeout time (ST46). If the time-out time has not been exceeded (ST46, YES), error processing (time-over processing) is executed (ST48). Since the time-over process is not directly related to the present invention, the description of the process content is omitted here.

  When the time-out time is exceeded (ST46, NO), the wait flag (wait_flag) is confirmed (ST50). If the wait flag is on, the next execution time is set after adding the waiting time (ST52). If the wait flag is off, the next execution time is set (ST54), and the corresponding processing content is executed (ST56).

  This wait flag is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. As will be described later, in FIG. 28, when a suspended job is detected as the next execution job, the wait flag set in the time management table is confirmed. If the wait flag is not set, the wait flag is set to the ON state at this time. This indicates that it is immediately after the print job is interrupted for some reason. By setting this wait flag, the next execution start time is delayed and processing such as paper replenishment is expected from the operator. belongs to.

  FIG. 21 shows that the wait flag is cleared when the print job can be executed after the waiting time has elapsed. As a result, as will be described with reference to FIG. 16, the next execution time is set in consideration of the standby time.

  The print job registered (managed) in the print queue table illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 is acquired by the overall control unit 114 (or the main CPU 30) as an acquisition unit when the execution time comes, and image formation is performed. It is delivered to the input / output execution control unit 124 as means. If the state of the input / print execution unit 122 as the image forming unit is not printable at the time of the print process execution time, the next execution time is set and the process proceeds to the message confirmation process. If there is no processing corresponding to the execution time, the presence or absence of a message from another block is confirmed. For example, when the FAX communication control unit 116 instructs to print the received fax image, the overall control unit 114 analyzes the message and performs registration processing in the print queue table of FIGS. 13 and 14.

  The system management unit processing in FIG. 15 is processing when a message related to system startup processing or the like is received. The job management processing receives a message related to job control such as a job execution instruction or execution result. This shows the processing when it is done. As described above, the overall control unit 114 registers the print job received in accordance with the print instruction from another block in the print queue table prepared for each job type. The execution status of print jobs and other jobs is periodically monitored, and when the print job is in the execution status, the highest priority is assigned from the print queue table prepared for each job type. The first print job registered in the print queue table is taken out and the input / output execution control unit 124 is instructed to process.

  Further, when viewed from the other blocks of the operation panel control unit 112, the FAX communication control unit 116, and the external interface control unit 118, the print job is registered in the print queue table for each function managed by the overall control unit 114. However, the operation is equivalent to instructing a print job to each unique printing device in software.

  FIG. 18 shows a message sequence between blocks when executing a print job according to the present invention.

  When a FAX received document print and print data print processing created on a PC or a list / report print request is generated, the external interface control unit 118, FAX communication control unit 116, and operation panel control unit 112 are shown in FIG. After registering the job in the job management table and obtaining the job ID, the general control unit 114 is instructed to start a print job (message 11). When instructed by the overall control unit 114, the overall control unit 114 registers the print job in the print queue table shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 based on the registration contents in the job management table in FIG.

  A plurality of print queue tables are prepared for each type of print job, such as FAX reception printing or externally generated print data, and each has a unique and variable print priority. When the print job is actually started, the print job registered in the print queue table with the highest priority is acquired from the print queue table, and the information is stored in the input / output execution management unit 124. Delivered.

  By adopting such a management method, unlike the case where all print jobs are managed sequentially, even if the number of print processes increases / decreases due to addition / deletion of hardware functions, It is possible to reduce the influence on the execution management method and the print processing performance. Also, even in a special situation such as insufficient memory remaining at the time of fax reception, it is possible to easily increase the processing priority of a specific type of print job.

  When registration in the print queue table is completed, a print job acceptance is notified to the block instructed to start the job (message 12). When the print job execution time is reached by the time confirmation processing routine described above, the print job registered in the highest priority print queue table is taken out as described above, and the print job is started to the input / output execution control unit 124. (Message 13). At this time, the job status of the corresponding job ID on the job management table is changed to a job executing status.

  The input / output execution control unit 124 instructs the input / print execution unit 122 to execute each job, and returns a print job acceptance to the overall control unit 114 when it is confirmed that resources necessary for printing are confirmed ( Message 14).

  When the actual print job ends, the input / output execution control unit deletes the print job registered in the print queue table, and transmits a print job end message to the requester of the print job (message 15, Message 16). In the control block that has received the print job end, the job registered in the job management table is ended.

  The upper part of FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing the message flow.

  The rightmost broken line block indicates the FAX communication control unit 116 and the external interface control unit 118, the central broken line block indicates the overall control unit 114, and the leftmost broken line block indicates the input / output execution control unit 122 and the input / print execution unit 124. In other words, the overall control unit 114 is instructed to print image data print jobs created by the FAX communication control unit 116 and the external interface control unit 118 from these blocks. The overall control unit 114 registers these print jobs in their own print queue tables.

  Furthermore, when the execution time comes, the print job registered in the table assigned the highest priority among these print queue tables is taken out and it is confirmed whether printing is possible. When this is completed, the input / output execution control unit 124 is instructed to execute printing as an actual print job. The input / output execution control unit 124 instructs the input / print execution unit 122 to perform printing after securing resources such as memory.

  The lower part of FIG. 19 schematically shows an image when a print job is taken out. This figure shows an example in which the top print job is in an interrupted state when the print job is taken out. In this case, if the interrupted factor is a factor other than the out of paper, the next print job is not taken out until the cause is resolved, and if the cause is out of paper, the next print job is taken out. In this way, it is possible to improve the printing efficiency of the entire composite copying apparatus by overtaking and executing a printable print job without waiting.

  20 to 22 are processing flowcharts for printing-related messages received from the respective locks in the overall control unit 114 for realizing the present invention. Each flowchart shows a part of the module in the job management process of FIG. 15, and shows the processing contents corresponding to the received message.

  FIG. 20 shows a processing flowchart when a job start instruction corresponding to the message 11 of FIG. 18 is received. When the job start message is received (ST72, YES), the message transmission source ID (ST74), job ID (ST76), and job type (ST78) are acquired. When the job type is a job other than a print job (ST72, NO), the job is executed after confirming whether or not each job can be executed (ST88), but here, it deviates from the essential part. Therefore, detailed description of the operation is omitted.

  When the job type is a print job, the overall control unit 114 refers to the job ID and the job type, and the print job is registered (connected) in the print queue table of the corresponding type as shown in FIGS. (ST80).

  If this method is used, when the same print job instructed from the external interface control unit 118 is viewed, when printing is designated by a normal method, particularly when a print job is started after a password is designated. It becomes possible to handle them with different priorities.

  When registration of the print job ends normally (ST82, YES), the transmission end is notified to the transmission source together with the job ID (ST84). This message corresponds to the message 12 in FIG. If the registration to the print queue table exceeds the maximum value that can be registered (ST82, NO), an error is returned when the print job is registered (ST86). In this case, the abnormal end of the job is notified to the transmission source of the job start instruction. The maximum value that can be registered at this time is determined by the available RAM work area.

  FIG. 21 shows a processing flowchart when a job start acceptance message corresponding to the message 14 in FIG. 18 is received. When the print job acceptance message is received (ST92, YES), first, the state of the wait flag is confirmed (ST94). This wait flag is set for the purpose of delaying the start of the next print job when the job is interrupted. By doing so, it is possible to provide the user with recovery work such as paper replenishment when the paper runs out.

  If this flag is not used, the next job operation may start at the moment when the job is interrupted due to running out of paper, which may cause confusion to the operator. For example, this is the case when a job that is being executed on A4 size paper is interrupted due to A4 size paper running out, and a job that can be executed on B4 size paper is subsequently waiting.

  Thereafter, when a wait time elapses, another job can be executed, and when a print start acceptance is received in response to the job start instruction, the wait flag is cleared (ST96).

  Subsequently, the message transmission source ID (ST98), job ID (ST100), and job type (ST102) are acquired. Next, the job status of the corresponding job ID in the job management table is set to job execution (ST104), and the job status of the print queue table is set to job execution (ST106).

  At this time, it is checked whether or not a job interruption (interruption counter ≠ 0) has occurred due to running out of paper (ST108). The case where the interruption counter is not 0 indicates that the job being executed is a restart of the interruption job.

  Here, the interruption counter will be described. The interruption counter indicates the number of interruption states occurring at the present time with respect to the print job. The interruption state is interrupted when it occurs due to an unexpected factor such as out of paper as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22 described later, and when an interruption is instructed during normal operation as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26 described later. There is a case.

  This interruption counter is set for the purpose of preferentially resuming from the last interrupted print job when multiple print jobs are interrupted and the cause of interruption is canceled. It is.

  For example, if an interruption state occurs during printing of a document created on a PC or the like as a printer due to factors such as running out of paper, the interruption counter value is incremented by one as shown in FIGS. . In this state, when a FAX print job that uses paper of a different size is executed, if a paper jam or the like occurs and the print job is also interrupted, the value of the interrupt counter is further increased. Count up one. The counter value at this time is set in the entire queue header section 301 of the print queue table shown in FIG. 14, and the application interruption counter value area of each application header section 302 shown in FIG. In addition, the interruption counter value at the time of occurrence of the interruption state is set.

  Thus, when the job is resumed, it is possible to refer to this numerical value and resume from the job that was stopped last. The reason for preferentially resuming the interrupted job that occurred last is that there is a high possibility that the operator is waiting in the vicinity of the device or that the job is being restored to a printable state. It is.

  Therefore, if the interruption counter is not 0 (ST108, YES), the value of the interruption counter is decremented by one (ST110), and the value of the application interruption counter in the application header section 302 being executed is cleared (0). (ST112).

  If the job type is an input job (ST92, NO), the image attributes at the start of the job (image size, image size, etc.) are sent to the operation panel control unit 112, FAX communication control unit 116, or external interface control unit 118. Resolution). Thereafter, the processing at the time of accepting other jobs is executed (ST114). Incidentally, the other processing at the time of job reception is not related to the point of the present invention, and the description regarding this processing is omitted.

  FIG. 22 shows a processing flowchart when a job end message corresponding to the message 15 in FIG. 18 is received. When the print job end message is received and the message transmission source ID (ST122), job ID (ST124), and job type (ST126) are acquired, first, the processing result is confirmed (ST128).

  If the processing result is not normal (ST128, NO), an abnormal termination factor is acquired (ST130), and the interruption state, the interruption factor, the number of copies and the number of copies are set in the job status of the print queue table (ST132).

  Next, the interruption counter is counted up (ST134), and the numerical value is registered in the application header section 302 and the overall header section 301 of the print queue table (ST136).

  In the case of normal termination (ST128, YES), the print job is deleted from the print queue table (ST138), and the print job is terminated to the FAX communication control unit 116 and the external interface control unit 118 that are instructed first. Is notified (message 16 in FIG. 18) (ST140). In the control block in which the message 16 is received, the job registered in the job management table is deleted from the job management table.

  At this time, if the priority of the print queue table is set to a high value by the overall control unit 114 due to a shortage of the remaining amount of the file memory 68 in the FAXC unit 58 (ST142), the remaining amount of FAX memory is confirmed. If it is not less than a predetermined reference value (ST146, YES), the original priority is restored again (ST148). The reference value here means a memory remaining amount threshold value for preferentially starting FAX reception printing.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a printing procedure in the input / print execution unit 122.

  When the input / print execution unit 122 receives a print instruction from the overall control unit 114 through the input / output execution control unit 124 (NO in ST162), the instructed image file is designated and developed on the image memory (ST164). (ST166, YES). The image memory at this time corresponds to the input / output buffer of the FAXC unit 58 or the QNT / PM 46. If the memory full state occurs during the reception of the first page and the reception of the image data to be expanded has not been completed in practice, the FAXC unit 58 controls the expansion of the image data in parallel with the reception. Is done. In this case, although the end of the received image expansion may be delayed later than usual, it is controlled on the FAX CPU 78 side so that the print control is performed in the same procedure as the normal control sequence. In this case, the input / print execution unit 122 performs the next procedure after confirming the end of image development.

  Subsequently, the presence / absence of the designated recording paper is confirmed (ST168). If the designated recording paper is out of recording paper (ST168, NO), this is notified to the input / output execution control unit 124 (ST170). End the procedure.

  If the designated recording sheet exists (ST168, YES), the feeding of the recording sheet is instructed (ST170). It is confirmed whether or not the developed image data is in the same direction as the recording paper (ST172), and if necessary, 90 degree rotation processing is performed on the memory (ST174).

  Paper feeding is completed (YES in ST176), parameters for image processing performed by the IPU 42 during printing are set (ST178), and data is discharged to the PIF 48 in accordance with the synchronization signal of the PIF 48 of the printer unit 52 (ST180). ). The image processing at this time corresponds to resolution conversion processing that matches the printer resolution, smoothing processing when the resolution is expanded, and the like.

  Further, when reverse recording discharge of the recording paper is designated (ST182, YES), the recording paper is once reversed through the automatic reversing unit (ST184), and nothing is printed on the reversed printing surface. The recording paper is ejected.

  If a trap such as a paper jam occurs when the recording paper is discharged (YES in ST186), the process is interrupted on the spot and the recovery process (ST188) is performed, and then the process is resumed. Since the recovery process at this time is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description is omitted here.

  When the discharge of one page is completed (ST190, YES) (ST190, NO), the input / output execution control unit 124 is notified of the end of printing one page (ST194), and the process proceeds to the printing procedure for the subsequent page. If the printing process for all pages is completed (ST192, YES), the input / output execution control unit 124 is notified of the printing end, and the printing procedure is ended.

  Incidentally, when the designated recording paper is out in ST168 (ST168, NO), the input / output execution control unit 124 is notified of the recording paper out (ST198).

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a message sequence between blocks when a print job is interrupted.

  When any factor for interrupting the job being executed occurs, the overall control unit 114 instructs the input / output execution control unit 124 to interrupt the job (message 21). The print job interruption factor at this time is an operation for starting a high-priority job such as copying on the operation panel 202 when an interruption instruction message is received from the operation panel control unit 112 due to an instruction for interruption from the operation panel 202. When the status of the job (front job) being executed on the operation panel 202 registered in the job management table changes due to the start of the operation, or the remaining amount of the file memory 68 for storing the image being received by FAX is constant. This is the case when the FAX communication control unit 116 receives a message that is less than or equal to the reference value and notifies the fact.

  The message 21 is transmitted to the input / print execution unit 122 via the input / output execution control unit 124 (message 22). At this time, the job interruption acceptance indicating that the job interruption instruction has been accepted is returned from the input / print execution unit 122 to the input / output execution control unit 124 (message 23). The input / output execution control unit 124 that has received the job suspension acceptance from the input / print execution unit 122 outputs the job suspension acceptance to the overall control unit 114 (message 24).

  Also, the input / print execution unit 122 that receives the message 22 performs job interruption processing. When the interruption processing ends, a job interruption completion indicating that the interruption processing has ended is output to the input / output execution control unit 124. (Message 25). The input / output execution control unit 124 that has received the job interruption end from the input / print execution unit 122 outputs the job interruption end to the overall control unit 114 (message 26).

  25 and 26 show processing for a print job related message received from each control block in the overall control unit 114. FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a processing flowchart when the job interruption start acceptance message in FIG. 26 is received. When an event that causes a suspension occurs, the overall control unit 114 instructs the input / output execution control unit 124 to suspend the print job. For example, this may be the case when a front job using a printing device such as copying occurs during execution of a print job. When the status of the front job in the job management table changes, the type and status of the front job should be confirmed at the time when the print job execution time is reached by the time confirmation process described above, and the print job being executed should be interrupted The input / output execution control unit 124 is instructed to interrupt the print job.

  Further, when a special state such as a shortage of remaining capacity of the file memory 68 for storing FAX reception data occurs, priority is given to the print queue table for FAX reception printing among the print queue tables shown in FIGS. In the same way, the next print job execution time is reached, and when the first print job is taken out, the print job being executed is interrupted, and the input / output execution control unit 124 is instructed to interrupt the print job. To do.

  In this way, by making the priority for each print queue table variable, it becomes possible to promote the release of arbitrary resources according to the state of the composite image forming apparatus. The determination of whether or not to interrupt at the time of job execution at this time will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 25, when a job interruption acceptance message other than a print job is received among the received job interruption acceptance messages (NO in ST202), other processing for accepting job interruption is performed (ST204). Since other processing at the time of accepting job interruption is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  When a job interruption acceptance message regarding printing is received (ST202, YES), a message transmission source ID (ST206), a job ID (ST208), and a job type (ST210) are acquired. When the print job being executed is interrupted due to the occurrence of file memory full printing at the time of FAX reception (ST212, YES), the operation panel control unit 112 is instructed to display an interruption message ( ST214). In other cases, the print job status in the job management table is changed from active to interrupted by the overall control unit 114 (ST216), and the print job status in the print queue table is changed from active to interrupted. (ST218). Further, the interruption factor of the print queue table is set (ST220).

  FIG. 26 is a processing flowchart in the case where a job suspension end message for the job suspension instruction transmitted from the overall control unit 114 to the input / output execution control unit 124 is received. When a job interruption end message other than a print job is received among the received job interruption end messages (ST232, NO), other job interruption end processing is performed (ST234). Since other processes at the end of job interruption are not directly related to the present invention, detailed description is omitted here.

  When a job interruption end message related to printing is received (ST232, YES), the message transmission source ID (ST236), job ID (ST238), and job type (ST240) are acquired, and the value of the interruption counter is incremented by one. (ST242). The value of the interruption counter is set in the corresponding area of the application header section 302 and the overall header section 301 of the print queue table (ST244).

  Thereafter, in the case of interruption due to the front job operation (ST246, YES), the operation panel control unit 112 is notified of the end of interruption (ST248). Further, when an interruption instruction is received from the FAX communication control unit 116, the external interface control unit 118, or the like (ST246, NO), the end of interruption is notified to the control block of the instruction transmission source (ST249). The display method on the operation panel 202 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram showing means for realizing operation panel control in the present invention.

  The example of this figure shows a situation when the composite image forming apparatus has a copying function and a FAX function. The operation panel control unit 112 includes an operation panel control driver 140, a key scan control unit 138, a display management unit 136, a copy unit (copy_UI) control unit 130, a FAX unit (FAX_UI) control unit 128, and the like.

  For example, when performing FAX menu display / switching control, when the FAX menu is selected, the FAX unit control unit 128 first instructs the display management unit 136 to use hard keys (ID_H1) 90 to 97, LEDs. The areas of (ID_LED1) 84 and 85 (ID_LED2) and touch panel display 82 are secured. Subsequently, when actually switching the message, the ID of the display screen data, the IDs of the blinking LEDs 84 and 85, and the ID of the message data desired to be displayed are notified. The display management unit 136 reads screen data based on the instructed ID, and performs blinking of LEDs 84 and 85, speaker control (not shown), screen data switching, and message display. “ID _ ***” in the figure indicates the corresponding ID of each component of the operation panel.

  On the other hand, when a specific menu is selected on the touch panel display, when an operation panel driver such as a key scan driver is pressed when a hard key 90 to 97 is pressed, the ID or pressing of the hard key 90 to 97 is performed. The coordinate of the touch panel is notified to the key scan control unit 138. The key scan control unit 138 notifies the content to the FAX unit unit 128, and the content is interpreted by the FAX unit unit 128, transmitted to the overall control unit 114, and reflected in the control of the entire apparatus.

  FIG. 28 shows processing in the overall control unit at the print execution time for realizing the present invention.

  When the printing execution time comes, first, the status of the printer apparatus is acquired (ST252), and it is confirmed that an event such as a paper jam or a paper open (a state where the document table is not covered by the ADF 207) has not occurred. (ST254). If the above event has not occurred (YES in ST254), the suspended print job is acquired from the print queue table (ST256). That is, the suspended print job is preferentially printed. The processing procedure at this time will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  If there is an interrupted print job (ST258, YES), the wait flag is confirmed in the time management table shown in FIG. 17 (ST260). If the wait flag is off, the wait flag is set on and the process is terminated (ST262). If the wait flag is on, the interruption factor stored on the print queue table shown in FIG. 14 is acquired (ST264).

  If the interruption factor has not been eliminated (NO in ST266), and the cause is out of paper and can be executed by a subsequent print job (ST268), the image attributes of all pages are acquired. (ST270), it is confirmed whether or not it can be executed even if there is no sheet of the size that is out of sheets (ST272). At this time, if printing is possible, the hardware (H / W) configuration (ST278), the front job status (ST280), and the front job type (ST282) of the apparatus are acquired, and whether or not the print job can be executed is determined. (ST284).

  If it is determined that the interruption factor has been eliminated (ST266, YES), then the hardware configuration of the device (ST278), the front job status (ST280), and the front job type (ST282) And whether to execute the print job is determined (ST284). These pieces of information (device hardware configuration, front job status, and front job type information) are stored in the NVRAM 34, job management table, and the like as shared information for managing the device.

  If there is no suspended job (ST258, NO), a job ID waiting for printing is acquired (ST274). The acquisition of the print waiting job ID will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  If there is no job waiting to be printed (ST276, NO), the process is terminated as it is. If there is a print waiting job (ST276, YES), the hardware configuration of the apparatus (ST278), the front job status (ST280), and the front job type (ST282) are acquired, and a determination is made as to whether or not the print job can be executed. (ST284). This possibility determination is made based on the determination diagrams shown in FIGS.

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that printing can be executed (ST284, YES), if there is a job already being executed (ST286, YES), execution interruption is instructed to the control block that manages them. At this time, if the job to be interrupted is a front job (ST288, YES), a job interruption start message is instructed to operation panel control unit 112 (ST290). If the job to be interrupted is a background job (ST288, NO), a job interruption start message is instructed to the input / output execution control unit 124 (ST292). These messages are deleted by an end message notified at the end of the interruption process as shown in FIG.

  If the job is in an executable state (ST284, YES) and there is no job being executed (ST286, NO), the input / output control unit 124 is instructed to execute the print job (ST294). The subsequent processing is as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, the determination of whether or not a print job can be executed in ST284 will be described based on the determination diagrams shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 29 shows an example of determining whether or not to execute a generated print job depending on the type and state of the front job. The vertical axis indicates the type of front job, and the horizontal axis classifies the status of the front job into four types.

  The steady state described here refers to a state where a certain period of time has passed without any operation, and means that the operation is within a certain period of time since the operation panel 202 was last operated. Also, “suspended” literally means that the job being executed is suspended due to the cause of the instruction from the operation panel 202.

  The case of depending on the hardware configuration means that, for example, depending on the mounting size of the QNT / PM 46, input and printing may not be performed at the same time, and it is necessary to consider such conditions. .

When the print job is executed, the front job type, the front job state, and the hardware configuration are acquired and checked against the determination diagram to determine whether the print job can be executed. "
Similarly in FIG. 30, after confirming these states as states other than the front job, it is determined whether or not the print job can be executed.

  FIG. 31 describes the procedure of the print job acquisition process in the print job execution time process described in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether a print job is registered in the highest priority print queue table having the highest priority (ST302). If the print job is not registered in the highest priority print queue table (NO in ST302), it is determined whether or not the next priority print queue table exists (ST304). At this time, if the print queue table having the next priority does not exist (ST304, NO), the print job is not registered. Therefore, a message indicating no print job is returned as the processing result (ST306).

  If there is a print queue table with the next priority (ST304, YES) and no print job is registered in this print queue table (ST308, NO), the processing from ST304 onward is repeated. That is, the priority of the print queue table is lowered one after another and a search for a print job to be printed is performed (ST304 → ST308 → ST304...).

  If there is a print queue table with the next priority (ST304, YES) and a print job is registered in this print queue table (ST308, YES), the print priority in which the priority of this print queue table indicates that execution is prohibited Judgment is made as to whether or not it is a degree (ST310). The print priority indicating execution prohibition will be described later with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34. When the priority of the print queue table is a priority indicating execution prohibition (ST310, NO), a message indicating no print job is returned as a processing result (ST306). If the priority of the print queue table is not the priority indicating that execution is prohibited (ST310, YES), the processing after ST312 described later is performed.

  When a print job is registered in the highest priority print queue table (ST302, YES), this highest priority print queue table (priority whose existence has been confirmed in ST304 when transferred from ST310 processing). The first print job ID linked to the print queue table) is acquired (ST312). If the first print job is suspended (ST314, YES), this print job ID is not returned as a processing result. Further, at this time, if there is no uninterrupted job in the priority print queue table subjected to the processing in ST312, the process proceeds to ST304. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a print queue table with the next priority after the target priority in the process of ST312, and a print job linked to the print queue table with a higher priority is searched. It will be.

  In the process of ST316, if there is an uninterrupted job in the priority print queue table that is the target of the process of ST312, (YES in ST316), the job is linked to the print queue table of this priority. A print job is searched for (ST318). If no print job is searched in the process of ST318 (ST318, NO), it is determined whether there is a print job linked to another type of print queue table with the same priority as that targeted in ST312. Confirmed (ST320). In the process of ST320, when another type of print queue table does not exist with the same priority as that targeted in ST312, or when no print job exists in this print queue table (NO in ST320), The top print job ID acquired in ST312 is returned as the processing result (ST322). Also, in the process of ST320, when a print job exists in another type of print queue table with the same priority as that targeted in ST312, (YES in ST320), the registration time of this print job, The recording time of the print job to be processed in ST312 is compared, and the print job ID of the print job with the earlier registration time is returned as the processing result (ST324).

  Subsequently, the description will proceed to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 32 is a process flowchart for obtaining a suspended job in the print job execution time process of FIG.

  First, the head print job linked to the print queue table set for each type of print job is searched, and the presence / absence of an interrupted print job is confirmed (ST332). If there is no interrupted print job, no interrupted print job is returned as the processing result (ST324).

  If there is an interrupted print job, the job ID of the interrupted print job is acquired (ST336). Further, the presence / absence of the next suspended print job is confirmed (ST338). If there is a next suspended print job (ST338, YES), the job ID of this next suspended print job is similarly determined. Is acquired (ST338).

  When it is confirmed that there is no other interrupted print job (ST338, NO), the JOBID with the maximum interrupt counter is acquired from the interrupted print jobs acquired in ST336 (ST340).

  The interruption counter described here is an item shown in FIG. 14, and as described above, the counter value of the entire header section 301 indicates the entire interruption state of the entire apparatus at the present time, and the counter value in the application header section 302 Indicates the order in which interruptions occurred. That is, here, acquiring a print job in the print queue table with the maximum interruption counter means that the print job that was interrupted last is executed with the highest priority.

  Subsequently, the description moves to FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically showing the management status of priorities given to the print queue table.

  In FIG. 33, for example, the priority is divided into 10 levels, and rank 9 is the highest priority. Of these, ranks 1 to 7 are open to the operator, and the rest are reserved for realizing unique functions. The unique function here is a function that requires that the operator can execute it at any timing, such as copying, or a function that must not be executed unless specific conditions are met, such as password entry. Means.

  For example, in the case of rank 0, even in the sequence of FIG. 31, it is not reflected in the processing result as an execution waiting job. In the case of rank 9, it means that the job is executed with priority over all jobs.

  Subsequently, the description moves to FIG. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a state in which unique priorities are assigned to seven types of print queue tables (virtual printers).

  In this case, rank 0 is normally assigned for confidential printing, but it is indicated that rank 8 is assigned when a password is entered. In addition, printing of FAX received originals is normally rank 3 and has the same priority as document file printing created by a normal PC. However, when the remaining amount of the file memory 68 is low, the file memory 68 is printed. This means that the highest priority is assigned as memory full printing. These pieces of information are stored on the NVRAM 34 as essential information for controlling the apparatus. The priorities shown in the processing flowchart of FIG. 31 have been described here.

  The current setting priority in the figure indicates a priority arbitrarily set by the operator, and a method for setting the current setting priority will be described later. If this current setting priority is not set, the priority of each print queue table is determined by the default priority in the figure.

  Subsequently, the description moves to FIGS. 35 to 37. FIGS. 35 to 37 are diagrams schematically showing an event that becomes a trigger when changing the priority and a control flow at that time.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an image of a priority change screen for changing the priority of the print queue table (virtual printer) based on the intention of the operator. The priority change screen as the priority setting means is displayed on the display device 82 shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 35 is an example of a screen for changing the setting values for the default priority or the current setting priority for ranks 1 to 7 described in FIG. By setting the priority arbitrarily on this priority setting screen, when multiple jobs occur at the same time, it is possible to preferentially execute the function that the user prioritizes, and it is a flexible multi-function It becomes possible to provide operability.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an image of a password input screen for executing a print job on the condition that a password is input. A print job on the condition that the password is input is executed after an accurate password is input. For this reason, a print job in which such password input is a condition is registered in the rank 0 print queue table and treated as being prohibited as shown in FIG. When an accurate password is entered, the print queue table is changed to a higher priority value. The control flow at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, when a rank change in the priority range (priority 1 to 7) that is open to the user and an accurate password input occurs, the operation panel control unit 112 issues a request to change the print priority. Is notified to the unit 114. In addition, when a memory full occurs in the file memory 68 for storing FAX reception data, the FAX communication control unit 116 gives priority to the print queue table for FAX reception printing in synchronization with the occurrence of these events. The degree change request is notified to the overall control unit 114. Based on these request messages, the overall control unit 114 changes the priority in the print queue table shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and updates the management information on the NVRAM 34 in FIG.

  With the above-described mechanism, this apparatus can realize control of the printing process order in a complex multifunctional copying machine.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of registration units (print queue tables) each assigned a priority for registering an execution instruction (print job) for image forming processing for each type of image data or for each acquisition destination of image data. ), An acquisition unit (overall control unit 114) that acquires an execution instruction of the image forming process registered in the registration unit according to the order determined from the priority given to the registration unit, and the acquisition unit Image forming means (printer 52, input print execution unit 122, input / output execution control unit 124) that executes image formation processing in accordance with the execution instructions in the order in which the image data is acquired. The execution order of the image forming process can be easily controlled for each destination.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to flexibly control the execution order of the image forming processing according to the state of the apparatus, the hardware configuration, or the operator's request without changing basic printing control rules. An apparatus can be provided.

  (1) The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a registration unit to which a priority for registering the acquisition time at which the image data is acquired is added in addition to the instruction to execute the image forming process based on the image data. When registration means having the same priority exist, the execution order of the image forming processes can be determined based on the acquisition time. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preferentially executing a print job with high necessity.

  (2) Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes priority setting means for arbitrarily setting the priority given to the registration means, the priority of the registration means can be changed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having an environment according to the state of the apparatus, the hardware configuration, or the operator's request.

  (3) The image forming apparatus according to the present invention executes an image forming process in accordance with an execution instruction acquired after the predetermined execution instruction when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction cannot be executed. Since the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction cannot be executed due to factors such as running out of paper, the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction is interrupted (skip). ), The image forming process can be executed in accordance with the execution instruction to be executed next to the predetermined execution instruction. Thereby, an image forming apparatus excellent in image forming processing efficiency can be provided.

  (4) The image forming apparatus according to the present invention interrupts the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction cannot be executed, and after a predetermined time elapses (predetermined Since the image forming means for executing the image forming process in accordance with the execution instruction acquired next to the predetermined execution instruction (after the recovery waiting time elapses), the next to the predetermined execution instruction that cannot be executed after the predetermined time has elapsed. The image forming process is executed according to the execution instruction acquired in step (b). As a result, when the interruption factor of the predetermined execution instruction is resolved immediately, the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction can be continued as it is.

  (5) When the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction registered in the first registration unit to which the first priority is given cannot be executed, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is unable to execute the predetermined priority. Since the image forming unit is provided to execute the image forming process according to the execution instruction registered in the second registration unit to which the second priority lower than the first priority acquired after the execution instruction is given. Thus, overtaking of the execution order of print jobs registered in the same registration means can be prohibited. As a result, the occurrence of an error can be easily detected, and the interrupted print job can be avoided.

  (6) Since the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes image forming means for preferentially executing the interrupted image forming process when the interrupting factor of the interrupted image forming process is resolved, The will of the person can be promptly reflected.

  (7) The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that sequentially executes from the last interrupted image forming process when a plurality of image forming processes can be executed by eliminating the interruption factor. Therefore, it is possible to preferentially resume the print job that was interrupted last. Thereby, an image forming apparatus excellent in operability can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a composite image forming apparatus (multifunction copying apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram structurally illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the composite image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the composite image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a FAXC unit illustrated in FIG. 3. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the operation panel shown in FIG.1 and FIG.3. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the touchscreen display shown in FIG. FIGS. 1 to 3 show the flow of a standard G3 facsimile communication protocol used in the composite image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. The figure which illustrates a flow. 1 to 3 show the flow of a standard G3 facsimile communication protocol used in the composite type image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and particularly G3 facsimile communication when transmitting transmission data of a plurality of pages without changing transmission conditions. The figure which illustrates the flow of a protocol. 1 to 3 show a flow of a standard G3 facsimile communication protocol used in the composite image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and in particular, a case where transmission data (with subsequent pages) is transmitted by changing transmission conditions It is a figure which illustrates the flow of the communication protocol of. Schematic which shows an example of a structure of PRNC shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the composite image forming apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. The figure which shows the outline | summary of a job management table. The figure which shows the outline | summary of a print queue table (virtual printer). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing details of a print queue table (virtual printer) shown in FIG. 13. The flowchart figure which shows the outline | summary of the whole control process in the whole control part shown in FIG. The flowchart figure which shows the outline | summary of the time confirmation process shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the confirmation content of a time management table. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the message sequence between each block at the time of print job execution. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the control at the time of print job execution. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an overview of processing when a print job start message is received in the overall control unit shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an overview of processing when a print job start acceptance message is received in the overall control unit shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an overview of processing when a print job end message is received in the overall control unit shown in FIG. 11. It is a flowchart figure which shows the outline | summary of the printing procedure in the input / print execution part shown in FIG. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the message sequence between each block at the time of a print job interruption. The flowchart figure which shows the outline | summary of the process at the time of the interruption start acceptance message reception in the whole control part shown in FIG. The flowchart figure which shows the outline | summary of the process at the time of the interruption end message reception in the whole control part shown in FIG. The figure which shows the outline | summary of operation panel control. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing at a print execution time in the overall control unit shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 6 is a diagram for determining whether a print job can be executed with respect to the type and state of a front job. FIG. 6 is a diagram for determining whether or not a print job can be executed for a job state other than a front job. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an outline of a non-interrupted job acquisition process in the print execution time process shown in FIG. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an overview of an interrupted job acquisition process in the print execution time process shown in FIG. 28; The figure which shows typically the management condition of the priority provided to a print queue table (virtual printer). The figure which illustrates the condition where the specific priority is allocated with respect to each of seven types of print queue tables (virtual printers). The figure which shows an example of the priority change screen for changing the priority provided to the print queue table (virtual printer). The figure which shows an example of the password input screen for performing the print job on condition of password input. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the control regarding a priority change when the change of the priority of a print queue table (virtual printer) is instruct | indicated (input) from the priority change screen shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

30 ... Main CPU
34 ... NVRAM (registration means)
37. HDD (storage means)
38 ... ODD (memory means)
44 ... Page memory (storage means)
50. Scanner section (acquisition means)
52. Printer (image forming means)
56. SCSI (acquisition means)
58 ... FAXC (Acquisition means)
68. File memory (storage means)
102 ... Touch panel (priority setting means)
106: Touch panel control unit (priority setting means)
112 ... Operation panel control unit 114 ... Overall control unit (acquisition means, image formation means)
116: FAX communication control unit (acquisition means)
118 ... External interface control unit (acquisition means)
120 ... Engine state management unit 122 ... Input / print execution unit (image forming means)
124... Input / output execution control unit (image forming means)
202 ... operation panel

Claims (6)

An acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means;
The image forming process execution instruction based on the first type of image data stored in the storage unit is registered, and the first priority is given as the priority for executing the image forming process. First registered means,
Registering an execution instruction of an image forming process based on a second type of image data different from the first type among the image data stored in the storage unit, and as a priority for executing the image forming process A second registration means to which a second priority is given;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
A second image forming unit that executes an image forming process according to an execution instruction acquired after the predetermined execution instruction when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction cannot be executed due to running out of paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising: First acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Second acquisition means different from the first acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the first and second acquisition means for each file;
An image forming process execution instruction based on the image data file acquired by the first acquiring unit among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the image forming process is executed. A first registration means to which a first priority is given as a priority;
An image forming process execution instruction based on the image data file acquired by the second acquiring unit among the image data files stored in the storage unit is registered for each file, and the image forming process is executed. A second registration means to which a second priority is given as a priority;
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
A second image forming unit that executes an image forming process according to an execution instruction acquired after the predetermined execution instruction when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction cannot be executed due to running out of paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A copying function for acquiring image data to be copied and executing image forming processing based on the image data, a facsimile function for acquiring image data by facsimile and executing image forming processing based on the image data, and image data to be printed In an image forming apparatus having at least two functions of printer functions for acquiring and executing image forming processing based on the image data,
Storage means for storing the image data acquired by the function for each file;
An image forming process execution instruction based on the image data file acquired in the first function among the image data files stored in the storage means is registered for each file, and the priority of executing the image forming process As a first registration means to which a first priority is given,
A priority for executing the image forming process for registering an execution instruction for the image forming process based on the image data file acquired in the second function among the image data files stored in the storage unit. As a second registration means to which a second priority is given,
An acquisition means for acquiring an instruction to execute the image forming process registered in the first or second registration means in accordance with the order determined from the priorities given to the first and second registration means;
A first image forming unit that executes image forming processing in accordance with the execution instruction in the order acquired by the acquiring unit;
A second image forming unit that executes an image forming process according to an execution instruction acquired after the predetermined execution instruction when the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction cannot be executed due to running out of paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a priority setting unit configured to set respective priorities given to the first and second registration units.   When the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction cannot be executed due to running out of paper, the second image forming unit performs an image according to the execution instruction acquired next to the predetermined execution instruction after the predetermined time elapses. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a forming process is executed.   When the second image forming unit cannot execute the image forming process according to the predetermined execution instruction registered in the first registration unit due to running out of paper, the second image forming unit acquires the next execution instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming process is executed in accordance with an execution instruction registered in the second registration unit.

Images