JP2006123329A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which permits the unerring resumption of once stopped duplication without requiring the rereading of a copy or the resetting of printing conditions. <P>SOLUTION: When accepting a printing job input by a user, the image forming device senses the presence of consumables used in the execution of the printing job accepted, executes the printing job while the presence of consumables is sensed. When the absence of the consumables is sensed, the image forming device stops only the execution of the printing job without erasing the printing job. Consequently when consumables are resupplied, a user can perform a printing job whose performance is once stopped without inputting the printing job anew. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that detects the presence or absence of staples used in execution of a print job and stops execution of a print job when the absence of staples is detected.

  When copying, an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multifunction machine stores image data of a document or printing conditions such as the number of copies input by a user in a memory and copies the image data. At this time, there is an image processing apparatus that can perform stapling processing, which is convenient. However, if there are no staples used for stapling while copying is being performed, the image processing apparatus stops the copying operation and erases the image data and printing conditions stored in the memory. End up.

Therefore, when copying is resumed after replenishing staples, it is necessary to re-read the original and reset the printing conditions. In order to eliminate the trouble of re-reading and resetting, an image forming apparatus that detects the remaining amount of consumables has been proposed as described in JP-A-2004-86064. By detecting the remaining amount of consumables, for example, when the remaining amount of consumables is low, a warning is issued and the user is prompted to replenish the consumables, so that the consumables are lost during the copying operation. Can be prevented.
JP 2004-86064 A

  However, the remaining amount of staples may not be detected accurately, and even if the user is prompted to refill the staples, the user may fail to replenish, unlike toner and paper that cannot be copied. The problem that the staples are lost during the copying operation cannot be completely eliminated simply by issuing a warning based on the remaining amount of consumables.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of reliably restarting a stopped copy without rereading a document or resetting printing conditions.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means.

  First, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a staple processing unit, a reception unit that receives a print job for executing copying, and a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of staples used in execution of the received print job. When the absence of staples is detected, a canceling unit for canceling execution of a print job, a print job storage unit for waiting for resumption for storing a print job for which execution has been stopped, and presence of staples are detected. Resuming means for resuming execution of the print job stored in the resuming print job storage means;

  The restart-waiting print job storage means may be physically the same as or different from the medium that stores the image data obtained by scanning the document and the printing conditions set by the user.

  When there are no more staples, the print job is stored in the resuming print job storage unit, and when the staples are replenished and the presence of staples is detected, the print job stored in the resuming print job storage unit is resumed. The

  Note that when the staples are replenished, the user may be notified of this by using e-mail or the like so that the user can be notified that the print job can be resumed.

  Further, from the viewpoint of preventing information leakage, the print job stored in the resumption waiting storage unit may be resumed only when a specific user gives a resumption instruction.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can resume a print job even if the staples are exhausted during execution of the print job, and the document is not read again or the print conditions are not reset. it can.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body 102 and a platen cover 103 that opens and closes a document table 105 provided on the upper surface of the main body 102. The platen cover 103 is provided with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 104.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a stapler 107 that performs stapling, and can scan and copy a document placed on the document table 105 and the ADF 104. When the user causes the image forming apparatus 100 to copy a document, the user places the document to be copied on the document table 105 or the ADF 104, and presses the start key 201 displayed on the operation panel 106 shown in FIG. Input to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a function of outputting staples by bundling a plurality of original prints one by one with staples. When performing staple output, the user places a plurality of documents on the ADF 104, presses the staple key 202 displayed on the operation panel 106, sets the number of copies to be printed on the operation panel 106, and starts the operation. The key 201 is pressed (FIG. 4, S401). The fact that the staple key 202 has been pressed and the number of copies are accepted by the accepting means 301 together with the fact that the start key 201 has been pushed as a printing condition (S402 in FIG. 4). When accepting the printing condition and the start key 201 being pressed, the accepting unit 301 instructs the image reading unit 302 to read the document.

  When there is an instruction to read a document, the image reading unit 302 confirms whether the document is placed on the document table 105 or the ADF 104. When a document is placed on the document table 105, the image reading unit 302 scans the document table 105 and scans the document placed on the document table 105 to acquire image data. When a document is placed on the ADF 104 as in the present embodiment, the image reading unit 302 drives the ADF 104 to scan the document placed on the ADF 104. The image reading unit 301 scans all of the plurality of documents placed on the ADF 104 to acquire image data, and counts how many documents have been read (S403 in FIG. 4). When the image data is acquired, the image reading unit 302 inputs the acquired image data and the counted number of documents to the receiving unit 301.

  When the image data and the number of originals are input, the accepting unit 301 associates the input image data 501, the number 502, and the print condition 503 with the job number 504 as a print job 505 as shown in FIG. In this way, the print job storage unit 304 stores the information (FIG. 4, S404).

  When the print job 505 is stored in the print job storage unit 304, the reception unit 301 issues a copy command to the execution unit 305.

  When there is a copy command, the execution unit 305 determines whether or not the print condition 503 stored in the print job storage unit 304 includes that the staple key 202 has been pressed. In the present embodiment, since the staple key 202 is pressed as described above, the print condition 503 includes the fact that the staple key is pressed, as shown in FIG. If it is determined that the staple key 202 has been pressed, the execution unit 305 determines that the print job 505 stored in the print job storage unit 304 is a print job for performing staple output. Then, the execution unit 305 inquires of the detection unit 306 whether there is a staple needle in the cassette in which the staple needle is stored.

  When there is an inquiry from the execution unit 305, the detection unit 306 detects whether there is a staple. If there are staples, the detection result is notified to the execution means 305 (FIG. 4, S405).

  When a detection result indicating that staples are present is notified, the execution unit 305 acquires the image data 501 and the number of sheets 502 stored in the print job storage unit 304, and the number of copies stored in the print job storage unit 304. The first staple output of the acquired image data is executed (S406 in FIG. 4).

  The execution unit 305 decrements the number of copies included in the print condition 503 stored in the print job storage unit 304 every time one copy of stapling is executed. As a result of the decrement, when the number of copies becomes 0, the execution unit 305 deletes the print job 505 stored in the print job storage unit 304 (FIG. 4, S407 → S408).

  As described above, when there are staples, staple output for the number of copies set by the user is performed.

  If the detection result in response to the inquiry from the execution unit 305 in step 405 indicates that there is no staple, the detection unit 306 notifies the cancellation unit 307 that there is no staple.

  When notified that there are no staples, the canceling unit 307 notifies the surroundings with a warning sound or the like that there are no staples and displays the screen shown in FIG.

  The screen in FIG. 6 is a key 701 for ending staple output at the present time, and a key for ending staple output at the present time and printing only the remaining number of copies that are not stapled without stapling. A key 703 for interrupting staple output until the staple needle is replenished is displayed. When the screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, the user selects one of the treatments corresponding to the three keys 701 to 703 and presses the key corresponding to the selected treatment.

  For example, when the key 701 is pressed, the canceling unit 307 notifies the execution unit 305 that the key 701 has been pressed. When notified that the key 701 has been pressed, the execution unit 305 deletes the print job 505 stored in the print job storage unit 304 in the same manner as when the number of copies becomes 0 (FIG. 4, S409). → S408).

  When the key 702 is pressed, the cancel unit 307 notifies the execution unit 305 that the key 702 has been pressed. When notified that the key 702 has been pressed, the execution unit 305 prints the number of copies stored in the print job storage unit 304 at that time, and discharges them without stapling (FIG. 4). , S410 → S411). When the number of copies stored in the print job storage unit 304 is printed and discharged, the execution unit 305 deletes the print job 505 stored in the print job storage unit 304 in the same manner as when the number of copies becomes zero. (FIG. 4, S408).

When the key 703 is pressed, the cancel unit 307 notifies the execution unit 305 that the key 703 has been pressed. When notified that the key 701 has been pressed, the execution unit 305 moves the print job 505 stored in the print job storage unit 304 to the resuming print job storage unit 308 (FIG. 4, S412). Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the execution unit 305 includes two input fields 801 and 802 for inputting the job number 504 included in the print job 505 transferred to the resuming print job storage unit 308, the password, and the mail address. Is displayed on the operation panel 106.

  When the screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, the user inputs his / her password and an e-mail address of his / her personal computer or portable terminal to be notified that the needle has been replenished in the input fields 801 and 802. When the password and the e-mail address are input, the user presses the confirmation key 803.

  When the confirmation key 803 is input, the execution unit 305 stores the input password 901 and mail address 902 in the print job storage unit 308 waiting for resumption in association with the print job 505 as shown in FIG. Here, the execution means 305 terminates the staple output and returns the operation panel 106 to the state shown in FIG.

  A print job in which staples are lost during staple output or a print job accepted by the accepting unit 301 when there are no staples is stored in the print job storage unit 308 waiting for resumption.

  Thereafter, when staples are replenished by a user, an administrator, or the like, the detection unit 306 detects that there are staples, and whether or not the print job 505 is stored in the resuming print job storage unit 308. Determine whether. Only when the print job 505 is stored in the resuming print job storage unit 308, the detection unit 306 notifies the notification unit 309 that the needle has been replenished.

  When this notification is received, the notification unit 309 notifies the device specified by the mail address 902 stored in association with the print job 505 that staples have been replenished, as shown in FIG.

  A user who knows that staples have been replenished by notification from the notification unit 309 moves to a place where the image forming apparatus 100 is installed, and resumes the print job.

  When restarting, the user presses the restart key 203 displayed on the operation panel 106 (FIG. 4, S401). When the resume key 203 is pressed, the authentication unit 311 displays on the operation panel 106 the screen shown in FIG. 9 that displays all the job numbers 504 stored in the print job storage unit 308 waiting for restart.

  From the displayed job number 504, the user selects the job number 504 of the print job 505 to be resumed (FIG. 4, S413). When the job number 504 is selected, the authentication unit 311 displays the screen shown in FIG. 10 on which the input field 1100 for inputting the password is displayed on the operation panel 106.

  When the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, the user inputs the password corresponding to the job number 504 selected on the screen shown in FIG. 9 into the input field 1100 and presses the enter key 1101. When the confirmation key 1101 is pressed, the authentication unit 311 associates the input password with the password 901 stored in the restart-waiting print job storage unit 308 in association with the job number 504 selected on the screen shown in FIG. Determine whether they match. If they match, the authenticating means 311 notifies the resuming means 310 that there has been a resumption instruction from a valid user and the job number 504 selected on the screen shown in FIG. If they do not match, the authentication unit 311 returns the operation panel 106 to the state shown in FIG. 2 (FIG. 4, S414).

  When the job number 504 is notified that there is a resumption instruction from a legitimate user, the resuming unit 310 displays a print job 505 including the notified job number 504 stored in the resuming print job storage unit 308. Identify. Subsequently, the resuming unit 310 acquires the image data 501 and the number of sheets 502 included in the specified print job 505, recognizes the print conditions 503 such as the number of copies stored in the resuming print job storage unit 308, and acquires them. The staple output of the first copy of the processed image data is executed (S406 in FIG. 4). Similar to the execution unit 305, the resuming unit 310 decrements the number of copies included in the printing condition 503 stored in the resuming print job storage unit 308 every time one staple output is executed. When the number of copies becomes 0 as a result of decrementing, the resuming unit 310 prints the print job 505 having the number of copies of 0, the password 901 and the mail address 902 stored in association with the print job 505, and the print job storage unit waiting for resumption Erasing from 308 (FIG. 4, S407 → S408).

  If the number of copies is not 0 as a result of decrementing, the resuming unit 310 inquires of the detecting unit 306 whether or not there are staples as in the executing unit 305. When there is an inquiry from the resuming means 310, the detecting means 306 detects whether or not there are staples, and if there are staples, notifies the resuming means 310 of this detection result (FIG. 4, FIG. 4). S405).

  When a detection result indicating that a staple is present is notified, the restarting unit 310 outputs one copy and decrements the number of copies (FIG. 4, S406).

  On the other hand, when the detection result for the inquiry in step 405 indicates that there is no staple, the detection unit 306 indicates to the cancellation unit 307 that the detection result of the inquiry from the resumption unit 310 indicates that there is no staple. Notice.

  When notified that there are no staples, the canceling unit 307 notifies the surroundings with a warning sound or the like that there are no staples and displays the screen shown in FIG.

  When any of the keys 701 to 703 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed, the canceling unit 307 notifies the restarting unit 310 of the type of the pressed key.

  When notified that the key 701 has been pressed, the resuming unit 310 deletes the print job 505 stored in the resuming-waiting print job storage unit 308 in the same manner as when the number of copies is 0 (FIG. 4). , S409 → S408).

  When notified that the key 702 has been pressed, the resuming unit 310 performs printing for the number of copies stored in the resuming-waiting print job storage unit 308 at that time, and discharges them without stapling. (FIG. 4, S410-> S411). When the number of copies stored in the resuming print job storage unit 308 is printed and discharged, the resuming unit 310 prints the print stored in the resuming print job storage unit 308 in the same manner as when the number of copies is zero. The job 505 is deleted (FIG. 4, S408).

  When notified that the key 703 has been pressed, the resuming unit 310 stops stapling at that time, and keeps the print job 505 stored in the resumption waiting storage unit 308, and displays the display panel 106. Return to the screen shown in FIG. Therefore, when the key 703 is pressed, the print job 505 remains stored even when the staple staple is exhausted during the staple output after the restart, and when the staple processing is resumed after that, It is not necessary to reset the printing conditions.

1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. The schematic diagram of an operation panel. Block diagram of the image processing apparatus of the present invention 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of execution of a print job. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a print job stored in a print job storage unit. The schematic diagram of an operation panel. The schematic diagram of an operation panel. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a print job stored in a restart-waiting print job storage unit. The schematic diagram of an operation panel. The schematic diagram of an operation panel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 301 Reception means 302 Image reading means 304 Print job storage means 305 Execution means 306 Detection means 307 Stopping means 308 Resuming print job storage means 309 Notification means 310 Resume means 311 Authentication means

Claims (3)

Stapling means;
Receiving means for receiving a print job;
Detection means for detecting the presence or absence of staples used in execution of a received print job;
When the absence of the staple is detected, canceling means for canceling execution of the print job,
Resuming print job storage means for storing a print job whose execution has been canceled;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a resuming unit that resumes execution of a print job stored in the resuming print job storage unit when the presence of the staple is detected. A notification means for notifying a user that a staple is present when the presence of a staple is detected;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restarting unit executes a print job when the presence of a staple is detected and a restart instruction is received from a user. Authentication means for authenticating whether or not the user who issues the resumption instruction is a valid user;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the resuming unit executes a print job only when a resuming instruction is issued from a legitimate user.

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