JP2006256127A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the trouble that a working efficiency is greatly decreased because the other job using papers of the same size as that of an interrupted job becomes unable to be executed when lacking of the papers is detected and the job is interrupted. <P>SOLUTION: When lacking of the papers is detected and the job is interrupted, the other job which uses papers of the same size as that of the interrupted job is searched, so that the other job is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus capable of continuously executing a job for recording an image on a sheet.

  An image recording apparatus having high-speed image recording performance, such as an electrophotographic image recording apparatus, is generally designed so that a plurality of jobs can be reserved and the received jobs can be continuously output.

  In such a high-speed image recording apparatus, various devices have been devised in order to increase the efficiency of image recording called productivity.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes that when output information is recorded within a small number of sheets, the number of documents is confirmed, and image forming conditions for automatically placing the output information within the small number of sheets are set.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228620 proposes calculating the number of sheets necessary for a plurality of jobs, calculating a shortage for a job that is insufficient from the remaining amount of paper, and notifying the user.

In addition, there is job management called “overtaking”. This overtaking job management is performed when a shortage of paper is found in the job being executed, and there are other jobs that can be executed using paper of a different size from the paper used in the job being executed. The job management is to interrupt the job and execute another job.
JP 2002-358189 A JP 2003-330644 A

  The method of Patent Document 1 has a problem when used for general purposes because the selected image recording condition is special, such as double-sided recording or 2-in-1. Further, in Patent Document 2, since the efficiency of the image recording process is not directly improved, the performance of the apparatus is surely improved, and the working efficiency is not reliably improved.

  Furthermore, in the overtaking job management, the job that is being executed is interrupted, and the transition to execution of another job is a job that uses a different paper size from the recording paper used in the interrupted job. If there is another job that uses a sheet having the same size as the interrupted sheet, the job is not executed and the interrupted state continues.

  As described above, in the conventional overtaking job management, the image recording efficiency is not improved as far as the job using the same size paper as the interrupted job is concerned.

  Therefore, for example, when a large amount of copying is interrupted due to a shortage of paper, another job for copying a small amount onto the same size paper cannot be executed due to the interruption of the large amount of copying, and the efficiency is significantly reduced. .

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems in the prior art for continuously executing jobs.

The object is achieved by the following invention.
(Claim 1)
An image recording unit that records an image on a sheet; a storage unit that stores a sheet; a reception unit that receives an image recording request; a remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of a sheet stored in the storage unit; and a job management unit. And
The job management means basically executes the jobs in the order received by the accepting unit. When the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detecting means is smaller than the required number required for job execution, the first overtaken is performed. An image recording apparatus that searches for a second job that uses a sheet of the same size as the sheet used for the job, and executes the second job in preference to the first job.
(Claim 2)
The job management means interrupts the first job and executes the second job when it is determined that the remaining amount of paper is less than the number of sheets required for job execution. The image recording apparatus described.
(Claim 3)
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job management unit returns to the execution of the first job when an overtaking job including the second job is completed.
(Claim 4)
In the determination to execute the second job, a threshold is set for the number of sheets to be used, and the job management unit shifts to the execution of the second job only when the number of sheets required for the second job is equal to or less than the threshold. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is an image recording apparatus.
(Claim 5)
5. The image recording according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining amount is less than the required number of sheets of the first job, the job management unit notifies the user that the number of sheets is insufficient. apparatus.
(Claim 6)
The job management means searches for a third job that uses a paper having a different size from the paper used for the first job to be overtaken, and executes the third job in preference to the first job. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

  According to any one of claims 1 to 6, when an interruption occurs because the remaining amount is low, another job that uses a sheet of the same size as the sheet used in the interrupted job is overtaken and executed. Therefore, a decrease in efficiency and inconvenience due to a shortage of paper are prevented.

  For example, if a job that records a large amount of images is interrupted because the remaining amount is less than the required number, the interruption due to lack of paper can be canceled even though a small amount of image recording jobs can be executed. However, according to the present invention, such a problem is solved and an image forming apparatus that efficiently executes a job is realized.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the interrupted job is executed until the paper is used up, a decrease in efficiency due to the shortage of paper can be suppressed to the minimum.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since another job that has been overtaken performs a large amount of image recording, it is possible to prevent a situation in which another job runs out of paper again and an interruption occurs.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the user is notified of the shortage of paper, a situation where the user is left without knowing the interruption is prevented, and a significant reduction in efficiency due to the interruption is prevented.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an entire image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated image recording apparatus is a multifunction machine having a copying machine function, a printer function connected to an external device via a network, and a facsimile function.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is an image forming apparatus main body, 2 is a paper stacking apparatus as a first paper discharge unit connected to the image forming apparatus main body 1, and 4 is a large capacity paper feeding apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus main body 1. It is. FIG. 1 is a diagram in which one sheet stacking device is connected to the image forming apparatus main body 1, but two or more sheet stacking devices may be connected. Further, a post-processing device that performs stapling, punching, folding, shift processing, and the like can also be connected to the paper stacking device 2.

  The main body of the image forming apparatus has an image recording unit that records an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing, and feed cassettes D1, D2, D3, or a large sheet constituting a sheet storage unit. The paper P is supplied from the capacity paper feeding device 4 to record an image, and is discharged to the paper stacking device 2. The image recording unit may be based on other methods such as an ink jet recording method and a printing method.

  The sheet stacking apparatus 2 includes a sub-tray 201 and a stacker 202, and is selectively conveyed to the sub-tray 201 or the stacker 202 by a switching gate G that switches a conveyance path.

  Each of the paper feed cassettes D1, D2, and D3 is provided with a remaining amount detection unit described below.

  FIG. 2 shows a paper feed cassette. Although the paper cassettes D1, D2, and D3 have different capacities, they have the remaining amount detecting means shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 322 denotes a fan-shaped paper feed roller fixed on a rotating shaft 322b provided on the apparatus main body side, and feeds the paper P at an arcuate outer peripheral portion 322a.

  Reference numeral 323 denotes a separation claw whose position is fixed, and the pressing portion 323 a comes into contact with the upper surface of the uppermost sheet of the bundle of sheets P. Further, the separation claws 323 are provided at two corners of the sheet feeding cassette.

  A restriction member 324 is attached to the paper feed cassette main body 321 and restricts the rear end of the paper P. The pin 324b is fitted into the long groove 324a and can be slid and slightly rotated. Further, the regulating member 324 is pressurized in the sheet feeding direction by a spring 324c.

  Reference numeral 325 denotes an intermediate plate (paper placing means) that can rotate around a shaft 325b. The tip of the intermediate plate 325a is always pressed upward in the drawing by a spring 325a.

  Reference numeral 328 denotes a front end pressing portion that is provided in the paper feed cassette body 321 and regulates the front end of the paper P, and contacts the end surface of the front end of the bundle of paper P to align the paper.

  A resistor 326 is attached to the side plate of the paper feed cassette 321. The electrode 327 constituting the remaining amount detecting means is fixed to the intermediate plate 325 and contacts the resistor 326. A voltage is applied to the resistor 326.

  The paper P placed on the intermediate plate 325 which is a substantial paper placement means is pushed up by the spring 325 a, and the uppermost paper P is in contact with the separation claw 323. Then, the paper P is moved up one by one corresponding to the recording job and positioned on the uppermost surface.

  Since the position of the electrode 327 varies depending on the height of the paper P stacked on the intermediate plate 325, the height of the paper P is detected by the output voltage from the electrode 327.

  The thickness of the recording paper used varies depending on the paper quality. For example, even when the paper feed cassette 321 is fully loaded with paper P, depending on the paper quality, there are cases where only 100 sheets can be placed, and cases where more sheets can be placed. is there.

  The thickness of the paper P is set by the operator in the operation unit 403 or specified in an image formation request from the external devices 410a to 410n (shown in FIG. 3).

  The number of sheets in the sheet feed tray is calculated from the voltage read by the electrode 327 and the information on the thickness of the sheet P.

  The calculated number of sheets is an approximate number. For example, assuming that the maximum stacking capacity of the paper trays D1, D2, and D3 is 100%, the approximate number is 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0%. A number is calculated.

  The large-capacity paper feeder 4 is also provided with a remaining amount detecting means similar to the above.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to store various sizes of paper in the paper feed cassettes D1, D2, and D3. Therefore, for example, a plurality of paper such as A4 size in the paper feed cassettes D1 and D2, and B4 size in the D3. It is also possible to store sheets of the same size in one sheet feeding tray. When paper of the same size is stored in a plurality of paper trays, the remaining amount of paper is calculated as the sum of the papers stored in the plurality of paper trays.

  In this embodiment, in the process of executing one job 1 (the first job, the same applies hereinafter), the number of sheets necessary for executing job 1 is calculated and detected by the remaining amount detecting means. When the remaining amount is compared with the remaining amount, execution of job 1 is continued. However, the remaining amount is smaller, and another job 2 using the same size paper as job 1 (first job) If there are two jobs (hereinafter the same), job 1 is interrupted and other jobs 2 are preferentially executed.

  Details of the job management described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a block diagram of the control system, FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a memory for storing jobs, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of control.

  A control unit that controls the entire 400 image recording apparatus, and is a job management unit that performs job management described below. Reference numeral 401 denotes a remaining amount detecting means having the electrode 326 in FIG. 2 as a component, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the height of the paper P in the paper feeding cassettes D1, D2, and D3. An image reading unit 402 reads an image and generates image data. An operation unit 403 is provided on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1 and is configured with a touch panel. Various image recording conditions such as the number of copies and single-sided / double-sided settings are set using the operation unit 403. Reference numeral 404 denotes a communication unit that performs transmission and reception with external devices 410a, 410b,... 410n such as personal computers via a network.

  The operation unit 403 and the communication unit 404 constitute a reception unit that receives a job.

  A memory 405 stores job information and image data of an image recorded in the job. As shown in FIG. 6, the memory 405 stores jobs received by the operation unit 401 and the communication unit 403 in the order of reception time, and is basically read in the order of reception time in the job execution stage.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of job management. The job management is always performed at predetermined time intervals during execution of the job.

  After starting image formation for job 1, the required number of sheets required for job 1 is detected in STEP1. In copying, the required number S is calculated from the number of originals and the number of copies when the original reading is completed and the number of originals is known. If conditions such as duplex copying and 2-in-1 are set, these conditions are taken into account. In the case of printing based on requests from the external devices 410a to 410n, the required number of sheets is calculated at the stage where the reception of the request including the image data is completed.

  In STEP 2, the remaining amount of paper Z is detected. The remaining amount Z is detected by reading the output of the remaining amount detecting means 401.

  In STEP 3, the required number S and the remaining amount Z are compared, and if the required number S is smaller, job 1 is executed (STEP 4).

  If the remaining amount Z is smaller than the required number S in STEP 3, job 1 is interrupted (STEP 5). The job 1 is interrupted and the user 1 of the job 1 is notified that the sheet is insufficient (STEP 6).

  In a print job in response to a request from the external device 410a to 410n, the required number of sheets is often found before the printing operation. In such a case, the print start of the job 1 is set, but the printing operation is not performed. Move to STEP5 before starting.

  After the notification to the user 1, in STEP 7, it is searched whether there is another job 2 that uses the same size paper as that used in the job 1.

  If there is no other job 2 (NO in STEP 7), in STEP 8, another job 3 using a sheet having a different size from the sheet used in job 1 (third job, the same applies hereinafter) is searched. Searches in STEPs 7 and 8 are performed in the order of reception times of job information stored in the memory 405.

  Although the other jobs 2 and 3 may be searched without conditions, it is preferable to perform the search with the following conditions. That is, an upper limit threshold M for the number of sheets is provided, and jobs 2 and 3 having an upper limit threshold M or less are searched. This upper threshold is set to a number considerably smaller than the maximum load capacity of the paper feed tray, for example, several tens. This is because job management in which a job that is being executed is interrupted and another job is executed instead is interrupted because a job with a large number of sheets is interrupted. The purpose of this is to correct the problem of decrease in the number of jobs, and to avoid a situation in which if the number of jobs executed instead becomes insufficient, the number of jobs will be insufficient and will not be completed.

  If there are other jobs 2 and 3, these jobs are executed (STEP 9).

  When the paper runs out during the execution of other jobs 2 and 3 (NO in STEP 10), the user 2 and 3 of the jobs 2 and 3 pass no paper (STEP 12), and the apparatus is stopped (STEP 13). )finish.

  When the other jobs 2 and 3 are completed (YES in STEP 11), the process proceeds to STEP 7 to search for another job.

  If there is no other job with the sheet remaining (NO in STEP 8), the process proceeds to STEP 4 and job 1 is executed.

  An example of job management is shown below.

The paper feed trays D1, D2, and D3 have a maximum loading capacity of 1000 sheets, and the remaining capacity of these trays is
D1: A4 100%
D2: B5 100%
D3: A3 75%
Large capacity feeder 4: B5 75%
It is.
(Example 1)
Example 1 is an example in which a job to be overtaken is searched without a condition. Job 1 has a required number of 1200 sheets of A4 size, and after starting printing, when the shortage of paper is found and reservation job 2 of A4 size and required number of sheets 100 is set, job 1 is interrupted and the job 2 is executed. Simultaneously with the interruption, the user 1 of the job 1 is notified of the interruption due to the paper shortage. When job 2 is completed, execution of job 1 is resumed, and when job 2 is used up, it is stopped and user 1 is notified that there is no paper.
(Example 2)
In Example 2, the upper limit threshold of jobs to be overtaken is set to 50 sheets.

  When job 1 for A4 size 1200 sheets is started, and a shortage of paper is found, job 2 with a required number of 40 sheets, job 3 with a required number of sheets of 100, and job 4 with a required number of sheets of 30 are reserved. Is the following job management. However, jobs 2 to 3 use paper of the same size as job 1.

  Since job 3 exceeds the upper limit threshold value 50, it is not executed and only job 2 and job 4 are executed.

1 is an overall schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a paper feed cassette. 2 is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of the memory which memorize | stores a job. 3 is a flowchart of control in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus main body 2 Paper stacking apparatus 4 Large capacity paper feeder 327 Electrode 400 Control part 401 Remaining amount detection means 402 Image reading part 403 Operation part 404 Communication part D, D1, D2, D3 Paper feed cassette

Claims (6)

An image recording unit that records an image on a sheet; a storage unit that stores a sheet; a reception unit that receives an image recording request; a remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of a sheet stored in the storage unit; and a job management unit. And
The job management means basically executes the jobs in the order received by the accepting unit. When the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detecting means is smaller than the required number required for job execution, the first overtaken is performed. An image recording apparatus that searches for a second job that uses a sheet of the same size as the sheet used for the job, and executes the second job in preference to the first job. The job management means interrupts the first job and executes the second job when it is determined that the remaining amount of paper is less than the number of sheets required for job execution. The image recording apparatus described. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job management unit returns to the execution of the first job when an overtaking job including the second job is completed. In the determination to execute the second job, a threshold is set for the number of sheets to be used, and the job management unit shifts to the execution of the second job only when the number of sheets required for the second job is equal to or less than the threshold. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is an image recording apparatus. 5. The image recording according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining amount is less than the required number of sheets of the first job, the job management unit notifies the user that the number of sheets is insufficient. apparatus. The job management means searches for a third job that uses a paper having a different size from the paper used for the first job to be overtaken, and executes the third job in preference to the first job. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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