JP2006321187A - Imaging system and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging system which enables a user to easily reconsider a processing mode judged as responsible for an output failure and can inhibit the generation of an ensuing output failure state, and to provide an imaging device. <P>SOLUTION: A job including the assignment of a processing mode such as for staple processing is sent to the imaging device 1 from an external device 2 through a communications circuit 3. The imaging device 1 receives the job and outputs it in an assigned processing mode. Then, it is judged whether the job can be outputted in the assigned processing mode until the completion of outputting the job, and in case the output is impossible, the processing mode is cancelled to complete the output of the job, and at the same time, the reasons why the execution outcome and the output are incomplete are posted to a contact to be notified such as the external device 2 which prompts the job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a network printer that prints out document information from an external device connected to a network, and an image forming apparatus such as the network printer.

  Conventionally, as an image forming system equipped with a network printer or the like, when a stapling process or the like is executed with a plurality of jobs, if a processing impossible state occurs due to a difference in transfer paper size between jobs, the job is detected at the time of detection. There is known a system that displays a warning on an operation panel that stops and cannot perform a stapling process or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  An image forming system is also known in which when an inoperable state is detected during job execution, if there is no person near the printer, the print mode is forcibly canceled or the job is forcibly deleted. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, there is also known a technology that changes the processing mode at the time of job execution and displays the reason for the change on the operation panel when the device status changes between job reservation and job execution. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).
JP-A-5-323703 JP 2001-109597 A JP 2002-44336 A

  However, the above-mentioned two known technologies only output a warning when an output incomplete state occurs, only display a warning at the time of detection, or delete the corresponding job. It does not notify the job execution user or administrator of the cause of the incomplete state. Therefore, if it remains as it is, the job output in the same processing mode is instructed again, and there is a possibility that the output desired by the user cannot be obtained easily.

  In the last known technology, the reason for changing the processing mode at the time of job execution is displayed on the operation panel, but the user does not directly notify the job execution user or administrator. If the user has to bother to go to the image forming apparatus and neglect to check the display contents on the operation panel, there is a possibility that the job output instruction in the same processing mode is repeated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an image forming system in which a user can easily review a processing mode in which output is determined to be impossible, and can suppress the occurrence of a subsequent output impossible state, It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) In an image forming system in which an external apparatus and an image forming apparatus are connected via a communication line, the external apparatus includes job creation means including designation of a processing mode such as staple processing, and the created job. Transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus receives a job transmitted from the external apparatus, and an output means for outputting the received job in the designated processing mode. When it is determined that the output in the designated processing mode is impossible and the output in the set processing mode is impossible before the job is output. Cancels the processing mode and completes the output of the job.When the output is completed, the execution result and the cause of the incomplete output are indicated to the predetermined notification destination. Image forming system, characterized in that it comprises a notifying means for knowledge, the.
(2) The image forming system according to (1), wherein the notifying unit notifies when the number of times of releasing the processing mode due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number.
(3) The image forming system according to (1), wherein the notification unit changes the notification content each time the number of cancellations of the processing mode for the same cause is increased for a job transmitted from the same user.
(4) The image forming system according to (1), wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external apparatus that instructs a job.
(5) The image forming system according to (1), wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external device other than the external device that has instructed the job.
(6) The image forming system according to (1), wherein the notification by the notification unit is received by a printer driver of an external apparatus that has instructed the job.
(7) The printer driver has a warning function that stores a notification history from the image forming apparatus and issues a warning when the same processing mode as the processing mode canceled in the past is set. The image forming system described in 1.
(8) Receiving means for receiving a job including designation of a processing mode such as stapling processing from an external device, output means for outputting the received job in the designated processing mode, and completion of output of the job Output judging means for judging whether or not output in the designated processing mode is possible, and canceling the processing mode when judging that output in the designated processing mode is impossible And a notification means for notifying the predetermined notification destination of the execution result and the cause of the output being incomplete when the output is completed. An image forming apparatus.
(9) The image forming apparatus according to (8), wherein the notification unit notifies when the number of times the processing mode is canceled due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number.
(10) The image forming apparatus according to (8), wherein the notification unit changes the notification content for each job transmitted from the same user each time the number of cancellations of the processing mode for the same cause increases.
(11) The image forming apparatus according to (8), wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external apparatus that instructs a job.
(12) The image forming apparatus according to (8), wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external apparatus other than the external apparatus instructing the job.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (1), it is determined whether or not the output in the designated processing mode is possible before the completion of the output of the job from the external device. Then, the processing mode is canceled and the job output is completed. Then, the execution result and the cause of the incomplete output are notified to the external apparatus that has instructed the output.

  That is, the execution result of the job and the cause of the incomplete output from the image forming apparatus are directly notified to the external apparatus. Therefore, the user who instructed the job by the external apparatus does not have to go to the image forming apparatus. However, the processing mode can be reviewed immediately by looking at the contents of notification, and an appropriate processing mode can be set and a desired output can be obtained from the next time.

  According to the invention described in the above item (2), when the number of cancellation of the processing mode due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number, the execution result and the cause of the incomplete output are notified. There is no inconvenience of being notified many times in the case of a simple setting mistake in the processing mode, and notification can be made when the user repeats the processing mode setting for the same cause.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (3), since the notification content is changed every time the number of cancellations of the processing mode for the same cause increases, the user can know more detailed content, for example, and the output is incomplete. It is easy to set the appropriate processing mode by grasping the cause in detail.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (4), it is possible to directly notify the external apparatus that has instructed the job, and the user can immediately recognize the execution result and the cause of the incomplete output.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (5), it is possible to notify an external device other than the external device that has instructed the job, for example, an external device for management, and the execution result and the cause of the incomplete output are said to be Can be collectively managed by an external device.

  According to the invention described in item (6) above, since the printer driver of the external device receives the execution result of the document and the cause of the incomplete output, the printer driver displays the notification content on the display screen of the external device. Can be performed.

  According to the invention described in (7) above, the printer driver of the external device stores the notification history and warns when the same processing mode as the processing mode canceled in the past is set. Can change the set processing mode to an appropriate mode and issue an output instruction.

  According to the invention described in item (8) above, it is determined whether or not the output in the designated processing mode is possible before the output of the job from the external device is completed. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of canceling the processing mode to complete job output and notifying a predetermined notification destination of the execution result and the cause of incomplete output.

  According to the invention described in item (9) above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that notifies the execution result and the cause of the output being incomplete when the number of times the processing mode is canceled due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number. .

  According to the invention described in the above item (10), it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing the contents of notification every time the number of times of canceling the processing mode for the same cause increases.

  According to the invention described in item (11) above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of directly notifying an external apparatus that has instructed a job.

  According to the invention described in item (12), it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of notifying an external apparatus other than the external apparatus that has instructed the job.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system includes an MFP (Multi Function Periferals) 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus and a personal computer (PC) 2 as an external device (terminal). Are connected via a network 3 such as a LAN. Of course, a configuration in which the communication lines are connected by other communication lines is also possible.

  The MFP 1 can perform finishing (post-processing) such as stapling, punching, folding, etc. in addition to print output by an output unit, which will be described later, and when job output cannot be performed in a designated processing mode. The processing mode causing the error can be canceled and output can be continued.

  The PC 2 has a function for creating a print job by setting a processing mode such as staple processing, a transmission function for transmitting a print job including the set processing mode to the MFP 1 via the network 3, and the like. ing. Also, a printer driver used when instructing the MFP 1 to output a job is installed in the PC 2.

  The display screen 21 of the PC 2 displays a notification content transmitted from the MFP 1 when it is determined that output in the designated processing mode is impossible.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part of the MFP 1.

  In FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes a CPU 11. A bus 10 of the CPU 11 includes a RAM 12, an NV-RAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 13, a hard disk device (HDD) 14, a network interface unit ( A network I / F unit) 15, an operation panel 16, a scanner unit 17, an output unit 18, and the like are connected.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the overall operation of the MFP 1, for example, causing a job to be executed by an output unit. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 further has the following functions.

  That is, it is determined whether or not the designated processing mode (for example, stapling processing mode) is impossible for some reason (for example, mixed paper loading) before the job is completed, or output in that processing mode is not possible. When it is determined that it is possible, the processing mode is canceled, and the job execution result and the cause of the incomplete output are notified to the user PC 2 that has instructed the job.

  In this embodiment, the timing at which the number of times the processing mode is canceled due to the same cause (the number of times the output has become incomplete) reaches a predetermined number of times is used as the notification timing for the user PC 2.

  The RAM 12 is a memory for storing job contents (print data, processing mode information, etc.) transmitted from the user PC 2.

  The NV-RAM 13 is a memory that stores an operation program and the like for the CPU 11 in a readable manner.

  The HDD 14 stores various data, software, and the like including history information of past job execution results.

  The network interface unit 15 controls data exchange with the PC 2 connected via the network 3 and functions as a receiving unit that receives a job transmitted from the PC 2.

  The operation panel 16 has a key input unit for performing various inputs to the MFP 1 and designating a mode, and a touch panel type display unit including a liquid crystal or the like for displaying a job list, a current MFP state, a message, and the like. ing. Using this operation panel 16, a notification destination for the notification can be set.

  The scanner unit 17 functions as a reading device that reads an image of a document.

  The output unit 18 prints print data included in a job on paper, and performs output processing in an instructed processing mode, for example, output processing such as stapling processing on printed paper. Department and finisher.

  In the above configuration, when the network interface unit 15 receives a print job transmitted from the user's PC 2 via the network 3 and including print data and processing mode designation, the output unit 18 receives the print data. Is printed on paper, and the processing is performed in the designated processing mode. For example, if the designated processing mode is staple processing, the print paper is stapled by the output unit 18 after printing.

  During the job execution, it is determined whether or not the operation of the designated processing mode can be continued (output) by the function of the CPU 11, and when it is judged that the operation cannot be continued in the designated processing mode. Is released from its processing mode.

  Then, the canceled processing mode information and the like are stored in the RAM 12, and when the job is completed, the CPU 11 refers to the stored information to determine the notification content, and the determined content is transmitted via the network interface unit 15. Then, the job execution result and the cause of the incomplete output or the correspondence information are notified to the PC 2 that has instructed the job.

  Next, control processing executed by the CPU 11 when the MFP 1 notifies the PC 2 that has instructed the job after execution of the job will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, it is assumed that a print job is instructed from the PC 2 to the MFP 1 and that staple processing is designated as the processing mode.

  If the print job transmitted from the PC 2 has a mixed output paper size in the middle of output, the MFP 1 determines that the output is impossible, cancels the staple processing mode, and outputs the print job without stapling. To do.

  In FIG. 3, in step S <b> 101, it is determined whether or not there is a processing mode that has been canceled due to factors such as mixed size of output paper during output after completion of job execution. If there is no canceled processing mode (NO in step S101), the processing is terminated as it is. If there is a canceled processing mode (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the job execution information stored in the RAM 12 is referred to determine the cause and countermeasure for canceling the designated processing mode, and in step S103, information on the PC2 of the user who registered the job, The notification destination is specified by referring to the user information from the job execution information.

  In step S104, the job execution result, the determined cause information and the countermeasure method information are notified to the user PC 2, and the process is terminated.

  In the PC 2 that has received the notification according to the control procedure, a dial log as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen 21.

  When the MFP 1 authenticates the user and the registered user's email address is set, the MFP 1 sends an email to the registered user's PC 2 instead of the dial log display as shown in FIG. In addition, the job execution result, the determined cause information and the countermeasure method information may be shown and notified.

  As described above, when it is determined that the job instructed by the user is output in the specified processing mode and output in this processing mode is impossible, the specified processing mode is canceled, but the output operation is continued. To complete. In this case, the user PC 2 is notified of the job execution result, the cause of canceling the processing mode, and the countermeasure.

  Then, by displaying the notification content on the display screen 21 of the user PC 2 that has received the notification, even if the user who has instructed the job does not go to the MFP 1, the notification content is immediately grasped, and the next time with reference to it. An appropriate processing mode can be set for and a desired output can be obtained.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control process when the number of times of release of the processing mode due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number by the same user.

  In FIG. 4, in step S201, it is determined whether or not there is a processing mode that has been canceled due to factors such as mixed output paper size during the output after the completion of job execution. If there is no canceled processing mode (NO in step S201), the process proceeds to step S202. If there is a canceled processing mode (YES in step S201), the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the job execution information stored in the RAM 12 is referred to determine the cause and countermeasure for canceling the designated processing mode, and in step S204, information on the PC 2 that registered the job and the user Is referred to from the job execution information, and the notification destination is specified. In step S205, the history information of the processing mode cancellation due to the same cause of the same user is referred to, and the process proceeds to step S206. The history information is stored in the HDD 14.

  In step S206, it is determined whether or not the same result for the same user, that is, whether the release of the processing mode due to the same cause such as output paper size mixing has occurred in the past. If there is no release history of the processing mode due to the same cause of the same user (NO in step S206), the process proceeds to step S202. If there is a release history of the processing mode due to the same cause of the same user (YES in step S206), the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, it is determined whether or not the number of cancellations of the processing mode due to the same cause by the same user is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. If not greater than the predetermined number (NO in step S207), the process proceeds to step S202. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times (YES in step S207), in step S208, information such as the job execution result, confirmed cause information, and countermeasure method is notified to the PC 2, and the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the history information about the occurrence of cancellation of the processing mode is updated, and the process ends.

  As described above, when the number of times of release of the processing mode due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number, the user's PC 2 is notified of the cause of the execution result and the output being incomplete. There is no inconvenience of being notified many times in the case of a simple setting mistake of the mode, and the notification is performed only when the user repeats the processing mode setting of the same cause.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of changing the notification content every time the number of times the processing mode is released repeatedly due to the same cause such as mixed output paper size.

  In FIG. 5, in step S <b> 301, it is determined whether there is a processing mode that has been canceled due to factors such as mixed size of output paper during output after the job execution is completed. If there is no canceled processing mode (NO in step S301), the process proceeds to step S302. If there is a canceled processing mode (YES in step S301), the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the job execution information stored in the RAM 12 is referred to determine the cause and countermeasure for canceling the designated processing mode, and in step S304, information on the PC 2 that registered the job and the user Is referred to from the job execution information, and the notification destination is specified. In step S305, the history information of the processing mode cancellation by the same user for the same cause is referred to, and the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, it is determined whether or not the number of times the processing mode is canceled by the same user for the same cause is equal to or greater than the predetermined number a (NO in step S306). In step S307, a simple result is obtained. After performing the notification process, the process proceeds to step S302. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number a (YES in step S306), the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S308, it is determined whether or not the number of cancellations of the processing mode due to the same cause by the same user is equal to or greater than the predetermined number b exceeding the predetermined number a, and if it is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number b (NO in step S308). In step S309, after a detailed result notification process is performed, the process proceeds to step S302. If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined number b exceeding the predetermined number a (YES in step S308), the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, after a very detailed result notification process is performed, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, the history information about the occurrence of cancellation of the processing mode is updated, and the process is terminated.

  In the above embodiment, when the designated processing mode is canceled, the PC 2 of the user who instructed the job is notified, but the notification destination is an external device other than the PC 2 instructing the job, for example, management It may be set to a personal computer 2. Thereby, when incomplete output accompanied with cancellation of the processing mode occurs, the information is collected in the PC 2 for the manager, and the manager can collectively manage the information. The notification destination may be set by inputting the notification destination on the operation panel 16 as shown in FIG.

  In addition, a notification when the designated processing mode is canceled is received by the printer driver installed on the PC 2 of the user who instructed the job, and the notification content is displayed on the display screen 21 of the PC 2 via the printer driver. It may be displayed.

  In this embodiment, the printer driver also has a function of storing a notification history including the notification contents received from the MFP 1, and the same processing mode as the processing mode that has been canceled by the user in the past by the PC 2 is executed again. When set, a warning is issued.

  This warning process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, in step S401, it is determined whether a processing mode has been set. If the processing mode is not set (NO in step S401), the processing is ended as it is.

  When the processing mode is set (YES in step S401), in step S402, the past notification history information notified from the MFP 1 stored in the print driver is referred to, and the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, it is determined whether or not the set processing mode is the same as the processing mode that has been canceled in the past. If not the same (NO in step S403), the processing ends. In this case, the set processing mode is transmitted to the MFP 1.

  If the set processing mode is the same as the processing mode that was canceled in the past (YES in step S403), the printer driver prompts the display screen 21 of the PC 2 to confirm and change the set processing mode in step S404. 9 is displayed and the process is terminated. By displaying this warning dialog, the user can correct or change the set processing mode to an appropriate processing mode.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the processing mode designated by the user is the staple processing mode has been illustrated, but other processing modes may be used.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus used in the image forming system of FIG. 1. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control process when a processing mode that cannot be output after job execution is canceled and a user is notified. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing when cancellation | release of the processing mode which cannot be output becomes more than predetermined times. It is a flowchart which shows the process which changes the content of notification according to the frequency | count of canceling the process mode which cannot be output. FIG. 6 is a screen diagram of a warning message displayed on an external device in response to a notification from the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a screen diagram of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus for setting a notification destination. 6 is a flowchart illustrating warning processing performed by a printer driver of an external device. It is a warning display screen figure by the printer driver of an external device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 External apparatus (processing mode setting means, transmission means)
3 Communication line (network)
11 CPU (output judgment means, notification means)
15 Network interface (reception means)
16 Operation panel 18 Output section

Claims (12)

In an image forming system in which an external device and an image forming apparatus are connected via a communication line,
The external device is
Job creation means including designation of a processing mode such as stapling;
Transmitting means for transmitting the created job to the image forming apparatus;
With
The image forming apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving a job transmitted from the external device;
Output means for outputting the received job in the designated processing mode;
Output judging means for judging whether or not output in a designated processing mode is possible before the completion of output of the job;
When it is determined that output in the set processing mode is impossible, the processing mode is canceled to complete the job output, and when the output is completed, a predetermined notification destination is notified. Notification means for notifying the execution result and the cause of the incomplete output,
An image forming system comprising:   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies when the number of times the processing mode is canceled due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit changes the notification content for each job transmitted from the same user each time the number of cancellations of the processing mode for the same cause increases.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external device that instructs a job.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external device other than the external device that has instructed the job.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the notification by the notification unit is received by a printer driver of an external apparatus that has instructed the job.   7. The printer driver according to claim 6, wherein the printer driver has a warning function that stores a notification history from the image forming apparatus and issues a warning when the same processing mode as a processing mode canceled in the past is set. Image forming system. Receiving means for receiving a job including designation of a processing mode such as staple processing from an external device;
Output means for outputting the received job in the designated processing mode;
Output judging means for judging whether or not output in a designated processing mode is possible before the completion of output of the job;
When it is determined that the output in the designated processing mode is impossible, the processing mode is canceled to complete the output, and when the output is completed, to the predetermined notification destination, A notification means for notifying the execution result and the cause of the incomplete output;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit notifies when the number of times the processing mode is canceled due to the same cause reaches a predetermined number.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit changes the notification content each time the number of cancellations of the processing mode for the same cause increases for a job transmitted from the same user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external apparatus that instructs a job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined notification destination is an external apparatus other than the external apparatus that has instructed the job.

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