JP2007015295A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device which can shorten the time to occupy a paper feeding tray as much as possible and lessen the waiting time of other users. <P>SOLUTION: When the job from a terminal 6, 7 or 8 connected through a network 9 is a print job with a paper-feeding tray occupying instruction, the print job is suspended. The paper feeding tray is made to be occupied with the print job of paper feeding tray occupation that has been suspended based on the signal indicating the change of the state of the paper feeding tray caused by interchanging a paper, then the job is performed. When the print job is completed, or based on the signal indicating the change of the state of the paper feeding tray, the above-mentioned paper-feeding tray occupied state is canceled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applied to a network printer connected to a terminal such as a host computer via a network such as a LAN.

  Conventionally, in a network printer, when a specific user temporarily uses special paper, a print job from another user cannot be accidentally printed on the special paper while the special paper is set. As described above, the printer can be temporarily set to the occupied state from the terminal or the operation panel of the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Also, when printing a print job with special paper, if the paper in the print job is different from the paper set in the paper feed tray, it is known that the paper feed tray is occupied (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-10-91373 JP 2000-147771 A

  However, since a conventional network printer uses a terminal to set the printer's paper feed tray to the occupied state, the user puts the paper feed tray at the terminal and then puts it into the printer's paper feed tray. Load special paper, return to the terminal, send a print job, remove the special paper from the paper tray after printing, and then release the paper tray occupation state on the terminal. There was a problem that other users could not use the printer for a long time.

  Even when the paper tray is set to the occupied state on the printer operation panel, it is set to the occupied state on the printer operation panel, replaced with special paper, a print job is sent from the terminal, and the printer There was also a problem that another user could not use the printer for a long time until the special paper was taken out and the occupied state of the paper feed tray was released from the operation panel.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can shorten the time required to occupy the paper feed tray as much as possible and reduce the waiting time of other users.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) At least one paper feed tray for supplying paper for printing, receiving means for receiving a print job from the user terminal, and when the received print job is a print job occupied by the paper feed tray, Based on a job management means for holding a print job and a signal indicating a change in the state of the paper feed tray due to paper replacement, the paper feed tray is occupied by the reserved print job occupied by the paper feed tray, and the job is executed. And a print job execution control means for releasing the paper feed tray occupation state when the print job is completed or based on a signal indicating a change in the paper feed tray state. apparatus.
(2) The image formation according to item 1 above, wherein the signal indicating the change in the state of the paper feed tray is based on a signal from a detection unit that detects a change in the state of the paper feed tray due to paper replacement or an instruction from the operation panel. apparatus.
(3) A receiving unit based on a wireless recognition tag method is provided, and the print job execution control unit determines whether the print job occupied by the paper feed tray is suspended from the wireless recognition tag received by the receiving unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2, wherein it is determined whether to execute the print job based on the user authentication specific information.
(4) An external storage device connection means is provided, and the print job execution control means, when holding the print job occupied by the paper feed tray, from an external storage device connected to the connection means 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2, wherein it is determined whether to execute the print job based on the read user authentication specific information.

  According to the invention described in (1) above, when the job received from the user terminal is a print job occupied by the paper feed tray, the execution is temporarily suspended, and the signal indicating the change in the status of the paper feed tray due to paper replacement is displayed. Based on the signal indicating the change in the state of the paper feed tray when the job is executed and the print is completed by occupying the paper feed tray occupied by the reserved print job occupied by the paper feed tray. The paper tray occupation state is released.

  In other words, there is no need to issue a paper tray occupation instruction before sending a job from the user terminal, and the paper tray occupation time is a signal indicating a change in the paper tray state due to paper replacement after the job is sent. After that, the minimum time required until the print job is completed or a signal indicating a change in the state of the paper feed tray is issued, and the waiting time of other users' jobs can be reduced.

  In addition, the user does not need to operate the terminal during the period in which the paper feed tray is occupied, and there is an advantage that the user is free from the trouble of going back and forth between the image forming apparatus and the terminal.

  According to the invention described in (2) above, the signal indicating the change in the state of the paper feed tray is based on a signal from a detection unit that detects a change in the state of the paper feed tray due to paper replacement or an instruction from the operation panel. Therefore, the signal can be output with a simple configuration.

  According to the invention described in (3) above, when the print job occupied by the paper feed tray is held, based on the user authentication specific information received from the wireless recognition tag owned by the user and received by the receiving unit, It is determined whether or not to execute the print job. For this reason, if the user who sends the print job is different from the user who performs paper feed tray operations such as opening and closing the paper feed tray and replacing paper, the paper feed tray will not be occupied. The execution of the print job can be prevented.

  According to the invention described in (4) above, when the print job occupied by the paper feed tray is held, the print job is executed based on the user authentication specific information read from the external storage device. It is determined whether or not to do so. For this reason, if the user who sends the print job is different from the user who performs paper feed tray operations such as opening and closing the paper feed tray and replacing paper, the paper feed tray will not be occupied. The execution of the print job can be prevented.

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

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a network printer system including a printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the network printer system includes a printer 1 and user terminals 6 to 8, and the printer 1 and user terminals 6 to 8 are connected via a network 9 such as a LAN.

  The printer 1 includes a plurality of, for example, three paper feed cassettes 11... Each having paper feed trays 2, 3, 4 in addition to the operation panel 5.

  The user terminals 6 to 8 are composed of, for example, a host computer. Of course, this may be another terminal such as an information terminal device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer 1.

  In FIG. 2, the printer 1 has a CPU 21 and a ROM 22 and a RAM 23 connected to the bus 20 of the CPU 21.

  Further, the bus 21 of the CPU 21 includes a network interface (network I / F) unit 24, an operation panel 25, a storage unit 26, a USB interface (USB / I / F) unit 27, and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. Are connected to a receiving unit 28, a printing unit 29, a paper feed cassette open / close detector 31, a paper feed tray paper presence / absence detector 32, and the like.

  In addition to controlling the overall operation of the printer 1, the CPU 21 manages print jobs from the user terminal, and receives a print job with an occupation instruction from the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4). It has a job management function to put this on hold. Further, when the print job with the occupation instruction is put on hold, a change in the state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is detected, and the special paper M (to the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is detected. When the paper feed shown in FIG. 3) is confirmed, the paper feed tray is occupied by the print job, the printing unit 29 performs printing, and at least until the print job is printed, the paper feed tray is occupied. It also has a function to continue the state.

  The ROM 22 is a memory that stores an operation program of the CPU 21, and the RAM 23 is a memory that provides a work area when the CPU 21 executes the program.

  The network I / F unit 24 has a transmission / reception function for transmitting / receiving data such as a print job to / from the terminals 6-8.

  The operation panel 25 is used by the user to perform input operations and displays various modes and states. In this embodiment, the user sets and takes out the special paper M from the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4). It is also used to indicate that.

  The storage unit 26 stores print jobs and various data.

  The USB / I / F unit 27 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory (not shown) owned by a terminal user, which is detachably inserted and connected. Specific information for authentication of the terminal user stored in the memory can be read out.

  That is, when a print job with an occupancy instruction in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is received and held, from the USB memory owned by the terminal user inserted and connected to the USB / I / F unit 27. Only when the user who has transmitted the user authentication specific information is read and the user who has transmitted the print job with the occupation instruction matches the user according to the user authentication specific information, the change in the paper feed tray state detection unit 30 to be described later It is configured to enable detection information.

  The reception unit 28 based on the RFID system receives a signal from an RFID tag (not shown) carried by the user and transmits a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction, and the paper feed tray 2. (3) It is detected that the users operating (4) are the same.

  The print unit 29 prints image data according to a print job.

  The paper feed cassette open / close detector 31 detects the open / close state of the paper feed cassette 11 when the user replaces the paper in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4).

  The paper feed tray paper presence / absence detector 32 detects the presence or absence of paper in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4).

  The paper feed tray open / close detector 31 and the paper feed tray paper presence / absence detector 32 constitute a paper feed tray state detector 30 that detects a change in the state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) due to a user paper replacement operation. Has been.

Here, the condition for changing the state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) when it is determined that the special paper M is set in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) will be described.
[1] A case where a paper feed cassette open / close detector 31 and a paper feed tray paper detector 32 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the condition of the state change of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) for determining that the special paper M is set in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4). In a state where the trays 2 (3) and (4) are not occupied and a print job with an instruction to occupy the paper feed tray is held, the paper feed cassette 11 is opened as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the paper feed cassette 11 is closed, and this state is detected by the paper feed cassette open / close detector 31. At that time, the paper feed tray 2 (3) of the opened paper feed cassette 11 is opened. (4) Assume that the paper feed tray paper presence / absence detector 32 detects the presence of the paper M.
(2) When the paper feed cassette open / close detector 31 is not provided and only the paper feed tray paper detector 32 is provided.

  The condition for changing the state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) for determining that the special paper M is set in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is that printing is stopped and the paper feed tray is not occupied. In the state where the print job with the paper tray occupation instruction is held, as shown in FIG. 4A, the “paper present” state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is changed to FIG. 4 (B). As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the paper feed tray paper presence / absence detector 32 detects that the paper has changed to “no paper” and then changed to “paper present” as shown in FIG. This condition can also be applied to the case where both the paper feed cassette open / close detector 31 and the paper feed tray paper detector 32 are provided.

Next, the condition for changing the state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) for determining that the special paper M has been removed from the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) will be described.
(1) A case where a paper feed cassette open / close detector 31 and a paper feed tray paper detector 32 are provided.

The condition for changing the state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) for determining that the special paper M has been removed from the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is that the paper feed tray is occupied and the paper feed tray is occupied. In the print stop state in which the print job with instructions is not suspended, the paper cassette 11 is closed from the closed state as shown in FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. Assume that the paper cassette opening / closing detector 31 detects a change to a state where the paper is opened.
(2) When the paper feed cassette open / close detector 31 is not provided and only the paper feed tray paper detector 32 is provided.

  The condition for changing the state of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) for determining that the special paper M has been removed from the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is that the paper feed tray is occupied and the paper feed tray is occupied. As shown in FIG. 4 (A), in the print stop state in which the designated print job is not held, as shown in FIG. 4 (B) from “paper present” in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4), Assume that the paper feed tray paper detector 32 detects a change to “no paper”. This condition can also be applied to the case where both the paper feed cassette open / close detector 31 and the paper feed tray paper detector 32 are provided.

Next, for a print job from the user terminals 6 to 8, for example, an operation when the special paper M in the paper feed tray 2 is occupied and printed is described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 5.
(1) When detecting a change in the state of the paper feed tray 2 from the fact that the special paper M is set in the paper feed tray 2.

  For example, when the user of the terminal 8 wants to use the special paper M in the printer 1, paper tray occupation instruction information is given to a print job transmitted to the printer 1 via the network 9.

  In FIG. 5, in step S51, a print job transmitted from the terminal 8 via the network 9 is received. In step S52, it is determined whether or not the received print job is a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction.

  If it is a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction (YES in step S52), the print job is temporarily suspended in step S53, and if it is not a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction (NO in step S52), in step S61. Then, printing of the print job without the instruction to occupy the paper feed tray is started. In step S62, when the printing is finished, the process is finished.

  Next, in step S54, whether or not the user of the terminal 8 has performed an exchange operation for setting the special paper M on the paper feed tray 2, for example, whether or not the status of the paper feed tray 2 of the printer 1 has changed. If the state of the paper feed tray 2 has changed (YES in step S54), the process proceeds to step S55. If the state of the paper feed tray 2 has not changed (NO in step S54), step S54 is performed. Return to and detect the state change.

  In step S55, it is determined whether or not the special paper M is set in the paper feed tray 2. If the special paper M is set in the paper feed tray 2 (YES in step S55), the state is determined in step S56. After the changed paper feed tray 2 is placed in the print job occupation state, the process proceeds to step S57. If the special paper M is not set in the paper feed tray 2 (NO in step S55), the process returns to step S54.

  In step S57, printing is executed for the pending print job with the paper tray occupation instruction, and the process proceeds to step S58.

  When a new print job using the paper feed tray 2 is received from the same user terminal 8 while the paper feed tray 2 is in the occupation state of the print job from the user terminal 8, the print job is transferred to the paper feed tray. 2, it is possible to print using the special paper M, but print jobs from other user terminals 6 and 7 are held or printed using the other paper feed trays 3 and 4.

  In step S58, the process proceeds to step S59 upon completion of printing of the print job.

  In step S59, it is determined whether the print job is completed and the special paper M is taken out from the occupied paper feed tray 2, that is, whether the state of the occupied paper feed tray 2 has changed. If there is a change in the state of the occupied paper feed tray 2 (YES in step S59), in step S60, the occupation state of the paper feed tray 2 is canceled and the process ends.

  If there is no change in the state of the occupied paper feed tray 2 (NO in step S59), the process returns to step S69 to wait for a change in the state of the occupied paper feed tray 2.

  The occupation state of the paper feed tray 2 may be automatically canceled when the print job with the paper tray occupation instruction is completed.

  As described above, when the job from the user terminals 6 to 8 is instructed to be a print job occupied by the paper feed tray, the paper feed tray state detection unit 30 causes the paper feed tray state by the terminal user to change the paper. Is detected, the CPU 21 having the print job management function prints the print job with the paper feed tray occupation instruction, and at least after the printing is completed, the paper feed tray occupation state is released.

  As a result, from the start to release of the paper tray occupation for a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction is the minimum necessary time according to the state change of the paper tray, reducing the waiting time of other job users. Is possible.

  Further, during the period in which the paper feed tray is occupied, the user does not need to operate the terminals 6 to 8 and does not need to go back and forth between the printer 1 and the terminals 6 to 8.

  By the way, the method for determining whether or not the special paper M is set or taken out from the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is a method other than the method for detecting the state change of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4). Alternatively, a method may be used in accordance with an operation input from the operation panel 25 of the printer 1 by the user.

The flow of print processing by this method will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
(2) When the state change of the paper feed tray 2 is determined according to the operation input of the operation panel 25.

  For example, when the user of the user terminal 8 wants to use the special paper M in the printer 1, paper tray occupation instruction information is given to a print job transmitted to the printer 1 via the network 9.

  6, in step S61, a print job transmitted from the terminal 8 via the network 9 is received. In step S62, it is determined whether or not the received print job is a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction.

  If it is a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction (YES in step S62), in step S63, the print job is temporarily suspended, and if it is not a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction (NO in step S62), in step S71. Then, printing of the print job without the sheet tray occupation instruction is started. In step S72, when the printing is completed, the process is ended.

  In step S64, it is determined whether or not the user of the terminal 8 has set the paper feed tray 2 as the special paper M from the operation panel 25, that is, whether or not the status of the paper feed tray 2 of the printer 1 has changed. If the state of the paper feed tray 2 has changed (YES in step S64), the process proceeds to step S65. If the state of the paper feed tray 2 has not changed (NO in step S64), the process returns to step S64. Detects state changes.

  In step S65, it is determined whether or not the special paper M is set in the paper feed tray 2. If the special paper M is set in the paper feed tray 2 (YES in step S65), the state is determined in step S66. After the changed paper feed tray 2 is set to the occupation state of the print job, the process proceeds to step S67. If the special paper M is not set in the paper feed tray 2 (NO in step S55), the process returns to step S65 to return to the paper feed tray. 2 to wait for the special paper M to be set.

  In step S67, printing of the pending print job with the paper tray occupation instruction is executed, and the process proceeds to step S68.

  When a new print job using the paper feed tray 2 is received from the terminal 8 while the paper feed tray 2 is occupied by the print job from the terminal 8, the print job is stored in the paper feed tray 2. Although it is possible to print using special paper M, print jobs from other terminals 6 and 7 are held or printed using other paper feed trays 3 and 4.

  In step S68, the process proceeds to step S69 when the print job is completed.

  In step S69, it is determined whether or not the special paper setting paper feed tray 2 has become a plain paper setting paper feed tray by the operation input of the operation panel 25 after the print job is finished, and the special paper setting paper feed tray is set. If 2 is a plain paper setting paper feed tray (YES in step S69), in step S70, the occupied state of the paper feed tray 2 is canceled and the process ends.

  If the paper tray 2 with the special paper setting does not become the paper tray with the normal paper setting (NO in step S69), the process returns to step S69 and the paper tray 2 with the special paper setting becomes the paper tray with the normal paper setting. Wait for

  By the way, when the state change of the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is detected, the size of the set paper M in the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is the size specified by the print job with the paper feed tray occupation instruction. When the print job with the paper tray occupation instruction is not released, the state change of the designated paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) is detected (paper of the designated size is set). You may make it continue "hold" until.

  An RFID tag carried by the user that the user who transmitted the print job with the paper tray occupation instruction from the terminals 6 to 8 and the user who operated the paper tray 2 (3) (4) are the same. A signal of specific information for terminal user authentication transmitted from (not shown) may be received by the receiving unit 28 and set to the occupied state only when it is determined that they are the same user. .

  The USB / I / F unit 27 confirms that the user who has transmitted a print job with a paper tray occupation instruction from the terminals 6 to 8 is the same as the user who has operated the paper trays 2 (3) and (4). It may be determined from the specific information for terminal user authentication read from the inserted and connected terminal user's own USB memory, and only when it is determined that they are the same user, the occupied state may be set.

  In these configurations, when the user who has transmitted the printer job is different from the user who is operating the paper feed trays 2 (3) (4), the printer 1 uses the paper feed trays 2 (3) (4). ) Is set to ignore the change in state.

  By the way, the print job with the paper tray occupation instruction is selected and specified from a plurality of paper trays 2 (3) and (4). ) Selection of the paper feed tray 2 (3) (4) for the paper feed tray occupation print job not instructing (4) is automatically performed by the printer 1, and the paper feed tray 2 (3) (4) whose state has changed is displayed. ) Is automatically selected, or a predetermined paper feed tray 2 (3) (4) may be selected.

  Further, the paper feed trays 2 (3) and (4) may be automatically selected according to the paper size, or may be automatically selected by giving priority in combination.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a network printer system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a printer. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a paper feed unit provided with a paper feed cassette open / close detector and a paper feed tray paper detector 32; FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a paper feed unit that has no paper feed cassette open / close detector and only the paper feed tray paper detector 32 is provided. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing when a change in the state of a paper feed tray is detected by a paper feed tray state detection unit and a print job with a paper feed tray occupation instruction is executed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing when a change in state of a paper feed tray is input from an operation panel and a print job with an occupation instruction is executed.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer (image forming device)
2,3,4 Feed tray 6,7,8 User terminal 9 Network 21 CPU
24 Network interface unit 25 Operation panel 27 USB interface (external storage device connection means)
28 RFID receiver 30 Paper feed tray status detector M Paper

Claims (4)

At least one paper feed tray for supplying paper for printing;
Receiving means for receiving a print job from a user terminal;
If the received print job is a print job occupied by the paper feed tray, a job management means for holding the print job,
When the paper tray is occupied by the reserved print job occupied by the reserved paper tray based on a signal indicating a change in the state of the paper tray due to paper replacement, the job is executed, and the print job is completed or A print job execution control means for releasing the paper feed tray occupation state based on a signal indicating a state change of the paper feed tray;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal indicating a change in the state of the paper feed tray is based on a signal from a detection unit that detects a change in the state of the paper feed tray due to paper replacement or an instruction from the operation panel. It has receiving means based on the wireless recognition tag method,
The print job execution control means, when holding the print job occupied by the paper feed tray, executes the print job based on the user authentication specific information received from the wireless recognition tag received by the receiving means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to determine whether or not the image forming apparatus is used. Having a connection means for an external storage device,
When the print job execution control unit holds the print job occupied by the paper feed tray, the print job execution control unit prints the print job based on the user authentication specific information read from the external storage device connected to the connection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether to execute the job.

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