JP2007210170A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prioritize and practice another printing job by interrupting a specific printing job during practicing the specific printing job according to a preset practice sequence, and moreover to prevent outputted objects from being mixed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with a job storing means 80 which stores a plurality of the printing jobs, an image forming means 5 which practices the stored printing job, a job managing means 81 which manages the practice sequence of the printing job by the image forming means 5, and a priority job managing means 82 which prioritizes and practices another printing job during practicing the specific printing job according to the practice sequence preset to the job managing means 81. The job managing means 81 has a job continuation judging means 83 which judges on the basis of a job practice state of the specific printing job practiced when the priority printing job is started whether or not to continuously practice the specific printing job when the priority printing job ends. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a job storage unit that stores a plurality of print jobs, an image forming unit that executes a print job stored in the job storage unit, and a job management unit that manages the execution order of print jobs by the image forming unit The job management means includes priority job management means for interrupting the specific print job and preferentially executing other print jobs during execution of the specific print job according to a preset execution order. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided.

  In an image forming apparatus that is connected to a public line, a network, etc., can receive print jobs from a plurality of terminals, and can store the print jobs, the print jobs are generally executed according to a preset execution order. . When there is an urgent print job, many of them have an interrupt printing function that temporarily stops the print job being executed and allows the urgent print job to be executed with priority.

  However, when using the interrupt printing function, when the image forming apparatus uses a common discharge unit for discharging the output material, the output material of the currently executed print job and the output of the interrupt print job are temporarily stopped. There is a disadvantage that the user who commanded the interrupt print job has to check and acquire the output product of the interrupt print job.

  Therefore, according to Patent Document 1, according to an output order based on priorities given in advance to a plurality of image jobs, the plurality of image jobs are executed, image output is performed and output, and according to a priority change request. Priority change means for changing the priority of the first image job in the second and subsequent output orders to the highest priority, and the priority of the first image job changed by the priority change means, If the second image job is higher in priority than the first image job in the output order, the output order of the first image job and the second image job is switched when the second image job is not yet started. When the second image job is being executed, the second image job is interrupted and the first image job is given priority according to the presence or absence of post-processing after image formation for the first and second image jobs. The Image forming apparatus has been proposed which is characterized in that and control means for determining whether the row.

JP-A-10-149367

  The above-described image forming apparatus includes a finisher-type discharge processing unit having at least two stacking units that are separated depending on whether or not post-processing such as stapling is performed, and the priority order is changed in order to output quickly. In this case, the output form does not become a form in which the consistency of each job is disturbed as described above. However, during the execution of the second image job, the first, Depending on whether or not the second image job is post-processed, priority output may not be executed, and priority cannot be changed when urgent output is required, leaving room for further improvement. It was.

  In view of the above-described prior art, the object of the present invention is to interrupt the specific print job during the execution of the specific print job according to a preset execution order, and reliably execute other print jobs. Therefore, it is an object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a mixture of output products.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a first characteristic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a job storage unit that stores a plurality of print jobs as described in claim 1 of the document, and An image forming unit that executes a print job stored in the job storage unit; and a job management unit that manages an execution order of the print jobs by the image forming unit. The job management unit has a preset execution order. An image forming apparatus comprising priority job management means for interrupting the specific print job and preferentially executing another print job during execution of the specific print job, wherein the job management means Based on the job execution status of the specific print job that was executed at the start of the priority print job at the end of the priority print job executed by the priority job management unit In that it includes a job continuation judging means for judging whether to continue running, specific print job.

  According to the configuration described above, the specific print job can be interrupted and the priority print job can be executed regardless of whether post-processing such as stapling is performed, but at the end of the priority print job, It is determined whether or not to continue to execute the specific print job based on the job execution state of the specific print job that has been executed at the start of the priority print job. Therefore, by adjusting the job execution state of the specific print job at the time of execution of the priority print job, it is possible to prohibit the continuous execution of the specific print job at the end of the priority print job, so that output products are mixed. The state can be canceled.

  As described in claim 2, the second characteristic configuration includes the specific print job executed at the start of the priority print job by the job continuation determination unit in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above. Is determined to have been in a stopped state, the job management unit is in a standby state without executing the specific print job.

  According to the above-described configuration, by adjusting the specific print job to the stop state at the start of the priority print job, the specific print job is not executed at the end of the priority print job, thereby preventing a mixture of output materials, It becomes possible to easily take out the output product by the priority print job.

  According to the third feature configuration, as described in claim 3, in addition to the second feature configuration described above, the job management unit is configured such that the specific print job is detected when a predetermined time elapses while waiting for the specific print job. Is to continue to execute.

  The output is rarely left for a long time after the priority print job. According to the above-described configuration, for example, when a predetermined time required for taking out the output material has elapsed, the specific print job can be surely automatically restarted, and the operator forgets to restart the specific print job. Even in this case, the specific job is resumed, and the stored print job is executed without delay.

  As described above, according to the present invention, during execution of a specific print job in accordance with a preset execution order, the specific print job is interrupted to ensure priority execution of other print jobs, and output. An image forming apparatus capable of preventing a mixture of objects can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of executing a priority print job in a digital multi-function peripheral as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes an operation unit 2, an image reading unit 4 that sequentially reads a series of documents set on the document placing unit 3 and converts them into electronic data, and the image reading unit. 4 that forms and outputs a toner image on a sheet as an output based on image data converted into electronic data by image 4, image data transmitted from an external FAX, image data transmitted from a PC, or the like. The image forming unit 5 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 6 (6a to 6d) that store sheets of different sizes or types.

  In addition to the operation unit 2, the image reading unit 4, and the image forming unit 5, the digital multifunction device 1 includes a FAX modem 9 for transmitting and receiving image data to and from an external FAX (not shown), and a network LAN. And an external interface 10 for transmitting and receiving image data to and from a plurality of PCs, and a control unit 8 that performs overall control of the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  For example, the operation unit 2 will be described with reference to a copy mode in which image data read from a document is copied and output. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of menu selection keys for specifying copy conditions are in the form of software keys. A touch panel type color display unit 20 on which the arranged operation screen is displayed, a hardware key 21 such as a start key for starting an image forming operation, a numerical value input key for inputting a numerical value, and the digital multifunction peripheral LED 24 for notifying the user of the current state of 1 and an operation control unit 25 (not shown) for controlling operation input from the various keys, display output of the software key to the touch panel type color display unit 20 and the like. Configured.

  The hardware key 21 includes a basic control key group 22 disposed on the right side of the color display unit 20 and a special mode setting key group 23 disposed on the left side of the color display unit 20, and the basic control key group. In the copy mode, for example, 22 includes a numeric input key 220 for setting the number of prints, a start key 221, a clear key 222, a stop key 223, a reset key 224, and the like as the print keys. For example, the special mode setting key 23 is used to check the status of the print job or the like of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and change the printing conditions such as the selected print job or change to the status check mode for canceling the status check / job. A cancel key 230, a copy key 231 for shifting to a copy mode, a program key 232 for shifting to a program mode for programming various jobs to be executed in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and calling the program to execute the job, The transmission key 233 shifts to the FAX transmission mode, and the document box key 234 shifts to the document box mode for storing image data for each user, calling the image data, and executing the job.

  The operation control unit 25 detects an operation input from the software key of the color display unit 20 or the hardware key 21 and outputs the operation input to the control unit 8, receives an instruction from the control unit 8, and receives the LED 24. In addition to notifying the user of the status of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and controlling the turn-off of light, an operation screen prepared for each use mode and provided with the software keys and the like on the touch panel type color display unit 20 and a job list Etc. are displayed.

  The operation screen is prepared for each mode corresponding to each of the special mode keys 23. For example, when the status confirmation / job stop key 230 is pressed, the operation control unit 24 detects this. Output to the control unit 8, and a status confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the color display unit 20 according to an instruction from the control unit 8.

  The control unit 8 includes a CPU that performs overall control of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, a ROM that stores a control program executed by the CPU, a RAM that serves as a work area, and peripheral circuits. It plays the role of a later-described job storage means and a later-described job management means, which are part of the functional blocks of the functions related to the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the functional block responsible for the functions related to the present invention executes the job storage unit 80 having a hard disk device for storing a plurality of print jobs, and the print job stored in the job storage unit 80. The image forming unit 5 is an image forming unit, and a job management unit 81 that manages the execution order of print jobs by the image forming unit 5 and causes the image forming unit 5 to execute the print job.

  Further, the job management unit 81 includes a priority job management unit 82 that interrupts the specific print job and prioritizes other print jobs during execution of the specific print job according to a preset execution order. When the priority print job executed by the priority job management unit 82 ends, the specific print job is continuously executed based on the job execution state of the specific print job executed at the start of the priority print job. Is provided with job continuation determining means 83 for determining whether or not.

  More specifically, the job storage unit 80 stores and stores a print job of a document read by the image reading unit 4 and a print job received via the FAX modem 9 or the external interface 10. The job management unit 81 manages the print jobs in a preset execution order such as the order stored in the job storage unit 80 or the priority order of the terminal that issued the print job. In response to an instruction from the job management unit 81, the image forming unit 5 executes each of the plurality of print jobs as the specific print job according to the execution order. Further, the job management unit 81 instructs the operation control unit 25 as necessary, and the operation control unit 25 displays a list of the specific print jobs on the color display unit 20.

  When the print job selected by the user from the plurality of print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80 is preferentially executed, the priority job management unit 82 interrupts the specific print job and the print job selected by the user. The job management unit 81 is controlled so that the image forming unit 5 interrupts the specific print job in accordance with an instruction from the job management unit 81, and the print job selected by the user is set as the priority print job. Run as. In addition, the job management unit 81 instructs the operation control unit 25 as necessary to indicate that the specific print job is temporarily suspended on the color display unit 20 and the priority print job is being executed. Is displayed.

  Further, the job continuation determination unit 83 stores a job execution state at the start of the priority print job of the specific print job interrupted by the priority job management unit 82, and the priority print job at the end of the priority print job. When it is determined that the specific print job executed at the start of the job is in a stopped state, the job management unit 81 is controlled so that the job management unit 81 waits without executing the specific print job. The image forming unit 5 is instructed to receive the instruction to resume the specific print job by the user, and the image forming unit 5 waits without resuming the execution of the specific print job until the job management unit 81 instructs the resumption. To do.

  Hereinafter, execution of the priority print job will be described in detail. When there is a print job to be preferentially executed among the plurality of print jobs stored in the job storage unit 80, the user presses the status confirmation / job cancel key 230 of the operation unit 2 to press the digital multifunction peripheral 1. Is changed to the status confirmation mode, and the operation screen for displaying the processing status of the print job among the operation screens in the status confirmation mode displayed on the color display unit 20 (hereinafter referred to as “print job status confirmation screen”). Is displayed.

  On the print job status confirmation screen 7, as shown in FIG. 4, a print job tab 70, a transmission job tab 71, a saved job tab 72, a device / communication tab 73, and a paper / consumables tab 74 are arranged at the bottom. By pressing, it is possible to switch to the corresponding operation screen.

  The print job status confirmation screen 7 is displayed by pressing the print job tab 70 in the status confirmation mode, and when the status tab 75 arranged at the top thereof is pressed, a status display portion 76 disposed in the center is displayed. The print job processing statuses are displayed in a list in the order stored in the job storage unit 80 and managed by the job management unit 81 at the present time. When the history tab 77 is pressed, the processing contents in the print job so far are displayed in a list.

  Further, a drop-down list box 760 for selecting a type of print job to be displayed in a list is arranged at the top of the status display section 76. When a type such as a copy job or a received job is selected in the drop-down list box 760, The status display section 76 displays a list of processing statuses and histories related to the selected type of job, and when all are selected from the drop-down list box 760, a list of processing statuses and histories related to all jobs is displayed. A scroll button 761 is arranged on the right side of the status display section 76, and a print job or a history not displayed on the status display section 76 can be displayed by pressing the scroll button 761.

  Under the status display section 76, an all printing temporary stop key 762, a cancel key 763, a priority print key 764, and a key 765 for viewing information are arranged. When the all printing temporary stop key 762 is pressed, the job storage means is displayed. Execution of all print jobs stored in 80 is temporarily suspended.

  When the line of the print job to be canceled is pressed from the list of print jobs displayed on the status display section 76, the line of the print job is displayed in reverse negative / positive as shown in FIG. 5, and the cancel key 763 is pressed in this state. When pressed, the print job to be canceled is deleted before execution. If the cancel key 763 is pressed without selecting the print job to be canceled, the currently executing print job is canceled and deleted.

  When a line of a print job whose print count is to be changed is pressed from the list of print jobs displayed in the status display section 76, the line of the print job is displayed in a negative / positive reversed manner as shown in FIG. When the information viewing key 765 is pressed, the job contents of the job are displayed, and the number of prints and the output destination can be changed.

  When a line of a print job to be preferentially executed is pressed from the list of print jobs displayed on the status display section 76, the line of the print job is displayed in negative / positive inversion as shown in FIG. When the priority print key 764 is pressed, the specific print job currently being executed is interrupted, and the print job is preferentially executed as a priority print job. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the color display section 20 displays that the priority print job row is negative-positive reversed and is displayed as being executed in the status column, and is temporarily suspended in the status column of the specific print job. Is displayed. If the specific print job is being executed when the priority print job is executed, the specific print job is automatically executed after the priority print job is completed. Here, when the priority print is executed by pressing the priority print key 764 after pressing the line of the print job to be preferentially printed during the execution of the specific print job, the specific print job and the priority print job If the output destinations are the same, the output products are mixed.

  On the other hand, the job continuation determining unit 83 determines whether or not the specific print job is being executed when the priority print job is being executed. If the specific print job is being stopped, Since the specific print job is stopped, it is possible to avoid the output product from being mixed.

  Therefore, when the specific print job is being executed, the all print temporary stop key 762 is pressed to temporarily stop the specific print job, and intentionally interrupt the specific print job when the priority print job is executed. . Thereafter, by pressing the line of the print job to be preferentially executed and pressing the priority print key 764, the specific print job is not automatically executed even after the priority print job is finished, and the output materials are mixed. Can be avoided.

  When the specific print job is stopped after execution of the priority print job, the specific print job is resumed by pressing the start key of the operation unit 2 after obtaining the output of the priority print job.

  Hereinafter, execution of the priority print job will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The original print job read by the image reading unit 4 and the print job received via the FAX modem 9 or the external interface 10 are stored in the job storage means 80 (S1), and the job management means 81 is stored. Instructs the print job stored in the job storage unit 80 to be executed as the specific print job according to a preset execution order, and the image forming unit 5 executes the specific print job (S2). ).

  When an error does not occur during execution of the specific print job (S3) and the all print temporary suspension key 762 is not pressed (S4), the print job status confirmation screen 7 displays a print job to be preferentially printed. When a line is selected and the priority print key 764 is pressed (S5), the priority job management means 82 controls the job management means 81 to interrupt the specific print job (S6), and the priority A print job desired to be printed is executed as the priority print job (S7).

  After the execution of the priority print job is completed (S8), the job continuation determination unit 83 determines that the execution state of the specific print job at the time of execution of the priority print job is not in a stopped state, and executes the specific print job. The image forming unit 5 executes the specific print job by instructing to execute automatically (S2).

  If an error occurs during execution of the specific print job (S3) or the all print temporary interruption key 762 is pressed (S4), the job management unit 81 interrupts the specific print job (S9). In this state, on the print job status confirmation screen 7, when a line of a print job to be preferentially pressed is pressed and the priority print key 764 is pressed (S 10), out of paper or the like in the execution of the priority print job. If there is no influence of the error (S11), the priority job management unit 82 instructs the priority print job to be executed as the priority print job, and the image forming unit 5 instructs the priority print job to be executed. Is executed (S12).

  When the user is affected by the error due to running out of paper (S11), the user refills the paper and recovers from the error state (S17), and the start key 221 is pressed (S18). The priority job management unit 81 instructs the print job to be preferentially printed as the priority print job, and the image forming unit 5 executes the priority print job (S12).

  After the execution of the priority print job is completed (S13), the job continuation determination unit 83 determines that the execution state of the specific print job at the time of execution of the priority print job is in a stopped state, and determines the job management unit 81. Control is performed to instruct the specific print job to be suspended, and the image forming unit 5 maintains the specific print job in the suspended state (S14).

  In the interrupted state of the specific print job, the user replenishes paper and recovers from the error state (S15), and when the start key 221 is pressed (S16), the job management unit 81 performs the specific print job. The image forming unit 5 is instructed to execute the job and is executed (S2).

  Another embodiment will be described below. In the embodiment described above, the job management unit 81 waits for the specific print job until the start key is pressed while the specific print job is waiting (FIG. 7, S16). 81 is provided with a time measuring means, and when the time keeping means confirms that a predetermined time (for example, about 3 minutes) has passed while waiting for the specific print job, the specific print job is continuously executed. You may do it. As the predetermined time, it is possible to set a time required for the output matter related to the priority job to be taken out from the tray after the priority print job is finished, for example, an arbitrary time between 1 minute and 5 minutes.

  Any of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the specific configuration and the like of each block can be appropriately changed and designed within the scope of the effects of the present invention.

Functional block diagram of the digital multi-function peripheral according to the present invention External view of digital multifunction device Explanatory drawing of the steering part of a digital multifunction machine Illustration of the print job status confirmation screen Illustration of the print job status confirmation screen Illustration of the print job status confirmation screen Flow chart used for explanation when executing priority print job

Explanation of symbols

2: Operation unit
5: Image forming means (image forming unit)
8: Control unit
80: Job storage unit 81: Job management unit 82: Priority job management unit 83: Job continuation determination unit

Claims (3)

Job storage means for storing a plurality of print jobs, image forming means for executing the print jobs stored in the job storage means, and job management means for managing the execution order of the print jobs by the image forming means, An image comprising priority job management means for interrupting the specific print job and preferentially executing another print job during execution of the specific print job according to a preset execution order in the job management means A forming device,
The job management unit continues the specific print job based on a job execution state of the specific print job that was executed at the start of the priority print job when the priority print job executed by the priority job management unit ends. An image forming apparatus comprising job continuation determining means for determining whether or not to execute.   When the job continuation determination unit determines that the specific print job that was being executed at the start of the priority print job has been stopped, the job management unit waits without executing the specific print job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the job management unit continuously executes the specific print job when a predetermined time elapses during the standby of the specific print job.