JP2007331178A - Image forming apparatus and method for scheduling - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of scheduling a print job and guaranteeing a printing completion time, and a method for scheduling the same. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus that can manage a schedule including printing of a document, calculates a print time period necessary for printing a document correlated with the managed schedule. The apparatus computes a time of starting a print job so as to finish the printing by a schedule starting time based on the printing time period. Upon the computed time, the apparatus starts the processing of the print job. The apparatus is equipped with a means for correlating the managed schedule with the stored document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a scheduling method thereof, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a Box function and job processing of the image forming apparatus related to a schedule.

As a conventional technique of job processing related to scheduling of image forming processing, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 has a configuration in which a schedule management apparatus that manages a schedule issues a print instruction to a printer server via an external I / F, and the printer server issues a print instruction to the printer in the same manner as normal printing.
JP 2001-1113796 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a print job recognized by a printer is not different from a print job that is normally performed, and there is no disclosure regarding job scheduling at the printer and guarantee of job completion time. That is, the job start time is scheduled by the schedule management apparatus, but the job end time performed by the printer is not guaranteed. In addition, there is no description about the state of the device at the time of printing, and no description about the relationship with other jobs.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention associates a schedule function with a document on the image forming apparatus side. Accordingly, an image forming apparatus and a scheduling method thereof that enable scheduling of a print job and guarantee of a print completion time are provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of managing a schedule associated with document printing, and calculates a print time required for printing a document associated with the managed schedule. And a job start time calculating means for calculating the print job start time so that the printing is completed by the schedule start time based on the print time, and starting the print job at the job start time calculated by the job start time calculating means. And a print control means.

  Here, the job start time calculation means calculates the print job start time by calculating back the print time calculated from the schedule start time. The job start time calculating unit calculates a print time based on the print speed and the number of prints.

  The apparatus further comprises schedule management means for managing the schedule, document storage means for storing the document, and association means for associating the schedule managed by the schedule management means with the document stored by the document storage means. . Here, the association unit includes a schedule / document display unit that displays a schedule list and / or a document list, and an operation unit that associates the selected schedule with a document. The association unit associates a plurality of documents with the selected schedule. The document storage unit manages a plurality of documents in units of boxes. The box is managed according to a schedule time zone. The associating means associates the document of the entire specific box with the selected schedule.

  The apparatus further comprises job reservation display means for displaying the reservation status of the print job whose start time is set by the job start time calculation means. In addition, when there is a print job whose job start time is reached, the print control unit executes the print job with priority over other print jobs including the print job being executed.

  A password setting means for setting a password in advance in a document associated with the schedule; and a print approval means for approving a print of the document with a password when the job start time of the document for which the password is set is reached. In addition. Here, the print approval unit interrupts the print job by expanding the document when the password is set for the job start time of the document, and is previously addressed by the notification unit. A notification for print approval is sent to the notification destination by e-mail. The apparatus further comprises interface means for importing the schedule managed by the schedule management means from an external device via the communication means.

  The scheduling method of the present invention is a scheduling method for an image forming apparatus capable of managing a schedule associated with document printing, and calculates a print time required for printing a document associated with the managed schedule. A job start time calculating step for calculating a print job start time so that printing is completed by the schedule start time based on the print time, and a print control for starting the print job at the job start time calculated in the job start time calculating step And a process.

  Here, in the job start time calculating step, the print job start time is calculated by calculating back the print time calculated from the schedule start time. In the job start time calculating step, the print time is calculated based on the print speed and the number of prints.

  A schedule management process for managing the schedule; a document storage process for storing the document; and an associating process for associating the schedule managed in the schedule management process with the document stored in the document storage process. . The association step includes a schedule / document display step for displaying a schedule list and / or a document list, and an operation step for associating the selected schedule with a document. In the association step, a plurality of documents are associated with the selected schedule. In the document storing step, a plurality of documents are managed in units of boxes. The box is managed according to a schedule time zone. In the associating step, the document of the entire specific box is associated with the selected schedule.

  Further, a job reservation display step of displaying a reservation status of the print job for which the start time is set in the job start time calculation step is further provided. In the print control step, when there is a print job whose job start time is reached, the print job is executed with priority over other print jobs including the print job being executed.

  A password setting step for setting a password in advance for a document associated with the schedule; and a print approval step for approving a print of the document with a password when the job start time of the document for which the password is set is reached. In addition. Here, in the print approval step, when the password reaches the job start time of the set document, the print job is interrupted until the document is expanded, and the address is designated in advance by the notification means. A notification for print approval is sent to the notification destination by e-mail. The method further includes an interface step for importing the schedule managed in the schedule management step from an external device via the communication means.

  Furthermore, a computer-executable program for realizing the scheduling method and a storage medium for storing the program in a computer-readable form are provided.

  In the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a scheduling function and a document and associates them with each other to enable job scheduling, and by performing printing with priority over other jobs, the print completion time can be set. Guarantees are possible. Furthermore, information to be transmitted to the user who performs another job is also displayed by displaying the preferential printing as a reservation status on the operation unit in advance.

  In addition, by making it possible to import schedules from other information devices, consideration is given to making it possible to associate schedules with documents without inputting schedules from the operation unit on the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, it is possible to print a plurality of documents stored in the Box, and it is easy to distinguish the documents by changing the paper discharge port at the time of printing.

  Also, security can be ensured by enabling secure printing of important documents.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, a case will be described in which the scheduler held in the image forming apparatus is associated with the document in the box, the print time required for printing is calculated, and the job start time is calculated backward. Here, the documents to be associated include one, a plurality, and all cases in Box. In addition, it explains the discharge port, specifies the number of copies in the schedule, and gives priority to other jobs when executing a print job, and also explains the display that the job is reserved. In addition, the structure shown here is an example and is not limited to the structure of illustration.

<Configuration example of image input / output system of this embodiment>
First, the overall configuration of the image input / output system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A reader unit (image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  A printer unit (image output device) 300 conveys a recording sheet, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 360, a marking unit 310, and a paper discharge unit 370. The paper feed unit 360 has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes. The marking unit 310 has a function of transferring and fixing image data onto a recording sheet. The paper discharge unit 370 has a function of sorting and stapling printed recording papers and outputting them outside the apparatus, and has a plurality of paper discharge ports.

  The control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. Furthermore, the information device 401, 402, 412, 422, 432 is connected via the LAN 400, the wireless communication 410, the USB communication 420, and the SCSI communication 430. In some cases, the mail server 450 may be connected. Here, there is no need to connect to the LAN 400, the wireless communication 410, the USB communication 420, and the SCSI communication 430.

  The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. In addition, it provides a scanner function that converts image data read from the reader unit 200 into code data and transmits it to the host computer via the LAN 400. Also, a printer function for converting code data received from the host computer via the LAN 400 into image data and outputting the image data to the printer unit 300 is provided.

  The operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110, is configured with a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system.

(Configuration example of control device 110)
The function of the control device 110 will be described based on the block diagram shown in FIG. 2A.

  The main controller 111 mainly includes a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the control device 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program read from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115. The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from an external information device and developing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The process for calculating the job start time by back-calculating the print time of the document according to the present invention from the start time of the schedule is also described in this program and is similarly processed by software. Also, job scheduling processing for preferentially performing the job is described in this program and is similarly processed by software. Further, the process for distinguishing the paper discharge port when there are a plurality of documents corresponding to the job is described in this program, and is similarly processed by software.

  The above processing will be described in detail. When calculating the job start time, the time from the start of the job to the end of the print is determined based on the processing time and the print speed of the corresponding document stored in the hard disk 162 to be described later. Calculate the required time. Next, the print start time is calculated backward from the start time of schedule data stored in the hard disk 162, which will be described later, to determine the job start time. The actual job start is determined by obtaining the current time from the real-time clock module 133 described later.

  Further, in the job scheduling process, when the job is started, a command is sent to the printer apparatus 300 via a printer I / F 145 described later so that the job being operated at that time is temporarily suspended. In addition, during the job execution, a scheduling process is performed so that a new job is processed next. Then, in the process of distinguishing the paper discharge port when there are a plurality of documents corresponding to the job, it is determined whether there are a plurality of documents associated with a schedule to be described later. If there are a plurality of sheets, a command is sent to the printer apparatus 300 via a printer I / F 145 described later so that the discharge port is located at a location different from the previous document.

  The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and performs arbitration at the time of bus contention and control of DMA data transfer.

  The DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 via a DRAM I / F 117, and is used as a work area for the CPU 112 to operate and an area for storing image data. The DRAM 116 is also used for holding the job start time according to the present invention.

  The Codec 118 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116 by a method such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and conversely decompresses the code data compressed and stored in the raster image data. The SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area of the Codec 118. The Codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 120, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred. The Graphic Processor 135 performs processing such as image rotation and scaling processing.

  The external communication I / F 121 is connected to the main controller 111 by the I / F 122 and is connected to the external network by the connector 122. An expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 125. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus.

  The I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of asynchronous serial communication controllers 127 for transmitting / receiving control commands to / from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. F circuits 140 and 145 are connected.

  The panel I / F 132 is connected to the LCD controller 131 and includes an I / F for displaying on a liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Is done. The operation unit 150 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input by the touch panel or the hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 520. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image forming apparatus. Then, the main controller 111 reads the job reservation status according to the present invention from the DRAM 116 via the DRAM I / F 117 and sends the contents from the LCD controller 131 to the operation unit 150 via the panel I / F 132.

  The real-time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134. The clock data is used for management of the schedule time and management of the job start time according to the present invention.

  The E-IDE interface 161 is for connecting an external storage device. In the present embodiment, the hard disk drive 160 is connected via this I / F. Then, the image data is stored in the hard disk 162, the image data is read from the hard disk 162, and the schedule data is read from the hard disk 162. Here, the functional configuration of the Box according to the present invention is also stored in the hard disk 162, and document data itself and link information between schedule data and document data are also stored.

  The connectors 142 and 147 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are composed of a synchronized step serial I / F (143, 148) and a video I / F (144, 149).

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 142 and is connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141. A function of performing predetermined processing on an image received from the reader unit 200 and a function of outputting a control signal generated based on a video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141 . Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147 and is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The image data output from the main controller 111 is subjected to predetermined processing and output to the printer unit 300. Further, the control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 is transferred to the printer. It has a function of outputting to the bus 146. The transfer of the raster image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

(Memory configuration example of control device 110)
FIG. 2B shows a configuration example of programs and data stored in each memory of the control device 110 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B shows only programs and data characteristic of this embodiment. Such memories include ROM 114, DRAM 116, SRAM 119, SRAM 136, HD 162, etc. in FIG. 2A.

  In FIG. 2B, reference numeral 211 denotes an area for storing a system program including an OS and the like. An area 212 stores an image processing program for performing image processing including image input from a scanner and image output to a painter. Reference numeral 213 denotes an area for storing a communication control program for clearing communication with a device connected to the LAN 400 of FIG. 1 via the external communication I / F controller 121. In this example, information input from an external device, job setting, mail notification to the external device, and the like are controlled.

  An area 214 stores a scheduling program for performing print job scheduling, which is a feature of the present embodiment. The scheduling program 214 includes a job registration module 214a that registers jobs. Also included is a print time / job start time calculation module 214b that calculates the print time of each job and calculates the job start time by calculating backward from the schedule start time. In addition, an e-mail notification module 214c that inquires the user about print permission by e-mail upon completion of RIP when secure printing is designated is included. Further, it includes a job start control module 214d that monitors the current time and controls the start of the job at the start time.

  An area 215 stores a user interface program for exchanging information with the user via the operation unit 150. Although not shown in FIG. 2B, a program for realizing the Graphic 135, Codec 118, etc. in FIG. 2A by software may be stored.

  An area 221 stores a print time calculation parameter used when the print time / job start time calculation module 214b calculates the print time. The printing time calculation method is not a major element of the present invention and will not be described in detail. An area 222 stores system configuration data for storing the configuration and specifications of the image input / output system 100 of FIG. It should be noted that the system configuration data 222 preferably further stores the specifications of external devices connected via the LAN 400 or the like. Reference numeral 223 denotes an area for storing display screen format data shown in FIGS. 6, 7A to 7C, 8A to 8E, and FIG. Note that a communication format, a print format, or the like may be stored as the format data 223.

  Reference numeral 231 denotes an area for temporarily storing display screen data to be displayed on the display screen by combining the data content with the format data 223 of the display screen. Reference numeral 232 denotes an area for temporarily storing instruction input data instructed or input by the user from the operation unit 150. Reference numeral 233 denotes an area for temporarily storing job data input from the operation unit 150 or an external device. Reference numeral 234 denotes a hunting period in which image data input from the scanner or image data output to the printer is temporarily stored. Reference numeral 235 denotes an area for holding a job start time table in which jobs are arranged in the order of job start times posted in the print time / job start time calculation module 214b. Reference numeral 236 denotes an area for temporarily storing various flags referred to at a branch point when the above-described program is executed. In this embodiment, for example, it is used for branching such as whether one or a plurality of documents are printed in one job or whether a document to be printed is a confidential document.

  Reference numeral 241 denotes an area for storing schedule data in which an input schedule is registered, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Reference numeral 242 denotes an area that holds Box data for managing document data to be printed shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in units of Boxes. Reference numeral 243 denotes an area for holding document data that is the document content corresponding to each file name of the Box data 242.

  As described above, FIG. 2B shows the programs and data particularly used in this embodiment. The details of such programs and data are shown below.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a job start time table 235 that holds job start times in the present embodiment. The job start time table 235 includes a job start time 235a, a schedule content 235b, and a print time 235c.

  The CPU 112 compares and monitors the current time from the real-time clock module 133 and the job start time calculated by the print time / job start time calculation module 214b for each schedule content, and starts a print job. The job start time table 235 in FIG. 2C shows an example of job start times based on the schedule in FIG. 7A described later. In the example of FIG. 2C, the Box No. of the print document is determined from the schedule contents 235b based on FIG. 5A or 5B. And FileNo. In the job start time table 235, the Box No. And FileNo. May be held.

(Configuration example of image processing unit of printer I / F145)
A detailed description will be given of the portion of the printer I / F 145 responsible for image processing. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a portion responsible for image processing of the printer I / F 145.

  An image signal sent from the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146 is first input to the LOG conversion unit 701. The LOG conversion unit 701 converts RGB signals into CMY signals by LOG conversion. Next, the moire removal unit 702 removes the moire. Reference numeral 703 denotes a UCR & masking unit. The CMY signal that has undergone moire removal processing generates a CMYK signal by UCR processing, and the masking processing unit corrects the CMY signal to a signal that matches the output of the printer. The signal processed by the UCR & masking unit 703 is subjected to density adjustment by the γ correction unit 704 and then smoothed or edge processed by the filter unit 705. Through these processes, an image is sent to the printer unit 300 via the connector 147.

(Configuration example of Graphic Processor 135)
The graphic processor 135 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the graphic processor 135.

  The Graphic Processor 135 performs processing such as image rotation and scaling processing.

  The Graphic Processor 135 rotates the image in the image rotation unit 801, changes the image in the image scaling unit 802, performs color space conversion in the color space conversion unit 803 using the LUT 804, and binarizes in the image binarization unit 805. Each of the valuation processes is performed. The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area for the graphic processor 135. The Graphic Processor 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred. The bus controller 113 performs control for setting a mode or the like for each module of the graphic processor 135 and timing control for transferring image data to each module.

(Configuration example in hard disk)
A detailed description of the data in the hard disk 162 will be given. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing the data structure in the hard disk.

  In FIG. 5A, the schedule data area 901 (corresponding to the print schedule data 242 in FIG. 2B) stores the date 902, time 903, which is the schedule data, and the data 904 of the box / document related to the schedule content data. Each is stored in a list structure.

  Similarly, in the Box data area 910 (corresponding to the Box data 243 in FIG. 2B), the Box number and its name data 911, the file name data 912, the attribute data related to the file name data 912, and the image data 913 are in a list structure. Is stored. The image data 913 may be stored together at a position pointed to from the Box data like the document data 244 of FIG. 2B.

  920 is another data storage area.

  FIG. 5B is a configuration example in the hard disk according to the third embodiment to be described later, and will be described in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a configuration example of Box / document data 904 in the schedule data area 901 and a configuration example of attribute data in the Box data area 910 in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

  Box / document data 904 includes, for example, schedule contents 904a, Box No. 904b, FileNo. 904c and the number of copies 904d are included. FIG. 5C shows a specific example of the conference A in FIG. 7A described later. On the other hand, as the attribute data, the secret flag 913a and the password 913b are related to the present embodiment. FIG. 5C shows a case where it is not confidential. Whether or not to be classified is normally set for each file, but may be set for each job.

<Operation example of image input / output system of this embodiment>
Hereinafter, an operation example according to the configuration example of the image input / output system of the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the copy function will be described as an example, but the same applies to the printer function and the fax function. Furthermore, although the following display screen examples will be described for the operation unit 150 of the image input / output system 100, such screens are displayed on an external device via the network, and are selected, instructed, and input from the external device. Can be easily extended to configuration.

(Example of display screen on operation unit 150)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic screen displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 150 (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This screen is a touch panel, and the function is executed by touching the frame of the displayed function.

A copy mode key 524 is a key to be pressed when performing a copying operation. When the copy mode key 524 is pressed, a copy mode screen 530 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The extended function key 501 enters a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, movement, binding margin setting, frame erase setting, etc., by pressing this key.
A status line 540 displays a message indicating the device status and print information. In the case of this figure, it indicates that the copy is waiting.

  An image mode key 502 enters a setting mode for performing shading, shadowing, trimming, and masking on a copy image. A user mode key 503 allows mode memory registration and standard mode screen setting. The applied zoom key 504 enters a mode for independently scaling the X and Y directions of a document, and a zoom program mode for calculating a scaling factor from the document size and copy size.

  The M1 key 505, the M2 key 506, and the M3 key 507 are keys that are pressed when calling the mode memory registered in each of them. An option key 509 is a key for setting an optional function such as a film projector for direct copying from a film. A sorter key 510 is a key for setting sort, non-sort, and group. A document mixed loading key 511 is a key to be pressed when setting A4 size and A3 size or B5 size and B4 size documents together in the document feeder.

  An equal magnification key 512 is a key to be pressed when the copy magnification is set to 100%. The reduction key 514 and the enlargement key 515 are keys that are pressed when performing standard reduction or enlargement. A paper selection key 513 is a key to be pressed when selecting a copy paper. The density keys 518 and 520 are darkly copied every time the key 518 is pressed, and lightly copied every time the key 520 is pressed. The density display 517 changes to the left and right when the density keys 518 and 520 are pressed. An AE key 519 is a key to be pressed when automatic density adjustment copying is performed for a document having a dark background such as a newspaper. The HiFi key 521 is a key that is pressed when copying a document having a high halftone density such as a photo document. A character emphasis key 522 is a key to be pressed when it is desired to highlight characters in copying a character document.

  Reference numeral 560 denotes a history key, and when pressed, the history information of a printed job is displayed. For example, information such as an end time, a user name, a file name, and the number of copies of the print job is displayed. Reference numeral 600 denotes a printer selection key which is pressed when selecting a receiving side copying machine when performing remote copying or multiple copying. Reference numeral 599 denotes a job reservation status key according to the present invention. When the start of a job is determined according to a schedule, the job reservation status can be viewed by pressing this button.

  The guide key 523 is a key to be pressed when the function of a certain key is unknown, and an explanation of the key is displayed. The fax key 525 is a key that is pressed when performing a fax, and the Box key 526 is a key that is pressed when it is desired to display the Box function according to the present invention. A printer key 527 is a key that is pressed to change the print density or to refer to detailed printout information of PDL data from a remote host computer. The schedule key 601 is a key for displaying schedule data according to the present invention.

(Schedule list display example)
Next, in FIG. 7A, a state where the schedule operation unit screen displayed when the schedule key 601 is pressed in FIG. 6 will be described.

  The schedule list is displayed on the liquid crystal screen. In this example, the case where the daily display key 604 is pressed will be described as an example. When the 1-day display key 604 is pressed, the display is as shown in FIG. 7A, but when the 1-month display key 602 and the 1-week display key 603 are pressed, schedule display for 1 month and 1 week is performed, respectively.

  In FIG. 7A, a schedule registration key 605 is a key for registering a schedule, and a schedule import key 606 is used when importing schedule data from another information device. Regarding the displayed screen, 610 displays the date, 611 displays the time zone, 612 displays the schedule contents, 613 displays the contents of the associated document, and 614 displays the number of copies. The prev button 615 is used when moving to the previous day's data, and the next button 616 is used when moving to the next day's data. The number of copies can be specified with a numeric key (not shown), and the number of copies can be specified by pressing the number key while the area 614 is selected.

  Associating a document with a schedule, which is a feature of the present embodiment, can select an associated document by selecting an area 613. The document to be associated can be registered by selecting the document in the data display in the box described in FIG.

(Schedule registration screen example)
Next, a screen displayed when the schedule registration key 605 in FIG. 7A is pressed in FIG. 7B will be described.

  The date 680, the start time 681, the end time 682, the schedule content 683, and the number of copies 684 are input with a software keyboard and numeric keys (not shown) and registered with the OK key 685. When canceling registration, a cancel key 686 is pressed. The input schedule is hierarchically registered in association with the schedule data area of FIGS. 5A and 5B by date and time.

(Box data display screen example)
Next, FIG. 8A will be described with reference to a diagram showing a state in which data is displayed in the Box when the Box key 526 is pressed in FIG. 6 or the area 613 is selected in FIG. 7A.

  The data content in Box is displayed on the liquid crystal screen. For example, when the selection key 621 of Box 1 is pressed, the data of Box 1 is displayed. 622 to 625 are pressed when it is desired to display other Box data. Also, 626 can be scrolled to display other Box data when it is desired to display other Box data not displayed in the figure.

  As for the displayed screen, 630 indicates the selected Box, 631 indicates the file name, 632 indicates the update date, and 633 indicates the file size. The prev button 634 is used to move to the previous Box data, and the next button 635 is used to move to the next Box data.

  A check box 636 indicates whether the target document is a confidential document. In the example of FIG. 8A, the budget plan is designated as a confidential document. As will be further described in the second embodiment below, it is desirable that designation and cancellation of confidential documents be restricted by a password or the like.

  The operation when the area 613 is selected in FIG. 7A for associating a document with a schedule, which is a feature of the present embodiment, is as follows. When it is desired to associate a document with the corresponding schedule, a desired file is selected from 631, and when the document registration key 620 is pressed in a shaded state, the document is associated with the schedule. At this time, if one place in the file area 631 is selected, one document is associated, and if it is plural places, the selected plural documents are associated. Furthermore, if the Box area 630 is selected, the Box is associated and all the files in it are targeted. If the area 613 is not selected in FIG. 7A, the document registration key 620 is not displayed.

(Job reservation status display screen example)
Next, the display of the operation unit displayed when the job reservation status key 599 in FIG. 6 is pressed in FIG. 9 will be described.

  When the job reservation status is displayed on the liquid crystal screen and the 1-day display key 654 is pressed, a display as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed and the job reservation status of the current day is displayed. When the 1 month display key 652 and the 1 week display key 653 are pressed, the job reservation status for 1 month and 1 week is displayed, respectively.

  Regarding the displayed screen, 660 is a date display, 661 is a start time display, 662 is a schedule content display, 663 is a document content display, and 664 is a copy display. The prev button 665 is used when moving to the previous day's data, and the next button 666 is used when moving to the next day's data. Reference numeral 667 denotes a check box indicating whether the target document includes a confidential document.

  If it is desired to change the number of copies, it can be changed with a number key (not shown). In this case, the number key can be changed by pressing the number key while selecting the 664 number of copies area. If the file area 663 is selected and the cancel key 655 is pressed, the reservation of the job is canceled.

<Operation procedure example of this embodiment>
Next, referring to FIG. 10, a series of processing procedure examples according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  First, in step S501, the schedule registration key 605 is pressed in FIG. 7A, and the schedule is registered as described in FIG. 7B. Next, in step S502, the area 613 in FIG. 7A is selected, and the Box document is associated as described in FIG. 8A. In step S503, the main controller 111 calculates the print time of the associated document. In step S504, the schedule start time stored in the hard disk 162 is back-calculated by the print time calculated in step S503 to determine the job start time.

  Next, in step S505, it is determined whether there are a plurality of documents associated in step S502. If there are a plurality of documents, an instruction is sent to the printer to change the discharge port in step S506, and the process proceeds to step S507. If the document is single in step S505, the process proceeds to step S507 as it is. In step S507, it is determined whether the job reservation status display is instructed from the operation unit 150. In step S508, the job reservation status is displayed as described with reference to FIG.

  In step S509, the time is obtained from the real-time clock module 133, and it is determined whether it is the job start time. If the job start time is reached, the process advances to step S510 to determine whether there is a job currently being executed. If there is a job that is currently being executed, an instruction is sent to the printer apparatus 300 to suspend the job in step S511, and the job is started in step S512. In step S513, it is determined whether or not the next job has been submitted. If it has been submitted, the job is waited in step S514. During execution of the job, if it is determined in step S515 that the document is the second or subsequent document, the discharge port is changed in step S516, and if it is the first document, the process proceeds directly to step S517 to perform printing.

[Embodiment 2]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, a case where the associated document is a confidential document will be described. In addition, the structure shown here is an example and is not limited to the structure of illustration. Here, the description overlapping with the first embodiment is omitted, and only supplementary explanation is described.

  First, the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described. Although generally the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a supplementary description will be given of an external information device connected to the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the external information devices include the information devices 401 and 402 connected by the LAN 400 and the mail server 450, the information device 412 connected by the wireless communication 410, the information device 422 connected by the USB communication 420, An information device 432 connected by the SCSI communication 430 can be considered. In this embodiment, a notification mail for obtaining print permission is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the mail server 450 via the LAN 400, and the mail is distributed from the mail server 450 to each information device.

<Configuration example of control device 110>
Next, the control device 110 will be described, which is generally the same as that in FIG. 2A of the first embodiment, but supplementary description will be given of the operation during secure printing.

  When the document associated with the schedule is a confidential document, the password is stored as an attribute of the document in the hard disk 162 by setting a password as shown in FIG. When the job start time is reached, the document is read from the hard disk 162. However, if it is determined by the processing of the program that secure printing is to be performed, the image is transmitted to the printer 300 and an instruction is given to enter a standby state. Thereafter, a mail is transmitted from the main controller to the mail server 450 via the external communication I / F 121. Thereafter, when the user inputs a password as shown in FIG. 8C and authentication is approved as a program, a print instruction is issued to the printer 300.

  Since the configuration example of the image processing unit of the printer I / F, the configuration example of the Graphic Processor, and the description in the hard disk are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

(Example of operation unit display screen)
The basic screen in FIG. 6 and the screens related to the schedules in FIGS. 7A and B are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are omitted.

  8A is generally the same as that of the first embodiment, but the details of the check box 636 for determining whether or not the document is a confidential document will be described. If this check box 636 is checked, it indicates that the document is a confidential document, but if a check box 636 that is not checked is pressed, a screen prompting for password entry is displayed as shown in FIG. Can do. When the checked box 636 is pressed, the check is removed and the confidential document designation is canceled. As described above, the confidential document designation and cancellation are preferably limited by some method.

(Example of confidential document specification screen)
In FIG. 8B, a portion where a screen for inputting a password is displayed when the check box 636 in FIG. 8A is pressed will be described.

670 is a password input field, and 673 is a field for inputting a mail address for notifying the job status, which is input using a software keyboard or a numeric key (not shown) and registered with an OK key 671. Further, when canceling the registration, a cancel key 672 is pressed.
(Example of confidential document print screen)
In FIG. 8C, a description will be given of a portion where a mail is received by the user and a password input screen is displayed when a confidential document is printed when the printer enters a print standby state during secure printing.

Reference numeral 690 denotes a password input field, which is input with a soft keyboard and numeric keys (not shown) and input with an OK key 691. In order to cancel the input, a cancel key 692 is pressed.
FIG. 9 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but details of the check box 667 as to whether or not the selected document includes a confidential document will be described.

  If this check box has a check 667, it indicates that the selected document contains a confidential document. Here, even if a check box 667 that is not shown in FIG. 8A is pressed, a screen for prompting password entry is not displayed. Further, even if the check box 667 is pressed, the check is not removed and the confidential document designation is not canceled. That is, the confidential document can be specified and canceled only by setting the Box in FIG. 8A.

<Operation procedure example of this embodiment>
Next, referring to FIG. 11, a series of processing procedure examples according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  First, in step S601, the schedule registration key 605 is pressed in FIG. 7A, and the schedule is registered as described in FIG. 7B.

  Next, in step S602, it is determined whether to set the document as a confidential document. If the confidential document is not set here, normal print processing is performed. When setting a confidential document in step S602, in step S603, the user inputs a password as shown in FIG. 8B, and the process proceeds to step S604. In step S604, the area 613 in FIG. 7A is selected, and the Box document is associated as described in FIG. 8A.

  In step S605, the print time of the associated document is calculated by the main controller 111, and the schedule start time stored in the hard disk 162 in step S606 is calculated back by the print time calculated in step S605 to obtain the job start time. decide. In step S607, it is determined whether or not the job reservation status display is instructed from the operation unit 150. In step S608, the job reservation status is displayed as described with reference to FIG.

  In step S609, the time is obtained from the real-time clock module 133, and it is determined whether it is the job start time. When the job start time is reached, the process advances to step S610 to determine whether there is a job currently being executed. If there is a job that is currently being executed, an instruction is sent to the printer apparatus 300 to suspend the job in step S611, and the job is started in step S612. In step S613, it is determined whether or not the next job has been input. If it has been input, the job is waited in step S614.

  During job execution, if it is determined in step S615 that the document is a confidential document, a command is issued to wait after sending data to the printer in step S616, and an e-mail is transmitted to the user in step S617. In step S618, it is determined whether or not a password has been input from the user. If the password has been input, the process proceeds to step S619 to perform printing. If the document is not a confidential document in step S615, the process proceeds to step S619 and printing is performed.

[Embodiment 3]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, a case where Box itself is handled as a time zone Box will be described. In addition, the structure shown here is an example and is not limited to the structure of illustration. Here, the description overlapping with the first embodiment is omitted, and only supplementary explanation is described.

  The description of the control device 110, the description of the image processing unit of the printer I / F, and the description of the graphic processor are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

<Description on the hard disk>
Here, it is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but the inside of the Box data area 910 will be supplementarily explained with reference to FIG. 5B.

In order to set each Box as a time zone box, the start date / time attribute 1000 and the start time attribute 1001, the end date / time attribute 1002 and the end time attribute 1003 are set as attributes of each Box in the Box data area 910. have. This data represents a time zone. (Example of operation unit display screen)
Box display will be supplementarily described with reference to FIGS. 8D and 8E.

  The display of Box is almost the same as that in FIG. 8A of the first embodiment, but a time zone designation button 1010 is provided as shown in FIG. 8D. For example, when 1011 of Box No. 10 is selected and the time zone designation button 1010 is pressed, the time zone can be registered as shown in FIG. 8E. The time zone can be registered by inputting the start date 1020, the start time 1021, the end date 1022, and the end time 1023 using numeric keys (not shown) and pressing the OK button 1024, respectively. When canceling the registration of the time zone box, the cancel button 1025 is pressed.

  When registration is performed in this way, the button display becomes BoxNo.10Reserved as indicated by Box No.10 1011 in FIG. 8D, and the Box content display portion 1012 is “BoxNo.10 200312121000-200312121200”. Thus, the time zone is registered.

  The operation procedure example of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG.

[Embodiment 4]
The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Here, a process for importing a schedule from an external information device will be described. Here, the description overlapping with the first embodiment is omitted, and only supplementary explanation is described.

  The explanation of the control device 110, the explanation of the image processing unit of the printer I / F, the explanation of the Graphic Processor, and the explanation in the hard disk are omitted because they are the same as those in the first embodiment.

<Display screen example of operation unit 150>
The state of the operation unit displayed when the schedule import key 605 in FIG. 7A is pressed will be described with reference to FIG. 7C.

  A field 1030 indicates the host name of the connected external information device. A field 1031 indicates the state of the connected external information device. If this is OK, it indicates that import is possible, and if it is NG, it indicates that import is impossible. When the host name portion in which this state is OK is selected and the OK key 1034 is pressed in the shaded state as shown in the figure, the schedule import is started from the information device. Also, when the cancel key 1035 is pressed, the import is stopped and the information device display state is restored. If the cancel key 1035 is pressed before the import is started, the process returns to FIG. 7A. Keys 1032 and 1033 are scroll keys. When the connected information device does not fit in the screen, scrolling is performed using the scroll keys.

<Operation procedure example of this embodiment>
Next, in FIG. 12, a series of processing procedure examples according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  First, in step S701, the schedule import key 605 in FIG. 7A is pressed, and the process proceeds to FIG. 7C. In step S702, information of an external information device is displayed as shown in FIG. 7C.

  In step S703, it is determined whether or not the cancel key 1035 is pressed. If the cancel key 1035 is pressed, the process returns to FIG. 7A and returns to step S701. If the cancel key 1035 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S704, and in step S704, an information device for importing a schedule is selected. In step S705, it is determined whether or not the cancel key 1035 is pressed. If the cancel key 1035 is pressed as in step S703, the process returns to FIG. 7A and returns to step S701. If the cancel key 1035 is not pressed, the process advances to step S706 to determine whether the OK key 1034 is pressed. If the OK key 1034 is not pressed here, the process returns to step S705. If the OK key 1034 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S707 to start import from an external information device.

  Next, it is determined in step S708 whether or not the cancel key 1035 has been pressed during import. If so, the import is canceled in step S709 and the process returns to step S703. If the cancel key 1035 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S710, and the import is continued and completed.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (copier, printer, facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even if it is applied to a system consisting of a plurality of devices (eg, computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). May be.

  Needless to say, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by using a recording medium (or storage medium) that records a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. In this case, it goes without saying that this is achieved also by supplying the recording medium to the system or apparatus and reading and executing the program code stored in the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. Further, based on the instruction of the program code, an operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. Needless to say, the process includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion card or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  Further, program data for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is downloaded from a CD-ROM set in the own device or an external supply source such as the Internet to the memory of the own device. Thus, a form in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized is also included in the present invention.

  When the present invention is applied to the recording medium, it is preferable that program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

It is the figure which showed the example of whole structure of the image input / output system of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control apparatus of the input / output system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the memory | storage structure example of the memory of the input / output system of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the job start time table of FIG. 2B. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion related to image processing of the printer I / F of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of Graphic Processor of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a data area in the hard disk of FIG. 2 in the first, second, and fourth embodiments. It is the figure explaining the structural example of the data area in the hard disk of FIG. 2 when the Box function in Embodiment 3 becomes a time zone Box. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of Data 904 and attribute data 913 in FIGS. 5A and 5B. It is a figure explaining the example of a standard screen of the operation part of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of a display screen which displayed the schedule function in the operation part of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of a display screen displayed when a schedule is registered in the operation part of this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed when a schedule is imported in the operation unit according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of the display screen which displayed the Box function in the operation part of this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed when a document in a box is set as a confidential document in the operation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a password input screen displayed when a confidential document is printed in the operation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed when Box is specified as a time zone Box in the operation unit of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed when registering a time slot Box in the operation unit of the third embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen that displays a status of a reserved job in the operation unit of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a series of processing procedures according to the first and third embodiments. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a series of processing procedures according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a series of processing procedures according to the fourth embodiment.

Claims (30)

An image forming apparatus capable of managing a schedule associated with document printing,
Job start time calculating means for calculating a print time required for printing a document associated with a managed schedule and calculating a print job start time so that the print is completed by the schedule start time based on the print time;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a print control unit that starts a print job at a job start time calculated by the job start time calculation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job start time calculation unit calculates a print job start time by back calculating a print time calculated from the schedule start time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job start time calculation unit calculates a print time based on a print speed and the number of prints. A schedule management means for managing the schedule;
A document storage means for storing the document;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an association unit that associates a schedule managed by the schedule management unit with a document stored by the document storage unit.   5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the association means includes a schedule / document display means for displaying a schedule list and / or a document list, and an operation means for associating the selected schedule with a document. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the association unit associates a plurality of documents with the selected schedule.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the document storage unit manages a plurality of documents in units of boxes.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the box is managed according to a schedule time zone.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the associating unit associates the document of the entire specific box with the selected schedule.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising job reservation display means for displaying a reservation status of a print job whose start time is set by the job start time calculation means.   2. The print control unit according to claim 1, wherein when there is a print job whose job start time is reached, the print control unit executes the print job with priority over other print jobs including the print job being executed. The image forming apparatus described. Password setting means for setting a password in advance in a document associated with the schedule;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a print approval unit that approves printing of the document with a password when the password is set to the job start time of the document.   The print approval unit, when the job start time of the document for which the password is set, reaches the notification destination that has been addressed in advance by the notification unit after the document is expanded and the print job is interrupted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein notification for print approval is performed by electronic mail.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an interface unit for importing a schedule managed by the schedule management unit from an external device via a communication unit. A scheduling method for an image forming apparatus capable of managing a schedule associated with document printing,
A job start time calculating step of calculating a print time required to print a document associated with a managed schedule, and calculating a print job start time so that the print is completed by the schedule start time based on the print time;
And a print control step of starting a print job at the job start time calculated in the job start time calculation step.   16. The scheduling method according to claim 15, wherein, in the job start time calculating step, the print job start time is calculated by calculating back the print time calculated from the schedule start time.   16. The scheduling method according to claim 15, wherein, in the job start time calculating step, a print time is calculated based on a print speed and the number of prints. A schedule management process for managing the schedule;
A document storage process for storing the document;
16. The scheduling method according to claim 15, further comprising an associating step of associating the schedule managed in the schedule managing step with the document saved in the document saving step.   19. The scheduling according to claim 18, wherein the associating step includes a schedule / document display step for displaying a schedule list and / or a document list, and an operation step for associating the selected schedule with a document. Method.   19. The scheduling method according to claim 18, wherein in the associating step, a plurality of documents are associated with the selected schedule.   19. The scheduling method according to claim 18, wherein in the document storing step, a plurality of documents are managed in units of boxes.   The scheduling method according to claim 21, wherein the box is managed according to a schedule time zone.   23. The scheduling method according to claim 21, wherein in the associating step, the document of the entire specific box is associated with the selected schedule.   The scheduling method according to claim 15, further comprising a job reservation display step of displaying a reservation status of a print job for which a start time is set in the job start time calculation step.   16. The print control process according to claim 15, wherein when there is a print job whose job start time is reached, the print job is executed with priority over other print jobs including the print job being executed. The scheduling method described. A password setting step for setting a password in advance in a document associated with the schedule;
The scheduling method according to claim 15, further comprising: a print approval step of approving a print of the document with a password when the password reaches the job start time of the document.   In the print approval step, when the password starts, when the job start time of the document is reached, the document is expanded and the print job is interrupted. 27. The scheduling method according to claim 26, wherein notification for print approval is performed by electronic mail.   19. The scheduling method according to claim 18, further comprising an interface step for importing the schedule managed in the schedule management step from an external device via a communication unit.   A computer-executable program for realizing the scheduling method according to any one of claims 15 to 28.   A storage medium for storing the program according to claim 29 in a computer-readable form.

Images