JP2008126482A - Image forming apparatus, program and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid wasting sheet of a paper by using a method canceling a job or the like when the job which can not be bound into a book is transmitted. <P>SOLUTION: A bookbinding machine 30 for performing bookbinding of a printed article on which images are formed, a limiting number of sheets detecting means for detecting the limiting number of the sheets for bookbinding operation, and a printing number of sheets calculating means 18 for calculating the printing number of the sheets when transmitted data from a host computer 3 are printed, are provided. When an indication by the transmitted data from the host computer 3 specifies bookbinding operation by the bookbinding machine 30, and the printing number of the sheets obtained by the printing number of the sheets calculating means 18 is within a range of the limiting number of the sheets of the bookbinding machine 30 obtained by the limiting number of the sheets detecting means, printing is started, and until it is judged that it is within a range of the limiting number of the sheets and whether the printing can be performed or not is judged, only formation of printing image is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a bookbinding process, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium.

  Conventionally, in a normal printer, the final number of prints is not added to the head of data transmitted from the host computer, and it is not known unless the data is analyzed to the end. For this reason, if there is a limit on the number of sheets to be printed (such as the number of sheets to be bound) on a bookbinding machine, etc., if the printing operation is performed at the same time as the data analysis, it will be within the range of the limit number of sheets when the final number of printed sheets is known If it is found that the paper has not been printed, the paper that has been printed up to that point is wasted.

  Therefore, when post-processing such as stapling is used, the operation mode is changed for paper that has already been printed so that it does not exceed (or fall below) the post-processing limit. A configuration is disclosed in which the above-described problems are solved by adopting such a method that the operation is performed in the operation mode changed from the beginning after the next part (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent No. 3655442 JP 11-189365 A

  However, in the conventional techniques as described above, even when post-processing with a limited number of sheets is used, the processing is performed after printing. For this reason, when it is determined that the final number of printed sheets does not fall within the range of the limited number of sheets, this job does not produce the output intended by the user, and the paper that has been printed up to that point is wasted. There was a possibility of becoming.

  In addition, some users may think that printing is meaningless if the job cannot be post-processed correctly. In this case, if printing is started, the already printed paper is completely wasted. That is, it is desirable to cancel the job without starting printing. Another user wants to select operations such as canceling post-processing, canceling jobs, and performing post-processing even if a blank sheet is inserted when the limit is less than before starting printing. Sometimes you want to. Also in this case, if printing is started first, it may be desired to cancel depending on the job, and the already printed paper is wasted. As described above, if printing is started first, if it is outside the range of the limited number of sheets, there is a problem that the output cannot be performed in the form desired by the user, or already printed paper is wasted. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when using post-processing with a limited number of sheets, such as a bookbinding machine, the final number of printed sheets may be within the range of the limited number of sheets. Until it is understood, by only generating a print image without starting printing, if a job that cannot be bound is sent, a method such as canceling the job is used so as not to waste paper. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 analyzes data transmitted from a host computer, generates an image to be printed, and forms the generated image on a sheet. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a bookbinding unit that binds a printed material on which an image is formed; a limit number detection unit that detects a limit number of bookbinding operations performed by the bookbinding unit; and data transmitted from the host computer when printing The number of printed sheets obtained by the number-of-printed-sheet calculating means when the instruction by the transmission data from the host computer designates the bookbinding operation by the bookbinding means. Starts printing only when it is within the range of the limited number of sheets of the bookbinding means obtained by the limit number of sheets detection means, and is within the range of the limited number of sheets Until it is determined whether the determination to printing, and performs only the generation of the print image.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission data is analyzed to the end, and after all the print images are generated, the final print number is obtained by the print number calculation means, and printing can be started / not possible. It is characterized by judging.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, each time a printed image is generated by analyzing the transmission data, the number of printed sheets up to the present time is obtained using the printed number calculating means, thereby limiting the bookbinding means. Regarding the upper limit of the number of sheets, it is determined that printing cannot be started when the upper limit is exceeded without waiting for the generation of the final page, and it is determined whether the lower limit has been reached after the generation of the final page.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that when it is determined that printing cannot be started, the job is automatically canceled.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 has an error history storage means for storing a history of errors occurring in the apparatus and allowing the user to browse the history of errors, and is outside the limit number of sheets. The job cancellation is stored in the error history storage means to notify the user.

  The invention according to claim 6 further includes an operation panel for displaying at least the state of the apparatus and performing an input operation. When it is determined that printing cannot be started, an error is displayed on the operation panel to allow the user to Is notified of the occurrence of the limit number error, and the user is allowed to select whether to cancel the bookbinding operation and start printing or to cancel the job.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that when it is determined that printing is not possible at the stage where the final page is not reached and an error screen is displayed, image generation is continued even during error display.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 8, when it is determined that printing cannot be started because the number is less than the limit number, the shortage number is calculated by subtracting the number of prints from the lower limit of the limit number, and printing is started and finally printed. After the page has been printed, the bookbinding operation is performed by automatically feeding the insufficient number of blank sheets.

  The invention according to claim 9 stores an error history generated in the apparatus and has an error history storage means for a user to browse the error history, and a blank sheet is added because the limit number has not been reached. This is stored in the error history storage means and disclosed to the user.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when an error is displayed on the operation panel, if it is determined that printing cannot be started because the number is less than the limit number, the bookbinding operation is performed by feeding an insufficient number of blank sheets. In addition, the user can select the method.

  The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that a tray for feeding a short amount of white paper can be set in advance.

  The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that a tray for feeding a short amount of white paper can be selected from an error screen on the operation panel.

  The invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that the limited number of sheets is obtained by communication between the image forming apparatus main body and the bookbinding means at the time of activation.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the upper and lower limit values of the limited number of sheets are transmitted from the bookbinding means at the time of activation, so that the main body of the image forming apparatus knows the limit number of sheets and stores it in the storage device at each activation. It is characterized by using.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the upper and lower limit values of the limited number of sheets for all connected bookbinding means are stored in advance on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the connected bookbinding means is the bookbinding means itself. The image forming apparatus main body side knows the type of bookbinding means and transmits the number of limit sheets to be used for each activation.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects is realized.

  The invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the program according to claim 16 to be executed by a computer is recorded.

  In the present invention, until it is determined that the final number of printed sheets is within the range of the limited number of sheets, printing is not started but only a print image is generated. When using post-processing with a limited number of sheets, even if a job is sent in which the final number of printed sheets is not within the range of the limited number of sheets, the paper should not be wasted. There is an effect that can be.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
In the case of using post-processing with a limited number of sheets such as a bookbinding machine, the present invention performs printing without starting printing until it is found that the final number of printed sheets is within the range of the limited number of sheets. Only the generation of the image for use is performed. That is, it controls the timing of the PDL analysis operation and the actual printing operation. This will be specifically described below.

The configuration of a laser printer is described as an example of the image forming apparatus in the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a laser printer. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a printer, reference numeral 2 is a controller, reference numeral 3 is a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host), reference numeral 4 is an operation panel, reference numeral 5 is a host I / F (interface), and reference numeral 6 is a program. ROM, code 7 is font ROM, code 8 is panel I / F (interface), code 9 is CPU, code 10 is RAM, code 11 is NV-RAM, code 12 is engine I / F (interface), code 13 is The printer engine, reference numeral 14 is an optional RAM.

  The controller 2 is a generic name for a control mechanism that converts print data from the host 3 into video data and outputs it to the printer engine 13 in accordance with the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host 3 or the network 15. It is composed of the following modules.

  The host I / F 5 is an interface for control signals and data from the host 3 to the printer and status signals from the printer to the host 3. The network I / F 16 is an interface for control signals and data from the network 15 to the printer and status signals from the printer to the network 15.

  The CPU 9 processes data (print data, control data) from the host 3 according to the program ROM 6. The RAM 10 is a work memory used when the CPU 9 processes, a buffer that manages and temporarily stores data from the host 3 in units of pages, and converts the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern and stores video data. Used for bitmap memory, etc.

  An HDD (mass storage device) 17 stores a large amount of data. It is also used as a place to store a document of a stored document print function for storing a print document received from the host 3 and printing it later. The NV-RAM 11 is a nonvolatile RAM for storing data that is to be retained even when the power is turned off. The program ROM 6 stores data processing and management in the controller 2 and programs for controlling peripheral modules. The font ROM 7 has various types of fonts used for printing.

  The engine I / F 12 is an interface for control signals and video signals from the controller 2 to the printer engine 13 and status signals from the printer 1 to the controller 2. The printer engine 13 forms and develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member by a video signal and a control signal from the controller 2, feeds transfer paper from a paper feed unit, transfers and fixes, and forms an image. To do.

  The operation panel 4 includes a display unit that indicates the state of the printer 1 and a switch unit that switches the mode, font, and the like of the printer 1, and performs display output of function buttons as described later. Also, a list screen of accumulated documents is displayed, and an instruction to print or delete the selected document is given. The panel I / F 8 is an interface between the controller 2 and the operation panel 4.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example according to the embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a printer 1 that prints a print job on paper, a bookbinding machine 30 that serves as a bookbinding unit that binds a bundle of paper images formed by the printer 1 using a predetermined bookbinding method, and a finisher that performs post-processing such as stapling and punching. 40.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 2 includes a print image generation means 17, a print number calculation means 18, an error history storage means 19, and a program module 20, which perform operations as described later. Further, the paper feed unit 15 includes a first tray, a second tray, and a third tray.

  [1] to [3] in FIG. 4 illustrate some bookbinding operations in the bookbinding machine 30 of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. [1] in FIG. 4 is case binding in which a sheet bundle on which a text is printed is wrapped with a cover of a large size. The portion corresponding to the back cover side is glued, and there are some that can cut three sides except the back cover side in order to adjust the size of the text and the cover. [2] in FIG. 4 is a ring binding in which a punched hole is formed in a printed sheet bundle and a ring member is stopped through the hole to bind the sheet bundle. [3] in FIG. 4 is tape binding in which a simple bookbinding operation is performed by attaching a tape with glue to a printed sheet bundle. In addition to these, standard staple as post-processing can also be regarded as a simple bookbinding operation, and thus can be an example of the bookbinding means of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the program 20 executed in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The PDL analysis module 21 is a module that analyzes the PDL data received by the image forming apparatus and generates a print image. The main responsibility is to receive PDL data from the network management module 23 through the mediation of the job management module 22 and to generate a print image on the memory secured from the memory management module 24 through the mediation of the job management module 22. Further, when generating a print image, device configuration information, for example, information such as the configuration of the paper feed tray / discharge tray and the paper size in the paper feed tray is required. From the system management module 26.

  The job management module 22 performs control related to the overall PDL processing, and is a module that makes a request to other modules mainly through processing required by the PDL analysis module 21 side. Mediation for passing PDL data received by the network management module 23 to the PDL analysis module 21, mediation for the PDL analysis module 21 to acquire device information managed by the system management module 26, and the PDL analysis module 21 required from the memory management module 24 Mediating for securing the memory and issuing a print request to the print management module 25 for the print image created by the PDL analysis module 21.

  The network management module 23 is a module that controls management of the network controller 16 and processing of received data obtained from the network controller 16. The main responsibility is to control the communication protocol (FTP, LPR, etc.) indispensable when receiving data from the host computer, receive data from the network controller 16, and pass the received data to other modules. FTP is an abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol, and LPR is an abbreviation for Line Printer Daemon Prptocol.

  The memory management module 24 is a module that manages a memory (such as the RAM 10) and an external storage device, and is mainly responsible for allocating and releasing the memory and the external storage device based on requests from other modules.

  The print management module 25 is a module that performs control related to print processing of a print image generated by the PDL analysis module 21. The main responsibility is to execute various processes necessary for causing the engine to print the print image stored in the memory / external storage device managed by the memory management module 24. Issue processing execution instructions, detect error conditions related to printing, and notify other modules.

  The system management module 26 is a module that manages and controls device configuration information and device status of the image forming apparatus. The device configuration information is information such as information on the attachment and detachment of the paper feed tray and paper output tray and the paper configuration in the paper feed tray. The device status refers to an error such as jam or out of paper during printing or standby. It is the contents. In addition to notifying other modules of this information, the main responsibility is to manage device settings (customizable items that change operation according to settings) by the user.

  The operation panel management module 27 is a module that manages display of the operation panel 4 and panel operation by the user. Based on a request from another module, the status of the image forming apparatus is displayed, a menu screen for changing the device settings managed by the system management module 26, and an error screen are displayed to prompt the user to take appropriate measures. That is the main responsibility. When a button is displayed on a menu screen or an error screen, the pressed button is recognized and notified to other modules.

  The service providing module group 28 is a general term for modules that provide various services such as the network management module 23, the memory management module 24, the print management module 25, the system management module 26, and the operation panel management module 27. These modules communicate with each other to share the basic operation of the image forming apparatus, and cooperate to respond to requests from higher layers.

(Operation example 1)
FIG. 6 shows an example of processing when data instructed to use bookbinding means is received in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In this operation example, the PDL analysis module 21 analyzes the PDL data to the end, generates all the print images, obtains the final print number by the print number calculation unit, and determines whether printing can be started. . As described above, when it is determined that printing cannot be started, the target job is automatically canceled.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, when print data is received, first, the first page is created by the PDL analysis module 21 (step S11), and it is determined whether or not the bookbinding operation is designated (step S12). If it is determined that the job is not a bookbinding job, printing is started as it is (step S17). On the other hand, when it is determined that the job is a bookbinding job, it is determined whether or not the number of printed sheets is within the range of the limited number of sheets after the image generation from the second page to the last page is performed in steps S13 to S14. (Step S15). Here, if it is within the range of the limited number of sheets, printing is started (step S17), and if it is out of the range, the job is automatically canceled by job cancellation (step S16). The above is the processing flow in the present invention.

  Normally, print data is added with various printing conditions at the beginning by a method such as PJL (Printer Job Language). However, the final number of prints varies depending on double-sided printing, interleaf insertion specification during printing, etc. For this reason, it is difficult to include the final number of printed sheets in this condition. For this reason, if the printing operation is started immediately after receiving data, when it is found that the final number of printed sheets is not within the range of the limited number of sheets, there is already paper that has been printed. Become. In this case, the bookbinding operation is impossible for the job, and printed paper is wasted. According to the present invention, since the number of jobs outside the limit number is automatically canceled without starting printing, it is possible to prevent unnecessary printing.

  By the way, as mentioned above, the calculation of the number of printed sheets is performed according to the printing conditions and the number of pages of the generated image. For example, if both sides are specified, 1/2 of the number of pages will be printed, and if a cover is attached to the body, +1 will be added. If the paper conditions (paper size, paper type) of the pages that should be paired on the front and back sides are different when specifying both sides, only the front side is printed as one independent page, and the back side is further paired with the next page. Since it is necessary to adopt a method such as configuring both sides, the number of printed sheets is further added in such a case.

(Operation example 2)
In this operation example, when automatically canceling a job in the operation example 1, the cause of the error is logged and the contents are disclosed to the user, thereby making it easy to understand why the job is automatically canceled. First, a table for storing a job identifier (job ID) and an error code of an error that has occurred is prepared in the image forming apparatus main body as shown in FIG.

  The error code column of this table preferably stores a plurality of errors in order to deal with a plurality of errors that occur simultaneously. If it is determined that the number is outside the range of the limit number, an identification ID (error code) indicating a limit number error assigned in advance to this table is registered. Then, the contents of this table can be browsed from the operation panel 4 or on the Web, so that the reason why the job is automatically canceled is disclosed to the user. In this case, it is desirable not to display the internal error code directly, but to display an error message corresponding to the error code so that the limit number of sheets error can be directly understood. According to the present invention, when the job is automatically canceled in the operation example 1, the reason becomes easy to understand, and the convenience of the user can be further improved.

(Operation example 3)
FIG. 8 improves the operation example 1 and calculates the number of printed sheets every time one page is generated, so that processing can be performed before all pages are generated when the limit number is exceeded. In this operation example, each time the PDL analysis module 21 analyzes PDL data and creates one page, the number of printed sheets is obtained by the number-of-printed-sheet calculating means, and it is determined whether the upper limit of the limited number of sheets has been exceeded. . Regarding the lower limit of the limit number of sheets, it is determined whether or not the lower limit is not reached by obtaining the final number of printed sheets in the same manner at the stage when the generation of the final page is completed. As described above, when it is determined that printing cannot be started outside the range of the limited number of sheets, the target job is automatically canceled.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, when print data is received, first page image generation is performed (step S21) as in FIG. 6 described above, and then it is determined whether or not the job is a bookbinding job (step S22). ). If it is not a bookbinding job, printing is started (step S23). On the other hand, if it is determined that the job is a bookbinding job, printing is not started but only the generation of the next and subsequent pages is performed (step S24). After the next page is created, one page is generated. The number of prints is calculated and it is determined whether the upper limit of the limit number has been exceeded at present (step S25). As a result, if it is over, the job is canceled (step S26). On the other hand, if it is determined that the page is not over, it is determined whether or not this page is the last page (step S27), and steps S24 to S27 are repeated until the last page is generated. To do. Subsequently, when the generation of the final page is completed, the final number of printed sheets is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the lower limit of the limited number is reached (step S28). If it is below, the job is canceled (step S29). On the other hand, if it is not below, that is, within the range of the limited number of sheets, printing is started (step S30).

  According to the present invention, jobs outside the limited number of sheets are automatically canceled without starting printing, so it is possible to prevent unnecessary printing. In addition, the upper limit over-determination can be determined more quickly than in the case of the operation example 1, so that the image forming apparatus does not spend time on unnecessary processing, and the influence of processing performance on subsequent jobs is reduced. Thus, efficient processing can be performed. According to the present invention, when the job is automatically canceled in the operation example 1, the reason becomes easy to understand, and the convenience of the user can be further improved.

(Operation example 4)
In this operation example, when the job is automatically canceled in the operation example 3, the cause of the error is logged and the contents are disclosed to the user, thereby making it easy to understand why the job is automatically canceled. The realization method is the same as in Operation Example 2.

(Operation example 5)
FIG. 9 shows an improvement of the first operation example, in which the user can select an operation instead of automatically canceling the job. In FIG. 9, the process from the process of checking whether the number of printed sheets is within the range of the limit number in step S15 of FIG. 6 described above is described.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the number of printed sheets is within the limit number (step S31), and if it is determined that the number of printed sheets is outside the range of the limit number, on the operation panel 4 of the image forming apparatus. An error screen is displayed (step S32). This error screen indicates that the job is not capable of bookbinding, and is a screen for selecting whether to cancel the bookbinding operation or cancel the job. FIG. 10 shows an example of this error screen. In this error screen, as shown in the figure, the bookbinding cancel button and job cancel button are output so that they can be pressed, and a message as shown in the figure is output.

  After the error screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not the cancel button has been pressed (step S33). When the cancel button is pressed, the bookbinding operation is canceled and printing is started as normal printing (step S34). On the other hand, if the cancel button has not been pressed, it is further determined whether or not the cancel button has been pressed (step S35). If the cancel button has been pressed, the job is canceled (step S36). A process of waiting for key input is performed until either key is pressed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to select whether to cancel a bookbinding operation and continue printing or to cancel a job according to a user's intention, and to provide an output result more intended by the user. .

(Operation example 6)
FIG. 11 shows an improvement of the operation example 3 in which the user can select an operation instead of automatically canceling the job. The realization method is the same as the operation example 5.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, when print data is received, the first page image is generated (step S41) as described above, and then it is determined whether the job is a bookbinding job (step S42). . If it is not a bookbinding job, printing is started (step S43). On the other hand, in the case of a bookbinding job, printing is not started but only the generation of the next and subsequent pages is performed (step S44). After the generation of the next page, the number of printed sheets is generated each time one page is generated. Is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the upper limit of the limit number is exceeded at the present time (step S45). As a result, if it is over, an error screen is displayed on the operation panel 4 (step S46).

  The error screen is a screen as shown in FIG. If not, it is determined whether or not this page is the last page (step S47), and steps S44 to S47 are repeatedly executed until the last page is generated. When the generation of the final page is completed, the final number of printed sheets is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the lower limit of the limited number is reached (step S48). Here, if it is lower, an error screen is displayed on the operation panel 4 (step S49), and if it is not lower, that is, within the range of the limited number of sheets, printing is started (step S50). If an error screen is displayed in step S46 and step S49, the subsequent processing is the same as in FIG.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to select whether to cancel the bookbinding operation and continue printing or cancel the job according to the user's intention, and to provide an output result in a form desired by the user.

(Operation example 7)
This operation example is characterized in that when an error screen is displayed on the operation panel 4 in the operation example 6, image generation by the PDL analysis module 21 is continuously performed. On the error screen, you can select to continue printing by canceling the bookbinding operation, so if you continue to generate images behind the display of the error screen, when canceling is selected, it will be The page can be generated in advance. This reduces the possibility that the printing performance of the image forming apparatus that is waiting for image generation at the time of printing cannot be fully satisfied, and enables image processing of subsequent jobs to be started quickly, enabling efficient processing. Become.

(Operation example 8)
In this operation example, the previous operation example has been improved, and when it is determined that printing cannot be started under conditions that are below the lower limit of the limit number of sheets, bookbinding is performed by feeding the insufficient number of sheets as blank paper without printing. It is characterized by performing operations.

  Here, as one example of application, FIG. 12 shows a case where the method is applied after step S15 in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, first, it is determined whether or not it is within the range of the limited number of sheets (step S51). If the result is out of the range, it is further determined whether or not the lower limit of the limited number of sheets is exceeded (step S51). S52). As a result, if it is not lower, that is, if the upper limit of the limit number is exceeded, the job is canceled as in FIG. 6 (step S53). In addition, when applied to other than the operation example 1, an error screen is displayed. On the other hand, when the number is below the lower limit of the limit number, the shortage number is calculated (step S54). This can be obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the lower limit of the limited number of sheets. Next, printing is started and printing is performed up to the last page (step S55), and then an insufficient amount of white paper is fed (step S56). As a result, the number of sheets is within the limited number of sheets, so the bookbinding operation is finally executed (step S57) to obtain a bookbinding product.

  According to the present invention, even when the number of printed sheets does not reach the lower limit of the limit number, the bookbinding operation can be performed by inserting the insufficient number of sheets with blank paper.

(Operation example 9)
In this operation example, the operation example 8 is improved, and when blank paper is automatically fed, a mechanism is used to log the cause of the error and disclose the contents to the user, as in the operation example 2 and the operation example 4. This makes it easy to understand why the white paper is automatically fed. The realization method is the same as in Operation Example 2.

(Operation example 10)
In this operation example, the operation example 8 and the operation example 9 are improved so that the user can select whether or not to feed blank paper. The operation example 8 and the operation example 9 can be applied to the methods of the operation example 5 and the operation example 6, but at this time, when the error display is performed when the number is outside the range of the limit number, When the value falls below the lower limit, a button for feeding blank paper and continuing bookbinding printing is displayed.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of this error screen. As shown in FIG. 13, a bookbinding release button, a blank page insert button, and a job cancel button are output so that they can be pressed, and a message as shown is output. According to the present invention, when the lower limit of the limited number of sheets is not reached, the user can select to continue the bookbinding printing by feeding a blank sheet, and the user can output in a form desired by the user.

(Operation example 11)
In this operation example, the operation example 8 is improved to the operation example 10 so that the user can set in advance which tray the white paper is fed from. This setting is added to the device setting items managed by the system management module 26 and can be set in advance from a menu screen or the like.

  According to the present invention, a user can set in advance a tray for feeding blank paper when the number of sheets is less than the limit, and it is possible to set paper for this purpose in advance. Can be planned.

(Operation example 12)
In this operation example, the operation example 10 is improved so that it is possible to specify from which tray a white paper is to be fed from an error screen. In the error screen of the operation example 10, there is a button for feeding blank paper, but it is characterized in that it is possible to further select a tray on this screen.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of this error screen. As shown in FIG. 14, a bookbinding cancel button, a blank paper insert button, a job cancel button, and a tray selection button to be fed are output so that they can be pressed, and a message as shown is output. In the example of FIG. 14, if you want to feed blank paper, first select the button in the bottom paper feed tray to highlight it, and then select Insert Blank Paper to feed blank paper from the tray you want. Can be paper. Thereby, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

(Operation Example 13)
This operation example describes a method of detecting the limited number of bookbinding means in the operation examples 1 to 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the bookbinding unit and the image forming apparatus main body are connected to each other with a sheet conveyance path, but are also electrically connected to each other. A bookbinding operation is performed by issuing various instructions from the image forming apparatus main body. That is, since communication is performed with each other, the image forming apparatus main body side can also know the limited number of bookbinding means using this communication.

  In this operation example, when the image forming apparatus is activated, the upper and lower limit values of the limited number of sheets are transmitted from the bookbinding means to the image forming apparatus main body, so that the image forming apparatus main body knows the limited number of sheets. . The transmission of the upper and lower limit values can be considered both in the case of a unilateral notification from the bookbinding means side and in the case of a response to an inquiry from the image forming apparatus main body side. Note that the upper and lower limit values obtained by this communication are stored in the memory and used in subsequent determinations.

(Operation Example 14)
This operation example describes another method for detecting the limited number of sheets as in the operation example 13. In operation example 13, the upper and lower limit values are obtained from the bookbinding means side by communication. However, in this operation example, the image forming apparatus main body side has bookbinding means that can be mounted in advance and a corresponding table of upper and lower limit values. When an identifier for identifying itself is transmitted from the bookbinding means side at startup, the image forming apparatus main body side knows which bookbinding means is connected, and based on it, which value in the table It is characterized by taking a method of deciding whether to use it.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of this table. In the case of the operation example 13, although there is an influence such as an increase in communication at the time of start-up or the addition of a command at the time of communication, it is possible to cope with any bookbinding means, and a new bookbinding means later. Even if the image forming device is made, there is an advantage that the firmware on the image forming apparatus main body side can be handled without any change.

  On the other hand, in the case of the operation example 14, since it is necessary to prepare a table in advance, there is no advantage as described above. However, it is general to notify the image forming apparatus main body of the connection of the bookbinding means. Since this is done, there is an advantage that there is no cost increase associated with the addition of a new communication command. In general, the communication path between the post-processing device and the image forming apparatus main body is often not designed for a large amount of data communication, and there is a problem that adding a command requires a review of the command system itself. There are many cases. Depending on the design policy and the margin of data communication, it may be advantageous to have a table in the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  Incidentally, the operation example described so far is realized by reading and executing a program recorded in a predetermined recording medium. Here, in addition to “portable physical media” such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card, the predetermined recording medium is provided inside and outside the apparatus. Any recording medium that records an image forming program that can be read by the present apparatus, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), is included.

  That is, the image forming program is recorded on a recording medium such as the above-mentioned “portable physical medium” or “fixed physical medium” so as to be readable by a computer. The image forming method of the present invention is realized by reading and executing an image forming program from a medium. Note that this image forming program is not limited to be executed by the image forming apparatus, but when another computer system or server executes the program, or when they cooperate to execute the program. Even in this case, the present invention can be similarly applied.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus, the program, and the computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention are useful for a system that binds a print job, and particularly when a job that cannot be bound is transmitted. This is suitable for a system that avoids waste of paper by doing so.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a bookbinding system in the bookbinding machine concerning embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a program module of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example (1) of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example (1) of an error history table of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example (3) of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example (5) of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an error screen (1) of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example (6) of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example (8) of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example (2) of an error screen of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an error screen (3) of the image forming apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the error log | history table example (2) of the image forming apparatus concerning Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer 2 Controller 3 Host computer 4 Operation panel 9 CPU
10 RAM
11 NV-RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Printer engine 15 Paper feed part 20 Program module 21 PDL analysis module 22 Job management module 23 Network management module 24 Memory management module 25 Print management module 26 System management module 27 Operation panel management module 30 Bookbinding machine

Claims (17)

An image forming apparatus that analyzes data transmitted from a host computer, generates an image to be printed, and forms the generated image on paper.
A bookbinding means for binding a printed material on which an image is formed;
Limit number detecting means for detecting a limit number of bookbinding operations by the bookbinding means;
A print number calculation means for calculating the number of prints when the transmission data from the host computer is printed;
Have
When the instruction by the transmission data from the host computer specifies a bookbinding operation by the bookbinding means,
Printing is started only when the number of printed sheets obtained by the number-of-printed-sheet calculating means is within the range of the limited number of bookbinding means obtained by the limit number detecting means,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that only a print image is generated until it is determined that printing is within a limited number of sheets and whether or not printing is possible.   The transmission data is analyzed to the end, and after all the print images are generated, the final number of printed sheets is obtained by the number-of-printed-sheet calculating means to determine whether printing can be started or not. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   Each time one page of a print image is generated by analyzing the transmission data, the number of prints up to the present time is obtained by using the print number calculation means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that printing cannot be started when the upper limit is exceeded without waiting for generation, and the lower limit is determined after generation of the final page.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that printing cannot be started, the job is automatically canceled.   In addition to storing a history of errors that have occurred in the apparatus, the error history storage means for allowing a user to browse the error history, and the error history storage means that the job has been canceled because it is out of the limit number of sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus stores the information in a storage area and informs a user. At least an operation panel that displays the status of the device and performs input operations,
If it is determined that printing cannot be started, an error is displayed on the operation panel to notify the user of the occurrence of the limited number of pages, and whether to cancel the bookbinding operation and start printing or cancel the job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a user is selected.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when an error screen is displayed when it is determined that printing is not possible at a stage where the final page is not reached, image generation is continued even during error display.   When it is determined that printing cannot be started because the number is less than the limit number, the shortage number is calculated by subtracting the number of prints from the lower limit of the limit number. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the bookbinding operation is performed by automatically feeding the blank paper corresponding to the amount of white paper.   A history of errors that have occurred in the apparatus is stored, and an error history storage means for allowing the user to browse the error history is stored in the error history storage means that blank pages have been added because the limit number has not been reached. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is disclosed to a user.   When an error is displayed on the operation panel, if it is determined that printing cannot be started because the number is less than the limit number, the user can also perform a bookbinding operation by feeding a blank amount of blank sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is selectable.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a tray for feeding a short amount of white paper can be set in advance.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein trays for feeding a short amount of white paper can be selected from an error screen on the operation panel.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the limited number is obtained by communication between the image forming apparatus main body and the bookbinding unit at the time of activation.   14. The upper limit value and the lower limit value of the limited number of sheets are transmitted from the bookbinding unit at the time of activation, so that the main body of the image forming apparatus knows the limit number of sheets and stores the number in the storage device every time it is activated. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The upper and lower limits of the limit number of sheets for all connected bookbinding means are stored in advance on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the connected bookbinding means uses an identifier for determining which bookbinding means it is at startup. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image forming apparatus main body side knows the type of bookbinding means by transmitting and uses the value of the limited number of sheets to be used for each activation.   The program which implement | achieves operation | movement of the image forming apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-15.   A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the program according to claim 16 to be executed by a computer.

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