JP2009077102A - Electronic device, image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device, image forming apparatus, and program which shorten a period of user's work. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus allows one job to have a plurality of output destinations and executes a job designated by a user. The apparatus has at least a transmission function of transmitting images and a printing function of printing images and includes priority setting means (S203 and S205) for making the user set priorities of respective functions and a job execution means (S204) for executing jobs in accordance with set priorities. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, an image forming apparatus, and a program that execute a user-specified job.

  This type of electronic device, for example, an image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of functions, specifically, a printing function (Copy function), a transmission function (Send function), and a storage function (Box function). The Box function stores an image read by a scanner or the like in the HDD, and the Send function transmits the stored image. The Copy function prints a stored image.

  In the apparatus, each of these functions can be specified in one job, and various services are provided to the user by combining the functions of the controller of the apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 1). 2). For example, when the user wants to perform FAX transmission and printing of a predetermined image, the user designates one job that combines the Send function and the Copy function.

  In this conventional technology, when a user other than the above-mentioned user requests the apparatus to execute another job, the controller executes any job according to the content of the job. Decide what to do.

JP 2005-038096 A JP-A-7-143264

  By the way, when the Send function and the Copy function are used for one job as described above, the controller determines which function has priority. This is because the output destination from the controller is divided into different paths between the facsimile and the print engine, and processing using the image processing ASIC occurs for each output destination, and these functions cannot be processed simultaneously.

However, the priority determined for the controller is always fixed, and there is a problem that it is not possible to shorten the work period by the user.
In other words, from the user's perspective, the processing order of each function can change according to the current situation, but when the controller always executes in a fixed order, the processing is performed in an order contrary to the user's intention. Because it can be done. Then, the user cannot leave the device until the function desired by the user is completed.

As described above, in the conventional technique, only the point of setting the execution order of a plurality of jobs is shown, and the point that the user sets the processing order of a plurality of output destinations for one job is exceptional. There is no consideration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, an image forming apparatus, and a program that can solve the above-described problems and shorten a work period for a user.

  A first invention for achieving the above object is an electronic apparatus in which one job has a plurality of output destinations and executes a job designated by the user, and the priority of each output destination is a user. And a job execution means for executing a job in accordance with the set priority.

According to the first invention, the electronic device is configured such that a job can be designated by the user, and the one job has a plurality of output destinations.
Then, when the user designates one job and then sets the priority of each output destination in this job, the priority setting means sets the order of the output destinations in the order desired by the user. Then, the job execution means processes each output in accordance with the set priority and executes the job, so that it is possible to shorten the work period by the user.

According to a second invention, in the configuration of the first invention, the electronic device includes a storage function for storing an image in a storage device and a transmission function for transmitting the stored image, and the priority setting means includes a storage function. Among the transmission functions, the user is set to preferentially process the function selected in the higher rank.
According to the second invention, in addition to the operation of the first invention, the priority setting means sets that the user selects the function selected higher in the storage function and the transmission function. In addition, since the job execution means executes the jobs in the priority order, the function desired by the user is efficiently processed.

According to a third invention, in the configuration of the second invention, the priority setting means sets that a function with a short waiting period is preferentially processed when none of the functions is selected by the user. Features.
According to the third invention, in addition to the operation of the second invention, the priority setting means preferentially processes a function with a short waiting period when none of the functions is selected by the user. Since the job execution means executes the jobs in the priority order, the period until the completion of the job designated by the user is shortened also in this case.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first to third aspects, the electronic device transmits, as an output destination, a transmission function that transmits toward the first destination, and a transmission function that transmits toward the second destination. And the priority setting means sets that the user selects a destination that is selected higher among the first destination and the second destination.
According to the fourth invention, in addition to the operations of the first to third inventions, the priority setting means prioritizes the function selected higher by the user from the first destination and the second destination. In this case, the function desired by the user is efficiently processed because the job execution means executes the job according to the priority order.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for executing a job designated by a user, wherein one job has a plurality of output destinations, a transmission function for transmitting an image, and a printing function for printing an image. A priority setting means for setting a priority on processing selected by the user among the transmission function and the printing function, and a job for executing a job according to the set priority Execution means.

  According to the fifth invention, the priority setting means sets that the user selects the function selected higher in the transmission function and the print function, and the job execution means sets the job in the priority order. Thus, the function desired by the user is processed efficiently.

  A sixth invention is a program for an electronic device that has a plurality of output destinations for one job and executes a job specified by a user, the program being provided in a computer of the electronic device, A procedure for specifying a job to the user, a procedure for setting the priority of each output destination to the user, and a procedure for executing the job in accordance with the set priority are executed.

  According to the sixth invention, one job has a plurality of output destinations. When the priority of the output destination is set by the user, each output is processed according to the setting, so that the shortening of the work period by the user can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a program that can achieve a reduction in work period by a user.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the apparatus 10 is connected to a public line or a network. The apparatus 10 is a digital multifunction peripheral, and is a so-called multiple function peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP).

The MFP 10 includes, for example, a printing function (Copy function), a transmission function (Send function), and a storage function (Box function).
More specifically, the HDD (storage device) 38 stores a document (image) read by the scanner unit 32, a document transmitted from a personal computer, and a document received by the FAX communication unit 34. It has a function.

On the other hand, the FAX communication unit 34 also has a Send function, and transmits a document stored in the HDD 38 to the other party. The print engine 30 prints a document stored in the HDD 38 and has a copy function.
The print engine 30 includes an automatic document feeder (ASF) that transports a document to an image reading position of the scanner unit 32, a sheet supply unit that supplies a sheet, an image forming unit that transfers an image to a sheet, and a sheet that has been transferred. Are connected to a post-processing device that performs sorting, punching, stapling, and the like.

In addition to these functions, the MFP 10 also has functions as a network printer, a network scanner, or a network client. Note that network-compatible printer functions, scanner functions, and the like are used through a LAN or WAN.
In addition, the MFP 10 includes an operation panel 36. The panel 36 displays character information, guidance images, and the like in addition to buttons for touch operation, and is configured to accept user operations. The MFP 10 further includes a memory 40. The memory 40 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and stores setting data associated with printing and various programs.

  Various operations of the MFP 10 are controlled by the controller 20. The controller 20 is an element that functions as a computer, and has hardware resources such as a CPU and a memory device. The controller 20 uses the hardware resources to execute a predetermined program, and operates the print engine 30, the scanner unit 32, and the FAX communication unit 34 described above.

Here, in the MFP 10, the Copy function, the Send function, and the Box function described above can be specified in one job, and various services are provided to the user by combining the functions by the controller 20.
For example, when the user performs FAX transmission of a predetermined document and wants to perform copy printing of the document, one job combining the Send function and the Copy function is designated to the user.

  In this case, the controller 20 outputs a signal to the FAX communication unit 34 and the print engine 30, and performs processing using the image processing ASIC. As a result, the FAX communication unit 34 transmits the document to the other party, the print engine 30 prints the document, and the printed matter remains at the user's hand. The document manuscript is sent as evidence to the other party after FAX transmission.

Incidentally, the controller 20 of this embodiment includes a priority setting unit (priority setting unit) 22 and a job execution unit (job execution unit) 24.
In the above example, the priority setting unit 22 sets priorities of the FAX communication unit 34 and the print engine 30 that are output destinations, and outputs the result to the job execution unit 24. This priority is set by the user touching the panel 36 after setting the job.

The job execution unit 24 executes a target job by processing of each function. In the above example, the function of either the FAX communication unit 34 or the print engine 30 is preceded according to the set priority. And the remaining functions are processed after this processing.
More specifically, the controller 20 of the present embodiment can perform function priority control and period priority control in accordance with the user's selection.

The former function priority control is control in which, when the user desires early completion of any of the plurality of functions described above, the desired function is preferentially processed. In other words, the controller 20 recognizes the user's wishes via the panel 36, and the priority setting unit 22 sets that the user selects the function selected with higher priority.
On the other hand, the latter period priority control is a control that gives priority to a function with a short waiting period when the user desires early completion of all processes that are all functions. In other words, the priority setting unit 22 sets that a function with a short waiting period is preferentially processed when none of the functions is selected by the user.

In detail, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a process that the program causes the controller 20 to execute is shown. Hereinafter, an operation according to the present invention of the MFP 10 configured as described above will be described.
In step S201 in FIG. 2, the controller 20 reads a job execution scenario. This scenario is a scenario related to the function priority control selected by the user or a scenario related to the period priority control, and is set by the priority setting unit 22 when the user designates a job, and the setting condition is stored in the memory 40. ing.

More specifically, it is assumed that the user transmits a product estimate to the accounting department of the company by FAX and wants to print a copy of the estimate.
In this case, one job in which the Send function and the Copy function are combined is designated by the user. However, if the user wants to immediately hold the copy of the estimate and attend the product meeting immediately, the user can select the MFP 10. You want to leave as soon as possible.

  Therefore, in this case, the user sets the original document of the estimate on the MFP 10, designates one job consisting of the accounting department destination and copy printing on the panel 36, and then performs the function priority control, that is, the Copy function first. Then, the panel 36 selects that the Send function will be processed later. Thereby, the priority setting part 22 sets the scenario regarding the said function priority control.

  Next, in step S202 of FIG. 2, the controller 20 determines whether or not the scenario set by the priority setting unit 22 in step S201 is a scenario related to function priority control. If the scenario is related to the function priority control to process first, that is, if it is determined as YES, the process proceeds to step S203 to determine the order of processing by the function priority control.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the priority setting unit 22 confirms the function processing order in step S <b> 301. In the above example, first, the Copy function is processed, and after confirming that the Send function is processed after the completion of the process, the process proceeds to step S302. Then, the priority setting unit 22 determines the order of the processing, and proceeds to step S204 in FIG.

  In step S204, the job execution unit 24 first prints the estimate. As a result, the Copy function is completed earlier than the Send function, and the user can immediately leave the MFP 10 while holding the printed material and the original. Next, the job execution unit 24 transmits the estimate to the accounting unit by FAX, and exits a series of routines after the transmission is completed.

  On the other hand, if the user wants to immediately send the estimate to the accounting department by FAX, the panel 36 selects that the function priority control, that is, the Send function is processed first and the Copy function is processed later. Then, the controller 20 determines a scenario corresponding to the selection, the priority setting unit 22 determines the processing order, and the job execution unit 24 first transmits the estimate to the accounting unit by FAX. As a result, the Send function is completed earlier than the Copy function.

On the other hand, when the controller 20 determines in step S202 of FIG. 2 that the scenario set by the priority setting unit 22 in step S201 is a scenario related to period priority control, the process proceeds to step S205.
This is when the user wants to leave the MFP 10 after both the FAX transmission to the accounting department and the copy of the estimate are completed.

That is, in this case, the user designates one job consisting of the accounting department destination and copy printing on the panel 36, and then selects the period priority control on the panel 36 without selecting either the Copy function or the Send function. . Thereby, the priority setting part 22 sets the scenario regarding the said period priority control.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the priority setting unit 22 confirms the output waiting queue in step S401.

  Specifically, the priority setting unit 22 detects the queues for the Copy function and the Send function, and sets that the function with a small number of waiting jobs is processed with priority. Then, the job execution unit 24 processes in order from the function with the smallest number of waiting jobs. If the queue for the Copy function has a waiting job count of 2 and the queue for the Send function has a waiting job count of 0, the Send function is processed first, and the Copy function is processed after the processing is completed. After confirming, the process proceeds to step S402. Then, the priority setting unit 22 determines the order of the processing, and proceeds to step S204 in FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S204, the job execution unit 24 first transmits the estimate to the accounting unit by FAX, then prints the estimate, and exits a series of routines after the printing is completed. As a result, the entire processing period is automatically shortened as compared with the case where the estimate is first printed and then the estimate is faxed to the accounting department.

By the way, the output destination of the present invention may be a transmission destination instead of the above-described three functions.
Specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the Copy function, the Send function, and the Box function are specified in one job, but a plurality of destinations, for example, an accounting unit (first destination) are included in one job. Or the general affairs department (second destination) or the like is designated by the user, and when the user desires early completion of any of these destinations, the priority setting section 22 It may be set that the selected destination is preferentially processed.

As described above, the present invention focuses on the point that the user sets the priority of the execution scenario.
According to this embodiment, the MFP 10 is configured so that a job can be designated by the user, and this one job has a plurality of output destinations (functions or transmission locations).

  Then, when the user designates one job and then sets the order of processing to be preferentially performed among the output destinations in the job, the priority setting unit 22 sets the order of the output destinations to the order desired by the user. . And since the job execution part 24 processes each output according to this set priority and executes a job, it becomes possible to shorten the work period by the user.

  The priority setting unit 22 sets that the output destination that the user desires to complete early among the above-described output destinations (functions or transmission locations) is processed with priority, and the job execution unit 24 has priority. Since jobs are executed in order, functions and transmission locations desired by the user are processed efficiently.

  Further, the priority setting unit 22 sets a function of giving priority to a function or a transmission place with a short waiting period when the user desires early completion of all output destinations (functions or transmission places). Therefore, the output waiting stop period is reduced. Since the job execution unit 24 executes jobs in the priority order, the period until the completion of the function desired by the user and the transmission location is automatically shortened.

In addition, since only the software in the controller 20 needs to be changed, the manufacturing cost of the MFP 10 can be kept low.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
For example, the MFP 10 described above is an example of an electronic device, and the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices.

  Specifically, as long as an electronic device has at least two output destinations for one job and executes this job, other than a personal computer, an automatic ticket vending machine, a vending machine, an automatic teller machine (ATM), etc. The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus that accepts only an operation, such as a remote controller, and sends the operation signal to cause the main body to execute an operation. In these cases, the output destination desired by the user is efficiently processed as described above.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an MFP according to an embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of job execution control by the controller of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart of the function priority control of FIG. It is a flowchart of the period priority control of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming device (electronic equipment)
20 Controller (computer)
22 Priority setting section (priority setting means)
24 Job execution unit (job execution means)
30 Print Engine 32 Scanner Unit 34 FAX Communication Unit 38 HDD (Storage Device)

Claims (6)

One job has a plurality of output destinations, and is an electronic device that executes the job designated by the user,
Priority setting means for setting the priority of each output destination to the user;
An electronic apparatus comprising: job execution means for executing the job in accordance with the set priority. The electronic device according to claim 1,
The electronic device includes a storage function for storing an image in a storage device, and a transmission function for transmitting the stored image.
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the priority setting unit sets a function to preferentially process a function selected higher by the user among the storage function and the transmission function. The electronic device according to claim 2,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the priority setting means sets that a function with a short waiting period is preferentially processed when none of the functions is selected by the user. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The electronic device includes, as the output destination, a transmission function that transmits toward a first destination, and a transmission function that transmits toward a second destination,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the priority setting means sets that the destination selected by the user is preferentially processed out of the first destination and the second destination. An image forming apparatus that has a plurality of output destinations and executes the job designated by a user,
At least a transmission function for transmitting an image and a printing function for printing the image;
Priority setting means for setting that the user selects the function selected in the higher order among the transmission function and the printing function;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a job execution unit that executes the job in accordance with the set priority. One job has a plurality of output destinations, and is a program of an electronic device that executes the job designated by the user,
The program is provided in a computer of the electronic device,
A procedure in which the job is designated by the user;
A procedure in which the priority of each output destination is set to the user;
A program for executing a procedure for executing the job in accordance with the set priority.

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