JP2009278312A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a complex machine capable of permitting interrupt of a transmitted job in response to the content of the job even when an interrupt un-permitting mode is set. <P>SOLUTION: This complex machine 100 having an interrupt permitting/un-permitting means 502 setting whether interrupt of a job transmitted from a predetermined transmission source is permitted or not is provided with: an interrupt job content display means 506 displaying an interrupt job content screen with the content of the job transmitted from the predetermined transmission source displayed thereon when the interrupt permitting/un-permitting means 502 has not permitted the interrupt of the job; and an interrupt permission selection reception means 507 receiving, from a user, selection of whether the displayed job is permitted to interrupt or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus capable of permitting interruption of a job in accordance with the content of a transmitted job even when an interrupt non-permission mode is set.

  In recent years, as the multifunction of image forming apparatuses has been promoted, with the advancement of network technology, predetermined image data is sent from an apparatus (for example, a personal computer (PC)) connected to the network, and is converted into an image. Increasingly, forming devices perform.

  In an image forming apparatus in such a network environment, jobs transmitted from a connected PC or the like as well as jobs received from an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus may be received in an overlapping manner. In that case, it is necessary to set in advance which job is preferentially executed.

  For this reason, recently, an image forming apparatus that can set in advance an interrupt permission mode that enables an interrupt of a job that requires an emergency while another user continuously executes a job (for example, during continuous copying) has appeared. On the contrary, a mode called an interrupt disapproval mode in which priority is given to each job so that a job with a high priority is not interrupted by a job with a low priority, or no interrupt job is accepted has also appeared.

  However, in the interrupt permission mode, there is a problem that when an interrupt job is executed while a normal job is being executed, it is not possible to know which job is the own job. Further, in the interrupt non-permission mode, it is necessary to set in advance before executing the job. To switch to the interrupt non-permission mode later, it is necessary to temporarily interrupt the job, which is troublesome. Further, in the interrupt disapproval mode, there is a problem that the job must be temporarily stopped in some cases because it cannot be interrupted even when another user sends a very urgent job.

  In order to solve the above problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-235076 (Patent Document 1) discloses an image processing mechanism that executes at least one of reading and recording of an image; condition input for inputting an operating condition of the image processing mechanism Means; interrupt / reservation mode designation means; first set, second set and third set storage means for storing operating conditions of the image processing mechanism; and control of the operation of the image processing mechanism, and first When the image processing mechanism is operating according to the operating conditions stored in the set of storage means, at least two kinds of operations of the interrupt / reservation mode specifying means are identified, and the first of the interrupt / reservation mode specifying means When an operation is detected, the information input by the condition input means is stored in the second set of storage means, and the operation condition when the image processing mechanism starts the next operation is stored in the contents of the second set of storage means. Set to Control means for interrupting the operation of the image processing mechanism at that time and evacuating the contents of the first set of storage means to the third set of storage means when detecting the second operation of the loading / reservation mode designating means; An image processing apparatus is disclosed.

  With the above configuration, the operating condition for the next operation can be set even when the device is operating, and both the reservation mode and the interrupt mode can be specified by a single interrupt / reservation mode specifying means. Since it can be performed, there is no need to search for a special key when shifting from the reservation mode to the interrupt mode, and the operability is improved.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-129289 (Patent Document 2) discloses an interrupt mode setting means for interrupting a job in a normal mode in which a normal job is performed, and an interrupt non-permission mode in which job interrupt is not permitted in the normal mode. An image forming apparatus comprising: a setting unit; and an interrupt non-permission releasing unit for returning to the normal mode in the interrupt non-permission mode, wherein the setting of the interrupt non-permission mode or the normal mode is accepted even during execution of a job. Is disclosed.

With the above configuration, the mode can be changed even while the job is being executed in the normal mode, so that it is possible to change to the interrupt non-permission mode when the user thinks that the job is not interrupted after executing the job. Furthermore, even if you want to interrupt a job that needs urgentness even for a job that is running in interrupt non-permission mode, you can execute interrupt mode if you change to normal mode, so normal interruption is possible, Since the interrupted job has not been canceled, it is easy to resume the interrupted job.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-235076 JP 2006-129289 A

  However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the contents of the job transmitted to the image forming apparatus during job execution are not known, the transmitted job is often not permitted in most cases. There is a problem that jobs sent from the destination can hardly be interrupted. Furthermore, since it is not known whether the job is an urgent job or a normal job, there is a problem that the technology does not work for the user who has transmitted the urgent job.

  For example, when the user sets the interrupt non-permission mode, there is usually a high priority for his own job, and there is a problem that the transmitted job is often not permitted as it is.

  In addition, an interrupt job is one of the reasons for disapproval that the other party does not usually know who sent it.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and even when the interrupt non-permission mode is set, the interrupt of the job can be permitted in accordance with the contents of the transmitted job. An object is to provide a possible image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention controls whether to permit or not to permit interruption of a job transmitted from a predetermined transmission destination. In the image forming apparatus provided with the means, when the interrupt permission / disapproval means disallows the job interrupt, the interrupt job content display for displaying the interrupt job content screen displaying the content of the job transmitted from the predetermined transmission destination is displayed. And an interrupt permission selection receiving unit that receives from the user a selection as to whether or not to interrupt the displayed job.

  Jobs include, for example, work corresponding to copy setting conditions, facsimile setting conditions, scanner setting conditions, and the like input from the operation unit, copy setting conditions transmitted from other devices connected to the image forming apparatus, image data, etc. The work corresponding to.

  The predetermined transmission destination refers to another device (for example, a personal computer) connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. The predetermined transmission destination can be specified by identification information (for example, an IP address) given in advance to the transmission destination.

  Job interruption means that the image forming apparatus newly accepts a job having a condition different from that of the previous job while the received previous job is being executed. When job interruption is permitted, the image forming apparatus immediately stops the job being executed, temporarily saves information such as the setting conditions of the stopped job and where it was interrupted to a predetermined storage means, and interrupted. Will be executed preferentially.

  The method for disabling job interrupts is, for example, when the interrupt disabling mode is set, when the image forming apparatus accepts an interrupt job, it sets the accepted interrupt job until the current job is completed. Conditions and the like are temporarily saved in a predetermined storage means. When the job being executed is completed, the temporarily saved job is executed. For example, in the case of a copy service, the time when a job being executed ends is the time when an image-formed sheet is discharged, and in the case of a facsimile service, the time when read image data is transmitted to a predetermined destination, etc. Say.

  The job content refers to information related to the job, such as job setting conditions, function type, number of sheets, destination to which the job is transmitted, name of the sender, title of the sender, reason for performing the interrupt job, and the like. The reason why the interruption job is performed is, for example, an emergency meeting, an emergency business trip, or an emergency meeting. Of course, it doesn't have to be urgent. The contents of the job may be input by the user who performs the interrupt job at the transmission destination, or may be received by preparing a predetermined check item in advance and checking one of the check items by the user. Absent.

  The interrupt job content screen is a screen different from an initial screen or the like previously displayed on the touch panel of the operation unit, and is displayed on the forefront of the displayed screen when an interrupt job is received.

  The method of accepting the selection of whether or not to interrupt the job is, for example, a method of accepting an operation by pressing an interrupt permission key or an interrupt disapproval key among predetermined operation keys provided in the operation unit, and an operation Display the item or soft key or screen related to the selection on the touch panel provided in the unit and accept it by pressing the item, etc., prepare a touch pen that can be input near the touch panel, and touch the touch pen For example, a method of accepting the pressing of etc. When accepting the selection, for example, a predetermined selection item may be displayed in a pop-up.

  Further, the interrupt permission selection accepting means may be configured to include an interrupt selection notifying means for notifying the transmission destination of the accepted selection when accepting selection from the user as to whether or not to interrupt.

  When the received selection is notified to the transmission destination, the contents include, for example, a reply that interrupts the job, a reply that does not interrupt the job, and the like. Further, a predetermined keyboard key or a handwritten information reception screen may be displayed on the image forming apparatus, a predetermined message may be received from the user, and the message may be notified to the transmission destination together with the selected content. Absent. The message includes, for example, that the job being executed is a material for an urgent meeting, a material for an urgent business trip, and a material for an urgent meeting. Of course, it doesn't have to be urgent. In addition, it may be configured to notify the name or title of the user who is monitoring the job being executed, in other words, who is operating in front of the image forming apparatus.

  Further, when the interrupt permission selection accepting unit accepts a selection from the user that the job is not interrupted, the job is temporarily stored in the job storage unit, and the temporarily stored job is executed after the current job is completed. A job storage execution unit may be provided.

  The end point of the job currently being performed may be, for example, a point in time when all the previously received jobs are ended or a plurality of jobs are received, but may be a point in time when the currently performed job is ended. In the latter case, for example, the remaining jobs can be configured to be temporarily stored in the job storage unit.

  The job storage means may use a storage medium provided in advance or a storage medium connected from the outside. The form of the recording medium is, for example, an optical storage medium (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW), magnetic storage A medium to be performed (flexible disk), a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a RAM, or a storage medium related thereto can be employed. Note that the job recording means may be realized by using a recording medium that is used when a normal job is executed. You may implement | achieve by using a recording medium.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the interrupt permission / disapproval unit disallows job interruption, the interrupt job content for displaying the interrupt job content screen displaying the content of the job transmitted from the predetermined transmission destination The display unit and an interrupt permission selection receiving unit that receives from the user a selection as to whether or not to interrupt the displayed job are provided.

  As a result, even a user who has set interrupt disapproval can select whether or not to interrupt the job depending on the content of the interrupt job. Therefore, even if the interrupt disapproval is set, the user can execute the interrupt job flexibly according to the contents without interrupting the interrupt of the job. Also, the user who has transmitted the interrupt job is given an opportunity to interrupt the job, and the convenience of both can be improved.

  Furthermore, when the interrupt permission selection accepting means accepts a selection as to whether or not to interrupt from a user, it can be configured to include an interrupt selection notifying means for notifying the destination of the accepted selection.

  As a result, the user who sent the interrupt job can know the result of whether or not the job can be interrupted, and can quickly determine the next action to be taken based on the conclusion. . For example, if the user knows that the interrupt job is permitted, the user will go to pick up a sheet to be output to the image forming apparatus that executes the job, and if the user knows that the interrupt job is not permitted, The user will act to execute the interrupt job after the current job is completed or to transmit the interrupt job again to another image forming apparatus. That is, the reply of the result makes it easier for the user to set the next action guideline.

  Further, when the interrupt permission selection accepting unit accepts a selection from the user that the job is not interrupted, the job is temporarily stored in the job storage unit, and the temporarily stored job is executed after the current job is completed. A job storage execution unit can be provided.

  As a result, even if the interrupt job is not permitted, the interrupt job is executed when the current job is completed. Therefore, the user who sent the interrupt job does not need to send the interrupt job again, Will be eliminated.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus>
In the following, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a multi-function machine, a digital copying machine, a printer, and the like provided with a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like. And the like function as an image forming apparatus including the above.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted. As an example, the operation of the image forming apparatus when copying a document using a multifunction machine will be briefly described.

  For example, when a user prints a document using the multifunction peripheral 100, the document is placed on the document table 103 or the table 105 shown in FIG. The instructions are given. When the instruction is given, printing is performed by operating the following units (drive units).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 101 and a platen cover 102 attached above the main body 101. A document table 103 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 101, and the document table 103 is opened and closed by a platen cover 102. The platen cover 102 is provided with an automatic document feeder 104, a placing table 105, and a sheet discharging table 109.

  The automatic document feeder 104 includes a document conveyance path 108 formed in the platen cover 102, a pickup roller 106 and conveyance rollers 107A and 107B provided in the platen cover 102, and the like. The document conveyance path 108 is a document conveyance path that leads from the placement table 105 to the sheet discharge table 109 via a reading position P where reading is performed by the reading unit 110 provided in the main body 101.

  The automatic document feeder 104 pulls out each document placed on the placement table 105 to the document conveyance path 108 by the pickup roller 106 and passes the document drawn by the conveyance rollers 107A and 107B through the reading position P. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 109. When the document passes the reading position P, the document is read by the reading unit 110.

  The reading unit 110 is provided below the document table 103, and its details are shown in FIG. The reading unit 110 includes a first light source 111 that illuminates the document table 103 in the main scanning direction, a slit 116 that selectively passes light from the document table, and a mirror 112 that guides light from the document table. The moving carriage 117, the second moving carriage 118 including mirrors 113A and 113B that reflect the reflected light from the first moving carriage 117 again, and the lens group 119 that optically corrects the light guided by the mirror, An image sensor 115 that receives light corrected by the lens group 119, and an image data generation unit 114 that converts the light received by the image sensor into an electrical signal and performs correction, correction, compression, and the like as necessary. ing.

  When reading a document on the automatic document feeder 104, the light source 111 moves to a position where the reading position P can be irradiated and emits light. Light from the light source 111 is reflected by a document that passes through the document table 103 and passes the reading position P, and is guided to the image sensor 115 by the slit 116, mirrors 112, 113 A, and 113 B, and the lens group 119. The image sensor 115 converts the received light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the image data generation unit 114. The light received by the image sensor 115 is input to the image data generator 114 as analog electrical signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), where analog-to-digital conversion is performed. Digitized. Further, the image data generation unit 114 uses the sequentially converted digital signal as unit data, and corrects and corrects the unit data to generate image data including a plurality of unit data.

  The reading unit 110 can read not only the document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 104 but also the document placed on the document table 103. When reading a document placed on the document table 103, the first carriage 112 moves in the sub-scanning direction while emitting light from the light source 111, so that the optical path length from the light source 111 to the image sensor 115 is constant. The second moving carriage 118 moves in the direction of the image sensor 115 at a half speed of the first moving carriage 117.

  The image sensor 115 electrically outputs light from the document placed on the document table 103 based on the light guided to the mirrors 112, 113 </ b> A, 113 </ b> B, as in the case of the document conveyed to the automatic document feeder 104. The signal is converted into a signal, and based on this, the image data generation unit 114 generates image data.

  A printing unit 120 that prints image data is provided below the reading unit 110 of the main body 101. The image data that can be printed by the printing unit 120 is generated together with an image formation instruction from the network 202 via the communication cable 201 connected to the MFP 100 or the data generated by the image data generation unit 114 as described above. Sometimes sent. The network 202 corresponds to a public telephone line, the Internet, an intranet, or the like.

  As a printing method performed by the printing unit 120, an electrophotographic method is used. That is, the photosensitive drum 121 is uniformly charged by the charger 122, and then the photosensitive drum 121 is irradiated by the laser 123 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 121, and toner is attached to the latent image by the developing device 124. In this method, a visual image is formed and the visible image is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer roller.

  Note that in the image forming apparatus corresponding to the full-color image, the developing device (rotary developing device) 124 is rotated in the circumferential direction around a rotation axis configured in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A developing unit in which color toner is stored is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 121. In this state, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 121 is developed with toner stored in the developing device 124 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125A. The developing device 124 includes four developing units 124 (Y), (C), (M), and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). (K). By repeating the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 125A for each color, a full color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 125A.

  The paper on which the visible image is printed is one that is placed on a paper feed tray such as a manual feed tray 131 provided with a manual sheet feed roller 136, and paper feed cassettes 132, 133, and 134.

  When the printing unit 120 performs printing, one sheet of paper is pulled out from any one of the paper feed trays using the pickup roller 135, and the pulled-out paper is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125 </ b> A by the transport roller 137 or the registration roller 138. Feed between rollers 125B.

  When the visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 125A is transferred onto the sheet fed between the intermediate transfer belt 125A and the transfer roller 125B, the printing unit 120 fixes the visible image on the conveyance belt 126 with a fixing device. Send paper to 127. The fixing device 127 includes a heating roller 128 with a built-in heater and a pressure roller 129 pressed against the heating roller 128 with a predetermined pressure. When the sheet passes between the heating roller 128 and the pressure roller 129, the visible image is fixed to the sheet by heat and the pressing force to the sheet. The printing unit 120 discharges the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 127 to the discharge tray 130.

  The basic copy service processing in the image forming apparatus 100 has been described above. Also, when the multifunction peripheral 100 provides other services, the automatic document feeder 104, the reading unit 110, and the printing unit 120 are driven and provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation unit 200 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. Whether the user uses the operation unit 200 to input the setting conditions for providing the function as described above, press the start key, check the interrupt content display screen, or interrupt the interrupt job. Or enter a choice of no. The touch panel 301, the touch pen 302, and the operation keys 303 provided in the operation unit 200 are used when setting conditions, input of a predetermined selection, execution start of each service, and the like are performed.

  The touch panel 301 has a function for inputting the above-described condition and a function for displaying the input setting condition and the interrupt content display screen. That is, by pressing a selection item or the like in the screen displayed on the touch panel 301, a setting condition associated with the selection item or the like is input. Further, since the background color of the input item is changed from white to gray in conjunction with the input, the input item or the like is confirmed based on the background color. Also, for example, when a keyboard key is displayed, pressing a character, figure, symbol, etc. displayed on the key and selecting whether to interrupt the interrupt job, a predetermined message, comment, etc. Can be transmitted to the destination of the interrupt job.

  A touch pen 302 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301, and when a user brings the tip of the touch pen 302 into contact with the touch panel 301, a sensor provided below the touch panel 301 detects the touch destination. Therefore, the displayed item and the keyboard key can be selected by touching the touch pen 302. Further, for example, it is possible to display a handwritten information reception screen for receiving handwritten information and to provide handwritten information receiving means for receiving user handwritten information.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 303 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301, and for example, a ten key 304, a start key 305, a clear key 306, a stop key 307, a reset key 308, and a power key 309 are provided. The numeric keypad 304 is used for inputting specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction peripheral 100. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 corresponds to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 404, a communication interface 405, and each drive unit. A driver 406 is connected by an internal bus 407. The CPU 401 uses, for example, the RAM 403 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like, and receives data and instructions from the driver 406 and the operation unit 200 (not shown) based on the execution result. The operation of each drive unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is controlled. In addition to the drive unit, the CPU 401 executes the program to implement each unit. The ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like store programs and data that implement each means described below.

  Furthermore, the communication interface 405 is connected to the network 202 via the communication cable 201. For example, a copier 408, which is an image forming apparatus different from the MFP 100, and a user terminal A 409, a user terminal B 410, and a user terminal C 411 are connected to the network 202, and the CPU 401 includes a communication interface 405. Data is exchanged with the user terminal A 409 or the like connected to the network 202 via the network.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, even when the interrupt non-permission mode is set, the MFP 100 according to the present invention permits the interrupt of the job according to the contents of the transmitted job. Will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.

  First, when the user places the document P on the document table 103 and turns on the power of the multifunction peripheral 100, the condition accepting unit 501 displays an initial screen on the touch panel 301 (here, the copy setting screen shown in FIG. 7A). Is displayed. On the initial screen, in addition to the normal selection items (paper selection, density selection, magnification selection, monochrome or color printing selection, etc.) for setting the copy service, the interrupt permission / disapproval means 502 interrupts the job. An interrupt permission / disapproval setting screen 701, which is a screen for controlling (setting) whether to permit (also referred to as an interrupt permission mode) or not (also referred to as an interrupt disapproval mode), is displayed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the interrupt permission / disapproval setting screen 701 is popped up in the foreground on the right side of the initial screen. “OK” button 703 for setting interrupt non-permission setting, interrupt non-permission setting is not performed, in other words, interrupt non-permission setting is canceled and interrupt permission setting is performed. "Release" button 704 is displayed. Accordingly, the user can select whether to set the interrupt permission mode or the interrupt non-permission mode before inputting the copy service setting condition. For example, in order to allow the user to set whether to select the interrupt permission mode or the interrupt non-permission mode first and then input the copy service setting conditions, the interrupt permission / non-permission setting screen is displayed at the center front. May be configured such that only the input of the item or the like in the interrupt enable / disable setting screen 701 is accepted and the input of the item or the like displayed on the initial screen is not accepted (invalidation or the like). In addition, by default, the interrupt non-permission mode may be set.

  When the user presses an “OK” button 703 on the interrupt permission / denial setting screen 701, the interrupt permission / non-permission unit 502 accepts that the interrupt is not permitted and is received by the communication unit 503 of the multifunction peripheral 100. Control is performed so that the interrupt job is not transmitted to the function providing unit 504. In other words, the interrupt enable / disable means 502 sets the interrupt disable mode (FIG. 6: S101).

  Next, when the user inputs a setting relating to the copy service, for example, “100 copies”, and presses the start key 305 while viewing the initial screen, the condition receiving unit 501 sets the condition input to the function providing unit 504. The function providing unit 504 starts providing the function according to the condition (FIG. 6: S102).

  The input setting condition “100 copies” provides a function according to one setting condition, for example, “100 sheets of originals to be read”, “50 sheets” of duplex printing, bookbinding processing, and stapling processing. It is a condition that takes a very long time to finish. In such a case, the user stands in front of the multifunction peripheral 100 and waits until the provision of the function ends.

  While the MFP 100 is providing the function, another user who is a user different from the above-described user at the user terminal A409 connected to the MFP 100 via the network 202 has a predetermined function. When a predetermined button (for example, a printout execution key) is pressed in order to transmit image data (for example, a document, a pamphlet, a drawing, etc. created on the user terminal A409) to the multifunction peripheral 100, the user terminal A409 is interrupted. The condition display accepting unit 505 displays a job transmission screen, which is a screen for accepting input of setting conditions related to the copy service in the multifunction peripheral, on the display screen of the user terminal A409.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the job transmission screen is a user terminal for indicating that image data of a work screen 801 (for example, a predetermined document) on which another user is working is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 100. A display screen 802 of A409 is displayed in the forefront of the work screen 801, and in the screen 803, a message “Send job to MFP” 804 indicating that the job is to be transmitted, A series of selection items 805 indicating the conditions of a job to be transmitted to 100 (function type “copy”, number of copies, paper type “automatic paper”, density degree “automatic density”, and print magnification “ “Auto magnification”, monochrome or color printing selection “monochrome”, etc., “Send” button 806 for executing job transmission, and “CANCEL” button 807 for stopping job transmission are displayed. It is.

  Note that a series of selection items 805 shown in FIG. 8 is a list box in which selection items that are selected in advance are displayed in a box, and when the button on the right side of the box is clicked, other selection items are displayed side by side. However, even if all the selection items are displayed in a selectable manner as in the initial screen of the MFP 100, a plurality of selection items are divided into predetermined groups and selected for each group. You may comprise so that an item may be displayed.

  Therefore, while viewing the job transmission screen 803, another user uses the cursor 808, which is a pointing device, the keyboard attached to the user terminal A409, and the like to input the number of copies “3” and predetermined conditions regarding the copy service. When the “Send” button 806 is pressed, the interrupt condition receiving unit 505 transmits the input job condition to the interrupt permission / disapproval unit 502 via the communication unit 506 of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  At this time, since the MFP 100 provides functions under the conditions previously input and the interrupt disapproval mode is set, the interrupt permission disapproval unit 502 disallows the received job conditions. Then, the fact is returned to the interrupt condition display accepting means 505 (FIG. 6: S103).

  The interrupt condition display accepting means 505 that has received the fact that the interrupt disapproval mode is set is displayed on the display screen 802 of the user terminal A409, and an interrupt job that is a screen for applying the transmitted job to the MFP 100 as an interrupt job. Display the application screen.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the interrupt job application screen is displayed in place of the previously displayed job transmission screen 803, and in that screen, the MFP that has transmitted the job is executing another job. A message prompting whether or not to request a job “The MFP is currently executing a job. Would you like an interrupt job?” 705, a job condition 706 previously input on the job transmission screen 803, A series of selection items 707 (for example, “emergency meeting”, “emergency business trip”, “meeting”, “business trip”, etc.) indicating the reason for the interrupt job, a comment field 708 in which a predetermined comment can be input, and transmission A message “Send Sender Name” 709 indicating whether or not to send the sender name, a “Send” button 710 that sends the reason for the input interrupt job, etc. To stop the write job and a "CANCEL" button 711 is displayed.

  Corresponding to a series of selection items 707 and a message 709 indicating whether or not to transmit the sender name, it is a small square (for example, “□”) and a check symbol (for example, “□”) by a cursor 808 or the like. A check box 712 that can be inserted or removed is provided. Depending on the presence or absence of a check symbol in the check box 712 (“YES” or “NO”), a check box is displayed. Accept the message of the corresponding item. A check symbol is entered when the cursor 808 is set to a check box and a mouse button is clicked, and the check symbol is removed when clicked again.

  Then, while viewing the interrupt job application screen, the other user uses the cursor 808 and the keyboard, clicks the check box corresponding to “Emergency Meeting” among the reasons for the interrupt job, and inputs a check symbol. For example, a detailed reason corresponding to an urgent meeting “to start the meeting from 10:00 am” is input in the comment field, and a check mark is added to a check box corresponding to a message 709 indicating whether or not to transmit the sender name When the “Send” button is pressed, the interrupt condition display accepting unit 505 transmits the reason for the input interrupt job to the communication unit 506 of the multifunction peripheral via the network (FIG. 6: S104).

  The interrupt job content display unit 506 of the multifunction peripheral acquires information related to the interrupt job received by the communication unit 503, and displays an interrupt job content screen displaying the content corresponding to the interrupt job on the touch panel of the multifunction peripheral. (FIG. 6: S105).

  In the interrupt job content screen, as shown in FIG. 9D, a message “Interrupt job has been received” 901 indicating that the interrupt job has been received, and a sender column “Sender AA” 902 indicating the name of the transmission destination A job condition 903 (for example, copy, three copies, black and white, etc.) that is the content of the interrupt job, “reason for interrupt job: urgent meeting” 904 indicating the reason for the interrupt job, and other users can enter a comment field “To start the conference from 10:00 am” 905, which is the comment input to “”, is displayed. Note that the sender's title, department, etc. may be displayed together with the name in the sender field.

  Further, the interrupt permission selection accepting unit 507 displays an “permit” button 906 for permitting execution of the interrupt job and an “not permitted” button 907 for not permitting the execution of the interrupt job on the interrupt job content screen. The selection of whether or not to interrupt the interrupted job details screen job is accepted from the user.

  Accordingly, the user waiting for the completion of the job input by the user in the vicinity of the multifunction peripheral can determine that the interrupt job can be permitted while viewing the interrupt job content screen, and the “permit” button 906 is clicked. When pressed, the interrupt permission selection accepting unit 507 accepts the permission of the interrupt job, and in order to interrupt the interrupt job received at the present time, the interrupt permission / nonpermission unit 502 sends a signal to cancel the interrupt disapproval setting. Transmit (FIG. 6: S106 YES).

  When the interrupt permission non-permission unit 502 cancels the setting of interrupt non-permission and transmits an interrupt job to the function providing unit 504, the function providing unit 504 interrupts the function provision (job) that has been executed so far, and the remaining The contents of the job (the contents of the job being executed) are transmitted to the job accumulation execution means 509. The job accumulation execution unit 509 temporarily stores the contents of the received remaining job in the job storage unit 510.

  Next, the function providing unit 504 executes an interrupt job (FIG. 6: S107). When executing an interrupt job, for example, a shift member provided at a discharge port for discharging a sheet to the discharge tray 130 can distinguish a previous job sheet and an interrupt job sheet from each other. The position at which the interrupt job sheet is discharged is changed to a discharge position different from the position at which the job sheet was discharged. In this case, it is sufficient that the sheet of the previous job and the sheet of the interrupt job can be distinguished. For example, if a plurality of paper discharge trays are provided, a different discharge tray from the paper discharge tray that received the previous job sheet is provided. The sheet of the interrupt job may be discharged to the paper tray. For example, a partition material such as a blank sheet may be inserted between the sheet of the previous job and the sheet of the interrupt job.

  Further, when the interrupt permission selection accepting unit 507 accepts a selection for interrupting the received job, the interrupt selection notifying unit 508 transmits to the interrupt condition display accepting unit 505 that the interrupt job is permitted, and the selection is made. Is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal (S108).

  On the interrupt job permission screen, as shown in FIG. 9E, the message “Sent interrupt job has been permitted.” 908 indicating that the interrupt job transmitted to the MFP 100 is permitted is output by the interrupt job. A message “Prompt to take a sheet to the MFP that has transmitted the job” 909 and a “OK” button 910 indicating confirmation are displayed. When the “OK” button 910 is pressed, the interrupt condition display accepting unit 505 is configured to close the interrupt job permission screen. The other user presses the “OK” button 910 on the interrupt job permission screen, and goes to the multifunction device 100.

  On the other hand, when the function providing unit 504 of the multifunction peripheral completes the execution of the interrupt job, the job accumulation executing unit 509 reads the job temporarily stored from the job storage unit 510 and the contents of the job at the time of the interruption (remaining) The function providing unit 504 transmits a signal indicating that the function is provided again. The function providing unit 504 uses the shift member to set so that the interrupted remaining sheet of the job is discharged at a discharge position different from the discharge position of the previously executed interrupt job sheet, and the remaining job Will be executed (FIG. 6: S109).

  As a result, the interrupt job is appropriately interrupted and executed.

  Next, a case where the user does not permit interruption of an interruption job will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 9D, while looking at the interrupt job content screen displaying the interrupt job content, the user determines that the interrupt job cannot be permitted because he / she starts an emergency meeting at 9 o'clock. When the “No” button 907 is pressed, the interrupt permission selection accepting unit 507 accepts the disapproval of the interrupt job, and further displays an interrupt job disapproval reason acceptance screen on the touch panel for accepting the reason for not permitting (FIG. 6). : S106 NO).

  In the interrupt job non-permission reason acceptance screen, as shown in FIG. 10F, a message “Send reason for disabling interrupt job” 1001 prompting transmission of the reason for disabling the interrupt job, A series of selection items 1002 ("emergency meeting", "emergency business trip", "meeting", "business trip", etc.) indicating the reason for disabling the job, a comment field 1003 in which a predetermined comment can be input, A message “transmit sender name” 1004 indicating whether or not to send the sender name, a sender input field 1005 in which the sender name can be entered, and a “decision” button 1006 for determining the entered message and the like A “send” button 1007 for transmitting the input reason to the interrupt job destination, and a predetermined keyboard key 1008 for inputting a predetermined comment or the like. It is. The sender input field may be configured so that the sender's title, department, etc. can be entered together with the name.

  Corresponding to a series of selection items 1002 and a message 1004 indicating whether or not to transmit the sender name, the above-mentioned check box 1009 is provided to facilitate the selection. Further, for example, a handwritten information reception screen 1010 for receiving user handwritten information may be provided using the touch pen 302. Further, for example, an ID card reader capable of user authentication may be provided, and an automatic input means for automatically inputting the sender name read from the ID card into the sender input field 1005 may be provided.

  Therefore, the user uses the touch pen 302, the keyboard key 1008, and the “OK” button 1006 as appropriate while viewing the interrupt job non-permission reason acceptance screen, and responds to the “emergency meeting” among the reasons for disapproval. In the check box 1009, a check symbol is entered, and in the comment field 1003, for example, a detailed reason corresponding to an urgent meeting “to start the meeting from 9:00 am” is entered, and whether or not to send the sender name is determined. When a check symbol corresponding to the message 1004 shown is input, a check symbol is input to the sender input field 1005, for example, “AB” is input and the “Send” button 1007 is pressed, the interrupt selection notification unit 508 is executed at the present time. The job conditions and the input reason are transmitted to the interrupt condition display accepting means 505, and the interrupt job is not permitted. Displaying the surface on a display screen of the user terminal (FIG. 6: S110).

  On the interrupt job disapproval screen, as shown in FIG. 10G, the message “The interrupt job that was transmitted was not permitted.” 1011 indicating that the interrupt job transmitted to the MFP 100 has been disabled is displayed. The sender “sender AB” 1012 indicating the name of the transmission destination that rejected the job, and the condition 1013 of the currently executed job out of the contents that prohibit the interrupt job (for example, copy, 100 copies, Black and white etc.), “interrupt job non-permission reason: urgent meeting” 1014 indicating the reason for non-permission of the interrupt job, and a comment entered by the user in the comment field “to start the conference from 9:00 am” 1015 And a message indicating the next action guideline “Do you want to execute an interrupt job after the above job ends?” 1016 and its message "OK" button 1017 to operate in sage street, stop the transmission of the interrupt job and a "CANCEL" button 1018 are displayed.

  Therefore, when another user presses the “OK” button 1017 while looking at the interrupt job disapproval screen, the interrupt condition display accepting unit 505 sends another job to the job accumulation executing unit 509 via the communication unit 503. Sends a signal to temporarily store the interrupt job input. In response to this, the job storage execution unit 509 temporarily stores the interrupt job in the job storage unit 510 (FIG. 6: S111).

  When the function providing unit 504 terminates the job that was being executed when the interrupt job was received, the job accumulation executing unit 509 detects the end of the job, and transmits the interrupt job temporarily stored to the function providing unit 504. (FIG. 6: S112). The function providing unit 504 uses the shift member to set to discharge the interrupt job sheet at a discharge position different from the discharge position of the completed job sheet, and executes the interrupt job ( FIG. 6: S113).

  If another user presses the “CANCEL” button 1018 while looking at the interrupt job non-permission screen, the interrupt condition display accepting unit 505 closes the interrupt job non-permission screen.

  In this way, when the interrupt permission / disapproval means disallows job interruption, the interrupt job content display means for displaying the interrupt job content screen displaying the contents of the job transmitted from the predetermined transmission destination is displayed. Interrupt permission selection accepting means for accepting selection from the user as to whether or not to interrupt the received job.

  As a result, even a user who has set interrupt disapproval can select whether or not to interrupt the job depending on the content of the interrupt job. Therefore, even if the interrupt disapproval is set, the user can execute the interrupt job flexibly according to the contents without interrupting the interrupt of the job. Also, the user who has transmitted the interrupt job is given an opportunity to interrupt the job, and the convenience of both can be improved.

  Furthermore, when the interrupt permission selection accepting means accepts a selection as to whether or not to interrupt from a user, it can be configured to include an interrupt selection notifying means for notifying the destination of the accepted selection.

  As a result, the user who sent the interrupt job can know the result of whether or not the job can be interrupted, and can quickly determine the next action to be taken based on the conclusion. . For example, if the user knows that the interrupt job is permitted, the user will go to pick up a sheet to be output to the image forming apparatus that executes the job, and if the user knows that the interrupt job is not permitted, The user will act to execute the interrupt job after the current job is completed or to transmit the interrupt job again to another image forming apparatus. That is, the reply of the result makes it easier for the user to set the next action guideline.

  Further, when the interrupt permission selection accepting unit accepts a selection from the user that the job is not interrupted, the job is temporarily stored in the job storage unit, and the temporarily stored job is executed after the current job is completed. A job storage execution unit can be provided.

  As a result, even if the interrupt job is not permitted, the interrupt job is executed when the current job is completed. Therefore, the user who sent the interrupt job does not need to send the interrupt job again, Will be eliminated.

  In particular, when the capacity of image data in an interrupt job is significant, the transmission time of the image data takes a long time. Therefore, if the image data is temporarily stored in advance, the temporary job is temporarily stored after the current job is completed. By using the stored image data, it is possible to immediately execute an interrupt job, and no extra waiting time occurs.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when the selection that the interrupt permission selection receiving unit does not interrupt the job is received from the user, the job is temporarily stored in the job storage unit, but as another method, For example, if there is an image forming apparatus connected in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus that has received the interrupt job, the image forming apparatus connected in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus is detected when the selection that the job is not interrupted is received. It is also possible to provide a detecting means for executing the job transfer execution means for transferring the interrupt job to the detected image forming apparatus and executing the interrupt job. With the above-described configuration, it is possible to quickly execute an interrupt job that requires an emergency on another image forming apparatus. Further, the detection means can be configured to detect an image forming apparatus that is not executing a job at the time of detection in order to smoothly execute an interrupt job.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the interrupt permission selection accepting unit is configured to display the interrupt job disapproval reason acceptance screen when accepting the disapproval of the interrupt job, and accept the reason for not permitting. The procedure may be omitted, and it may be configured to simply return to the destination whether the interrupt job is permitted or not. In addition, a predetermined switching button may be provided, and switching means for switching whether to display the interrupt job non-permission reason acceptance screen may be provided.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the interrupt condition display accepting unit is configured to display the interrupt job application screen and accept items other than the reason for the interrupt job. However, the interrupt condition display accepting unit is modified according to the type of the image forming apparatus. -You may delete, abbreviate | omit etc., and you may increase other items generally used on a reception screen suitably.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the interrupt permission selection accepting unit is configured to display the interrupt job non-permission reason acceptance screen and accept items other than the reason for not permitting. Depending on the product type, etc., correction, deletion, omission, etc. may be made, and other items generally used on the reception screen may be increased as appropriate.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP and the user terminal are configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. I do not care. In the above configuration, the multifunction device or user terminal reads the program, and the multifunction device or user terminal realizes each of the above means. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a storage method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP and the user terminal are configured to include the respective units. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the devices configure the same network, Even if it comprises so that a means may be provided, there exists an effect of this invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the copy service is used. However, the copy service can also be used for a facsimile service, a scanner service, a printer service, a network scan service, a post-processing service, and the like.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like, and even when the interrupt non-permission mode is set, the image forming apparatus corresponds to the contents of the transmitted job. This is effective as an image forming apparatus capable of permitting job interruption.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the invention which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the display of the user terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Multifunction machine 201 Communication cable 202 Network 409 User terminal 501 Condition reception means 502 Interrupt permission non-permission means 503 Communication means 504 Function provision means 505 Interrupt condition display reception means 506 Interrupt job content display means 507 Interrupt permission selection reception means 508 Interrupt selection notification Means 509 Job accumulation execution means 510 Job storage means

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus including an interrupt permission / disapproval unit that controls whether to permit or not allow interrupt of a job transmitted from a predetermined transmission destination.
An interrupt job content display means for displaying an interrupt job content screen displaying the content of a job transmitted from a predetermined transmission destination when the interrupt permission disapproval means disallows job interruption;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an interrupt permission selection receiving unit that receives a selection as to whether or not to interrupt a displayed job from a user.   The image according to claim 1, further comprising an interrupt selection notification unit that notifies the transmission destination of the received selection when the interrupt permission selection receiving unit receives a selection as to whether or not to interrupt. Forming equipment.   Further, when the interrupt permission selection accepting unit accepts a selection from the user that the job is not interrupted, the job is temporarily stored in the job storage unit, and the temporarily stored job is executed after the current job is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a job accumulation execution unit.

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