JP2012061641A - Image forming apparatus and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that smoothly performs both a reserved print job and a non-reserved print job.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 includes: a job registration processing part 51 which stores the non-reserved print job and the reserved print job in a job data storage 32, when the non-reserved print job and the reserved print job are input; a job executing part 4 which executes the non-reserved print job and the reserved print job stored in the job data storage; a print permissible-level monitoring part 54 which monitors print permissible level according to a remaining amount of a print source; a replenishment-necessity determination part 52 which determines whether replenishment of the print source is required during an execution of the reserved print job, when replenishment-necessity confirming request for requiring confirmation of necessity for the replenishment of the print source; and a determination-result output device for informing a user of a determination result by the replenishment-necessity determination part.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program thereof, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and a program thereof that can specify an execution start time of a print job.

  An image forming apparatus having a print function cannot execute another print job during the execution period of a certain print job. For this reason, in an image forming apparatus shared by a plurality of users, when one user sets a print job for a long time in order to obtain a large amount of printed material at one time, other users can form the image for a long time. There arises a problem that the device cannot be used. In order to prevent such a problem, an image forming apparatus having a time designation function for designating the execution start time of a print job has been developed.

  In an image forming apparatus having a time designation function, a print job (hereinafter referred to as a reserved print job) can be executed at a desired time in a time zone where the use frequency of the image forming apparatus is low, such as midnight or early morning. It is possible to obtain a large amount of printed matter at a time without causing a problem. However, in times when the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus is low, no one may notice even if there is a shortage of printing resources such as printing paper or toner during the execution of a reserved print job. The reserved print job may be interrupted until someone notices a shortage of print resources and replenishes it.

  In order to prevent interruption of a reserved print job due to a shortage of printing resources, for example, in an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) described in Japanese Patent No. 4194616, when a reserved print job is set, the reserved print job is executed. Allocate necessary print resources in advance and reserve to execute the reserved print job when the non-reserved print job, that is, the print job that starts printing immediately after the image data of the original is formed, is executed before the execution start time of the reserved print job The remaining print resources are used without using the printed resources.

  However, since the image forming apparatus described in the above publication executes a non-reserved print job without using the print resources reserved for executing the reserved print job, printing sufficient to execute the non-reserved print job is performed. Even when resources are actually in the image forming apparatus, it may be necessary to replenish printing resources. Such a print resource replenishment operation is troublesome for a user who has set a non-reserved print job.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of smoothly performing both a reserved print job and a non-reserved print job, and a program therefor.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention that solves the above-described problems and achieves the object is a job registration that stores a non-reserved print job in which an execution start time is not specified and a reserved print job in which an execution start time is specified in a job data storage unit A processing unit that stores print resources consumed when the print job is executed, and executes the non-reserved print job when the non-reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit; A job execution unit that executes a reserved print job when a reserved print job is stored, and a print allowable amount monitoring unit that monitors a print allowable amount corresponding to the remaining amount of the print resource accommodated in the job execution unit And a monitoring result of the print allowance monitoring unit and the reserved print job when there is a replenishment necessity confirmation request for confirming whether or not the printing resource needs to be replenished Based on the content, a replenishment necessity determination unit that determines whether or not replenishment of the print resource is necessary during execution of the reserved print job, and a determination result of the replenishment necessity determination unit are notified to the user. And a determination result output means.

  In addition, the program of the present invention provides a computer that controls an image forming apparatus capable of executing a non-reserved print job in which an execution start time is not specified and a reserved print job in which an execution start time is specified in the non-reserved print job. And a function for storing the reserved print job in a job data storage unit; and when the non-reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit, the job execution unit of the image forming apparatus executes the non-reserved print job. A function for causing the job execution unit to execute the reserved print job when the reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit, and a print permission according to the remaining amount of print resources consumed when the print job is executed. A function for causing the print capacity monitoring unit of the image forming apparatus to monitor the capacity and a supplement for requesting confirmation of the necessity of replenishment of the print resource. Whether there is a need to replenish the print resource during execution of the reserved print job based on the monitoring result of the print allowable amount and the content of the reserved print job when a necessity confirmation request is made The determination function and the function of notifying the user of the determination result of whether or not the replenishment of the print resource is required by the determination result output unit of the image forming apparatus are realized.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the print resources necessary for executing the reserved print job are not reserved in advance, and therefore sufficient print resources for executing the non-reserved print job even when the reserved print job is set. Can be executed without replenishing print resources. Further, the replenishment necessity determination unit determines whether or not replenishment of printing resources is necessary during execution of the reserved print job, and the determination result is sent to the input / output unit. Can be output. For this reason, when it is necessary to replenish printing resources when executing a reserved print job, the user can be prompted to replenish the reserved print job before the execution start time of the reserved print job. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, both reserved print jobs and non-reserved print jobs can be smoothly performed.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram schematically illustrating an example of operations from setting a reserved print job to notifying / displaying a determination result of necessity of supplementing print resources in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of reserved print job data stored in the job data storage unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an input screen for a replenishment necessity confirmation request in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a monitoring result by the allowable printing amount monitoring unit in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of data comparison when the replenishment necessity determination unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 determines whether or not replenishment of printing resources is necessary. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen indicating a determination result of the replenishment necessity determination unit in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of reserved print job data stored in the job data storage unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation when the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 includes determination time specifying information for specifying a determination time for determining whether or not to supplement a print resource in the contents of the reserved print job. It is. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an input screen for inputting determination time designation information to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of user schedule information used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of replenishment person identification information used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows, based on the reserved print job and the reserved print job, whether or not it is necessary to replenish print resources or discard punch scraps during execution of one reserved print job in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a determination procedure when the replenishment necessity confirmation unit determines the consumption of print resources and the amount of punch waste generated in all reserved print jobs in the previous execution order.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus and the program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a function as a network printer, a function as a copier, and a function as a scanner, and can perform jobs such as non-reserved print jobs, reserved print jobs, and document storage. it can. In order to perform these jobs, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an input / output unit 2, a storage unit 3, a job execution unit 4, a job management unit 5, a determination result notification unit 6, and a timing unit 7.

  The input / output unit 2 receives an input signal 21 for a user to directly input an instruction signal and setting information, image data and setting information of a document to be printed connected to a computer network, and various message information and A communication unit 22 that transmits notification information and a display unit 23 that displays various images are provided. The input unit 21 includes a transparent patch panel and a plurality of operation buttons, for example, the communication unit 22 includes a transmitter and a receiver, for example, and the display unit 23 includes a flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel.

  The instruction signal includes an operation start signal and an operation stop signal of the job execution unit 4. The above setting information includes the print paper size, the number of copies, the print mode, the execution start time of the reserved print job, the presence / absence of stapling, the presence / absence of punching, and the user identification information that identifies the user who set the reserved print job Etc. are included. On the various images, an instruction signal / setting information / schedule information input screen, a confirmation image of the instruction signal / setting information input from the input unit 21, and a management content display indicating the job management content of the job management unit 5 are displayed. A screen, a job execution status display screen showing the progress status and execution result of the job in the job execution unit 4, various messages, and the like are included.

  The storage unit 3 includes a control information storage unit 31 that stores a program for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and a job data storage unit 32 that stores non-reserved print jobs and reserved print jobs. The storage unit 3 also includes a document accumulation data storage unit 33 that stores document data when documents are accumulated. Further, the storage unit 3 is time for replenishing the job execution unit 4 with user identification information for identifying the user of the image forming apparatus 1, print material that is a print resource consumed when the print job is executed, print paper, and staples. Also included is a schedule information storage unit 34 for storing user schedule information indicating a band for each user and replenishment person identification information for identifying a replenisher in charge of replenishment of printing resources. This memory | storage part 3 can be comprised, for example using a semiconductor memory element.

  The job execution unit 4 includes an image data forming unit 41, a printing unit 42, a printing paper feeding unit 43, a stapling unit 44, a punching unit 45, a paper discharge unit 46, and the job execution unit 4. And a job control unit 47 that controls the operation of each unit.

  The image data forming unit 41 includes an image reading unit (not shown) having a linear image sensor, for example. The image forming unit 41 may include an auto seed feeder (not shown) that conveys the document at a constant speed so that the linear image sensor reads the document, if necessary. The image data forming unit 41 operates under the control of the job control unit 47, and each of the image data of the document to be non-reserved printed, the image data of the document to be reserved printed, and the image data of the document to be stored in the document Form.

  Among these image data, the image data of the document to be non-reserved and the image data of the document to be reserved are sent from the image data forming unit 41 to the job data storage unit 32 under the control of the job control unit 47. And stored in the job data storage unit 32. The image data of the document to be stored in the document is sent from the image data forming unit 41 to the document storage data storage unit 33 and stored in the document storage data storage unit 33 under the control of the job control unit 47.

  The printing unit 42 executes the print job stored in the job data storage unit 32. The printing unit 42 also performs printing based on the image data stored in the document accumulation data storage unit 33 and the setting information input from the input unit 21. In order to perform such printing, the printing unit 42 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, and a photosensitive drum. A toner supply unit (not shown) for supplying toner. Furthermore, the printing unit 42 includes a printing material remaining amount detection unit 42a that detects the remaining amount of toner based on, for example, a change in mass of the toner supply unit or the number of printed sheets in the printing unit 42. The printing unit 42 operates under the control of the job control unit 47.

  The printing paper supply unit 43 has at least one paper cut (not shown) that accommodates the printing paper. Further, the printing paper supply unit 43 includes a remaining paper amount detection unit 43a that detects the remaining amount of printing paper in the paper cassette based on, for example, a change in the mass of the paper cassette. For example, the printing paper supply unit 43 is provided with a bottom plate whose height position changes in accordance with the mass of the printing paper in the paper cassette, and based on the height position of the bottom plate, the remaining paper amount detection unit 43a is provided in the paper cassette. It can also be configured to detect the remaining amount of printing paper. The printing paper supply unit 43 operates under the control of the job control unit 47 and sequentially supplies a predetermined number of printing papers to the printing unit 42.

  The stapling unit 44 includes a stapler that binds the printed matter printed by the printing unit 42 with a predetermined shape of needles (units), and a staple supply unit that supplies the staples to the stapler (none of which are shown). . Further, the stapling unit 42 is configured so that the needle in the needle supply unit is based on, for example, the amount of needle used in the stapler, the change in the mass of the needle supply unit, or the displacement of the delivery unit that sends the needle in a predetermined direction in the needle supply unit. A staple remaining amount detecting unit 44a for detecting the remaining amount of staples. The stapling unit 44 operates under the control of the job control unit 47.

  The punching unit 45 includes a predetermined number of punch blades for binding the prints printed by the printing unit 42 for each set, a punch blade drive unit for driving the punch blades, and a punch blade. A punch waste container (not shown) for storing punch waste generated by drilling. The punching unit 45 includes a punch waste storage remaining amount detection unit 45a that detects the remaining capacity of the punch waste storage unit based on, for example, the number of holes punched by the punch blade or the mass change of the punch waste storage unit. The punching unit 45 operates under the control of the job control unit 47.

  The paper discharge unit 46 includes a predetermined number of paper discharge trays on which the printed materials printed by the printing unit 42 are placed, and a transport unit that conveys the printed materials onto the paper discharge table (none of which are shown). And have. If necessary, the transport unit can include a stacking device that supplies the printed material printed by the printing unit 42 to the paper discharge table every predetermined number of sheets. The stacking device includes a stapling unit 44 and a stacking unit 44. At least one of the punching units 45 can be included. Of course, the stapling part 44 and the punching part 45 can also be provided separately from the above stacking device. The paper discharge unit 46 operates under the control of the job control unit 47.

  The job control unit 47 controls the operation of each unit in the job execution unit 4 based on the contents of the print job stored in the job data storage unit 32 as described above. Also, information related to the progress status and execution result of the print job is sent to the input / output unit 2. Further, at least during the execution period of the non-reserved print job, the detection results of the remaining printing material remaining amount detection unit 42a, the remaining sheet amount detection unit 43a, the remaining staple amount detection unit 44a, and the punch waste storage amount detection unit 45a are monitored. To do. When the detection result of at least one of the detection units 43a to 45a is equal to or less than the threshold value, an instruction signal for instructing display of a message for notifying the shortage of the remaining amount, supply of printing material, printing paper, or staples is performed. An instruction signal for instructing display of a prompt message and an instruction signal for instructing display of a message for prompting disposal of punch waste in the punch waste storage unit are sent to the display unit 23. The above threshold value is stored in advance in the storage unit 3, for example.

  The job management unit 5 receives the non-reserved print job, the reserved print job, and the source address (IP address, MAC address, etc.) information received by the communication unit 22 and the input unit 21 and receives the input / output unit 2 The non-reserved print job and the reserved print job are stored in the job data storage unit 32, and all reserved print jobs are managed. In order to perform these operations, the job management unit 5 includes a job registration processing unit 51, a replenishment necessity determination unit 52, a necessity determination request unit 53, a print allowable amount monitoring unit 54, and a schedule registration processing unit 55.

  The job registration processing unit 51 receives the non-reserved print job, the reserved print job and the address information of the transmission source received by the input / output unit 2 received by the communication unit 22 and the address information of the transmission source, and the input / output unit 2 receives the input information. The received non-reserved print job and reserved print job are stored in the job data storage unit 32. At this time, for the print job received by the communication unit 22 and received by the input / output unit 2, the print job and the source address information are associated with each other to form one print job data. In addition, for a print job input from the input unit 21 and received by the input / output unit 2, the print job is converted into one print job data. Then, job identification information for specifying the print job data is added to each print job data. The job registration processing unit 51 changes the corresponding setting information when an instruction signal for changing or deleting the contents of the reserved print job already stored in the job data storage unit 32 is sent from the input / output unit 2. Perform processing or deletion processing.

  The replenishment necessity determination unit 52 accepts a replenishment necessity confirmation request for confirming necessity of replenishment of printing materials, printing paper, and staples, which are printing resources, and confirmation of necessity of disposal of punch scraps. Is sent from the input / output unit 2 to the print allowance monitoring unit 54, and a request for obtaining a detection result is sent to the print allowance monitoring unit 54. The detection results of the amount detection unit 43a, the remaining staple amount detection unit 44a, and the punch waste storage amount detection unit 45a are acquired. In addition, even when there is a replenishment necessity confirmation request from the necessity determination request unit 53, a request for obtaining a detection result is sent to the print allowance monitoring unit 54, and the remaining amount detection units 42a to 45a are sent from the print allowance monitoring unit 54. Get the detection result of.

  The replenishment necessity determination unit 52 that has acquired the detection result replenishes print resources during execution of the reserved print job based on the detection result and the contents of the reserved print job stored in the job data storage unit 32. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not punch scraps need to be discarded. When it is determined that replenishment of printing resources or disposal of punch waste is necessary, the determination result is sent to the determination result notifying unit 6. To this determination result, replenishment amount information of the print resource determined to be replenished, job identification information for specifying the reserved print job, and user identification information for specifying the user who has set the reserved print job are also added. Further, for the reserved print job received by the communication unit 22 and received by the input / output unit 2, address information of the transmission source is also added. Of course, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured so that the replenishment necessity determining unit 52 sends the determination result to the determination result notifying unit 6 when it is determined that neither the replenishment of printing resources nor the disposal of punch waste is necessary. May be.

  The necessity determination requesting unit 53 monitors the contents of the reserved print job stored in the job data storage unit 32, and designates the determination time for determining whether printing resources need to be replenished and whether punch waste should be discarded. When the determination time designation information is included, the operation is performed at the time specified by the determination time designation information, and a replenishment necessity confirmation request is sent to the replenishment necessity judgment unit 52. Further, when user identification information, user schedule information, and replenishment person identification information are stored in the schedule information storage unit 34, the user schedule information of the user specified by the replenishment person identification information and the contents of the reserved print job Based on the above, a time at which the person in charge of replenishment can replenish printing resources to the job execution unit 4 or discard punch scraps is selected as the above judgment time, and the replenishment necessity judgment is performed at this time. A replenishment necessity confirmation request is sent to the unit 52.

  The input / output unit 2 inputs a replenishment necessity confirmation request or determination time designation information when an input permission request for permission to input replenishment necessity confirmation request or determination time designation information is input from the input unit 21. Is displayed on the display unit 23. At this time, when a signal indicating that the input permission request has been received is sent from the input / output unit 2, the job registration processing unit 51 confirms whether or not a desired reserved print job needs to be replenished or determination time designation information. For example, job identification information, user identification information, execution start time information, and determination time designation information in reserved print job data stored in the job data storage unit 32 Information etc. are acquired and these information is sent to the input-output part 2 as screen display information. The input / output unit 2 that has received the screen display information displays a list of information in the screen display information in the input screen.

  In addition, when the input / output unit 2 receives a request for replenishment necessity confirmation or an input permission request for requesting input of determination time designation information by the communication unit 22 and receives the request, a signal indicating that the input permission request has been received is received. The information is sent to the job registration processing unit 51, receives the screen display information from the job registration processing unit 51, and transmits the input screen information from the communication unit 22 to the transmission source of the input permission request.

  The allowable printing amount monitoring unit 54 operates when a detection result acquisition request is received from the replenishment necessity determination unit 52, and the remaining printing material amount detection unit 42a, the remaining sheet amount detection unit 43a, and the remaining staple amount detection unit 44a. The detection result is acquired from each of the punch scrap accommodation remaining amount detection unit 45a. The print allowable amount monitoring unit 54 sends the acquired detection result to the replenishment necessity determination unit 52.

  The schedule registration processing unit 55 stores the above-described user identification information, user schedule information, and replenisher identification information input from the input unit 21 and received by the input / output unit 2 in the schedule information storage unit 34 in association with each other. In addition, the user identification information received by the communication unit 22 and received by the input / output unit 2, user schedule information, and replenishment person identification information are also stored in the schedule information storage unit 34 in association with each other.

  The determination result notification unit 6 sends the determination result sent from the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 to the input / output unit 2. When the image data of the reserved job that is the target for determining whether or not the replenishment of printing resources is acquired by the job execution unit 4, the input / output unit 2 displays the above determination result on the display unit 23. In addition, when the image data of the reserved job that is the target for determining whether or not it is necessary to replenish the print resource is acquired by the communication unit 22, the input / output unit 2 sends the relevant data to the transmission source of the image data of the reserved job. The determination result is transmitted to the communication unit 22. The determination result notification unit 6, the communication unit 22, and the display unit 23 function as a determination result output unit that notifies the user of the determination result of the replenishment necessity determination unit 52.

  The time measuring unit 7 has a calendar function and a clock function, and always provides a time measurement result to the job execution unit 4 and the necessity determination request unit 53.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, each of the control related to the reception operation and the output operation of the input signal in the input / output unit 2, the job control unit 47, the job management unit 5, and the determination result notification unit 6 is one or Implemented by multiple computers. The program executed in the image forming apparatus 1 has a module configuration corresponding to the control in the input / output unit 2, the job control unit 47, the job management unit 5, and the determination result notification unit 6, and the actual hardware As for, at least one processor reads the above-mentioned program from the control information storage unit 31 and executes it. Accordingly, each of a control unit (not shown) that performs control related to an input signal reception operation and an output operation in the input / output unit 2, the job control unit 47, the job management unit 5, and the determination result notification unit 6 is mainly used. It is loaded and generated on a storage device (not shown) such as a storage device.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when a non-reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit 32, the non-reserved print job is immediately executed. If basic printing conditions for the number of copies, printing density, paper size, etc. are set in advance in the image forming apparatus 1 and the printing conditions of the non-reserved print job are the same as the basic printing conditions, the basic printing conditions A non-reserved print job may be executed below. On the other hand, for a reserved print job, the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 determines whether or not it is necessary to replenish printing resources and whether or not to discard punch scraps before the execution start time. A print job is executed. Hereinafter, the operation from the setting of the reserved print job to the execution of the reserved print job in the image forming apparatus 1 will be specifically described.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram schematically showing an example of the operation from the setting of the reserved print job to the notification / display of the determination result of the necessity of supplementing the print resource in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. An example of the operation when the determination time designation information is not included in the contents of the print job is shown. Since each of the apparatus components shown in FIG. 2 has already been described with reference to FIG. 1, these apparatus components are given the same reference numerals as those used in FIG.

  In this example, first, the reserved print job is received by the communication unit 22 (see FIG. 1), and the reserved print job setting step S1 in which the reserved print job is received by the input / output unit 2 is performed. The reserved print job Pa received by the input / output unit 2 in the reserved print job setting step S 1 is sent to the job registration processing unit 51. At this time, the source address information Oa of the reserved print job Pa is also sent from the input / output unit 2 to the job registration processing unit 51. The job registration processing unit 51 that has received the reserved print job Pa and the address information Oa associates the reserved print job Pa and the address information Oa with each other, and stores them in the job data storage unit 32 as one reserved print job data PJ. Processing step S2 is performed.

  In the reserved print job data PJ, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the “job ID” corresponding to the job identification information for identifying the reserved print job Pa and the identification information of the image data to be reserved print job Pa are included. Corresponding “data name”, print condition of reserved print job (“number of originals”, “paper size”, “number of copies”, “color” indicating print color type, and “stapling presence / absence”), and reservation Each item of “reserved user name” corresponding to the user identification information of the user who reserved the print job Pa, and a value (setting contents) for each item are included. Furthermore, “execution start time” corresponding to the execution start time of reserved printing, “print resource confirmation” corresponding to determination time designation information for designating the necessity of replenishment of print resources and the necessity of disposal of punch waste Each item of “time” and “notification destination address” corresponding to the address information Oa, and a value (setting contents) for each item are also included.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of reserved print job data stored in the job data storage unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. In this example, the print resource confirmation time corresponding to the determination time designation information is not set. In addition, it is determined that the image data of the print job for which the notification destination address is set is acquired by the communication unit 22, and the image data of the print job that is not set is acquired by the job execution unit 4.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 2, the replenishment necessity confirmation request Ra received by the communication unit 22 or the replenishment necessity confirmation request Ra input from the input unit 21 (see FIG. 1) is received by the input / output unit 2. When the necessity confirmation step S3 is performed, a replenishment necessity confirmation request Ra is sent to the replenishment necessity determination unit 52, and the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 determines whether or not the replenishment of printing resources is necessary. S4 is started.

  In this replenishment necessity determination step S4, the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 sends a detection result acquisition request Rr to the print allowance monitoring unit 54, and the print allowance monitoring unit 54 that has received the acquisition request Rr detects the remaining amount of print material. The detection results Rd of the unit 42a, the remaining paper amount detection unit 43a, the remaining staple amount detection unit 44a, and the punch waste storage amount detection unit 45a (see FIG. 1) are acquired and sent to the replenishment necessity determination unit 52. The replenishment necessity determination unit 52 reads the contents of the reserved print job Pa from the reserved print job data PJ stored in the job data storage unit 32. Then, the detection result Rd is compared with the contents of the reserved print job Pa to determine whether it is necessary to replenish print resources or discard punch scraps during the execution of the reserved print job Pa.

  At this time, the replenishment necessity confirmation request Ra can be input from, for example, the input screen ES1 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an input screen for a replenishment necessity confirmation request in the image forming apparatus 1. The input screen ES1 is displayed, for example, on the display unit of each user's node connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a computer network or on the display unit 23 of the input / output unit 2. The input screen ES1 includes “reservation user name”, “data name”, and “reservation execution start time corresponding to reservation print execution start time based on the reservation print job data stored in the job data storage unit 32. Are displayed for each reserved print job, and a guide message GM1 indicating how to operate is displayed. When the user selects a desired job on the input screen ES1, a replenishment necessity confirmation request Ra for the job is received by the input / output unit 2.

  Further, the detection results Rd of the printing material remaining amount detection unit 42a, the paper remaining amount detection unit 43a, the staple remaining amount detection unit 44a, and the punch waste storage remaining amount detection unit 45a acquired by the print allowable amount monitoring unit 54 are, for example, As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a monitoring result by the print allowable amount monitoring unit 54 in the image forming apparatus 1. The remaining amounts of the printing resources “paper (A4)” and “paper (A3)” in this example correspond to the detection results of the remaining paper amount detection unit 43a, and the remaining amount of the printing resource “toner (K)” is This corresponds to the detection result of the remaining printing material detection unit 42a. Further, the remaining amount of the printing resource “staple” corresponds to the detection result of the remaining staple amount detecting unit 44a, and the printing resource “punching waste” corresponds to the detection result of the remaining punch waste remaining amount detecting unit 45a. Although punch scraps are not printing resources, in the example shown in FIG. 5, they are called printing resources for convenience.

  The replenishment necessity determination unit 52 obtains the quantity of each of the printing material, printing paper, and staples necessary for executing the reserved print job, and the remaining amount of punch waste necessary for executing the reserved print job, for example, FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, these quantities are compared with the detection result Rd, and it is determined whether it is necessary to replenish print resources or discard punch scraps during the execution of the reserved print job. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of data comparison when the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not a print resource needs to be replenished. In this example, 100 sheets of “paper (A4)” are insufficient during execution of the reserved print job, so the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 needs to supply 100 sheets of “paper (A4)”. Judge.

  The determination result D of the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 in the above-described replenishment necessity determination step S4 is sent to the determination result notification unit 6 as shown in FIG. The determination result notifying unit 6 that has received the determination result D performs notification processing step S5 for creating predetermined notification data Ad corresponding to the determination result D, and sends the notification data Ad to the input / output unit 2.

  The input / output unit 2 that has received the notification data Ad transmits the notification data Ad from the communication unit 22 to a predetermined user, that is, a user specified by the address information in the reserved print job data. For example, a notification screen AS shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the node of the user who has received the notification data. The notification screen AS displays a message M1 that notifies the replenishment necessity determining unit 52 that replenishment is necessary, a message M1 that notifies the replenishment amount, and a message M2 that prompts replenishment of the print resource. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen indicating the determination result of the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 in the image forming apparatus 1. Of course, when the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 determines that staple replenishment is necessary, a message for notifying the staple replenishment amount and a message for prompting staple replenishment are displayed on the notification screen AS. In addition, when the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 determines that it is necessary to discard punch scraps, a message for notifying punch scraps is displayed on the notification screen AS.

  In the sequence shown in FIG. 2, the reservation print job received by the communication unit 22 (see FIG. 1) is received by the input / output unit 2 and sent to the job registration processing unit 51. The part 41 (refer FIG. 1) may acquire. In this case, the contents of the reserved print job (excluding image data) are input from the input unit 21 and received by the input / output unit 2, for example. The reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit 32 by the job control unit 47 (see FIG. 1), and the reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit 32 by, for example, the job registration processing unit 51. The notification screen indicating the determination result of the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 is displayed on the display unit 23 (see FIG. 1), for example.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when “print resource confirmation time” information corresponding to the determination time designation information for designating the determination time for necessity of replenishment of print resources is included in the reserved print job data, for example, FIG. In the sequence shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 1 performs operations from setting a reserved print job to notifying / displaying the result of determining whether or not to replenish printing resources and discard punch scraps. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of reserved print job data stored in the job data storage unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when the reserved print job data includes information Ta that designates a determination time for determining whether or not to supplement a print resource.

  As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 3, in the reserved print job data PJ2 shown in FIG. 8, the value “17:00” is set in the “print resource confirmation time” corresponding to the determination time designation information Ta. The contents are the same as those of the reserved print job data PJ shown in FIG. Since the determination print designation data Ta is included in the contents of the reserved print job data PJ2, the necessity determination request unit 53 that monitors the contents of the reserved print job data PJ2 determines the time (determination) corresponding to the determination print designation data Ta. The time confirmation step S11 for determining whether or not the time has come is repeated. When it is determined that the determination time has come, the necessity determination request unit 53 sends a replenishment necessity confirmation request Ra to the replenishment necessity determination unit 52.

  Therefore, even if the replenishment necessity confirmation step S3 shown in FIG. 2 is omitted, whether or not replenishment of printing resources or disposal of punch waste is necessary during execution of the reserved print job is determined. And a notification screen indicating the determination result is displayed on the user's node. Of course, the replenishment necessity confirmation step S3 shown in FIG. 2 can be performed at a desired time.

  The determination time designation information Ta may be already included in the contents of the reserved print job Pa when the job registration processing unit 51 stores the reserved print job Pa in the job data storage unit 32, or may be added thereafter. Good. For example, when the input unit 21 receives an input permission request for permission to input the determination time designation information Ta, an input screen for inputting the determination time designation information Ta is displayed on the user node or the display unit 23. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured. In this case, the input / output unit 2 that has received the input permission request sends a predetermined signal to the job registration processing unit 51, and the job registration processing unit 51 that has received the signal receives all the reservations from the job data storage unit 32. The print job data is read out, and information relating to the setting status of the job identification information and determination time designation information Ta of each reserved print job is sent to the input / output unit 2 as screen display information. The input / output unit 2 that has received the screen display information transmits the screen display information to the user's node or causes the display unit 23 to display the input screen using the screen display information.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an input screen for inputting the determination time designation information Ta to the image forming apparatus 1. In the input screen ES2 shown in FIG. 10, based on the reserved print job data stored in the job data storage unit 32, “reserved print job name” corresponding to job identification information and “confirmation time” corresponding to determination time designation information. "Is displayed for each reserved print job, and a guide message GM2 indicating how to operate is displayed. The “confirmation time” column of the reserved print job for which the determination time is not specified is blank. When a desired reserved print job name is designated and its “confirmation time” is input, information on the designated reserved print job name and determination time designation information Ta corresponding to the inputted “confirmation time” are input / output unit 2. Is sent to the job registration processing unit 51. The job registration processing unit 51 that has received the information adds the determination time designation information Ta to the reserved print job data corresponding to the reserved print job name designated by the user. From the input screen ES2, it is also possible to input one determination time designation information Ta for all the reserved print jobs at once.

  In addition, when user identification information, user schedule information, and replenishment person identification information are stored in the schedule information storage unit 34 (see FIG. 1), the job registration that has received a predetermined instruction signal from the input / output unit 2 The image forming apparatus 1 may be configured such that the processing unit 51 reads out such information, selects a predetermined time, and adds determination time designation information Ta corresponding to this time to the reserved print job data. In this case, based on the user schedule information of the user specified by the replenishment person identification information, the job registration processing unit 51 determines a predetermined final time at which the user can replenish print resources or discard punch scraps. The time before the time is selected as the determination time for necessity confirmation. The time before the last time is set as the determination time by the control program of the job registration processing unit 51 in advance.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the user schedule information used in the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the user schedule information includes “date” that is date information, “user” that is user identification information, and “company time” that is information on the scheduled office time for each user. In addition, each item of “leaving time”, which is information of the scheduled leaving time for each user, can be included, and the input information for each item of “leaving time” and “leaving time” is information indicating that the user does not go to work. A “rest” can be included.

  FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of replenishment person identification information used in the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 12, the replenishment person identification information includes “name” that is user identification information, and replenishment of print resources on behalf of the user who reserved the reserved print job on the above-mentioned “rest”. In addition, each item of “agent”, which is user identification information of other users who are responsible for disposal of punch scraps, can be included.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of reserved print jobs are stored in the job data storage unit 32, and a reserved print job whose execution order is earlier than the reserved print job to which the necessity confirmation request Ra is sent. In some cases, the total print resource consumption and the total amount of punch scrap generated in the reserved print job to which the necessity confirmation request Ra is sent and all the reserved print jobs whose execution order is earlier than the reserved print job are taken into account. The replenishment necessity determination unit 52 can also determine whether or not it is necessary to replenish printing resources or discard punch scraps.

  FIG. 13 shows whether or not it is necessary to replenish print resources or discard punch scraps during execution of one reserved print job in the image forming apparatus 1, according to the execution order of the reserved print job and the reserved print job. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the judgment procedure when the replenishment necessity confirmation part 52 judges considering the total consumption of the printing resource in all the previous reserved print jobs, and the total generation amount of punch waste. In this example, the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 performs steps S21 to S25.

  Step S21 is started when the necessity confirmation request Ra for one reserved print job is sent. In this step S 21, the replenishment necessity confirmation unit 52 acquires information on the execution start time of the reserved print job, which is a determination target of whether or not it is necessary to replenish printing resources or discard punch scraps, from the job data storage unit 32.

  In step S22, the replenishment necessity confirmation unit 52 accesses the job data storage unit 32, and the reserved print job having the execution start time set before the time corresponding to the information of the execution start time acquired in step S21. Search for.

  In step S23, the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 determines whether there is a corresponding reserved print job as a result of the search in step S22. When it is determined that there is no corresponding reserved print job, the process proceeds to step S24, and when it is determined that there is a corresponding reserved print job, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S24, the necessity of replenishment of the print resource, the replenishment amount of the print resource, based on the print resource amount necessary for execution of the reserved print job to which the necessity confirmation request Ra is sent and the remaining amount of punch waste, And the replenishment necessity judgment part 52 judges the necessity of discard of punch waste.

  In step S25, the total print resource consumption and the total amount of punch waste generated in the reserved print job to which the necessity confirmation request Ra is sent, all the reserved print jobs whose execution order is earlier than the print job are determined. The replenishment necessity determination unit 52 calculates and determines the total print resource amount and the total remaining amount of punch waste required to execute these reserved print jobs. Then, based on these calculation results, the current print resource amount, and the remaining amount of punch waste, replenishment of print resources and disposal of punch waste during execution of the reserved print job to which the necessity confirmation request Ra is sent. The replenishment necessity determination unit 52 determines whether or not it is necessary.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of reserved print jobs are stored in the job data storage unit 32, and the execution order is higher than that of the reserved print job determined by the replenishment necessity confirmation unit 52 that the replenishment necessity confirmation unit 52 determines that the replenishment of print resources is necessary. When there is a later reserved print job, the replenishment necessity confirmation unit 52 may automatically determine that it is necessary to replenish print resources even for a reserved print job whose execution order is later. When configured in this way, the input / output unit 2 is directed to the setting user of each reserved print job determined by the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 that the replenishment of print resources is necessary. The determination result is output from the communication unit 22.

  Since the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above does not reserve the print resources necessary for executing the reserved print job in advance, the non-reserved print job is executed even when the reserved print job is set. When there are sufficient print resources in the job execution unit 4 and the remaining amount of punch waste is sufficient, the non-reserved print job can be executed without replenishing the print resources and discarding the punch waste.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the replenishment necessity determination unit 52 determines whether or not it is necessary to replenish printing resources or discard punch scraps during execution of the reserved print job, and this determination result is the input / output unit 2. Therefore, when it is necessary to replenish printing resources and discard punch scraps when executing a reserved print job, it is possible to prompt the user to replenish or discard the reserved print job before the execution start time of the reserved print job. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1, both the reserved print job and the non-reserved print job can be smoothly performed.

  The image forming apparatus and the program thereof according to the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiment. However, as described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to one that can be shared by a plurality of users, and may be dedicated to one user.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be any of a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a scanner, or a multifunction machine having at least two functions of a printer function, a copying function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. It may be. Whether or not to add a network connection function to the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be appropriately selected. Also, whether or not to add a document storage function to the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be selected as appropriate.

  Furthermore, whether or not a stapling part or a punching part is provided in the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be selected as appropriate. The printing unit may have at least one inkjet nozzle and an ink supply unit that supplies ink to the nozzle instead of the photosensitive drum and the toner. In this case, the printing material remaining amount detection unit The remaining amount of ink is detected based on the change in mass of the supply unit, the number of printed sheets in the printing unit, and the like.

  The replenishment necessity determination unit only needs to be able to determine whether or not replenishment of printing resources is necessary during execution of a reserved print job, and has a replenishment function for determining whether or not punch scraps need to be discarded. Whether or not to add to the refusal determination unit can be selected as appropriate. When a reserved print job is set via the communication unit of the input / output unit, the determination result of the replenishment necessity determining unit is displayed on both the user node that has set the reserved print job and the display unit of the input / output unit. It may be displayed. Whether or not to make the replenishment necessity determination unit determine the replenishment amount of the printing resource can be selected as appropriate.

  Also, whether or not to include staples in the print resource can be selected as appropriate. Therefore, the allowable printing amount monitoring unit may be any unit that monitors at least the detection results of the remaining printing material detection unit and the remaining sheet detection unit.

  The necessity determination request unit can be an arbitrary component. However, in order to make the replenishment necessity determination unit surely determine whether or not the replenishment of printing resources is required at a desired time, it is preferable to provide a necessity determination request unit. The schedule registration processing unit can also be an arbitrary component, and accordingly, the schedule information storage unit can also be an arbitrary component.

  Even when the schedule registration processing unit and the schedule information storage unit are constituent elements, user identification information and user schedule information stored in the schedule information storage unit only when a predetermined operation mode is set from the input / output unit In addition, the image forming apparatus can be configured such that the job registration processing unit adds the determination time designation information to the reserved print job data based on the replenishment person identification information. The image forming apparatus and the program of the present invention can be variously modified, decorated, combined and the like in addition to the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Input / output part 3 Storage part 31 Control information storage part 32 Job data storage part 33 Document accumulation data storage part 34 Schedule information storage part 4 Job execution part 5 Job management part 51 Job registration process part 52 Replenishment necessity judgment Reference numeral 53: Necessity determination request part 54 Printable amount monitoring part 55 Schedule registration processing part 6 Determination result notifying part

Japanese Patent No. 4194616

Claims (8)

A job registration processing unit for storing the non-reserved print job and the reserved print job in a job data storage unit when a non-reserved print job for which the execution start time is not specified and a reserved print job for which the execution start time is specified are input; ,
Print resources consumed during execution of a print job are accommodated. When the non-reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit, the non-reserved print job is executed, and the reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit. A job execution unit that executes the reserved print job when stored;
A print allowance monitoring unit that monitors a print allowance according to the remaining amount of the print resource stored in the job execution unit;
When there is a replenishment necessity confirmation request for confirming the necessity of replenishment of the print resource, the reserved print job is executed based on the monitoring result of the print allowable amount monitoring unit and the content of the reserved print job. A replenishment necessity judgment unit for judging whether or not the replenishment of the printing resource is necessary,
A determination result output means for notifying the user of the determination result of the replenishment necessity determination unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The replenishment necessity determination unit determines whether the replenishment of the print resource is necessary when the replenishment necessity confirmation request is input to the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus. The job registration processing unit receives the determination time when the replenishment necessity determination unit inputs determination time designation information for designating a time at which the determination of necessity of replenishment of the print resource is to be performed. Storing the designation information in the job data storage unit;
The image forming apparatus further includes a necessity determination request unit that sends the replenishment necessity confirmation request to the replenishment necessity determination unit at a time corresponding to the determination time designation information stored in the job data storage unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one determination time designation information can be input at a time for all reserved print jobs stored in the job data storage unit. User identification information for identifying a user, user schedule information for each user indicating a time period during which the print resource can be replenished to the job execution unit, and replenishment person identification for identifying a user in charge of replenishment of the print resource A schedule registration processing unit that stores the user identification information, the user schedule information, and the replenishment person identification information in a schedule information storage unit when information is input to the image forming apparatus;
The necessity determination requesting unit is configured to allow the user specified by the replenisher identification information based on the user identification information, the user schedule information, and the replenisher identification information to transfer the print resource to the job execution unit. Sending the replenishment necessity confirmation request to the replenishment necessity determination unit at a replenishable time;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The replenishment necessity determination unit stores a plurality of reserved print jobs in the job data storage unit and has a reserved print job whose execution order is earlier than a reserved print job to which the necessity confirmation request has been sent. The necessity confirmation request is determined by taking into account the total consumption of print resources in the reserved print job to which the necessity confirmation request has been sent and all the reserved print jobs whose execution order is earlier than the reserved print job. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not replenishment of the print resource is necessary during execution of a reserved print job sent thereto. The determination result output means has a communication unit connected to a computer network,
The replenishment necessity judgment unit stores a plurality of reserved print jobs in the job data storage unit, and a reserved print job whose execution order is later than a reserved print job that is determined to require replenishment of the print resource. If there is, it is determined that replenishment of the print resource is necessary for a reserved print job whose execution order is later,
The determination result output means sends the determination result of the replenishment necessity determination unit to the setting user of each reserved print job determined by the replenishment necessity determination unit when the replenishment necessity determination unit needs to be replenished from the communication unit. Output,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A computer that controls an image forming apparatus capable of executing a non-reserved print job in which an execution start time is not specified and a reserved print job in which an execution start time is specified;
A function of storing the non-reserved print job and the reserved print job in a job data storage unit when the non-reserved print job and the reserved print job are input;
When the non-reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit, the non-reserved print job is executed by the job execution unit of the image forming apparatus, and the reserved print job is stored in the job data storage unit. A function for causing the job execution unit to execute the reserved print job;
A function that allows a print allowance monitoring unit of the image forming apparatus to monitor a print allowance according to the remaining amount of print resources consumed when executing a print job;
When there is a replenishment necessity confirmation request for confirming whether or not it is necessary to replenish the printing resource, during the execution of the reserved print job based on the monitoring result of the print allowance and the content of the reserved print job A function of determining whether or not replenishment of the print resource is necessary;
A function for notifying a user of a result of determination as to whether or not replenishment of the print resource is required, by a determination result output unit of the image forming apparatus;
A program that realizes

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