JP2013088733A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to easily manage jobs in an image forming apparatus, a system configuration of which can be changed.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus, a single job can be reserved and registered, in which pages to which a print condition corresponding to a first system configuration is set, and pages to which a print condition corresponding to a second system configuration is set are mixed. A control unit extracts pages that can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus from the pages included in the job that has been reserved and registered, and causes a printing unit to print the pages.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in a system including an image forming apparatus, various techniques for enabling a requested job to be executed efficiently are known.

For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-260688, if the initially designated plate making apparatus is fully operational and printing is performed by the plate making apparatus, it is set to switch to printing by the image forming apparatus when it takes time to complete printing. A printing system in which is changed is described.
For example, in Patent Documents 2 and 3, when a job for color pages and monochrome pages is mixed, a printing system in which the server distributes color pages to printers capable of color printing and monochrome pages to printers capable of monochrome printing. Is described.
For example, Patent Document 4 describes a technique for printing monochrome data with its own printer and outputting the color data to an alternative color printer in a multi-function machine including a color scanner and a monochrome printer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-212443 JP 2005-271296 A JP 2002-103750 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-64657

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus, in addition to a fixing unit used when printing on general sheet-like paper, an envelope fixing unit used exclusively for printing on an envelope is configured to be detachable. There is something. By mounting an envelope fixing unit when executing a job for printing on an envelope, fixing with less wrinkles can be performed.

  However, conventionally, when an envelope fixing unit is installed, only a job for printing on an envelope (envelope job) is possible, and a job for forming an image on another sheet cannot be executed. There is a problem that an envelope job cannot be executed in a job for forming an image on a sheet other than an envelope. Therefore, for example, when a user wants to print an envelope and its contents, it reserves and registers an envelope job and a content job, and changes the system configuration of the image forming apparatus, that is, the fixing unit installed. However, it was necessary to print them individually. However, the envelope and the contents are originally completed only when both printed materials are ready.If the envelope and the contents are divided into separate jobs, if either the envelope or the contents are printed and the other is not printed, the user The management of the job is complicated and inconvenient because it is necessary to remember that fact.

  Each of the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 performs a job by function distribution in a system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and solves the above-described problem that occurs in one image forming apparatus capable of changing the system configuration. I can't.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily manage jobs in an image forming apparatus capable of changing a system configuration.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1
An image forming apparatus whose system configuration can be changed by exchanging units,
A job registration unit capable of reserving and registering a single job in which a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the first system configuration are set and a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the second system configuration are set;
Printing means for performing printing based on the job reserved and registered by the job registration means;
Control means for extracting pages that can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus from the pages included in the job registered by the job registration means, and causing the printing means to print;
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
Setting means capable of setting a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the first system configuration is set and a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the second system configuration is set in a single job. Prepared,
The job registration unit is configured to, based on the setting from the setting unit, a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the first system configuration are set and a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the second system configuration are set. And register a single job with a mixture of.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2,
When a plurality of jobs are registered by the job registration unit, the control unit extracts pages that can be printed by the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus in the plurality of jobs and causes the printing unit to print the pages. .

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control unit records information on a page printed by the printing unit and an unprinted page not printed at the time of printing based on the job, and based on the recorded information after printing by the printing unit. Determining whether there is an unprinted page in the job. If it is determined that there is an unprinted page, the job including the unprinted page is referred to as a page printed by the printing unit. The information is stored in the temporary storage job storage unit in association with information on an unprinted page that has not been printed.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4,
When the system configuration of the image forming apparatus is changed and printing of an unprinted page in a job stored in the temporary storage job storage unit is enabled, the control unit prints the unprinted page on the printing unit. Have the page printed.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4,
An operation means and a display means;
The control means causes the display means to display a list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage means in response to an instruction from the operation means, and an instruction is given by the operation means from the job list. An unprinted page that can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus is printed on the printing unit.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6,
The control means determines whether or not there is an unprinted page in the selected job when a job is selected from the job list displayed on the display means by the operation means. If it is determined that there is an unprinted page, it is determined whether or not the unprinted page can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus. If printing is not possible due to the system configuration, a notification for prompting replacement of the unit is displayed on the display means.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6,
The control unit is capable of printing an unprinted page of each job with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus when displaying the list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage unit on the display unit. It is determined whether or not there is a job, and the job determined to be printable and the job determined to be unprintable are displayed in different display modes.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The control means displays information indicating the presence / absence of an unprinted page in each job as an item of a list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage means.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein
The control means can print the number of pages that can be printed in the first system configuration in each job and the second system configuration as items of a list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage means. Displays the number of pages.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 10,
In the list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage unit, the control unit includes a page that has been printed by the first system configuration or a page that can be printed by the second system configuration. For printed jobs, an identification symbol to that effect is displayed.

The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
The control means displays the job list by sorting items selected from the job list items by the operation means.

The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 12,
The control unit deletes the job from the temporary storage job storage unit when printing of all pages of the job to be printed by the printing unit is completed.

The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The unit is a fixing device, the first system configuration is a configuration in which the image forming apparatus is mounted with a first fixing device corresponding to a first paper type, and the second system configuration is a first system configuration. The image forming apparatus is mounted with a second fixing device corresponding to the second paper type.

The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 14,
The second fixing device is an envelope fixing device, and the first fixing device is a paper fixing device different from the envelope.

The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claim 15,
In the case of the second system configuration in which the second fixing device is mounted, the control unit causes the printing unit to perform printing only on a page that is set to perform printing on an envelope. In the case of the first system configuration in which one fixing device is mounted, the printing unit is caused to print only pages that are set to print on paper different from the envelope.

  According to the present invention, a user can easily manage jobs in an image forming apparatus capable of changing the system configuration.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of a printer engine. It is a figure which shows an example of the printable job table. It is a flowchart which shows the reservation job registration process performed by the control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the page unit setting process performed by the control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the reservation job execution process performed by the control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the preservation | save job execution process performed by the control part of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a machine state display screen displayed on the display unit when the second fixing unit is mounted. It is a figure which shows an example of a job. It is a figure which shows the execution result at the time of performing a reservation job execution process based on the job shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a job (plural jobs). It is a figure which shows the execution result at the time of performing a reservation job execution process based on the job shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a saved job list screen displayed after the job illustrated in FIG. 9 is executed with the second system configuration. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a saved job list screen displayed after the job shown in FIG. 11 is executed with the second system configuration. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a machine state display screen displayed on the display unit when the first fixing unit is mounted. It is a figure which shows an example of the message display for notifying a user that the unprinted page of the selected job can be printed. It is a figure which shows an example of the pop-up screen which inquires whether it deletes the job displayed when the printing of all the unprinted pages is complete | finished. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the presence or absence of the unprinted page of each job in the temporary storage job list. It is a figure which shows an example of the temporary storage job list displayed when the present system configuration is the 1st system configuration. It is a figure which shows an example of the temporary storage job list displayed when the present system configuration is the 2nd system configuration.

  The configuration and operation of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, the color image forming apparatus 1 will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be realized by, for example, a monochrome image forming apparatus. .

(Configuration of image forming apparatus 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is composed of a main body 1a and a printer controller 1b. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an external apparatus 2 on the network 3 through a LANIF (Local Area Network InterFace) 14 of the printer controller 1b so as to be able to send and receive information to and from each other.

  The main body unit 1a includes an image reading unit 20, an operation display unit 30, a printing unit 40, and an image control board 100.

  The image reading unit 20 includes a scanner 21, an image reading control unit 200, and the like. The scanner 21 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), an image sensor, and the like. The image reading control unit 200 controls the scanner 21 based on an instruction from the control unit 110, reads an image of the document, and outputs the read analog image signal to the reading processing unit 140. Here, the image means not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.

The operation display unit 30 includes a display unit 31, an operation unit 32, and an operation display control unit 300.
The operation display control unit 300 displays various screens for inputting setting of printing conditions for the job, various processing results, etc. according to a display signal input from the control unit 110, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). This is displayed on the unit 31. Further, the operation display control unit 300 outputs an operation signal input from the operation unit 32 including various switches, buttons, numeric keys, operation key groups, or a touch panel to the control unit 110.

The print unit 40 is a printing unit that performs electrophotographic printing based on input image data, and includes a printer engine 41 and a print control unit 400.
The print control unit 400 receives a control signal from the control unit 110 and controls the operation of each unit of the printer engine 41.

  FIG. 2 shows a main configuration of the printer engine 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer engine 41 writes a latent image on the photosensitive drum by exposing the photosensitive drums 51Y, 51M, 51C, and 51K to a laser based on the image data input by the writing processing unit 190. Formed by optical units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, image forming units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K that form toner images of colors Y, M, C, and K, and image forming units 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K An intermediate transfer belt 56 as an intermediate transfer member on which the toner image is temporarily transferred, a registration roller 58 that conveys a sheet to the secondary transfer roller 59 in synchronization with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 56, A secondary transfer roller 59 for secondary transfer of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 56 on the paper, and the toner image fixed on the paper. A destination unit 63 is configured to include a discharge roller 61 for discharging the paper, a. The symbols Y, M, C, and K in each part represent yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively, in order.

  The image forming unit 50Y includes a photosensitive drum 51Y, a developing device 52Y, a charger 53Y, a cleaner 54Y, and a primary transfer roller 55Y. The same applies to the image forming units 50M, 50C, and 50K.

  Here, a printing operation in the printer engine 41 will be described. First, in the image forming unit 50Y, the photosensitive drum 51Y rotates, the surface thereof is charged by the charger 53Y, and a latent image of the Y data image is formed on the charged portion by exposure of the laser light source of the optical unit 40Y. . The latent image portion is developed by the developing device 52Y to form a yellow toner image. The toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 56 by the pressure contact of the primary transfer roller 55Y. The toner image is a yellow image corresponding to the image data to be output. The toner that has not been primarily transferred is removed by the cleaner 54Y.

  Similarly, in the image forming units 50M, 50C, and 50K, a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image are similarly formed and transferred. The intermediate transfer belt 56 is also rotated by the rotation of the roller 57, the primary transfer rollers 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55K, and the secondary transfer roller 59, and the YMCK toner images are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 56. The Further, the paper is conveyed one by one from one of the paper feed trays 66A to 66D by rotation of any of the paper feed rollers 68A to 68C and 69, and is conveyed to the secondary transfer roller 59 by rotation of the registration roller 58. .

  When the sheet passes through the pressure contact portion of the secondary transfer roller 59, the YMCK toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 56 is secondarily transferred to the sheet. The sheet on which the YMCK toner image is transferred passes through the fixing unit 63. By the pressurization and heating of the fixing unit 63, the YMCK toner image is fixed on the paper to form a color toner image. The paper on which the image is formed is discharged by the paper discharge roller 61.

  After the image is formed on the paper, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 56 is removed by the belt cleaning 62. Further, a positive polarity current and a negative polarity current are alternately switched from a power source (not shown) to the secondary transfer roller 59 and allowed to flow for a predetermined time, whereby toner remaining on the secondary transfer roller 59 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 56. Retransfer is performed, and the secondary transfer roller 59 is cleaned.

Here, the fixing unit 63 is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 1. There are two types of fixing units 63, a first fixing unit 631 and a second fixing unit 632, one of which is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. The first fixing unit 631 is a fixing unit (usually a fixing device) for use when printing on paper other than the envelope, that is, paper different from the envelope. The second fixing unit 632 is a dedicated fixing unit (envelope fixing device) for use when printing on an envelope. Since the second fixing unit 632 has a configuration specialized for an envelope, for example, by reducing the thickness of the fixing roller so that wrinkles are less likely to occur, the second fixing unit 632 is greatly damaged when used for fixing paper other than the envelope. Costs also increase. Therefore, the second fixing unit 632 is used exclusively for envelope printing, and the first fixing unit 631 is used exclusively for fixing paper different from the envelope.
The system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 when the first fixing unit 631 is mounted is the first system configuration, and the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 when the second fixing unit 632 is mounted is the second system. Called configuration.

A port 63 a serving as a unit identification unit for identifying the type of the mounted fixing unit 63 is provided in the mounting unit of the fixing unit 63 in the printer engine 41. For example, when the first fixing unit 631 is attached, a HIGH signal is output as a fixing unit identification signal to the print control unit 400 via the port 63a. When the second fixing unit 632 is attached, a LOW signal is output as a fixing unit identification signal to the print control unit 400 via the port 63a. The print control unit 400 can recognize the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the fixing unit identification signal.
Although not particularly illustrated, a configuration may be employed in which a post-processing device that performs post-processing (for example, sorting, stapling, binding, case binding, etc.) on a printed sheet in units of copies may be connected.

  The image control board 100 includes a control unit 110, a nonvolatile memory 121, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 122, an HDD 130, a reading processing unit 140, a compression IC 150, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC 160, an image memory 170, a decompression IC 180, a document Including a processing unit 190 and the like.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, reads a system program stored in the nonvolatile memory 121 and a specified program from various application programs, develops the program in the RAM 122, and develops the program in the RAM 122. Various processes are executed in cooperation with the program, and each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is centrally controlled.

For example, the control unit 110 implements a function as a job registration unit by executing a reservation job registration process described later.
In addition, the control unit 110 realizes a function as a control unit by executing a reservation job execution process and a save job execution process described later.

The nonvolatile memory 121 stores various processing programs and various data that can be executed by the control unit 110.
In the present embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 121 stores a printable job table 121a.
FIG. 3 shows an example of the printable job table 121a. In the printable job table 121a, a job (or page) that can be printed in the case of the first system configuration (that is, when the attached fixing unit 63 is the first fixing unit 631), and the second And a job (or page) that can be printed in the case of the system configuration (that is, when the mounted fixing unit 63 is the second fixing unit 632). As shown in FIG. 3, in the case of the first system configuration, the image forming apparatus 1 can print a job or page for printing on a sheet different from the envelope. In the case of the second system configuration, it is possible to print a job (envelope job) or a page (envelope page) to be printed on an envelope. In the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to mix and set an envelope page for printing on an envelope and a page for printing on a sheet other than an envelope in one job.

The RAM 122 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 110 and various data related to these programs.
For example, the RAM 122 stores reservation-registered jobs, paper feed tray setting information, and the like. A job is composed of image data and setting information for printing conditions when printing is performed based on the image data. Printing by the printing unit 40 based on the job is called executing the job or printing the job.
The paper feed tray setting information is information on the type of paper loaded in each paper feed tray. Note that the paper type includes the size of the paper.
Further, the RAM 122 has a temporary storage job area for temporarily storing a job having an unprinted page (referred to as an unprinted page).

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 130 stores and reads out jobs based on control from the control unit 110.

  The reading processing unit 140 performs various processes such as an analog process, an A / D conversion process, and a shading process on the analog image signal input from the image reading unit 20, and then generates digital image data. The generated image data is output to the compression IC 150.

  The compression IC 150 performs compression processing on the input digital image data and outputs it to the DRAM control IC 160.

  The DRAM control IC 160 controls image data compression processing by the compression IC 150 and decompression processing of the compressed image data by the decompression IC 180 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 110, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory 170.

  For example, when an instruction to save an image signal read by the image reading unit 20 is input from the control unit 110, the DRAM control IC 160 causes the compression IC 150 to perform compression processing of the image data input to the reading processing unit 140. The compressed image data is stored in the compression memory 171 of the image memory 170. In addition, when a print output instruction for compressed image data stored in the compression memory 171 is input from the control unit 110, the DRAM control IC 160 reads the compressed image data from the compression memory 171 and performs expansion processing by the expansion IC 180. It is stored in the memory 172. Further, when a print output instruction for image data stored in the page memory 172 is input, the image data is read from the page memory 172 and output to the writing processing unit 190.

The image memory 170 includes a compression memory 171 and a page memory 172 configured by DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The compression memory 171 is a memory for storing compressed image data, and the page memory 172 is a memory for temporarily storing image data for print output.
The decompression IC 180 performs decompression processing on the compressed image data and outputs it to the writing processing unit 190.

  The writing processor 190 outputs the decompressed digital image data to the printer engine 41.

  Next, each part of the printer controller 1b will be described. The printer controller 1b manages and controls data input to the image forming apparatus 1 from the external apparatus 2 connected to the network 3 when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a network printer.

  The printer controller 1b includes a controller control unit 11, a DRAM control IC 12, an image memory 13, and a LANIF 14.

  The controller control unit 11 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the printer controller 1b, performs language analysis and rasterization processing of print target data input from the external device 2 via the LANIF 14, and indicates a print condition in the job Data and image data are generated and transmitted to the main unit 1a.

  The DRAM control IC 12 controls storage of data received by the LANIF 14 in the image memory 13 and reading of data from the image memory 13. The DRAM control IC 12 is connected to the DRAM control IC 160 of the image control board 100 via a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) bus, and job data generated based on data to be printed in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 11. The image data is read from the image memory 13 and output to the DRAM control IC 160.

  The image memory 13 is composed of a DRAM and temporarily stores input data.

  The LANIF 14 is a communication interface for connecting to a network 3 such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a LAN such as a modem, and receives data from the external device 2. The received data is output to the DRAM control IC 12.

(Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1)
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the reserved job registration process executed in the image forming apparatus 1. The reserved job registration process is executed in cooperation with the program stored in the non-volatile memory 121 in accordance with an instruction input from the operation unit 32.

  First, a screen for inputting settings for the entire job is displayed on the display unit 31, and setting of printing conditions for the entire reserved job is input by the operation unit 32 (step S1). The setting for the entire job is, for example, the setting of printing conditions for the entire job, such as the number of copies, color, printing surface (single / double-sided), page allocation, density, and post-processing. The set information (setting information) is stored in the RAM 122.

Next, a page unit setting process is executed based on an instruction to shift to page unit setting by the operation unit 32, and setting of printing conditions for each page unit included in the job to be reserved is input (step S2).
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the page unit setting process executed in step S2. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the print conditions that can be set in units of pages are paper types.
First, a screen (not shown) for inputting a page unit setting is displayed on the display unit 31, and a page or a page range to be set is designated by the operation unit 32 from the screen (step S101).
Next, the operation unit 32 selects a paper feed tray to be used for printing the designated page (step S102). Here, different types of paper are loaded in the paper feed trays 66A to 66D. The paper type includes size. By selecting one of the paper feed trays, it is possible to select the paper to be used for printing the designated page. By selecting the paper feed tray, it is possible to set whether each page included in the job is an envelope page or a page to be printed on a paper different from the envelope. The set information (setting information) is stored in the RAM 122.
Next, it is determined whether or not the setting unit has been instructed by the operation unit 32. If it is determined that the end has not been instructed (step S103; NO), the process returns to step S101. If it is determined that the end of setting is instructed by the operation unit 32 (step S103; YES), the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG. Setting means is realized by executing the page unit setting process.

In step S3, a reserved job is registered (step S3). In step S3, first, image data is input by reading an image of a document placed on the ADF from the image reading unit 20. Next, a job ID (file name) is issued, and the setting information and image data set in steps S1 and S2 are associated with the job ID and stored (registered) in the RAM 122 as a reserved job.
Note that the setting of printing conditions in steps S1 to S2 is input from the external device 2, and the job setting information and image data input from the external device 2 via the printer controller 1b are associated with each other by a job ID to make a reservation job. May be stored (registered) in the RAM 122.
By the reserved job registration process, a single job in which a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the first system configuration is set and a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the second system configuration is set is mixed is reserved and registered. can do.

  When a reserved job is registered by the reserved job registration process, a reserved job execution process is executed. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the reserved job execution process. The reserved job execution process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 110 and a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 121.

First, based on the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 and the contents of the reserved job, it is determined whether or not the page to be printed is a page that can be printed with the current system configuration (step S11). In step S11, the determination is made based on the printable job table 121a and the setting information of the corresponding page of the job being executed.
When it is determined that the page to be printed is a page that can be printed with the current system configuration (step S11; YES), printing is executed by the printing unit 40 based on the job, and the print flag of the printed page is set to “ "Completed" is set (step S12), and the process proceeds to step S14.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the page cannot be printed with the current system configuration (step S1; NO), the print flag of the corresponding page is set to “not yet” (step S13), and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not the processing in steps S11 to S13 has been completed for all pages of the job. If it is determined that the processes in steps S11 to S13 have not been completed for all pages (step S14; NO), the process returns to step S11, and the processes in steps S11 to S13 are executed for the next page.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the processing in steps S11 to S13 has been completed for all pages (step S14; YES), the printed job is not printed (the print flag is “unprinted” and the page is not printed). ) Exists (step S15). If it is determined that an unprinted page exists (step S15; YES), the job (setting information + image data) is stored in the temporary storage job area of the RAM 122 (step S16), and the process proceeds to step S17. At this time, the print flag for each page of the job management table stored in the RAM 122 is stored in association with the job. If it is determined that there is no unprinted page (step S15; NO), the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not there is a reserved job to be executed next. If it is determined that it exists (step S17; YES), the process returns to step S11, and steps S11 to S11 are performed for the next job. The process of S16 is executed. If it is determined that there is no reservation job to be executed next (step S17; NO), the reservation job execution process ends.

The temporarily stored job can be printed by the following stored job execution process.
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a save job execution process executed in the image forming apparatus 1. The stored job execution process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 110 and a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 121 according to an instruction input from the operation unit 32.

  First, in response to a display instruction of the temporary storage job list from the operation unit 32, a temporary storage job list that is a list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job area of the RAM 122 is generated and displayed on the display unit 31 (step 31). S21, see FIG. When a job is selected from the temporarily saved job list by the operation unit 32 (step S22; YES), there is an unprinted page in the selected job based on the print flag associated with the selected job. Is determined (step S23). If it is determined that there is no unprinted page in the selected job (step S23; NO), the stored job execution process ends.

  If it is determined that there is an unprinted page in the selected job (step S23; YES), printing that can be printed with the current system configuration based on the system configuration of the current image forming apparatus 1 and the contents of the selected job. It is determined whether or not there is an unpaged page (step S24). Specifically, in step S24, the determination is made based on the printable job table 121a and the print flag and setting information of each page of the selected job.

  If it is determined in step S24 that there is no page that can be printed with the current system configuration (step S24; NO), a notification prompting replacement of the fixing unit 63 (that is, a notification prompting a change in the system configuration) is displayed on the display unit 31. Is displayed (step S25; see FIGS. 13a, 13b, etc.). If it is recognized that the fixing unit 63 has been replaced by a signal output from the port 63a (step S26; YES), the process returns to step S23.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an unprinted page that can be printed with the current system configuration (step S24; YES), the display unit 31 displays that an unprinted page can be printed with the current system configuration (step S27. FIG. 15), in response to an output instruction from the operation unit 32, an unprinted page that can be printed with the current system configuration is printed by the printing unit 40 (step S28). After printing is completed, it is determined whether all unprinted pages have been printed (step S29). If it is determined that all the unprinted pages have not been printed (step S29; NO), the stored job execution process ends. If it is determined that all unprinted pages have been printed (step S29; YES), a pop-up screen inquiring whether to delete the job is displayed on the display unit 31 (step S30; see FIG. 16).
When deletion is instructed from the pop-up screen by the operation unit 32 (step S31; YES), a job in which all unprinted pages are printed is deleted from the temporary storage job area of the RAM 122 (step S32), and the stored job execution processing is performed. finish. When an instruction not to delete is given from the pop-up screen by the operation unit 32 (step S31; NO), the stored job execution process ends without deleting the job.

Here, the reserved job registration process to the stored job execution process will be described with an example of a job.
For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 has the second system configuration (the attached fixing unit 63 is the second fixing unit for envelopes), the display unit 31 has a machine state display screen as shown in FIG. 311 is displayed. The machine status display screen 311 displays envelope limitation marks M1 and M2 in order to notify the user that the second fixing unit 632 for envelopes is mounted and only envelope jobs or envelope pages can be printed. Is done. Further, the display unit 31 is provided with tabs T1 to T5 for selecting a screen to be displayed, and the screen to be displayed can be changed by selecting the tab.

  When the machine status display screen 311 is displayed and the job (Job1) shown in FIG. 9 is registered in the reserved job registration process and the reserved job execution process is executed, the processing result shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. . That is, the second and third pages, which are envelope pages, are printed, and the other pages 1, 4, and 5 are not printed. Since there is an unprinted page, this job is stored in the temporary storage job area of the RAM 122. When there are a plurality of reserved jobs, a plurality of reserved jobs can be executed in the reserved job execution process. For example, when a plurality of reserved jobs (Job 1 to Job 3) as shown in FIG. 11 are executed, the processing result shown in FIG. 12 is obtained. That is, the second and third pages of JOb1 and all pages of JOb2 are printed, and all pages of JOb3 are unprinted pages. In this case, JOb1 and JOb3 are saved in the temporary save job area, but JOb2 is deleted without being saved because there is no unprinted page.

  After the reserved job execution process is completed, when the “job list” tab T2 is pressed from the machine state display screen 311 displayed on the display unit 31 by the operation unit 32, the saved job list screen 312 can be displayed. In accordance with the operation of the operation unit 32 on the stored job list screen 312, the stored job execution process described with reference to FIG. 7 is executed.

An example of the saved job list screen 312 is shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b. FIG. 13A is a saved job list screen 312 displayed after the job shown in FIG. 9 is executed in the second system configuration. FIG. 13B is a saved job list screen 312 displayed after the job shown in FIG. 11 is executed with the second system configuration.
As shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b, the saved job list screen 312 displays a temporarily saved job list display column 312a, a selected job details display column 312b, and an output button 312c. The temporarily stored job list display column 312 a is a column that displays a list of jobs stored in the temporarily stored job area of the RAM 122. The selected job details display field 312b is a field for displaying detailed contents regarding the job selected by the operation unit 32 from the temporary job storage area. The output button 312c is a button for instructing execution of the currently selected job.
13A and 13B, the job displayed in the temporary storage job list display field 312a is a job in which a page that cannot be printed and has not been printed exists in the second system configuration. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13B, JOB2 shown in FIG. 9 in which printing of all pages is completed and deleted in the second system configuration is not displayed in the temporarily stored job list display column 312a.
When a job (in this case, Job1) is selected from the temporarily stored job list display field 312a, as shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b, “There is an unprinted page. A message prompting you to replace the fuser is displayed. The user can recognize from this message that the fixing unit needs to be replaced in order to execute the selected job.

  When a message prompting replacement to the normal fixing unit is displayed, and the user replaces the fixing unit and attaches the first fixing unit 631 which is a normal fixing unit, the display of the machine state display screen 311 displayed on the display unit 31 is displayed. Is displayed as shown in FIG. That is, the display of the envelope limitation marks M1 and M2 displayed on the machine status display screen 311 in FIG. 8 is canceled. The user can recognize that the job other than the envelope job (or page) can be executed because there is no envelope limitation mark M1, M2. In this state, when the job having the file name “JOB1” selected in FIGS. 13a and 13b is selected again from the temporarily stored job list display field 312a displayed by pressing the “job list” tab T2, the job is shown in FIG. Thus, a message for notifying the user that an unprinted page can be printed is displayed in the selected job details display field 312b, such as “There is an unprinted page. Printing is possible with the current system configuration”. . Note that the control unit 110 may perform control so that the display of FIG. 15 is performed directly after the fixing device is replaced. In addition, after the fixing device is replaced, the control unit 110 may control the printing unit 40 to automatically print an unprinted page of the job selected in FIGS. 13a and 13b.

  When the output button 312c is pressed, the unprinted page of the selected job is printed. When printing of all unprinted pages that can be printed with the first system configuration (for example, pages 1, 4, and 5 of Job1) is completed, a pop-up screen 323 that inquires whether or not to delete the job is displayed on the display unit 31. Is done. FIG. 16 shows an example of the pop-up screen 323. As shown in FIG. 16, the pop-up screen 323 displays a message 323 a “Printing complete. Do you want to delete this job”, a “Yes” button 323 b for instructing job deletion, and no job deletion. A “NO” button 232c for instructing this is displayed. When the “Yes” button 323 b is pressed, the corresponding job is deleted from the temporary storage job area of the RAM 122. When the “No” button 323c is pressed, the corresponding job remains stored without being deleted. As a result, it is possible to suppress the compression of the memory capacity due to storing unnecessary jobs unnecessary for the user.

  Note that the display of the saved job list screen 312 is not limited to that described above, and the following display may be performed under the control of the control unit 110. For example, as shown in the saved job list screen 312 of FIG. 17, an “unoutput” field F1 is displayed in the temporarily saved job list display field 312a, and whether or not there is an unprinted page of each job saved in the temporarily saved area May be displayed. For unprintable jobs where the contents of unprinted pages are not compatible with the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, both printable jobs and different display modes such as changing the character color and typeface are used. May be displayed in an identifiable (explicit) manner. By displaying in this way, even if the user does not select a job, it is possible to recognize whether there is an unprinted page of each job, and a job that can be printed on an unprinted page and an impossible job in the current system configuration. It becomes possible and the convenience is improved.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b, the “page” field indicating the number of pages of the job in the temporarily stored job list display field 312a may be divided into a “normal page” field and an “envelope page” field. Good. The “normal page field” is the number of pages to be printed on a sheet different from the envelope. That is, the number of pages that can be printed with the first system configuration and the number of pages that can be printed with the second system configuration may be displayed separately. In the case of printing, an identification mark (identification symbol) such as “*” indicating that printing has been performed may be added to the page number column.
By displaying the “normal page” field and the “envelope page” field separately, what is the normal page that the user can print with the first system configuration and what is the envelope page that can be printed with the second system configuration in each job. You can easily figure out if there are pages. In addition, by adding an identification mark indicating that printing has been performed to the number of printed pages, the user can easily grasp the printed status of each job.
Further, a shaded display or the like indicating that printing cannot be performed on a page that cannot be printed with the current system configuration may be displayed. FIG. 18a shows an example of a stored job list screen 312 displayed when the current system configuration is the normal fixing device, that is, the first system configuration. In this case, the “envelope page” field is shaded. FIG. 18B shows an example of a saved job list screen 312 displayed when the current system configuration is an envelope fixing device, that is, the second system configuration. In this case, the “normal page” field is shaded. By displaying in this way, the user can easily grasp pages that can be printed with the current system configuration.
Also, jobs that have no unprinted pages that can be printed with the current system configuration, jobs that complete printing of all pages if they are printed with the current system configuration, and jobs that can be printed with the current system configuration but have completed printing of all pages Each character of the job that is not to be displayed may be displayed in different colors. In this way, the user can distinguish these at a glance, and job management becomes easy.
Further, it may be configured to be sortable in each field (item) of the temporarily stored job list display field 312a. For example, in FIG. 18 a, “*” can be collected at the top when sorting in the “envelope page” column. As a result, when the normal page is printed, the user can easily grasp the job in which the printing of all the pages is completed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1, a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the first system configuration are set and a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the second system configuration are set are mixed. The control unit 110 extracts a page that can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus from the pages included in the reserved and registered job, and the printing unit 40 Let it print.

Therefore, the user registers and registers a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the first system configuration are set and a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the second system configuration are set in a single job. As a result, it is no longer necessary to register a group of pages to be printed with different system configurations as jobs for each system configuration and manage them individually, as in the past, and users can easily manage jobs. It becomes possible.
For example, a page on which a second fixing unit 632, which is an envelope fixing device, is mounted and printed on an envelope, and a document in which the contents of the envelope are mounted, and a first fixing unit 631, which is a normal fixing device, are different from the envelope. Since a job having a mixture of pages to be printed can be registered as a single job, it is not necessary to separately manage a job for printing an envelope and a job for printing the contents as in the prior art.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, a single job in which a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the first system configuration is set and a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the second system configuration is set is mixed is used. Since it is configured to be settable from the operation unit 32, the user sets a page in which the printing conditions corresponding to the first system configuration are set in the image forming apparatus 1 and the printing conditions corresponding to the second system configuration. It is possible to set a single job in which mixed pages are mixed.

  Further, when a plurality of jobs are registered, the control unit 110 extracts pages that can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 from the plurality of registered jobs, and the printing unit 40 Since printing is performed, even when a plurality of jobs are registered, it is possible to print only pages that can be printed with the current system configuration without requiring any user operation.

  In addition, the control unit 110 records information on a printed page and an unprinted page that has not been printed (print flag) at the time of printing based on the job, and after printing, based on the print flag, If it is determined whether there is a printed page and it is determined that there is an unprinted page, information about the printed page and the unprinted page that includes the job that includes the unprinted page (I.e., the print flag) is stored in the temporarily saved job area. Therefore, a job having an unprinted page can be stored so as to be able to identify which page is unprinted.

  In addition, when the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed by the control unit 110 and an unprinted page in a job stored in the temporary storage job area can be printed, an unprinted page is printed on the print unit 40. By executing this printing, it is possible to prevent omission of unprinted pages.

  In addition, the control unit 110 displays a list of jobs stored in the temporarily saved job area on the display unit 31 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 32, and an output is instructed from the job list by the operation unit 32. By causing the print unit 40 to print an unprinted page that can be printed with the system configuration of the current image forming apparatus, the job stored in the temporary storage job area at a timing desired by the user. An unprinted page can be printed.

  In addition, when a job is selected from the job list displayed on the display unit 31 by the operation unit 32, the control unit 110 determines whether there is an unprinted page in the selected job. If it is determined that there is a page to be printed, it is determined whether the unprinted page can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and the unprinted page is the system of the current image forming apparatus. When printing is impossible due to the configuration, a notification for urging the replacement of the unit is displayed on the display unit 31. Therefore, the user can recognize that there is an unprinted page in the selected job and that the unit needs to be replaced in order to print this unprinted job.

  In addition, when the control unit 110 displays a list of jobs stored in the temporarily saved job area on the display unit 31, an unprinted page of each job can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The job determined to be printable and the job determined to be unprintable may be displayed in different display modes. With this display mode, the user can recognize which of the jobs displayed in the list can be printed and which cannot be printed without performing a job selection operation. Become.

  Further, information indicating the presence / absence of an unprinted page in each job may be displayed as an item of a list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job area. With such a display mode, the user can easily recognize whether or not there is an unprinted page in each job without performing an operation of selecting the job from the list.

  In addition, the number of pages that can be printed with the first system configuration and the number of pages that can be printed with the second system configuration for each job are displayed as items in the job list stored in the temporary storage job area. May be. With this display mode, the user can print with the number of pages that can be printed in the first system configuration and the second system configuration in each job without performing an operation of selecting a job from the list. It becomes possible to recognize the number of pages.

  In addition, in the job list stored in the temporary storage job area, for a job in which a page that can be printed with the first system configuration has been printed or a job in which a page that can be printed in the second system configuration has been printed. By configuring so that an identification symbol indicating that is displayed, the user can grasp the printed page of each job without selecting the job.

  In addition, by configuring the job list to be displayed by sorting items selected from the job list items by the operation unit 32, the user can rearrange and display the jobs in a desired order. This makes it possible to manage jobs easily.

  In addition, when all pages of a job to be printed by the print unit 40 are completed, the control unit 110 can delete the job from the temporary storage job area, so that an extra job is stored. It becomes possible to suppress the compression of the memory capacity due to being done.

  Note that the description in the above embodiment shows a preferred example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above embodiment of the present invention, as an example of the first system configuration and the second system configuration, a case where a fixing unit for paper and an envelope other than the envelope is mounted is described as an example. It is not limited to this. For example, after printing the same size (for example, A4 size) in large quantities and then printing a size larger than that size (for example, A3 size), the trace of the paper edge of the previous job (A4 size described above) is large. It is known that a phenomenon called fixing streaks that remain on the image like streaks occurs. In order to cope with this, in the image forming apparatus 1, a fixing unit for a small paper size (for example, A4 size) and a fixing unit for a large paper size (for example, A3) can be mounted, and a fixing unit for a small size is installed. The present invention can also be applied to the case where the installed system configuration and the system configuration equipped with a fixing unit for a large size can be changed.

  In the above description, an example in which a ROM, a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk, or the like is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. A carrier wave is also applied as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the image forming apparatus 1 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Main-body part 1b Printer controller 2 External apparatus 3 Network 11 Controller control part 12 DRAM control IC
13 Image memory 14 LANIF
20 Image reading unit 21 Scanner 30 Operation display unit 31 Display unit 311 Machine status display screen 312 Stored job list screen 32 Operation unit 40 Print unit 41 Printer engine 63 Fixing unit 631 First fixing unit 632 Second fixing unit 63a Port 100 Image control board 110 Control unit 121 Non-volatile memory 121a Printable job table 122 RAM
130 HDD
140 Reading processing unit 150 Compression IC
160 DRAM control IC
170 Image memory 171 Compression memory 172 Page memory 180 Expansion IC
190 Write processing unit 200 Image reading control unit 300 Operation display control unit 400 Print control unit

Claims (16)

An image forming apparatus whose system configuration can be changed by exchanging units,
A job registration unit capable of reserving and registering a single job in which a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the first system configuration are set and a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the second system configuration are set;
Printing means for performing printing based on the job reserved and registered by the job registration means;
Control means for extracting pages that can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus from the pages included in the job registered by the job registration means, and causing the printing means to print;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Setting means capable of setting a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the first system configuration is set and a page in which a printing condition corresponding to the second system configuration is set in a single job. Prepared,
The job registration unit is configured to, based on the setting from the setting unit, a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the first system configuration are set and a page in which printing conditions corresponding to the second system configuration are set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a single job in which the two are mixed is reserved and registered.   When a plurality of jobs are registered by the job registration unit, the control unit extracts pages that can be printed by the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus in the plurality of jobs and causes the printing unit to print the pages. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The control unit records information on a page printed by the printing unit and an unprinted page not printed at the time of printing based on the job, and based on the recorded information after printing by the printing unit. Determining whether there is an unprinted page in the job. If it is determined that there is an unprinted page, the job including the unprinted page is referred to as a page printed by the printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus stores the information in a temporary storage job storage unit in association with information on an unprinted page that has not been printed.   When the system configuration of the image forming apparatus is changed and printing of an unprinted page in a job stored in the temporary storage job storage unit is enabled, the control unit prints the unprinted page on the printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein printing of a page is executed. An operation means and a display means;
The control means causes the display means to display a list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage means in response to an instruction from the operation means, and an instruction is given by the operation means from the job list. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing unit prints an unprinted page of the submitted job that can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus.   The control means determines whether or not there is an unprinted page in the selected job when a job is selected from the job list displayed on the display means by the operation means. If it is determined that there is an unprinted page, it is determined whether or not the unprinted page can be printed with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the printing is impossible due to the system configuration, a notification for prompting replacement of the unit is displayed on the display unit.   The control unit is capable of printing an unprinted page of each job with the current system configuration of the image forming apparatus when displaying the list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage unit on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus displays whether or not a job that can be printed is different from a job that is determined to be unprintable in different display modes.   The said control means displays the information which shows the presence or absence of the unprinted page in each job as an item of the list of the jobs memorize | stored in the said temporary storage job memory | storage means. Image forming apparatus.   The control means can print the number of pages that can be printed in the first system configuration in each job and the second system configuration as items of a list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the number of pages is displayed.   In the list of jobs stored in the temporary storage job storage unit, the control unit includes a page that has been printed by the first system configuration or a page that can be printed by the second system configuration. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an identification symbol indicating the fact is displayed for a printed job.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit displays the job list by sorting items selected from the job list items by the operation unit. 13.   The said control means deletes the job from the said temporary storage job memory | storage means, when printing of all the pages of the job used as the printing object by the said printing means is completed. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The unit is a fixing device, the first system configuration is a configuration in which the image forming apparatus is mounted with a first fixing device corresponding to a first paper type, and the second system configuration is a first system configuration. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to mount a second fixing device corresponding to two paper types.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second fixing device is a fixing device for envelopes, and the first fixing device is a fixing device for paper different from the envelope.   In the case of the second system configuration in which the second fixing device is mounted, the control unit causes the printing unit to perform printing only on a page that is set to perform printing on an envelope. 16. The image according to claim 15, wherein, in the first system configuration in which one fixing device is mounted, the printing unit performs printing only on a page that is set to print on a sheet different from the envelope. Forming equipment.

Images