JP2015080136A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus capable of avoiding giving a user an unpleasant feeling as execution of an instructed job is delayed owing to execution of adjustment processing.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes an operation part which executes jobs in the instructed order of execution of the jobs and receives a user's instruction to execute a job, calculates predicted end time of the execution of the job when the operation part instructs the execution of the job, displays at the operation part a screen 330 including a message 332 including the predicted end time and keys 334 and 336 for making a choice of whether adjustment processing of an image processing device 100 is allowed to be executed before the instructed job is executed, and determines whether the adjustment processing is executed or not according to a choice result. Consequently, printed matter can be provided for the user at presented predicted end time so as to avoid giving the user an unpleasant feeling.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that can prevent a user from feeling uncomfortable by delaying execution of an instructed job by executing adjustment processing.

  A multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)) is known as one type of image processing apparatus that is an electronic device. The MFP has a plurality of functions such as copying, printing, facsimile (hereinafter, facsimile is also referred to as FAX), and a scanner. The MFP allows the user to easily perform copying, faxing, printing, and the like. In companies and the like, an MFP is connected to a network, and the MFP is shared by a plurality of terminal devices (computers or the like). For example, a document created by a computer can be easily transmitted and received via a network and printed out.

  Some recent image processing apparatuses have a function of notifying the estimated end time of a job for which execution has been instructed in advance. However, in practice, the job does not end as notified of the predicted end due to various causes. Measures for this have been proposed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151620 discloses predicting the processing time of a print job and changing the end time according to the occurrence status of an interrupt job or a paper jam.

JP 2008-146561 A

  One of the reasons why the job does not end according to the predicted end time is an adjustment process for maintaining the performance of the image processing apparatus. This adjustment processing is not necessarily executed in a standby state where no job execution is instructed (a job is not reserved). Although there is an adjustment process executed in the standby state, depending on the adjustment process, even if the job is reserved, it is executed during the execution of each job. There is also an adjustment process that is executed while one job is being executed. Furthermore, although the time required to execute each adjustment process once is relatively short, depending on the type of adjustment process, the inspection value does not become a value within a predetermined range in one adjustment process, and is repeatedly executed. May be necessary. In such a case, there is a problem that the adjustment time becomes long.

  In some situations, the image processing apparatus may not be expected to execute a job in an optimal state. For example, if it is necessary to copy a large amount of text documents before a meeting, the adjustment process prevents the execution of the job even though high-quality copying such as photo printing does not need to be performed. If it is done, materials will not be prepared before the meeting, which will cause discomfort to the user.

  Such a delay in job execution due to the adjustment processing cannot be solved by the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of avoiding the user from feeling uncomfortable due to the execution of the designated job being delayed by executing the adjustment process.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that executes jobs in the order in which job execution is instructed. The image processing apparatus includes an input unit that receives a job execution instruction, and a presentation that calculates and presents a predicted end time that is a predicted time when the job execution ends when the input unit instructs the job execution. When the execution of the job is specified by the copying unit and the input unit, the selection by the user as to whether or not the adjustment processing of the image processing apparatus is permitted to be executed before the job is executed is performed. And an instruction unit for instructing the apparatus.

  An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that executes jobs in the order in which job execution is instructed. The image processing apparatus includes an input unit that receives an instruction to execute a job, a determination unit that determines whether adjustment processing of the image processing device is executed within a predetermined time from the current time, and an adjustment unit In response to the determination that the process is executed, the user accepts a selection as to whether or not to allow the adjustment process to be executed for a job whose execution is delayed by the execution of the adjustment process. And an instruction unit for instructing the image processing apparatus.

  Preferably, in response to the instruction unit notifying that execution of the adjustment process is not permitted, the presentation unit indicates that a job execution result of a desired quality cannot be obtained unless the adjustment process is executed. Present a warning.

  More preferably, if the job is instructed to be executed in the high quality mode, the instruction unit again performs the adjustment in response to the instruction unit instructing not to permit the execution of the adjustment process. The selection by the user as to whether or not to allow the processing to be executed is accepted, and the image processing apparatus is instructed.

  More preferably, in response to the instruction unit instructing not to permit the execution of the adjustment process, the presentation unit newly calculates a time at which the job execution ends assuming that the adjustment process has been executed. The newly calculated time is presented as a new predicted end time, or the difference between the newly calculated predicted end time and the predicted end time presented when job execution is instructed is delayed. Present as time.

  Preferably, the image processing apparatus further includes a specifying unit that specifies a user. In response to the user specified by the specifying unit continuously instructing the execution of a plurality of jobs by the input unit, the instruction unit executes the adjustment process when the execution of the job is instructed for the second time or later. Does not accept the user's choice of whether or not to allow it.

  More preferably, the image processing apparatus further includes a setting unit that allows the user to set so as not to perform the presentation of the predicted end time by the presentation unit. If the setting unit is set so as not to execute the predicted end time, the instruction unit does not accept selection by the user as to whether or not to allow the adjustment process to be executed.

  More preferably, a plurality of adjustment processes are executed on the image processing apparatus, and the instruction unit accepts a selection by the user as to whether or not to permit execution of each of the plurality of adjustment processes, and the image processing apparatus To instruct.

  According to the present invention, when the timing at which a job is executed overlaps with the timing at which adjustment processing is executed, the user can instruct which is prioritized. For example, when the user instructs the image processing apparatus to execute a job, the user can set whether or not the adjustment processing of the image processing apparatus can be executed. Therefore, priority is given to the time for acquiring the printed matter or the quality (image quality) is set. You can freely set whether to prioritize. Therefore, the printed matter can be provided to the user according to the presented time, and discomfort to the user can be avoided. In particular, a user who does not allow job delay can prohibit the execution of the adjustment process, and the job is not delayed due to the adjustment process and does not feel uncomfortable.

  In addition, when the user sequentially instructs the execution of a plurality of jobs, the user can execute the job by not allowing selection of whether or not to execute the adjustment process when receiving the instruction for the second time or later. It is possible to avoid the complexity of selecting whether or not to execute the adjustment process each time it is specified.

1 is a perspective view showing an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program for accepting a setting for whether or not to execute an adjustment process, which is executed in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows a home screen. It is a figure which shows the screen for setting the propriety of execution of adjustment processing. It is a figure which shows the screen for reconfirming whether the execution of adjustment processing is possible. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for setting whether or not adjustment processing can be executed, different from FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program for accepting the setting of the decision | availability of execution of an adjustment process performed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program for setting the propriety of the adjustment process performed in a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the confirmation process performed in a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the screen which displays the completion | finish time of a job. It is a figure which shows the screen for setting the propriety of execution of adjustment processing. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program for accepting the setting of the decision | availability of execution of an adjustment process performed in the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the system structure provided with the server computer.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

(First embodiment)
The image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a digital multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a printer function. Referring to FIG. 1, image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes document reading unit 116, image forming unit 118, operation unit 124, paper feed unit 130, and paper discharge processing unit 132. The operation unit 124 includes a touch panel display 126 and an operation key unit 128. The touch panel display 126 includes a display panel composed of a liquid crystal panel and the like, and a touch panel that is disposed on the display panel and detects a touched position. Several function keys (not shown) are arranged in the operation key unit 128. The operation key unit 128 may be provided with a numeric keypad.

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 102 that controls the entire image processing apparatus 100, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 104 that stores programs and the like, and a RAM (Random) that is a volatile storage device. (Access Memory) 106 and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 108 which is a non-volatile storage device that retains data even when power is cut off. The ROM 104 stores programs and data necessary for controlling the operation of the image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing apparatus 100 further includes a timer 110, an image processing unit 120, an image memory 122, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 112, and a bus 114. The CPU 102, ROM 104, RAM 106, HDD 108, timer 110, NIC 112, document reading unit 116, image forming unit 118, image processing unit 120, image memory 122, and operation unit 124 are connected to the bus 114. Data (including control information) is exchanged between the units via the bus 114. The CPU 102 reads a program from the ROM 104 onto the RAM 106 via the bus 114, and executes the program using a part of the RAM 106 as a work area. That is, the CPU 102 controls each part of the image processing apparatus 100 according to a program stored in the ROM 104, and realizes each function of the image processing apparatus 100.

  In response to a request from the CPU 102, the timer 110 provides information indicating the current time (hereinafter referred to as the current time) to the CPU 102.

  The NIC 112 is an interface through which the image processing apparatus 100 communicates with an external device via the network 140 by being connected to the external network 140 in a wired or wireless manner. The image processing apparatus 100 includes a FAX modem (not shown). The FAX modem is connected to an external telephone line (not shown), and is an interface for the image processing apparatus 100 to perform FAX communication with an external apparatus via the telephone line.

  The document reading unit 116 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) for reading an image, and a document detection sensor that detects a document set on a document table, an automatic document feeder (ADF), or the like. To input image data. Image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 122. The image processing unit 120 executes various image processes on the read image data. The image forming unit 118 prints image data on a recording sheet. The image data is stored in the HDD 108 as necessary. The paper feed unit 130 holds recording paper for image formation.

  The operation unit 124 receives an input such as an instruction to the image processing apparatus 100 by the user. As described above, the operation unit 124 includes an operation key unit 128 having various input keys (hardware keys) and a touch panel in which a touch panel is arranged on a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). And a display 126. The user confirms the state of the image processing apparatus 100 and the job processing status on the screen displayed on the touch panel display 126. By selecting a key displayed on the touch panel display 126 on the touch panel overlaid on the display panel (touching a corresponding part on the touch panel), function setting, operation instruction, and the like of the image processing apparatus 100 can be performed.

  The CPU 102 monitors user operations on the touch panel display 126 provided on the operation unit 124, input keys, and the like, and displays information to be notified to the user such as information on the state of the image processing apparatus 100 on the touch panel display 126. .

  Hereinafter, each mode for executing the functions (copy function, printer function, scanner function, and facsimile function) installed in the image processing apparatus 100 will be briefly described.

(Copy mode)
When the image processing apparatus 100 is used as a copying machine, image data of a document read by the document reading unit 116 is output from the image forming unit 118 as a copy.

  An image of the original set at the reading position can be electronically read by the CCD provided in the original reading unit 116. The read image data is completed as output data (print data) on the image memory 122 and then stored in the HDD 108. When there are a plurality of documents, this reading operation and storage operation are repeated. Thereafter, based on the processing mode instructed from the operation unit 124, the image data stored in the HDD 108 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the image memory 122. Then, the image data is transmitted to the image forming unit 118 in synchronization with the timing of image formation in the image forming unit 118.

  Similarly, when printing a plurality of read image data, it is similarly stored as output data in the HDD 108 in units of pages, sent from the HDD 108 to the image memory 122, and repeated for the number of output sheets, and the image is synchronized with the timing of image formation. It is transmitted to the forming unit 118.

  In the paper supply unit 130, the recording paper is pulled out by a pickup roller and conveyed to the image forming unit 118 by a plurality of conveyance rollers. The image forming unit 118 exposes the charged photosensitive drum according to the input image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image according to the image data on the surface of the photosensitive drum. After the toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image portion on the photosensitive drum, the toner image is transferred to the conveyed recording paper via the transfer belt. Thereafter, the recording paper is heated and pressurized (this fixes the image on the recording paper), and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 152.

(Printer mode)
When the image processing apparatus 100 is used as a printer, the image data received via the NIC 112 is output from the image forming unit 118 via the image memory 122 or the like.

  The NIC 112 is connected to the network 140 by wire or wireless, and receives image data from a terminal device such as a computer connected to the network 140. The received image data is sent as output image data to the image memory 122 in units of pages and then stored in the HDD 108. Then, the image data is sent again from the HDD 108 to the image memory 122 and transmitted to the image forming unit 118 in the same manner as the copy mode described above, and image formation is performed.

(Scanner mode)
When the image processing apparatus 100 is used as a network scanner, for example, image data of a document read by the document reading unit 116 is transmitted from the NIC 112 to a terminal device such as a computer via the network 140. Also in this case, the original is electronically read by the CCD provided in the original reading unit 116. The read image data of the original is completed as output data on the image memory 122 and then stored in the HDD 108. Then, the image data is sent again from the HDD 108 to the image memory 122 and is transmitted to the transmission destination designated by the NIC 112 after establishing communication with the transmission destination designated via the operation unit 124.

(Facsimile mode)
When the image processing apparatus 100 is used as a facsimile apparatus, the data received by FAX from the facsimile apparatus is formed on the image memory 122 as image data, and stored in the HDD 108 and printed by the image forming unit 118 as described above. can do. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 can read out image data from the HDD 108, convert it into a data format for FAX communication, and transmit it to an external facsimile apparatus via a FAX modem and a telephone line network.

  Hereinafter, in the image processing apparatus 100, a function for setting whether or not adjustment processing of the image processing apparatus 100 is set when the user operates the operation unit 124 to instruct execution of a job will be described. A program executed in the image processing apparatus 100 for accepting the setting of whether or not adjustment processing is possible is started when the image processing apparatus 100 is turned on. Note that a program that executes jobs registered in a queue (to be described later) in order (hereinafter referred to as a job execution program) and a program that executes adjustment processing (hereinafter referred to as an adjustment processing execution program) are separate from this program. Suppose that it is executed in parallel with the program. Since each adjustment process has different execution conditions, an adjustment process execution program that determines whether or not each adjustment process execution condition is satisfied and executes the adjustment process when the condition is satisfied is provided in parallel with this program. Executed.

  The target adjustment processing here is adjustment processing that affects the quality of the result (image quality of the printing result) such as high density image quality adjustment, intermediate density image quality adjustment, color resist adjustment, charger cleaning, and toner replenishment. .

  High density image quality adjustment is a process for adjusting the color tone of a high density level. Intermediate density image quality adjustment is a process for adjusting the color tone of an intermediate density (halftone) level. The color registration adjustment is a process for adjusting the transfer position of the toner (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) for forming a color image onto the surface of the photosensitive drum, and is not necessary for monochrome printing. The charger cleaning is a process of cleaning the surface of the charger with a flexible member (sponge or the like) according to the usage time of the charger such as the photosensitive drum. Toner replenishment cannot be followed by normal toner replenishment operation (occurs when images with a high printing rate are continuously printed, etc.), and is executed when the toner density becomes extremely low. It is processing.

  One adjustment time is about 10 to 30 seconds for high density image quality adjustment, intermediate density image quality adjustment, and color resist adjustment, and about 30 seconds to 2 minutes for charger cleaning and toner replenishment. . As described above, the time required for each adjustment process is not necessarily long. However, if the inspection value does not become a value within a predetermined range in one adjustment process, and the adjustment process is repeatedly executed, the adjustment time is It will be longer.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in step 200, CPU 102 displays a home screen on touch panel display 126 of operation unit 124. For example, a screen 300 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. On the home screen, keys for displaying a basic screen of each mode corresponding to each function of the image processing apparatus 100 described above are displayed. On the screen 300, keys 302 to 308 for displaying basic screens of copy, FAX, E-mail, and scan save modes are displayed. A setting key 310 is a key for changing the initial installation or the like of the image processing apparatus 100.

  In step 202, the CPU 102 determines whether or not there is an operation on the touch panel display 126 and the operation key unit 128 of the operation unit 124. If it is determined that there has been an operation, control proceeds to step 204. Otherwise, step 202 is repeated.

  In step 204, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the operation detected in step 202 is a job execution instruction. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the start key displayed on the setting screen of each mode has been touched. If it is determined that execution of the job has been instructed, control proceeds to step 206. Otherwise, control proceeds to step 208, and the CPU 102 executes processing corresponding to the detected operation, and then control returns to step 204. Thus, the user can set various conditions for each function, and can instruct execution after the setting is completed.

  In step 206, the CPU 102 registers the instructed job in a queue (queue) secured on the RAM 106. The image processing apparatus 100 accepts job execution instructions from a plurality of terminal devices via a network, which is not only instructed to execute a job by operating the operation unit 124. Therefore, the image processing apparatus temporarily stores the instructed job in the queue registration area secured in the RAM 106 in the order of the instructed time, and basically executes the job in order from the earlier registered job. The executed job is deleted from the queue.

  In step 210, if there is a possibility that the adjustment process is executed immediately before the job instructed to be executed in step 204 is executed, the CPU 102 sets whether to permit the execution of the adjustment process (hereinafter, referred to as “adjustment process”). The touch panel display 126 of the operation unit 124 is displayed on a screen for performing adjustment processing (also referred to as setting of whether or not to execute the adjustment process). For example, a selection screen 330 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The selection screen 330 may be displayed on the entire surface of the touch panel display 126 or may be displayed as a partial screen (window). In the message area 332 of the selection screen 330, a message indicating that the expected time at which the instructed job ends and whether or not to execute the adjustment process can be set is displayed. For each job registered in the queue, the CPU 102 can calculate the time required to execute each registered job from the type, the execution condition, the performance of the image processing apparatus, and the like. Therefore, the CPU 102 can predict the job end time by acquiring the current time from the timer 110 and adding the execution time of each job registered at the current time.

  “Perform adjustment processing immediately before a job is executed” means that no other job is executed between the execution of the adjustment processing and the execution of the job. Therefore, the case where the job is executed immediately after the end of the adjustment process and the case where the job is executed after a predetermined time after the end of the adjustment process are included.

  The “execute” key 334 and the “not execute” key 336 are alternatively selectable keys. The “execute” key 334 is a key for selecting permission to execute the adjustment process. The “do not execute” key 336 is a key for selecting prohibition of execution of the adjustment process. The OK key 338 is a key for confirming the selected state.

  For example, when the “execute” key 334 is touched, a predetermined flag (hereinafter referred to as an execution flag) is set to “1”, and when the “not execute” key 336 is touched, the execution flag is set to “0”. Set. When neither the “execute” key 334 nor the “not execute” key 336 is touched and the OK key 338 is touched, the default value (for example, “1”) of the execution flag is determined. Moreover, it is preferable to display the touched key with the luminance reversed so that the selection state of the key can be understood.

  Note that even if neither the “execute” key 334 nor the “do not execute” key 336 is selected, even if the OK key 338 is touched, the display of the selection screen 330 may be maintained and nothing may be performed.

  In step 212, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the selection of whether or not to execute the adjustment process has been completed. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the OK key 338 is touched on the selection screen 330 in FIG. If it is determined that selection has been completed, control proceeds to step 214. Otherwise, step 212 is repeated.

  In step 214, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the job instructed to be executed in step 204 is a high quality job. A high-quality job is, for example, a high-quality job execution result such as a copy instruction or a print instruction of a document including a color image (photograph or graphics). Whether or not the job is a high-quality job can be determined by the content of the job. For example, a job for which a high-quality print mode (such as a photo print mode) is designated as a print condition is determined as a high-quality job. Whether the job is a high quality job or not may be determined from the image data of the job. For example, image processing is executed on image data generated from job data, and it is determined whether or not a photographic image is included. If a photographic image is included, it is determined as a high quality job. If it is determined that the job is a high quality job, control proceeds to step 216. Otherwise control passes to step 222.

  In step 216, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the result determined in step 212 is execution of the adjustment process. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the execution flag = 1. If execution of the adjustment process is instructed (execution flag = 1), control proceeds to step 222. If execution of the adjustment process is not instructed (execution flag = 0), the control proceeds to step 218.

  In step 218, the CPU 102 displays a screen for confirming the adjustment process setting on the touch panel display 126 of the operation unit 124. For example, a confirmation screen 340 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In the message area 342 of the confirmation screen 340, a notice for not executing the adjustment process and a message for reconfirming whether or not the adjustment process can be executed are displayed. The functions of the “execute” key 344, the “do not execute” key 346, and the OK key 348 are the same as the “execute” key 334, the “do not execute” key 336, and the OK key 338 shown in FIG.

  If it is selected in step 214 to step 220 that the adjustment process is not performed for a high-quality job, the user may not be able to obtain a result of sufficient quality as a result of the job execution. The user can be alerted and the selection reconfirmed. On the other hand, if the job is not a high-quality job, or if the adjustment process has already been selected even for a high-quality job, there is no need for confirmation.

  In step 220, the CPU 102 determines whether or not confirmation of whether or not the adjustment process can be executed has been completed. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the OK key 348 is touched on the confirmation screen 340 in FIG. If it is determined that the confirmation has been completed, control proceeds to step 222. Otherwise, step 220 is repeated.

  In step 222, the CPU 102 stores the selection result on whether or not to execute the adjustment process in the RAM 106 in association with the job stored in the queue in step 206.

  In step 224, the CPU 102 determines whether an instruction to end the program has been received. The end instruction is, for example, turning off the power switch of the image processing apparatus 100. If it is determined that an end instruction has been received, the CPU 102 ends the program. Otherwise, control returns to step 200.

  As described above, the user can instruct which execution of the job or the adjustment process is prioritized when the timing at which the instructed job is executed overlaps with the timing at which the adjustment process is executed. When the CPU 102 determines that the timing for executing the adjustment process is reached in the adjustment process program executed in parallel with this program, the CPU 102 executes the adjustment process set for the job to be executed at that timing. Based on the availability information, execution or non-execution of the adjustment process is determined. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 100 executes the adjustment process immediately before the execution of the instructed job for the user who selects “do not execute” (for example, the user who wants to avoid the end time of the instructed job being delayed). Even if it should, adjustment processing is not executed. On the other hand, for a user who selects “execute” (for example, a user who wants to obtain a product with sufficient quality even if the job end time is slightly delayed), an adjustment process is performed immediately before the execution of the instructed job. If so, the adjustment process can be executed.

  In the above description, a case has been described in which execution is specified regardless of the type of adjustment processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 102 may display, on the touch panel display 126, a screen that can select whether or not to execute each adjustment process as shown in FIG. In the message area 352 of the selection screen 350, the estimated end time of the instructed job and precautions regarding selection are displayed. When it is detected that the check box of each adjustment process displayed in the area 354 is touched, the CPU 102 displays a check indicating that permission to execute the adjustment process has been selected. When it is detected that the OK key 356 is touched, the CPU 102 stores information indicating the presence / absence of the check in the RAM 106 in association with information indicating each adjustment process. This makes it possible to respond more precisely to the user's request.

  In the above description, the case where the user instructs the execution of the job by operating the operation unit 124 of the image processing apparatus 100 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even when a terminal device such as a computer is instructed to execute a print job via the network 140, whether or not to execute the adjustment process can be set as in the flowchart of FIG. In this case, when a print job is received from the terminal device, the job is registered in the queue (see step 206), and then, for example, the data on the selection screen 330 in FIG. Displays the selection screen 330 on the display of the terminal device and accepts the user's selection (see step 210 and step 212). The selection result of the user is transmitted from the terminal device to the image processing apparatus 100, and the data of the confirmation screen 340 in FIG. 6 is transmitted to the terminal device as necessary (see Step 214 to Step 216), and the printer driver of the terminal device Displays the confirmation screen 340 on the display of the terminal device and accepts the user's selection (see step 218 and step 220). The user selection result is transmitted from the terminal device to the image processing apparatus 100, and the result is stored in the RAM 106 (see step 222).

  Although the case where the program for executing the adjustment process is executed in parallel with the program of FIG. 3 has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if there is no operation in step 202 in FIG. 3, it may be determined whether or not a condition for executing the adjustment process is satisfied. That is, if the condition for executing the adjustment process is not satisfied, the control returns to step 202, and if the condition is satisfied, based on the information on whether to execute the adjustment process set for the job to be executed at that timing, Control is returned to step 202 after or without performing the adjustment process.

  In the above, examples of the adjustment processing include high density image quality adjustment, intermediate density image quality adjustment, color resist adjustment, charger cleaning, and toner replenishment, but are not limited thereto. Any adjustment process that is automatically executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied by the image processing apparatus and affects the quality of the result (image quality of the print result) may be used.

(Second Embodiment)
In the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the adjustment processing of the image processing apparatus is about to be executed before the execution of the job that the user has set to notify the estimated end time of the job and instructed the execution. Sometimes, the user can select whether or not to execute the adjustment process. In the second embodiment, an image processing device and a terminal device are connected to a network. The image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured similarly to the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In the following, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are used. Unlike the program executed by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment executes the program shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 9, terminal device 160 is a known computer, and includes CPU 162, ROM 164, RAM 166, HDD 168, NIC 170, display unit 172, operation unit 174, and bus 176 to which these are connected. The display unit 172 includes a display device (such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT display device) that can display an image, and a video output device that supplies a video signal to the display device. The video output device generates a video signal to be supplied to the display device from image data stored in a predetermined area (VRAM area) of the RAM. The operation unit 174 includes a computer keyboard (hereinafter simply referred to as a keyboard) and a computer mouse (hereinafter simply referred to as a mouse) as devices for inputting instructions to the terminal device 160. The NIC 170 is connected to the network 140. As a result, the terminal device 160 can communicate with the image processing apparatus 100 via the network 140.

  Hereinafter, a program for realizing the setting of whether to execute the adjustment process, which is executed in the image processing apparatus and the terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, will be described. As described above, the program of FIG. 8 is executed in the image processing apparatus, and the program shown in FIG. 10 is executed in the terminal apparatus.

  As in the first embodiment, the program executed in the image processing apparatus 100 is started when the power of the image processing apparatus 100 is turned on, and an adjustment process execution program that sequentially executes jobs registered in the queue, and It is assumed that the adjustment process execution program for executing the adjustment process is also executed in parallel with this program.

  Referring to FIG. 8, in step 400, CPU 102 determines whether or not job data has been received via network 140. If it is determined that it has been received, control proceeds to step 402. Otherwise control passes to step 410.

  In step 402, the CPU 102 registers the job received in step 400 in the queue. At this time, as described later, if the setting is made to notify the estimated end time of the job (hereinafter also simply referred to as the end time), the information (end time notification flag = 1 described later) and the destination information ( For example, an IP address) is also stored.

  In step 404, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the job received in step 400 is set to notify the end time of the job (whether or not the end time notification flag = 1). If it is determined that it has been set, control proceeds to step 406. Otherwise, control passes to step 408.

  In step 406, the CPU 102 calculates the end time of the job received in step 400, and transmits data representing the calculated end time to the transmission source (terminal device 160) of the job received in step 400. For example, the end time is transmitted as text data. As a result, the terminal device 160 displays a screen including the end time as shown in FIG.

  In step 408, the CPU 102 determines whether an instruction to end the program has been received. The end instruction is, for example, turning off the power switch of the image processing apparatus 100. If it is determined that an end instruction has been received, the CPU 102 ends the program. Otherwise, control returns to step 400.

  On the other hand, if no job has been received, in step 410, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the execution timing of any adjustment processing is approaching. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the adjustment process is predicted to be executed within a predetermined time (for example, after 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour). Specifically, the CPU 102 determines the timing at which the next adjustment process is executed from the information on the unexecuted jobs registered in the queue. The execution timing of each adjustment process can be predicted based on the accumulated time of image formation, the accumulated time of color printing, the accumulated discharge time of the charger, etc. when each unexecuted job is executed. Therefore, the CPU 102 can acquire the current time from the timer 110 and determine the time until the next adjustment process is executed. If it is determined that the execution timing of the adjustment process is approaching, control proceeds to step 412. Otherwise, control passes to step 408.

  In step 412, when the adjustment process determined to be approaching in step 410 is executed, the CPU 102 identifies a job whose execution is delayed. Specifically, the CPU 102 executes the job at the same time as or immediately after the time when the adjustment processing determined to be approaching in step 410 among jobs registered in the queue (unexecuted jobs). Identify the job to be executed.

  In step 414, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the job specified in step 412 is set to notify the end time of the job (whether or not the end time notification flag = 1). If it is determined that the end time notification is set, the control proceeds to step 416. Otherwise, control passes to step 408.

  In step 416, the CPU 102 transmits a selection screen including a predetermined message to the transmission source of the job specified in step 412. Specifically, the CPU 102 transmits selection screen data to the terminal device 160 that is the transmission source of the job (for example, by specifying an IP address). As a result, a screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 172 of the terminal device 160, as will be described later.

  In step 418, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the selection of whether or not to execute the adjustment process has been completed. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not selection result information has been received from the terminal device that has transmitted selection screen data in step 416. As will be described later, when the user viewing the screen in FIG. 13 operates the operation unit 174 of the terminal device 160 and selects whether or not to execute the adjustment process, the selection result is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100. If it is determined that the selection has been completed, control proceeds to step 420. Otherwise, step 418 is repeated.

  In step 420, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the job specified in step 412 is a high quality job. Here, the high-quality job is, for example, a print instruction including a color image (photograph or graphics). If it is determined that the job is a high quality job, control proceeds to step 422. Otherwise, control passes to step 428.

  In step 422, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the result determined in step 418 is execution of adjustment processing. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the execution flag = 1. If execution of the adjustment process is instructed (execution flag = 1), the control proceeds to step 428. If execution of the adjustment process is not instructed (execution flag = 0), control proceeds to step 424.

  In step 424, the CPU 102 transmits confirmation screen data for confirming the adjustment processing setting to the terminal device that transmitted the selection screen data in step 416. As a result, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 172 of the terminal device 160 that is the transmission source of the job.

  In step 426, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the confirmation of whether or not the adjustment process can be executed has been completed. Specifically, the CPU 102 determines whether or not confirmation result information has been received from the terminal device that has transmitted the confirmation screen data in step 424. As will be described later, when the user viewing the screen of FIG. 6 operates the operation unit 174 of the terminal device 160 to reconfirm whether or not the adjustment process can be executed, the confirmation result is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100.

  In step 428, the CPU 102 stores the selection result on whether or not to execute the adjustment process in the RAM 106 in association with the job specified in step 412 among the jobs stored in the queue.

  Next, a program executed in the terminal device 160 will be described. Referring to FIG. 10, in step 500, CPU 162 determines whether or not an instruction to set printing conditions has been received. Specifically, the CPU 162 determines whether or not a printing instruction is received by the operation of the operation unit 174 by the user in the application being executed. If it is determined that an instruction has been received, control proceeds to step 502. Otherwise control passes to step 516.

  In step 502, the CPU 162 calls a printer driver and displays a print setting screen on the display unit 172. The print setting screen is a known screen for setting print conditions. Conditions are set for functions provided by the printer for the default or specified printer. Here, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 100 is set as the default printer of the terminal apparatus 160 and conditions are set for the functions provided by the image processing apparatus 100.

  In step 504, the CPU 162 determines whether the operation unit 174 has operated the print setting screen. For example, the CPU 162 determines whether or not a key displayed on the print setting screen has been clicked (by pressing a mouse button while the mouse cursor is positioned on the key) by a mouse operation. If it is determined that there has been an operation, control proceeds to step 508. Otherwise, step 504 is repeated.

  In step 506, the CPU 162 determines whether or not the operation detected in step 504 is an instruction to execute printing. Specifically, the CPU 162 determines whether or not the “print” key displayed on the print setting screen has been clicked with the mouse. If it is determined that the instruction is to execute printing, the control proceeds to step 514. Otherwise, control passes to step 508.

  In step 508, the CPU 162 determines whether or not the instruction is for selecting notification of the end time of the job. If it is determined that the end time notification is selected, the control proceeds to step 510. Otherwise control passes to step 512.

  In step 510, the CPU 162 sets a flag (end time notification flag) indicating whether or not the end time notification is set to “1”. Assume that the default value of the end time notification flag is “0” indicating that the end time is not notified. Control then returns to step 504.

  In step 512, the CPU 162 executes processing corresponding to the operation detected in step 504. Control then returns to step 504.

  Through steps 506 to 512, the user can set various printing conditions including setting whether to notify the end time of the job. Normally, the printing conditions are set while the screen is changing.

  In step 514, the CPU 162 creates a print job with the print conditions set in steps 506 to 512, transmits the print job to the image processing apparatus 100, and deletes the print setting screen. The created print job includes an end time notification flag. Thereafter, control proceeds to step 524.

  In step 524, the CPU 162 determines whether an instruction to end the program has been received. The end instruction is, for example, an end instruction for the OS (operating system) of the terminal device 160. If it is determined that an end instruction has been received, the CPU 162 ends the program. Otherwise, control returns to step 500.

  If it is not determined in step 500 that an instruction to set print conditions has been received, in step 516, the CPU 162 determines whether or not data has been received from the image processing apparatus 100 that has transmitted job data in step 508. Data that may be received from the image processing apparatus 100 is data transmitted in step 406, step 416, or step 424 in FIG. If it is determined that it has been received, control proceeds to step 518. Otherwise, control passes to step 524.

  In step 518, the CPU 162 determines whether or not the job transmitted in step 514 is set to notify the end time (whether or not the end time notification flag = 1). If it is determined that the end time is set to be notified, the control proceeds to step 520. Otherwise, control proceeds to step 522, and the CPU 102 executes processing according to the received data, and then control proceeds to step 524.

  In step 520, the CPU 162 executes display processing for displaying the received data. The display process is specifically shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in step 540, CPU 162 determines whether or not the received data includes a job end time. The CPU 162 can make this determination according to the format in which the end time information is transmitted in step 406 of FIG. For example, when the end time information is transmitted as text data, the CPU 162 determines whether the received data is text data. If it is determined that end time information has been received, control proceeds to step 542. Otherwise, control passes to step 546.

  In step 542, the CPU 162 displays a message including the job end time created based on the received data on the display unit 172. For example, a screen 600 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In the message area 602 of the screen 600, the end time of the job is displayed.

  In step 544, the CPU 162 determines whether or not the OK key has been selected. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the OK key 604 displayed on the screen 600 is clicked with the mouse. If it is determined that it has been selected, after the CPU 162 erases the screen 600, the control shifts to step 524 in FIG. Otherwise, step 544 is repeated.

  In step 546, the CPU 162 displays a setting screen on the display unit 172 based on the data received in step 516. For example, if the data received in step 516 is the data transmitted in step 416 in FIG. 8, for example, a screen 620 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. The message area 622 of the screen 620 displays that adjustment processing is executed before execution of the designated job and that whether or not adjustment processing can be executed can be selected. The functions of the “execute” key 624, the “do not execute” key 626, and the OK key 628 are the same as the “execute” key 334, the “do not execute” key 336, and the OK key 338 shown in FIG. If the data received in step 516 is the data transmitted in step 424 in FIG. 8, for example, the screen 340 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  In step 548, the CPU 162 determines whether or not the execution of the adjustment process is selected. Specifically, CPU 162 determines whether or not OK key 628 is touched on the screen displayed in step 546. If it is determined that the selection is complete, control proceeds to step 550. Otherwise, step 548 is repeated.

  In step 550, the CPU 162 transmits the result selected in step 548 to the image processing apparatus 100. Thereafter, control proceeds to step 524 in FIG.

  As described above, when the execution timing of the job set to notify the end time overlaps with the execution timing of the adjustment process in steps 516, 518, and 540 to 550, the job is transmitted. In the terminal device, a screen based on the data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 100 can be displayed, the selection of whether or not the adjustment process can be performed by the user can be accepted, and the selection result can be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100. .

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 executes the program shown in FIG. 8, and the terminal apparatus 160 executes the program shown in FIG. The instructing user can select whether or not the adjustment process can be executed when the adjustment process is about to be executed before the job is executed.

  In the above description, the case has been described in which the user can select whether or not to execute the adjustment process when the job execution is instructed by setting to notify the estimated end time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the flowchart of FIG. 8 may be modified so as not to include Step 404, Step 406, and Step 414. By doing so, even if the job execution is instructed without setting to notify the end time, if it is predicted that the execution of the job will be delayed when the adjustment process is executed, A screen for selecting whether or not to execute the adjustment process can be displayed on the terminal device that has instructed execution, and the user can select whether or not to execute the adjustment process.

  In the above description, when adjustment processing is executed, a case has been described in which screen data for selecting whether or not to execute adjustment processing is transmitted only to a terminal device that has transmitted a job to be executed immediately after that. However, the present invention is not limited to this. To select whether or not adjustment processing can be executed for all jobs that are delayed by execution of adjustment processing or a predetermined number of jobs registered in the queue to a terminal device that has transmitted those jobs. The screen data may be transmitted.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when the user instructs the execution of a plurality of jobs in succession, it is necessary to select whether or not the adjustment process can be executed every time the user instructs the execution of the job. This point is improved by the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment is configured similarly to the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the following, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are used. Unlike the program executed by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment executes the program shown in FIG.

  The flowchart of FIG. 14 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 3 only in that Step 700, Step 702, Step 706, and Step 708 are added, and Step 206 is replaced with Step 704. The other steps in FIG. 14 are the same as the steps in FIG. 3 with the same reference numerals.

  Referring to FIG. 14, in step 700, CPU 102 performs login authentication of the user who has received the operation. The login authentication uses a known method. For example, an authentication screen requesting the user to input a user ID and password is displayed on the touch panel display 126 of the operation unit 124. Step 700 is repeated until login authentication passes.

  When the login authentication in step 700 is passed, in step 702, the CPU 102 sets “0” in the counter of the repetition process.

  After that, as in FIG. 3, the home screen is displayed in step 200, the presence / absence of an operation is determined, the corresponding process is executed, and if the operation is a job execution, the control moves to step 704.

  In step 704, the CPU 102 registers the instructed job in the queue and adds “1” to the counter.

  In step 706, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of the counter is “1”. If counter = 1, control passes to step 210. Otherwise, that is, if counter> 1 (when execution of the second and subsequent jobs is designated in step 204), control proceeds to step 214. At this time, whether or not the adjustment process can be executed uses the condition (the condition stored in step 222) set when the job execution is first instructed.

  Thereafter, when the processing of step 214 to step 220, that is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the confirmation screen 340 of FIG. 6 is displayed and the confirmation processing is executed.

  After the setting is stored in step 222, in step 708, the CPU 102 determines whether or not a logout instruction has been received. If it is determined that a logout instruction has been received, the CPU 102 executes logout processing, and the control proceeds to step 224. Otherwise, control returns to step 200.

  In step 224, it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the program has been received. If it is determined that an instruction to end the program has been received, the CPU 102 ends the program. Otherwise, control returns to step 700.

  As described above, when it is determined in step 706 that the counter = 1, that is, when the login user first instructs the execution of the job, the selection screen 330 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in steps 210 and 212. The Therefore, the user can select whether to execute the adjustment process. On the other hand, in step 706, in the case of counter> 1, that is, regarding the execution instruction of the second and subsequent jobs, step 210 and step 212 are not executed, and the selection screen 330 shown in FIG. 5 is not displayed. Therefore, the user can avoid the trouble of repeatedly selecting whether or not to execute the adjustment process.

  Even if the execution of the job is designated after the second time, the confirmation process is executed when predetermined conditions are satisfied in steps 216 to 220.

  Although the case where the operation unit 124 of the image processing apparatus 100 is operated has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. A server computer 190 responsible for login authentication as shown in FIG. 15 may be provided, and the server computer 190 may execute the login authentication (see step 700) of FIG. The result of the login authentication is transmitted from the server computer 190 to the image processing apparatus 100, and the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the login authentication is passed.

  As described above, in the first and third embodiments, it is possible to set whether or not to execute the adjustment process every time the execution of the job is instructed. In the second embodiment, if the same user continuously instructs the execution of the job, whether or not the adjustment process can be executed can be set only for the first time, and whether or not the adjustment process can be executed for each user. Set. Whether the adjustment process can be executed or not is set for each job or for each user. For example, whether to perform for each job or for each user may be set as an initial setting of the image processing apparatus. When the power is turned on, the image processing apparatus reads the initial setting, and accordingly, whether or not adjustment processing can be executed can be set for each job, or whether or not adjustment processing can be executed for each user. You may decide whether to do it.

  In the above first to third embodiments, only whether or not the adjustment process can be executed is set before the execution of each job. It may be changed. For example, these two jobs are registered in the queue so that the job that prohibits the execution of the adjustment process is executed next to the job that permits the execution of the adjustment process. If there is a possibility of execution between two jobs, the order of these two jobs may be interchanged in the queue. In this way, of the two jobs, the job that was scheduled to be executed later is executed before the adjustment process. A job that was scheduled to be executed before is executed after the adjustment process, and the end time of the job is delayed, but since the execution of the adjustment process is permitted, the user who instructed the job is not authorized. The possibility of receiving pleasure is low.

  In addition, when a key permitting execution of the adjustment process is selected, a job end time that is changed by the adjustment process may be newly calculated and displayed. Further, a time delayed from the notified end time may be displayed.

  In the first to third embodiments, the case where the job is a copy job or a print job has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any job that is executed in order after being registered in the queue and may be delayed by the adjustment process may be used.

  The present invention has been described above by describing the embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is implemented with various modifications. be able to.

100 Image processing apparatus 102, 162 CPU
104, 164 ROM
106, 166 RAM
108, 168 HDD
110 Timer 112, 170 NIC
114, 176 Bus 116 Document reading unit 118 Image forming unit 120 Image processing unit 122 Image memory 124, 174 Operation unit 126 Touch panel display 128 Operation key unit 130 Paper feed unit 132 Paper discharge processing unit 140 Network 160 Terminal device 172 Display unit

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus that executes the jobs in the order in which job execution is instructed,
Input means for receiving an instruction to execute the job;
Presenting means for calculating and presenting a predicted end time, which is a predicted time at which the execution of the job ends, when execution of the job is instructed by the input means;
When the execution of the job is designated by the input means, the user accepts a selection as to whether or not to allow the adjustment processing of the image processing apparatus to be executed before the job is executed, An image processing apparatus comprising: instruction means for instructing the image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus that executes the jobs in the order in which job execution is instructed,
Input means for receiving an instruction to execute the job;
Determination means for determining whether or not adjustment processing of the image processing apparatus is executed within a predetermined time from the current time;
Whether the adjustment process is permitted to be executed with respect to a job whose execution is delayed by the execution of the adjustment process when the determination unit determines that the adjustment process is executed. An image processing apparatus comprising: instruction means for accepting selection by the user to instruct and instructing the image processing apparatus.   In response to the instruction means not permitting the execution of the adjustment process, the presenting means cannot obtain a job execution result of a desired quality unless the adjustment process is executed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning is presented. If the job is instructed to run in high quality mode,
In response to the instruction means not permitting the execution of the adjustment process, the instruction means accepts a selection by the user as to whether or not to permit the adjustment process to be executed again. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is instructed to the image processing apparatus.   In response to the instruction means not permitting the execution of the adjustment process, the presenting means newly calculates a time when the execution of the job ends on the assumption that the adjustment process has been executed. The newly calculated time is presented as a new predicted end time, or the difference between the newly calculated predicted end time and the predicted end time presented when the execution of the job is instructed is The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus presents a delay time. And further comprising an identifying means for identifying the user,
When the user specified by the specifying means has instructed the execution of a plurality of jobs continuously by the input means, the instruction means performs the adjustment process when the execution of the job is instructed for the second time or later. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a selection by a user as to whether or not to permit execution of the image is permitted is not accepted. A setting unit that allows the user to set not to perform the presentation of the predicted end time by the presenting unit;
If the setting means is set so as not to execute the predicted end time, the instruction means does not accept selection by the user as to whether or not to allow the adjustment process to be executed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of adjustment processes are executed on the image processing apparatus,
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit receives a selection by a user as to whether or not to permit execution of each of the plurality of adjustment processes and instructs the image processing apparatus. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images