JP2016190324A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, image forming system, control method and program that are able to reduce unreasonableness felt by a user due to information about cancellation of full-load state when an ejection tray has accepted an image formation request with an ejection tray fully loaded.SOLUTION: If an image formation job is received from an external device 3 when an additional ejection tray has been fully loaded, it is determined whether transmission source information of the additional image formation job matches full-load relating information or not. If the transmission source information and full-load relating information match, full-load cancellation notification request relating to the cancellation of the full-load state is transmitted to the external device of the transmission source from which the new image formation job has been transmitted. If the transmission source information of the new image formation job received when the additional ejection tray has been fully loaded does not match the full-load relating information, a full-load cancellation notification request is not transmitted to the external device of the transmission source from which the new image formation job has been transmitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier, an image forming system including the image forming apparatus, a control method executed by the image forming apparatus, and a program installed in a computer of the image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, an image is formed on a sheet by an image forming unit, and the image-formed sheet (printed material) is discharged to a paper discharge unit. When the previously discharged paper is stacked on the paper discharge unit, the paper discharged to the paper discharge unit thereafter overlaps the paper stacked on the paper discharge unit. For this reason, when images are successively formed on a plurality of sheets, the sheets on which images have been formed are sequentially discharged to the paper discharge unit, and a plurality of sheets are stacked on the paper discharge unit.

  Some image forming apparatuses include a full load detection sensor that outputs a full load detection signal when the paper discharge unit is full. In this example of the image forming apparatus, when it is determined that the paper discharge unit is full based on the full load detection signal output from the full load detection sensor, the print request is not accepted and the full state is notified (for example, , See Patent Document 1). This full load information notification requests the user to cancel the full load state.

  When such an image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users, when a user inputs an image forming request for a sheet to the image forming apparatus, printed materials of other users may be fully loaded in the paper discharge unit. At this time, the user who has input the image formation request will receive a notification for resolving the full state even though the paper discharge unit is full due to the printed matter of another user. There is a possibility that it may feel unreasonable as if it is prompted to remove the printed matter of another user from the paper discharge unit.

JP 2001-139219 A

  An object of the present invention is to enable an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a control that can suppress a user to feel unreasonable due to a notification regarding cancellation of a full state when an image forming request is received with a full discharge tray. It is to provide a method and program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that performs image formation on a sheet, a tray that supports a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit, and a tray. A signal output that selectively outputs a full load signal according to the full load state where the sheet supported by the tray reaches a predetermined position or a non-full load signal according to a non-full load state where the sheet supported by the tray does not reach the predetermined position Image forming job corresponding to the sheet supported by the tray when a full output signal is output from the signal output unit. In response to the reception of a new image forming job by the communication unit in a state where a full output signal is output from the signal output unit, If the source information coincides with the full load participation information, the communication unit is controlled to send a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state of the tray to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the multiple external devices. When the transmission source information of the new image forming job is different from the full load participation information, a notification request regarding the cancellation of the full state of the tray is not transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices. To control the communication unit.

  According to this configuration, when the tray is full, the transmission source information of the image forming job related to the sheet supported by the full tray is specified as the full participation information. When a new image forming job is received from the external device in the full tray state, and the transmission source information of the new image forming job matches the full load participation information, the transmission source user of the new image forming job Since it is involved in the full state, a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state is transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user who is involved in the full state to remove the sheet from the tray. On the other hand, if the transmission source information of the new image forming job received in the full tray state does not match the full load participation information, the user of the new image forming job transmission source is not involved in the full tray state. The notification request regarding the cancellation of the full state is not transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job. Thereby, it can suppress making the user who is not involved in the full state of a tray feel unreasonable by the alert | report regarding cancellation of a full state.

  An image forming system according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a plurality of external devices, and the image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that performs image formation on a sheet; The tray that supports the image-formed sheet by the image forming unit, and the full-load signal corresponding to the full-load state that the sheet supported by the tray has reached the predetermined position or the sheet that is supported by the tray has not reached the predetermined position A signal output unit that selectively outputs a non-full signal according to the full state, a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of external devices, and a control unit, the control unit outputs a full signal from the signal output unit If the transmission source information of the image forming job corresponding to the sheet supported on the tray is specified as full load participation information and the full output signal is output from the signal output unit, a new image format is output by the communication unit. In response to the job being received, if the transmission source information of the new image forming job matches the full load participation information, a notification request for canceling the full load state of the tray is sent to a new image among a plurality of external devices. If the communication unit is controlled to send the forming job to the external device that sent it, and if the source information of the new image forming job is different from the full-load involvement information, a notification request regarding the cancellation of the full-load status of the tray is sent to multiple external devices. The communication unit is controlled so as not to transmit to the external apparatus that has transmitted a new image forming job.

  As a result, the same operational effects as those of the above-described image forming apparatus can be obtained.

  The present invention can be realized not only in the form of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, but also in the form of a control method executed in the image forming apparatus and a program installed in the computer of the image forming apparatus, for example. You can also

  According to the present invention, when the user of the transmission source of the new image forming job is not involved in the full state of the tray, the notification request regarding the cancellation of the full state is outside the transmission source that has transmitted the new image forming job. Not sent to the device. Thereby, it can suppress making the user who is not concerned with the full state of a tray feel unreasonable by the alerting | reporting regarding cancellation of a full state.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system including a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the electrical structure of a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a job reception process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a non-full load process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a full load process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a full load cancellation process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of another full load process. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the electrical structure of the printer which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<System configuration>

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes a printer 2 (an example of an image forming apparatus) and a plurality of external devices 3. The printer 2 is a network compatible printer. The external device 3 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) including a PC main body 4 and a display 5.

  The printer 2 and the plurality of external devices 3 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 6. The LAN 6 may be configured by a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, or may be configured by both a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. Bidirectional communication via the LAN 6 is possible between the printer 2 and the external device 3 by the function of the router 7.

  When the printer 2 is used, the user operates the external device 3 to select an image formation target file (image data), and the image formation conditions (sheet size used for image formation, sheet supply source, sheet Is specified. Thereafter, when the user operates the external device 3 to instruct execution of image formation, an image forming job (print job) including a file selected by the user and specified image forming conditions is sent from the external device 3 to the printer. 2 is transmitted. In the printer 2, image formation for the image forming job received from the external device 3 is executed.

<Mechanical configuration of printer>

  The printer 2 includes a printer main body 11 as shown in FIG.

  An image forming unit 12 is accommodated in the printer main body 11. The image forming unit 12 executes image formation for the image forming job (forms an image related to the image forming job on a sheet). The image forming method may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

  A main body conveyance path 13 is provided in the printer main body 11. The main body conveyance path 13 is formed in a substantially S-shape in the middle thereof via the image forming unit 12.

  A main body supply tray 14 is provided at the bottom of the printer main body 11. A plurality of sheets are stacked and supported on the main body supply tray 14. The main body supply tray 14 is provided with a supply roller 15 for separating the uppermost sheet from other sheets and feeding it to one end (lower end) of the main body conveyance path 13.

  A main body discharge tray 16 is formed on the upper surface of the printer main body 11. The other end (upper end) of the main body conveyance path 13 reaches the main body discharge tray 16.

  In the printer 2, a plurality of additional supply trays 21 are provided vertically below the printer body 11. Each additional supply tray 21 is supported in a state where a plurality of sheets are stacked. Each extension supply tray 21 includes a connection path 22, an extension supply path 23 branched and connected to the connection path 22, and a supply roller 24 that separates the uppermost sheet from other sheets and feeds it to the extension supply path 23. It has been. The connection paths 22 of the additional supply trays 21 are connected to each other, and the connection path 22 of the uppermost additional supply tray 21 is branched from the main body conveyance path 13 between the image forming unit 12 and the main body supply tray 14. It is connected to the path 25.

  Further, the printer 2 is provided with an additional discharge unit 31. The extension discharge unit 31 is installed above the printer main body 11. The extension discharge unit 31 includes a plurality of extension discharge trays 32 (an example of a tray), a connection path 33, and a branch discharge path 34 extending from the connection path 33 to each of the additional discharge trays 32 other than the uppermost stage. Yes. The plurality of additional discharge trays 32 are provided at intervals in the vertical direction. The connection path 33 is connected to a branch conveyance path 35 that branches from the main body conveyance path 13 between the image forming unit 12 and the main body discharge tray 16.

  In this embodiment, a configuration in which two additional supply trays 21 and four additional discharge trays 32 are provided is taken as an example. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish the four additional discharge trays 32, the lowermost additional discharge tray 32 is referred to as a “first additional discharge tray 32A”, and the second-stage additional discharge tray 32 is referred to as a “first extension discharge tray 32”. The second additional discharge tray 32B ”, the third additional discharge tray 32 from the bottom is referred to as“ third additional discharge tray 32C ”, and the uppermost additional discharge tray 32 is referred to as“ fourth additional discharge tray 32D ”.

  When image formation by the image forming unit 12 is performed, one of the supply rollers 15 and 24 is selectively driven to send one sheet from the main body supply tray 14 to the main body conveyance path 13 or an additional supply tray. One of the sheets 21 is sent out to the main body conveyance path 13 via the extension supply path 23, the connection path 22, and the branch conveyance path 25 in order. The sheet sent to the main body conveyance path 13 is conveyed toward the image forming unit 12 along the main body conveyance path 13 by a conveyance roller (not shown). Then, while the sheet passes through the image forming unit 12, the image forming unit 12 forms an image related to the image forming job on the sheet. The image-formed sheet is further conveyed through the main body conveyance path 13 and is discharged to the main body discharge tray 16, or is additionally discharged through the branch conveyance path 35, the connection path 33, and the branch discharge path 34 in order. It is discharged to one of the trays 32.

  In order to selectively switch the sheet discharge destination to either the main body discharge tray 16 or the additional discharge tray 32, the printer main body 11 and the additional discharge unit 31 are provided with flappers 41 and 42, respectively. The flapper 41 of the printer main body 11 is provided so as to be swingable between an advance position where the main body conveyance path 13 and the branch conveyance path 35 are advanced to a branch position and a retreat position where the printer body 11 is retracted from the branch conveyance path 35. The flapper 42 of the extension discharge unit 31 is swingably provided at an advance position where the connection path 33 and each branch discharge path 34 advance to a branch position and a retreat position where the connection path 33 is retracted.

  In a state where the flapper 41 of the printer main body 11 is located at the advanced position, the sheet conveyed through the main body conveyance path 13 is discharged to the main body discharge tray 16. In a state where the flapper 41 of the printer main body 11 is located at the retracted position and the lowermost flapper 42 of the additional discharge unit 31 is located at the advanced position, the sheet conveyed on the main body conveyance path 13 is branched conveyance path 35 and connection path 33. And it is discharged to the first additional discharge tray 32A via the branch discharge path 34 in order. When the flapper 41 is located at the retracted position, the second flapper 41 from the bottom is located at the advanced position, and the remaining flapper 41 is located at the retracted position, the sheet conveyed on the main body conveying path 13 is branched. 35, via the connection path 33 and the branch discharge path 34 in order, is discharged to the second additional discharge tray 32B. When the flapper 41 is located at the retracted position, the third flapper 41 from the bottom is located at the advanced position, and the remaining flapper 41 is located at the retracted position, the sheet conveyed on the main body conveying path 13 is branched. 35, via the connection path 33 and the branch discharge path 34 in this order, discharged to the third additional discharge tray 32C. In a state where all of the flappers 41 and 42 are located at the retracted position, the sheet conveyed through the main body conveyance path 13 passes through the branch conveyance path 35, the connection path 33, and the branch discharge path 34 in order to the fourth additional discharge tray 32D. Discharged.

  The plurality of sheets discharged to the main body discharge tray 16 or the additional discharge tray 32 are supported while being stacked on the main body discharge tray 16 or the additional discharge tray 32, respectively. Each additional discharge tray 32 is provided with a full load sensor 51 (an example of a signal output unit) that detects whether or not the uppermost sheet supported by the additional discharge tray 32 has reached a predetermined full load position. The full load sensor 51 outputs, for example, a low level signal as a non-full load signal when the top sheet has not reached the full load position, and a high level signal when the top sheet has reached the full load position. The signal is output as a full load signal.

<Electrical configuration of printer>

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 2 includes a control unit 61. The control unit 61 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 62, a ROM 63, and a RAM 64 (an example of a registration unit, a temporary registration unit, a storage unit, and a transmission source information storage unit). The ASIC 62 includes a CPU 65 (an example of a control unit).

  The full load sensor 51 is connected to the ASIC 62. A signal (full load signal, non-full load signal) output from the full load sensor 51 is input to the ASIC 62.

  The ASIC 62 is connected to the image forming unit 12, the communication unit 81, the sheet supply unit 82, and the sheet discharge unit 83. The communication unit 81 includes a circuit for network communication via the LAN 6 (see FIG. 1). The sheet supply unit 82 is a mechanism for selectively supplying a sheet from the main body supply tray 14 or the additional supply tray 21 to the main body conveyance path 13, and includes supply rollers 15 and 24 (see FIG. 2). The sheet discharge unit 83 is a mechanism for selectively discharging sheets to the main body discharge tray 16 or each additional discharge tray 32, and includes flappers 41 and 42.

  The CPU 65 controls the image forming unit 12, the communication unit 81, the sheet supply unit 82, and the sheet discharge unit 83 by executing a program stored in the ROM 63 based on a signal input to the ASIC 62. When the control (program) is executed, the RAM 64 is used as a work area by the CPU 65. The RAM 64 may include a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM).

<Job reception processing>

  In the printer 2, the job reception process shown in FIG.

  In the job reception process, the CPU 65 determines whether or not the communication unit 81 has received a new image forming job (S1).

  When a new image forming job is transmitted from the external device 3 and the image forming job is received by the communication unit 81 (S1: YES), the CPU 65 acquires transmission source information of the image forming job (S2). The transmission source information is, for example, a transmission source address included in the IP header of transmission data from the external device 3. When the external device 3 is shared by a plurality of users, the user ID used by the user who transmitted the print job to log in to the external device 3 is added to the image forming job transmitted from the external device 3. In this case, the transmission source information is a user ID.

  Thereafter, the CPU 65 specifies which of the additional discharge trays 32 is the sheet discharge destination from the image forming conditions included in the image forming job. Then, the CPU 65 confirms the level of the output signal of the full load sensor 51 provided at the specified discharge destination, and whether or not the full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51, that is, whether the discharge destination is full. It is determined whether or not (S3). For example, when the sheet discharge destination is designated as the first additional discharge tray 32A, the CPU 65 confirms the level of the output signal of the full load sensor 51 of the first additional discharge tray 32A, and the first additional discharge tray 32A is full. It is determined whether or not it is in a state.

  Hereinafter, a case where the sheet discharge destination is the first additional discharge tray 32A is taken as an example.

  When the first additional discharge tray 32A is not full, that is, when the first additional discharge tray 32A is not full (S3: NO), the CPU 65 registers the image forming job received by the communication unit 81 in the RAM 64. (S4). Note that “registration” means that the image forming job is stored in the RAM 64 as an image forming execution target.

  Thereafter, the CPU 65 executes non-full load processing (S5) and ends the job reception processing. The non-full process will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the first additional discharge tray 32A is fully loaded (S3: YES), the CPU 65 executes a full load process (S6) and ends the job reception process. The full processing will be described later.

  Each process described in this embodiment is a process that is executed when the discharge destination of an image-formed sheet is one of the additional discharge trays 32. When the sheet discharge destination is the main body discharge tray 16, the following process is executed instead of each process. That is, the CPU 65 registers the image forming job received by the communication unit 81 in the RAM 64. Then, the CPU 65 controls the image forming unit 12 and the sheet supply unit 82, and from either the main body supply tray 14 or the additional supply tray 21 according to the image forming conditions included in the image forming job registered in the RAM 64. 13 (see FIG. 2) is supplied with the sheet, and an image of a file (image data) included in the image forming job is formed on the sheet in order from the first page. When the images of all the pages of the file included in the image forming job are formed on the sheet, the CPU 65 deletes the image forming job from the RAM 64.

<Non-full processing>

  The flow of the non-full load process executed in step S5 of FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.

  In the non-full load process, the CPU 65 controls the image forming unit 12 and the sheet supply unit 82, and either the main body supply tray 14 or the additional supply tray 21 according to the image forming conditions included in the image forming job newly registered in the RAM 64. Then, the sheet is supplied to the main body conveyance path 13 (see FIG. 2), and the image of the file (image data) included in the image forming job is formed on the sheet in order from the first page (S51).

  Further, the CPU 65 controls the sheet discharge unit 83 to discharge the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 12 to the first additional discharge tray 32A in accordance with the image forming conditions included in the image forming job (S52).

  Each time one sheet is discharged, the CPU 65 checks the level of the output signal of the full load sensor 51 of the first additional discharge tray 32A and determines whether or not the full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51. (S53).

  When the full load signal is not output from the full load sensor 51 of the first extension discharge tray 32A (S53: NO), the CPU 65 determines whether the image forming job is finished, that is, the images of all pages of the file included in the image forming job. It is determined whether or not the sheet is formed on the sheet (S54).

  When the image forming job is not completed (S54: NO), the process returns to step S51, and the CPU 65 causes the image of the page next to the image-formed page to be formed on the sheet.

  When image formation and sheet discharge progress and images of all pages of the file included in the image formation job are formed on the sheet, the CPU 65 determines that the image formation job is finished (S54: YES), and the image formation job. Is deleted from the RAM 64 (S55), and the non-full load process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51 of the first additional discharge tray 32A before determining the end of the image formation job (S53: YES), the CPU 65 transmits the previously acquired image formation job. The information is specified as full load participation information (S56), and the full load participation information is stored in the RAM 64.

  Further, the CPU 65 stores the number of sheets on which image formation has been performed on the first additional discharge tray 32A so far as the full participation number and stores it in the RAM 64 in association with the full participation information (S57). Then, the CPU 65 ends the non-full load process.

<Full load processing>

  The flow of the full load process executed in step S6 of FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.

  In the full load process, the CPU 65 determines whether or not the previously acquired transmission source information matches the full load participation information stored in the RAM 64 (S61). That is, in step S61, the image forming job being executed when the transmission source of the new image forming job received by the communication unit 81 (external device 3 or its user) is full of the first additional discharge tray 32A. It is determined whether or not it is the same as the transmission source of the image forming job.

  When the sender information matches the full load participation information (S61: YES), the CPU 65 determines whether or not the free space of the RAM 64 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (S62).

  When the free space in the RAM 64 is larger than the predetermined amount (S62: NO), the CPU 65 temporarily registers a new image forming job received by the communication unit 81 in the RAM 64 (S63). Note that “temporary registration” means that the image forming job is stored in the RAM 64 not as an image formation execution target but as an image formation non-execution target (holding target).

  On the other hand, when the free space of the RAM 64 is equal to or less than the predetermined amount (S62: YES), the CPU 65 does not register or provisionally register the image forming job received by the communication unit 81 in the RAM 64 (S63: skip). In this case, for example, the CPU 65 transmits an error signal indicating that the image forming job has not been accepted from the communication unit 81 to the external device 3 that is the transmission source.

  Thereafter, the CPU 65 determines whether or not the full load participation number stored in the RAM 64 in association with the full load participation information is equal to or less than a predetermined number (S64).

  When the full load participation number is greater than the predetermined number (S64: NO), the CPU 65 eliminates the full load state of the first additional discharge tray 32A from the communication unit 81 toward the external device 3 that is the transmission source of the new image forming job. (S65) is transmitted. Then, the CPU 65 ends the full load process. In the external device 3 that has received the full load cancellation notification request, a message prompting the cancellation of the full load state of the printer 2, for example, a message “Please remove the sheet from the first extension discharge tray of the printer” is displayed on the display 5. Is done.

  If the full number of sheets involved is less than or equal to the predetermined number (S64: YES), that is, the destination for the image formation that was being executed when the transmission source of the new image forming job and the first additional discharge tray 32A were full. However, if the number of sheets on which image formation has been performed for the previous image formation job is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the CPU 65 does not transmit a full load release notification request (S65). : Skip), the full processing ends.

  On the other hand, when the transmission source information does not match the full load participation information (S61: NO), that is, when the transmission source of the new image forming job received by the communication unit 81 and the first additional discharge tray 32A are full. If the transmission source of the previous image forming job relating to the image formation being executed is different, the CPU 65 registers a new image forming job in the RAM 64 (S66).

  In this case, the CPU 65 issues a request for notifying that the first additional discharge tray 32A is full from the communication unit 81 to the external device 3 that is the transmission source of the new image forming job (full load state notification request). Is transmitted (S67). Further, the CPU 65 directs the sheet discharge destination from the communication unit 81 to the external apparatus 3 that is a transmission source of a new image forming job, to the additional discharge tray 32 or the main body discharge tray 16 that is different from the first additional discharge tray 32A. A request (tray change notification request) for notifying the user to transmit the changed image forming job is transmitted (S67). Then, the CPU 65 ends the full load process. For another additional discharge tray 32, it is desirable to specify the additional discharge tray 32 that has not detected the full load state and make this request.

  In response to the tray change notification request, when the user transmits an image forming job whose sheet discharge destination has been changed from the external device 3 and the communication unit 81 receives the new image forming job, the CPU 65 The image forming job registered in step S1 is deleted, and processing for a new image forming job is executed.

<Full load cancellation processing>

  When there is a full load sensor 51 that is outputting a full load signal, the CPU 65 executes the full load elimination process shown in FIG.

  In the full load canceling process, the CPU 65 determines whether or not the signal output from the full load sensor 51 to be monitored has been switched from the full load signal to the non-full load signal with the full load sensor 51 that is outputting the full load signal as the monitoring target. S11).

  When the sheet is removed from the additional discharge tray 32 provided with the full load sensor 51 to be monitored and a non-full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51 (S11: YES), the CPU 65 stores the full load stored in the RAM 64. The participation information is deleted (S12).

  Next, the CPU 65 determines whether or not an image forming job in which the additional discharge tray 32 provided with the full load sensor 51 to be monitored is a sheet discharge destination is temporarily registered in the RAM 64 (S13).

When there is a temporary registration of an image forming job in which the additional discharge tray 32 provided with the full sensor 51 to be monitored is a sheet discharge destination (S13: YES), the CPU 65 stores the temporarily registered image forming job in the RAM 64. (S14).

  If there is no provisional registration of an image forming job in which the additional discharge tray 32 provided with the full sensor 51 to be monitored is a sheet discharge destination (S13: NO), the formal registration of the image forming job in the RAM 64 is skipped.

  Next, the CPU 65 determines whether or not an image forming job in which the additional discharge tray 32 provided with the full load sensor 51 to be monitored, that is, the additional discharge tray 32 in which the full load state is eliminated is registered in the RAM 64. Is determined (S15).

  When the image forming job is registered in the RAM 64 (S15: YES), the CPU 65 executes the non-full load process shown in FIG. 5 (S16). The non-full processing is as described above.

  After completion of the non-full load process, the CPU 65 determines whether or not a full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51 to be monitored (S17).

  When the full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51 to be monitored (S17: YES), the CPU 65 sets the full load sensor 51 that is outputting the full load signal, which is the process described above, as the monitoring target. It is determined whether or not the signal output from 51 has been switched from a full load signal to a non-full load signal (S11).

  If the full load signal is not output from the monitoring target full load sensor 51 after the non-full load processing is finished (S17: NO), the CPU 65 uses the additional discharge tray 32 provided with the full load sensor 51 to be monitored as the sheet discharge destination. It is determined whether another image forming job is registered in the RAM 64 (S15).

  If there is no registration of an image forming job in which the additional discharge tray 32 provided with the full load sensor 51 to be monitored is a sheet discharge destination (S15: NO), the CPU 65 ends the full load release process.

<Effect>

  When the additional discharge tray 32 at the sheet discharge destination becomes full, the transmission source information of the image forming job related to the sheet supported by the full additional discharge tray 32 is specified as full load participation information. When a new image forming job is received from the external device 3 in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32, it is determined whether or not the transmission source information of the new image forming job matches the full load participation information. The

  If the transmission source information matches the full load participation information, the transmission source user of the new image forming job is involved in the full load state of the additional discharge tray 32. Is transmitted to the external apparatus 3 that has transmitted the new image forming job. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user who is involved in the full load state to remove the sheet from the additional discharge tray 32.

  On the other hand, when the transmission source information of the new image forming job received in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32 does not match the full load participation information, the user of the new image forming job is in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32. Since it is not involved, the full load cancellation notification request is not transmitted to the external device 3 that has transmitted the new image forming job. Thereby, it can suppress making the user who is not concerned with the full load state of the expansion discharge tray 32 feel unreasonable by the alert | report regarding the cancellation of a full load state.

  Further, in this case, a full state notification request for notifying that the additional discharge tray 32 is full is transmitted to the transmission source external device 3 that has transmitted the new image forming job. In the external device 3 that has received the full load cancellation notification request, the status information that the additional discharge tray 32 is in a full state is notified, so that the user can recognize that the additional discharge tray 32 is in a full state. Further, a tray change notification request for notifying the transmission source external device 3 that has transmitted a new image forming job to transmit an image forming job in which the sheet discharge destination is changed to another additional discharge tray 32 is issued. Sent. In the external device 3 that has received the tray change notification request, a notification corresponding to the tray change notification request is made, so that an image forming job in which the sheet discharge destination is changed to another additional discharge tray 32 is transmitted to the user. Can be urged.

  Further, for a new image forming job received by the communication unit 81, if the transmission source information of the image forming job does not match the full load participation information, it is registered in the RAM 64 and the transmission source information matches the full load participation information. In that case, it is provisionally registered in the RAM 64 instead of registration. As a result, the image formation of the user who is not involved in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32 is executed at an early stage. On the other hand, with respect to the image forming job of the user who is involved in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32, execution of image formation is delayed, so that the user who is involved in the full state is imposed a restriction to cancel the full state. Can do. As a result, the time for eliminating the full state of the additional discharge tray 32 can be advanced. Further, by temporarily registering the image forming job of the user involved in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32 in the RAM 64, it is possible to save the user involved in the full state from retransmitting the image forming job. it can.

  The image forming job temporarily registered in the RAM 64 is formally registered in the RAM 64 after the full state of the additional discharge tray 32 is eliminated. As a result, image formation relating to the temporarily registered image formation job is executed, and the user can obtain a sheet on which an image of a file included in the image formation job is formed.

  However, when the communication unit 81 receives an image forming job of a user who is involved in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32, if the free space of the RAM 64 is less than a predetermined amount, the image forming job is stored in the RAM 64. Neither registration nor provisional registration is done. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the free space of the RAM 64 from being pressed by the image forming job of the user who is involved in the full state. As a result, when the communication unit 81 receives an image forming job of a user who is not involved in the full state, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the image forming job cannot be registered due to insufficient free space in the RAM 64. Moreover, since the restriction | limiting which cancels a full load state is imposed on the user who is concerned with a full load state, the cancellation | release time of the full load state of the expansion discharge tray 32 can be advanced.

  Further, when a full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51 of the additional discharge tray 32 of the sheet discharge destination during the image formation, the transmission source information of the image forming job related to the image formation is specified as the full load participation information. Thereby, full load participation information can be specified easily.

  Even if the transmission source information of a new image forming job matches the full load participation information, if the number of sheets on which an image is formed for the image formation job related to the full load participation information is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the full load is eliminated. The notification request is not transmitted to the external device 3 that has transmitted the new image forming job. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user who is less involved in the full state of the additional discharge tray 32 from feeling unreasonable due to the notification regarding the cancellation of the full state.

<Other examples of full load processing>

  Instead of the full load process shown in FIG. 6, the full load process shown in FIG. 8 may be executed. In FIG. 8, steps corresponding to the steps shown in FIG. 6 are assigned the same step numbers as those steps. In the following, only the difference between the full load process shown in FIG. 8 and the full load process shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

  In the full load process shown in FIG. 8, when the transmission source information does not match the full load participation information (S61: NO), the CPU 65 registers a new image forming job in the RAM 64 (S66), and then the first additional discharge tray 32A. It is determined whether or not the full load state continues for a predetermined time or more (S68).

  When the full load state of the first additional discharge tray 32A continues for a predetermined time or longer, the CPU 65 sends the first additional discharge tray 32A from the communication unit 81 toward the external device 3 that is the transmission source of the new image forming job. A full load cancellation notification request for notifying the cancellation of the full load state is transmitted (S65).

  If the full load state of the first additional discharge tray 32A has not continued for a predetermined time or more, the CPU 65 determines whether the number of image forming jobs registered or temporarily registered in the RAM 64 is a predetermined number or more. (S69). In other words, the CPU 65 determines whether or not the number of image forming jobs that are in a standby state without performing image formation is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

  Even when the number of image forming jobs registered or temporarily registered in the RAM 64 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S69: YES), the CPU 65 sends the external device 3 that is the transmission source of a new image forming job from the communication unit 81. For this, a full load release notification request for notifying the release of the full load state of the first additional discharge tray 32A is transmitted (S65).

  When the full load process shown in FIG. 8 is executed, when the full load state of the first additional discharge tray 32A continues for a long time or when the number of standby image forming jobs is large, the first additional discharge tray 32A Users who are not involved in the full load state can be prompted to remove the sheet from the additional discharge tray 32. As a result, it is possible to advance the time for eliminating the full state of the first additional discharge tray 32A.

<Modification>

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the full load signal is output from the full load sensor 51 of the additional discharge tray 32 of the sheet discharge destination during the image formation, the transmission source information of the image forming job related to the image formation is fully involved. It was specified as information.

  In order to specify the full load participation information by another method, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a sheet having an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag 91 is used at the time of image formation for an image forming job. The tray 32 may be provided with an RFID reader 92 (an example of a reading unit) that reads an ID from the RFID tag 91. In this case, when an image-formed sheet is discharged to the additional discharge tray 32, the ID is read from the RFID tag 91 of the discharged sheet by the RFID reader 92, and the read ID and image formation are related. The transmission source information of the image forming job is associated with each other and stored in the RAM 64. When the additional discharge tray 32 becomes full, the ID is read from the RFID tag 91 of each sheet supported by the additional discharge tray 32 by the RFID reader 92 and is associated with the read ID. At least one of the transmission source information may be identified as the full load participation information. For example, among the transmission source information associated with the ID read from the RFID tag 91 of each sheet, the transmission source information associated with the largest number of IDs may be specified as the full participation information.

  In addition, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet is provided in each additional discharge tray 32, and during the period from the detection of the presence of a sheet in the additional discharge tray 32 to the detection of the absence of the sheet, the additional discharge tray 32 The transmission source information related to the discharged sheet may be stored in the RAM 64. In this case, the number of sheets related to each piece of transmission source information may be stored in the RAM 64 in association with the transmission source information, and the transmission source information associated with the largest number of sheets may be specified as the full load participation information.

  6 and 8 may be executed with at least one of steps S62, S64, S68, and S69 omitted as appropriate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 65 executes each process has been described. However, the ASIC 62 may include a plurality of CPUs, and the plurality of CPUs may cooperate to execute each process.

  Further, although the printer 2 is taken up as an example of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus may be, for example, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) as long as the apparatus has a printer function.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 2 Printer 3 External device 12 Image forming part 32 Additional discharge tray 51 Full sensor 61 Control part 64 RAM
65 CPU
81 Communication unit

Claims (14)

An image forming unit that performs image formation on a sheet;
A tray for supporting a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit;
A full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has reached a predetermined position or a non-full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has not reached the predetermined position is selectively output. A signal output unit to
A communication unit for communicating with a plurality of external devices;
A control unit,
The controller is
When the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, the transmission source information of the image forming job corresponding to the sheet supported by the tray is specified as full load participation information,
In response to reception of a new image forming job by the communication unit in a state where the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, transmission source information of the new image forming job is the full load participation information. The communication unit is controlled to transmit a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state of the tray to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices, and When the transmission source information of the correct image forming job is different from the full load participation information, a notification request regarding the cancellation of the full state of the tray is transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices. An image forming apparatus that controls the communication unit so as not to occur. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A registration unit for registering the image forming job received by the communication unit as an image forming job waiting for image formation;
The controller is
If the source information of the new image forming job matches the full load participation information, the image forming job is not registered in the registration unit, and the new image forming job source information is the full load participation information. The image forming job is registered in the registration unit,
An image forming apparatus that controls the image forming unit to execute image formation for an image forming job registered in the registration unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
A temporary registration unit for temporarily registering the image forming job received by the communication unit;
The controller is
An image forming apparatus that registers the image forming job in the temporary registration unit when the transmission source information of the new image forming job matches the full load participation information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The controller is
In response to the output of the non-full signal from the signal output unit when there is an image forming job registered in the temporary registration unit without being registered in the registration unit, the temporary registration unit An image forming apparatus for registering a registered image forming job in the registration unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
A storage unit for storing data;
The registration unit and the temporary registration unit are configured by a storage area of the storage unit,
The controller is
Received when an image forming job is received by the communication unit in a state in which the free space of the storage area of the storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and the full output signal is output from the signal output unit An image forming apparatus that does not register the image forming job in the temporary registration unit when transmission source information of the image forming job matches the full load participation information. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A transmission source information storage unit for storing transmission source information of an image forming job related to image formation being executed by the image forming unit;
The controller is
An image forming apparatus that identifies transmission source information stored in the transmission source information storage unit as the full load participation information when the full load signal is output from the signal output unit. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The sheet supported by the tray is attached with a tag storing the transmission source information of the image forming job for each image forming job.
A reading unit that reads source information from the tag attached to the sheet supported by the tray;
The controller is
An image forming apparatus that identifies at least one of transmission source information read by the reading unit as the full load participation information. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The controller is
Even when the transmission source information of the new image forming job matches the full load participation information, when the number of sheets on which an image is formed for the image forming job related to the full load participation information is not more than a predetermined number An image forming apparatus that controls the communication unit so as not to transmit a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state of the tray. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A separate tray that is provided separately from the tray and supports a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit;
The image forming job includes discharge destination designation information for designating the discharge destination of the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit as the tray or the separate tray.
The controller is
When the transmission source information of the new image forming job is different from the full load participation information, and the discharge destination specifying information included in the new image forming job is information specifying the discharge destination to the tray, A notification request for urging the transmission source of the new image formation job to transmit an image formation job including discharge destination designation information for designating the discharge destination as the other tray is selected from among the plurality of external devices. An image forming apparatus that controls the communication unit to transmit a new image forming job to an external apparatus that has transmitted the image forming job. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The controller is
When the transmission source information of the new image forming job is different from the full load participation information, a notification request regarding the full state of the tray is transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices. An image forming apparatus that controls the communication unit to perform the operation. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The controller is
Even when the transmission source information of the new image forming job is different from the full load participation information, when the full output signal is output from the signal output unit for a predetermined time or more, or When there is a predetermined number or more of image forming jobs that have been received by the communication unit and have not been subjected to image formation by the image forming unit, a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state of the tray is made among the plurality of external devices. An image forming apparatus that controls the communication unit to transmit the new image forming job to an external apparatus that has transmitted the new image forming job. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a plurality of external devices,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An image forming unit that performs image formation on a sheet;
A tray for supporting a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit;
A full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has reached a predetermined position or a non-full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has not reached the predetermined position is selectively output. A signal output unit to
A communication unit for communicating with the plurality of external devices;
A control unit,
The controller is
When the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, the transmission source information of the image forming job corresponding to the sheet supported by the tray is specified as full load participation information,
In response to reception of a new image forming job by the communication unit in a state where the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, transmission source information of the new image forming job is the full load participation information. The communication unit is controlled to transmit a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state of the tray to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices, and When the transmission source information of the correct image forming job is different from the full load participation information, a notification request regarding the cancellation of the full state of the tray is transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices. An image forming system for controlling the communication unit so as not to perform the operation. An image forming unit that performs image formation on a sheet;
A tray for supporting a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit;
A full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has reached a predetermined position or a non-full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has not reached the predetermined position is selectively output. A signal output unit to
A control method executed by an image forming apparatus including a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of external devices,
When the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, the transmission source information of the image forming job corresponding to the sheet supported by the tray is specified as full load participation information,
In response to reception of a new image forming job by the communication unit in a state where the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, transmission source information of the new image forming job is the full load participation information. The communication unit is controlled to transmit a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state of the tray to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices, and When the transmission source information of the correct image forming job is different from the full load participation information, a notification request regarding the cancellation of the full state of the tray is transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices. A control method for controlling the communication unit so as not to occur. An image forming unit that performs image formation on a sheet;
A tray for supporting a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit;
A full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has reached a predetermined position or a non-full load signal corresponding to a full load state where the sheet supported by the tray has not reached the predetermined position is selectively output. A signal output unit to
A program installed in a computer of an image forming apparatus including a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of external devices,
In the computer,
When the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, the transmission source information of the image forming job corresponding to the sheet supported by the tray is specified as full load participation information,
In response to reception of a new image forming job by the communication unit in a state where the full load signal is output from the signal output unit, transmission source information of the new image forming job is the full load participation information. The communication unit is controlled to transmit a notification request regarding cancellation of the full state of the tray to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices, and When the transmission source information of the correct image forming job is different from the full load participation information, a notification request regarding the cancellation of the full state of the tray is transmitted to the external device that has transmitted the new image forming job among the plurality of external devices. A program for executing processing for controlling the communication unit so as not to occur.

Images