JP2017077625A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of ensuring the security of a printed sheet after the sheet is ejected, and at the same time reducing the wait time of the user before the sheet is ejected.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises: a setting unit (control unit 110) which, when postprocessing is found to be set by referring to the job class of the security job, sets a startup initiation distance based on the postprocessing; a detection unit (control unit 110) for detecting a user and the position of the user present in a detectable area; a first determination unit (control unit 110) for determining whether or not the detected user is an owner of the security job; a second determination unit (control unit 110) which, when the user is determined to be an owner of the security job, determines whether or not the user has reached the startup initiation distance based on the position of the user; and a startup initiation unit (control unit 110) which, when the startup initiation distance has been reached, initiates a process to form an image on a sheet based on the security job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus such as a PC via a network, generally, when a user operates the information processing apparatus and transmits a print job (including image data for image formation and an image formation instruction), An image forming process is started upon completion of reception of the print job, and a process of discharging the paper on which the image is formed to a paper discharge tray is performed.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, the paper is not discharged at the timing that the user intends. Therefore, while the user moves to the image forming apparatus, the printed material can be seen by others or mistakenly held. There is a risk of going. Therefore, the received print job is held until the user performs a predetermined authentication operation in front of the image forming device to prevent others from seeing the printed matter after it is discharged or taking it by mistake. Thus, an image forming apparatus equipped with a security print function for starting the image forming process after authentication without starting the image forming process is used.

However, when the above-described security print function is used, there is a problem that the user needs to perform an authentication operation in front of the image forming apparatus and must wait for a time from the authentication to the completion of paper discharge.
Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the distance to the user is measured by using a distance conversion table that converts the radio wave intensity data of the radio wave transmitted by the terminal device possessed by the user into distance data, and is determined to be approaching. In this case, a technique for starting an apparatus and starting an image forming process is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Further, a technique for determining a distance for starting activation of a device when a user approaches from an average walking speed of a person and a time required for warming up the device is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2011-41132 A JP 2010-135993 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the distance that is a threshold for determining approach can only be set to a fixed value, for example, the discharge timing becomes slower than usual due to execution of post-processing. In such a case, there is a problem that it is not possible to reduce the time that the user waits in front of the image forming apparatus.
Similarly, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, when the user approaches, the distance for starting the apparatus can only be set to a fixed value. Therefore, when the discharge timing is later than usual, There is a problem that it is not possible to reduce the time that the user waits in front of the image forming apparatus.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the waiting time of a user when paper is discharged while ensuring the security of printed matter after the paper is discharged.

The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object,
In the image forming apparatus,
An image forming unit for forming an image based on a job on paper;
A post-processing unit that performs predetermined post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit;
An acquisition unit that acquires job information of a security job and user identification information for identifying a user who is the owner of the security job;
When the post processing performed by the post-processing unit is set for the security job with reference to the job type of the job information of the security job acquired by the acquiring unit, based on the set post-processing A setting section for setting the starting start distance;
A detection unit for detecting the user existing in the detectable region and the position of the user;
A first determination unit that determines whether the user detected by the detection unit is an owner of the security job based on the user identification information acquired by the acquisition unit;
When the first determination unit determines that the job is the security job owner, the security job owner is set to the start start distance set by the setting unit based on the position of the user detected by the detection unit. A second determination unit for determining whether or not it has reached,
An activation start unit that executes the security job when the second determination unit determines that the activation start distance has been reached, and starts processing to form an image based on the security job on the paper by the image forming unit; ,
It is characterized by providing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
The setting unit, when job information of a plurality of security jobs having the same owner is acquired by the acquisition unit, based on a combination of job types of job information of the acquired security jobs Is set.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
The setting unit refers to the job type of the job information of the plurality of security jobs, and when the post-processing common to the plurality of security jobs is set, the common post-processing cannot be processed simultaneously. In this case, the individual activation start distance is calculated based on each job type for each security job, and the calculated activation start distance is set by adding all the calculated individual activation start distances.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect,
The setting unit refers to a job type of job information of the plurality of security jobs, and a case where post-processing common to the plurality of security jobs is set, and the common post-processing can be processed simultaneously. In some cases, when the start start distance is calculated based on each job type for each security job and all the start start distances calculated are combined, the common post-processing that can be processed simultaneously is performed as one process. And the starting start distance is set.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The setting unit sets a start start distance based on the number of sheets set in the security job in addition to the job type of the job information of the security job.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects,
The setting unit is configured to set an activation start distance based on an image type set for the security job in addition to a job type of job information of the security job.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
The setting unit refers to the job type of the job information of the security job, and when the post-processing performed by the post-processing unit is not set for the security job, the time when the first sheet is discharged The starting start distance is set based on the above.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the waiting time of the user at the time of paper discharge can be reduced, ensuring the security of the printed matter after paper discharge.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main control configuration of each apparatus that configures the image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the job type distance conversion table. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the starting start distance setting process of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which shows the relationship between a security job and each job kind. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which shows the relationship between a security job and each job kind. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a start start distance setting process according to Modification 3; It is a figure which shows an example of a job number distance conversion table. 10 is a flowchart showing a start start distance setting process of Modification 4; It is a figure which shows an example of an image seed distance conversion table.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment is possessed by an image forming apparatus 10 that communicates with an external device (not shown) such as a PC used by a user, and a user of the external device. And a terminal device 20 that wirelessly transmits identification information for identifying the image to the image forming apparatus 10 using radio waves.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 100, four post-processing devices (post-processing units) connected in series with the image forming apparatus main body 100, specifically, , A paper folding device FN1, a cutting device FN2, a stapling device FN3, and a bookbinding device FN4.

The image forming apparatus main body 100 is an image forming apparatus that forms a color image by an electrophotographic method based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document or image data received from an external device.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus main body 100 includes a control unit 110, an operation panel 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a fixing unit 150, a paper transport unit 160, The storage unit 170 and the communication unit 180 are configured, and each unit is connected via a bus.

The control unit 110 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 110 reads out system programs and various processing programs stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and centrally controls the operations of the respective units of the image forming apparatus main body 100 according to the expanded programs.
In addition, when the image forming apparatus 10 is not used for a predetermined time, the control unit 110 switches to a power saving mode in which power supply is cut off except for the predetermined apparatus. When the security job owner determines that the start start distance has been reached during the power saving mode, the control unit 110 restarts the power supply and starts the image forming apparatus 10. Here, the security job is a job for which use of the security print function is set. The security job owner is the user who issued the security job. The activation start distance is a distance at which activation of the image forming apparatus 10 is started.

The operation panel 120 includes a display unit 121 and an operation unit 122.
The display unit 121 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various operation buttons, device status display, operation status of each function, etc. on the display screen in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 110. Do.
The operation unit 122 includes various keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives a key operation by a user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 110. The operation unit 122 has a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern so as to cover the upper surface of the LCD of the display unit 121, and XY of a power point pressed by a finger or a touch pen The coordinates are detected by a voltage value, and the detected position signal is output to the control unit 110 as an operation signal. Note that the touch panel is not limited to a pressure-sensitive type, and may be another electrostatic type, an optical type, or the like.

  The document reading unit 130 includes a light source, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, an A / D converter, and the like. The reflected light of the light scanned from the light source to the document is imaged and photoelectrically converted to convert the document. The image is read, the read image is A / D converted, and the obtained image data is output to the image forming unit 140.

  The image forming unit 140 forms an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet supplied from the paper feed trays T <b> 11 to T <b> 13 based on a print job transmitted from an external apparatus or image data input from the document reading unit 130. . As an image forming method by the image forming unit 140, any known method such as an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, a thermal transfer method, or the like can be adopted.

  The fixing unit 150 includes a heating roller that heats the sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the image forming unit 140 and a pressure roller that pressurizes the sheet, and fixes the toner image on the sheet by heating and pressing.

  The paper transport unit 160 controls a transport roller for transporting paper, feeds the paper stored in the paper feed trays T11 to T13 to the image forming unit 140 and the fixing unit 150, and after image formation and fixing The sheet is discharged to the post-processing apparatus 200.

The storage unit 170 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or the like, and stores a system program that can be executed by the image forming apparatus main body 100, various processing programs that can be executed by the system program, and these various processing programs. Data used for execution, processing result data calculated by the control unit 110, and the like are stored.
The storage unit 170 also manages the relationship between the type of post-processing (job type) executed by the post-processing apparatus based on the job and the distance (starting start distance) at which the image forming apparatus 10 starts to be started in association with each other. Distance conversion table A1 for managing the relationship between the intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the terminal device 20 possessed by the user and the distance from the image forming apparatus 10 in association with each other (not shown) ) Is stored.

As shown in FIG. 3, the job type distance conversion table A1 indicates a management number A11 that is a number for managing the post-processing device in an identifiable manner, and the type of post-processing executed by the post-processing device based on the job. There are fields of a job type A12 and an activation start distance A13 indicating a distance at which activation of the image forming apparatus 10 is started.
For example, in the top record of the job type distance conversion table A1, the post-processing device corresponding to the management number A11 “FN1” executes the job type A12 “paper folding” process, and the start start distance A13 is “2 m”. "Is shown. The second record indicates that the post-processing device corresponding to the management number A12 “FN2” executes the job type A12 “cutting” processing, and the activation start distance A13 is “1 m”. . The third record indicates that the post-processing device corresponding to the management number A12 “FN3” executes the job type A12 “staple” processing, and the activation start distance A13 is “0.5 m”. ing. The fourth record indicates that the post-processing device corresponding to the management number A12 “FN4” executes the job type A12 “binding” process, and the activation start distance A13 is “3 m”. .

  The communication unit 180 includes a modem, a LAN adapter, a router, and the like, and is a communication unit of an external device such as a PC connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) or a post-processing device ( (Not shown), and receives image data, status information, and the like. Further, the communication unit 180 performs communication control with the terminal device 20 possessed by the user, and receives, for example, identification information of the user wirelessly transmitted from the terminal device 20.

  The paper folding device FN1 performs a paper folding process on the paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body 100 as necessary, and discharges the paper to the next cutting device FN2. Specifically, when the execution of the paper folding process is set in the security job, the paper folding apparatus FN1 performs the paper folding process and then discharges it to the cutting apparatus FN2. On the other hand, if the execution of the paper folding process is not set in the security job, the paper folding apparatus FN1 does not perform the paper folding process and directly outputs it to the cutting apparatus FN2.

  The cutting device FN2 performs a cutting process on the paper conveyed from the paper folding device FN1 as necessary, and discharges the paper to the next stapling device FN3. Specifically, when the cutting process is set for the security job, the cutting apparatus FN2 performs the cutting process, and then discharges it to the stapling apparatus FN3. On the other hand, when the cutting process is not set for the security job, the cutting apparatus FN2 does not perform the cutting process and discharges it to the stapling apparatus FN3 as it is.

  The stapling device FN3 performs a stapling process on the paper conveyed from the cutting device FN2 as necessary, and discharges the paper to the next bookbinding device FN4. Specifically, if the execution of the staple process is set for the security job, the staple apparatus FN3 performs the staple process, and then discharges it to the bookbinding apparatus FN4. On the other hand, if the execution of stapling is not set for the security job, the stapling device FN3 does not perform stapling and discharges it as it is to the bookbinding device FN4.

  The bookbinding device FN4 performs bookbinding processing on the paper conveyed from the stapling device FN3 as necessary, and discharges the paper onto the paper discharge tray T21. Specifically, when the bookbinding process is set in the security job, the bookbinding apparatus FN4 discharges the booklet to the discharge tray T21 after performing the bookbinding process. On the other hand, if the execution of the bookbinding process is not set in the security job, the bookbinding apparatus FN4 does not perform the bookbinding process and directly discharges it to the paper discharge tray T21.

  The terminal device 20 is a portable terminal device that is owned and used by each user, such as a smart device such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a mobile phone. The terminal device 20 performs mutual communication with the communication unit 180 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 by communication connection of short-range wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), or the like. For example, the terminal device 20 wirelessly transmits user identification information (user ID) or the like for identifying the user to the communication unit 180.

  Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 (image forming apparatus main body 100) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Here, a case where one security job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body 100 via an external device such as a PC will be described as an example. This operation is performed even during the power saving mode.

  First, the control unit 110 acquires job information of a security job and an owner ID (user ID) of the owner of the security job (step S101). That is, the control unit 110 functions as an acquisition unit of the present invention. The security job information includes information indicating the job type of the security job, information indicating the number of sheets set in the security job (number of jobs), and the type of image set in the security job (image type). The information which shows is included.

  Next, the control unit 110 refers to the job type of the security job acquired in step S101 and the job type distance conversion table A1 (see FIG. 3), and the image forming apparatus 10 (the image forming apparatus main body 100 and the post-processing). A process (starting start distance setting process) for setting the starting start distance of the devices FN1 to FN4) is performed (step S102). That is, the control unit 110 functions as a setting unit of the present invention.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 110 determines whether or not post-processing is set for the security job acquired in step S101 of FIG. 4 (step S201). Specifically, the control unit 110 refers to the job type of the security job acquired in step S101 in FIG. 4, and at least one of paper folding processing, cutting processing, stapling processing, and bookbinding processing is set for the security job. If it is determined, post-processing processing is determined to be set.
When it is determined that post-processing is set (step S201: YES), the control unit 110 proceeds to the next step S202.
On the other hand, when it is determined that post-processing is not set (step S201: NO), the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance based on the time when the first sheet (first print) is discharged. (Step S204), the process proceeds to Step S103 in FIG.

Next, the control unit 110 refers to the job type of the security job acquired in step S101 and the job type distance conversion table A1 (see FIG. 3) (step S202) and determines the activation start distance (step S203). Then, the process proceeds to step S103 in FIG. For example, when the job type of the security job acquired in step S101 is “paper folding”, the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance as “2 m”. In addition, when the job type of the security job acquired in step S101 is “cutting”, the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance as “1 m”.
The control unit 110 stores the activation start distance determined by the above activation start distance setting process in the storage unit 170 in a table format in association with the management number of the security job and the owner ID of the security job.

  In addition, when two or more job types are set in the security job acquired in step S101, the control unit 110 determines the start start distance by adding all start start distances set for each job type. To do. For example, when the job types of the security job acquired in step S101 are “paper folding” and “cutting”, the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance as “2m + 1m = 3m”.

  Next, in step S103 of FIG. 4, the control unit 110 starts detecting an approaching person using the terminal device 20 present in the detectable area (step S103). Here, the detectable area is an area where the communication unit 180 can receive a radio wave transmitted from the terminal device 20, and is 10 m, for example. The control part 110 can detect the user who possesses the said terminal device 20 by receiving the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the terminal device 20 which exists in a detectable area | region. That is, the control unit 110 functions as a detection unit of the present invention.

  Next, the control part 110 acquires the user ID transmitted from the terminal device 20 existing in the detectable area (step S104).

Next, the control unit 110 determines whether the approaching person is the security job owner based on the owner ID of the security job owner acquired in step S101 and the user ID acquired in step S104. (Step S105). That is, the control unit 110 functions as a first determination unit of the present invention. Specifically, the control unit 110 determines that the user is the security job owner if the owner ID of the security job owner acquired in step S101 matches the user ID acquired in step S104.
If the control unit 110 determines that it is the owner of the security job (step S105: YES), the control unit 110 proceeds to the next step S106.
On the other hand, when the control unit 110 determines that the user is not the owner of the security job (step S105: NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to step S104 and acquires the user ID transmitted from the terminal device 20 existing in the detectable area again. To do.

Next, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the user who has been determined to be the owner of the security job in step S105 has reached the start start distance set in step S102 (step S106). Specifically, first, the control unit 110 acquires the intensity of the radio wave transmitted from the terminal device 20 possessed by the user who is determined to be the owner of the security job. Next, the control unit 110 refers to the acquired radio wave intensity and a distance conversion table (not shown) to calculate the position of the user, thereby determining whether or not the activation start distance has been reached. That is, the control unit 110 functions as a detection unit and a second determination unit of the present invention.
When it is determined that the activation start distance has been reached (step S106: YES), the control unit 110 proceeds to the next step S107.
On the other hand, if the control unit 110 determines that the activation start distance has not been reached (step S106: NO), the control unit 110 proceeds to step S104 and is transmitted again from the terminal device 20 existing in the detectable area. Get an ID.

  Next, the control unit 110 executes the security job acquired in step S101, and starts a process (image forming process) for causing the image forming unit 140 to form an image based on the security job on a sheet (step S107). That is, the control unit 110 functions as a start start unit of the present invention. If the controller 110 is in the power saving mode, the controller 110 cancels the power saving mode and activates the image forming apparatus 10, and then performs the process of step S107.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes the image forming unit 140 that forms an image based on a job on a sheet, and after performing predetermined post-processing on the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 140. A processing unit (paper folding device FN1, cutting device FN2, stapling device FN3, and bookbinding device FN4) and an acquisition unit that acquires job information of the security job and user identification information for identifying the user who is the owner of the security job ( If the post-processing performed by the post-processing unit is set for the security job with reference to the control unit 110) and the job type of the job information of the security job acquired by the acquisition unit, A setting unit (control unit 110) for setting a start start distance based on the process, and a user and a user existing in the detectable area Based on the detection unit (control unit 110) that detects the position of the user and the user identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, the first unit that determines whether the user detected by the detection unit is the owner of the security job. When the first determination unit (control unit 110) and the first determination unit determine that the job is the security job owner, the setting unit determines whether the security job owner is based on the position of the user detected by the detection unit. A second determination unit (control unit 110) that determines whether or not the set activation start distance has been reached, and when the second determination unit determines that the activation start distance has been reached, executes a security job, An activation start unit (control unit 110) that starts processing for forming an image based on the security job on the sheet by the image forming unit 140; Obtain.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the first sheet can be discharged at the timing when the owner of the security job reaches the front of the apparatus. While ensuring, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user at the time of paper discharge.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the setting unit refers to the job type of the job information of the security job, and when the post-processing performed by the post-processing unit is not set for the security job. The activation start distance is set based on the time when the first sheet is discharged.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, regardless of whether or not post-processing is set for the security job, the first sheet is discharged at the timing when the security job owner arrives in front of the apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user at the time of paper discharge while ensuring the security of the printed matter after paper discharge.

  As mentioned above, although concretely demonstrated based on embodiment which concerns on this invention, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

(Modification 1)
For example, in the above embodiment, a case where one security job is transmitted from a certain user to the image forming apparatus main body 100 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied even when two or more security jobs are transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body 100 from a certain user. In the first modification, a case where two security jobs are transmitted from the user to the image forming apparatus main body 100 will be described as an example.

FIG. 6 is a table showing a relationship between two security jobs (job 1 and job 2) transmitted from a certain user and respective job types. Specifically, “paper folding process”, “staple process”, and “bookbinding process” are set for job 1, and “cutting process” and “bookbinding process” are set for job 2. That is, for both job 1 and job 2, bookbinding processing is set.
Here, when the bookbinding process for job 1 and the bookbinding process for job 2 are performed at once, the book originally created based on job 1 and the book created based on job 2 are created separately. In spite of having to do so, there arises a disadvantage that it is created as one book. Therefore, the bookbinding process for job 1 and the bookbinding process for job 2 cannot be performed simultaneously, and the process for job 2 is performed after the process for job 1.

Therefore, the control unit 110 adds the activation start distance (individual activation start distance) of job 1 and the activation start distance (individual activation start distance) of job 2 to determine the activation start distance. In the example shown in FIG. 6, first, the control unit 110 refers to the job type distance conversion table A1 (see FIG. 3) because the job types of the job 1 are “paper folding”, “staple”, and “bookbinding”. Then, the activation start distance of job 1 is calculated as “2 m + 0.5 m + 3 m = 5.5 m”. Next, since the job types of the job 2 are “cutting” and “bookbinding”, the control unit 110 refers to the job type distance conversion table A1 and calculates the start start distance of the job 2 as “1 m + 3 m = 4 m”. To do. Next, the control unit 110 adds the start start distance of job 1 and the start start distance of job 2 and determines the start start distance as “5.5 m + 4 m = 9.5 m”.
Note that when three or more security jobs with common post-processing that cannot be processed at the same time (bookbinding processing in the above) are sent from the same user, they are calculated for each security job as described above. The starting start distance is determined by adding all the individual starting start distances.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first modification, when the acquisition unit acquires job information of a plurality of security jobs having the same owner by the acquisition unit, the setting unit acquires the acquired plurality of security jobs. The activation start distance is set based on the job type combination of the security job information.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first modified example, even when a plurality of security jobs having the same owner are acquired, the start of the start is performed so that the optimal discharge timing is obtained according to the combination. Since the distance can be set, it is possible to ensure security and reduce standby time regardless of the number of security jobs.

In particular, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first modification, the setting unit refers to the job type of the job information of a plurality of security jobs, and the post-process common to the plurality of security jobs is set. If the common post-processing cannot be performed at the same time, the individual activation start distance is calculated based on each job type for each security job, and all the calculated individual activation start distances are added up. To set the start distance.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first modification, when a common post-processing that cannot be simultaneously processed is set for a plurality of security jobs transmitted from the same user, the security jobs are individually set for each security job. Since the start distance is set in consideration of post-processing, it is possible to ensure security and reduce waiting time even when post-processing common to multiple security jobs cannot be performed simultaneously. Can be realized.

(Modification 2)
In the second modification, a case where two security jobs different from the first modification are transmitted from the user to the image forming apparatus main body 100 will be described as an example.

FIG. 7 is a table showing a relationship between two security jobs (job 3 and job 4) transmitted from a certain user and respective job types. Specifically, “paper folding process”, “cutting process”, and “bookbinding process” are set for job 3, and “cutting process” and “staple process” are set for job 4. That is, both the job 3 and the job 4 are set with a cutting process.
Here, if the paper sizes of the job 3 and the job 4 are the same, the cutting process of the job 3 and the cutting process of the job 4 can be performed simultaneously. In the second modification, it is assumed that the job 3 and the job 4 have the same paper size.

Therefore, when the control unit 110 adds the start start distance of job 3 (individual start start distance) and the start start distance of job 4 (individual start start distance), the part that performs processing simultaneously in job 3 and job 4 The starting start distance is determined in consideration of the overlap between the two (that is, considering the portion that performs processing simultaneously as one processing). In the example shown in FIG. 7, first, the control unit 110 refers to the job type distance conversion table A1 (see FIG. 3) because the job types of the job 3 are “paper folding”, “cutting”, and “bookbinding”. Then, the activation start distance of job 3 is calculated as “2m + 1m + 3m = 6m”. Next, since the job types of the job 4 are “cut” and “staple”, the control unit 110 refers to the job type distance conversion table A1 and sets the start start distance of the job 4 to “1 m + 0.5 m = 1. 5m ". Next, when adding the start start distance of job 3 and the start start distance of job 4, the control unit 110 adds the common post-processes that can be processed simultaneously as one process, and adds up the start start distance. Is determined to be “6.5 m”. In this case, after adding the start start distance of job 3 and the start start distance of job 4, the overlap (one cut process) is subtracted, and the start start distance is “6 m + 1.5 m−1 m = 6.5 m”. You may make it decide to. Alternatively, the start start distance of job 3 and the start start distance of job 4 may be added to the start start distance excluding the other cutting process to determine the start start distance as “6.5 m”. Good.
In addition, when three or more security jobs with common post-processing that can be processed at the same time (cutting processing in the above) are sent from the same user, they are calculated for each security job as described above. When all the individual activation start distances are added together, the activation start distance is determined by considering the common post-processing that can be processed at the same time as one process and adding them up.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second modification, the setting unit refers to the job types of the job information of a plurality of security jobs, and post-processing common to the plurality of security jobs is set. If the common post-processing can be performed at the same time, the activation start distance is calculated based on each job type for each security job, and all the calculated activation start distances are added up. In this case, the common post-processes that can be processed simultaneously are regarded as one process and are added together to set the start start distance.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second modification, when a common post-process that can be simultaneously processed is set for a plurality of security jobs transmitted from the same user, the post-process is simultaneously performed. Since the start start distance is set in consideration of this, it is possible to achieve security and reduce waiting time while making post-processing based on the security job more efficient.

(Modification 3)
In the above embodiment, the activation start distance is determined based on the job type of the security job. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the activation start distance may be determined based on the number of sheets (number of jobs) set in the security job in addition to the job type of the security job.
Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the starting start distance setting process of the modification 3 is demonstrated. This process is performed instead of the activation start distance setting process (see FIG. 5) of the embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 110 determines whether post-processing processing is set for the security job acquired in step S101 of FIG. 4 (step S301).
When it is determined that post-processing is set (step S301: YES), the controller 110 proceeds to the next step S302.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the post-processing is not set (step S301: NO), the control unit 110 determines the first activation start distance based on the time when the first sheet (first print) is discharged. Is determined (step S303), and the process proceeds to step S304.

  Next, the control unit 110 determines the first activation start distance with reference to the job type of the security job acquired in step S101 and the job type distance conversion table A1 (see FIG. 3) (step S302).

  After the first activation start distance is determined in step S302 or step S303, the control unit 110 refers to the job number of the security job and the job number distance conversion table A2 acquired in step S101, and performs the second activation. A starting distance is determined (step S304).

  The job number distance conversion table A2 is a table for managing the relationship between the number of sheets set for a job (number of jobs) and the distance at which the image forming apparatus 10 is started (starting start distance) in association with each other. . As shown in FIG. 9, the job number distance conversion table A2 has fields of a job number A21 indicating the number of sheets set for the job and an activation start distance A22 indicating the distance at which the image forming apparatus 10 is activated. The job number distance conversion table A2 is stored in the storage unit 170.

  For example, when the number of security jobs acquired in step S101 is “1”, the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance as “0.5 m”. In addition, when the number of security jobs acquired in step S101 is “2”, the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance as “1 m”. Here, the larger the number of jobs, the longer the start start distance is set, because the larger the number of jobs, the longer the time required for the calculation of the CPU of the control unit 110 and the longer the time required for image formation on the first sheet. This is because the discharge timing of the first sheet is delayed accordingly.

  Next, the control unit 110 adds the first activation start distance determined in Step S302 or Step S303 and the second activation start distance determined in Step S304 to determine the activation start distance (Step S302). S305).

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the third modification, the setting unit sets the activation start distance based on the number of sheets set in the security job in addition to the job type of the job information of the security job. Set.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the modified example 3, since it is possible to cope with a deviation in the discharge timing of the first sheet due to the number of sheets, it is possible to more reliably ensure security and wait. Time savings can be realized.

(Modification 4)
As another example of determining the activation start distance, in addition to the job type of the security job, the type of image (image type) set in the security job, more specifically, the image for printing for each image type The activation start distance may be determined based on the time (RIP time) required for the process of converting to data. The image type is, for example, a text file (such as TXT) or an image file (such as BMP, GIF, JPEG, or PNG).
Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the activation start distance setting process of Modification 4 will be described. This process is performed instead of the activation start distance setting process (see FIG. 5) of the embodiment.

  The processing in steps S401 to S403 is the same as the processing in steps S301 to S303 in FIG.

  After the first activation start distance is determined in step S402 or step S403, the control unit 110 refers to the RIP time of the image type set in the security job acquired in step S101 and the image type distance conversion table A3. Then, the second activation start distance is determined (step S404).

  The image type distance conversion table A3 is a table for managing the relationship between the RIP time of the image type set for the job and the distance (starting start distance) at which the image forming apparatus 10 starts to be started in association with each other. As shown in FIG. 11, the image type distance conversion table A3 includes fields of an RIP time A31 indicating the RIP time of the image type set in the job and an activation start distance A32 indicating the distance at which the image forming apparatus 10 is activated. Have. The image type distance conversion table A3 is stored in the storage unit 170.

  For example, if the RIP time (t seconds) of the image type set in the security job acquired in step S101 is “t ≦ 1”, the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance as “1 m”. In addition, when the RIP time of the image type set in the security job acquired in step S101 is “1 <t ≦ 10”, the control unit 110 determines the activation start distance as “5 m”.

  Next, the control unit 110 adds the first activation start distance determined in step S402 or step S403 and the second activation start distance determined in step S404 to determine the activation start distance (step S405).

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the modified example 4, the setting unit sets the start start distance based on the image type set for the security job in addition to the job type of the job information of the security job. To do.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the modified example 3, it is possible to cope with a deviation in the discharge timing of the first sheet due to the RIP time of the image type set in the security job. It is possible to reliably ensure security and reduce waiting time.

(Other variations)
In the above embodiment, four post-processing devices (paper folding device FN1, cutting device FN2, stapling device FN3, and bookbinding device FN4) are described as examples of the post-processing device. It is not something. That is, the number of post-processing apparatuses is not particularly limited, and may be one or two or more.

  In the above embodiment, the user and the position of the user (distance to the user) are detected using radio waves transmitted by the terminal device 20 possessed by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. For example, instead of using the terminal device 20, an image capturing unit such as a camera is provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the user and the position of the user are detected based on the image captured by the image capturing unit. May be. In this case, the user can be identified by recognizing the user's face or the like based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus 100 Image forming apparatus main body 110 Control part (acquisition part, setting part, detection part, 1st determination part, 2nd determination part, starting start part)
120 Operation Panel 121 Display Unit 122 Operation Unit 130 Document Reading Unit 140 Image Forming Unit 150 Fixing Unit 160 Paper Conveying Unit 170 Storage Unit 180 Communication Unit FN1 Paper Folding Device (Post-Processing Unit)
FN2 cutting device (post-processing section)
FN3 stapling device (post-processing section)
FN4 bookbinding device (post-processing section)
20 Terminal devices T11 to T13 Paper feed tray T21 Paper discharge tray

Claims (7)

An image forming unit for forming an image based on a job on paper;
A post-processing unit that performs predetermined post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit;
An acquisition unit that acquires job information of a security job and user identification information for identifying a user who is the owner of the security job;
When the post processing performed by the post-processing unit is set for the security job with reference to the job type of the job information of the security job acquired by the acquiring unit, based on the set post-processing A setting section for setting the starting start distance;
A detection unit for detecting the user existing in the detectable region and the position of the user;
A first determination unit that determines whether the user detected by the detection unit is an owner of the security job based on the user identification information acquired by the acquisition unit;
When the first determination unit determines that the job is the security job owner, the security job owner is set to the start start distance set by the setting unit based on the position of the user detected by the detection unit. A second determination unit for determining whether or not it has reached,
An activation start unit that executes the security job when the second determination unit determines that the activation start distance has been reached, and starts processing to form an image based on the security job on the paper by the image forming unit; ,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The setting unit, when job information of a plurality of security jobs having the same owner is acquired by the acquisition unit, based on a combination of job types of job information of the acquired security jobs The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: is set.   The setting unit refers to the job type of the job information of the plurality of security jobs, and when the post-processing common to the plurality of security jobs is set, the common post-processing cannot be processed simultaneously. And calculating an individual activation start distance for each security job based on each job type, and adding all the calculated activation start distances to set the individual activation start distance. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 2.   The setting unit refers to a job type of job information of the plurality of security jobs, and a case where post-processing common to the plurality of security jobs is set, and the common post-processing can be processed simultaneously. In some cases, when the start start distance is calculated based on each job type for each security job and all the start start distances calculated are combined, the common post-processing that can be processed simultaneously is performed as one process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the starting start distance is set by considering the above.   5. The start setting distance is set based on the number of sheets set in the security job in addition to the job type of the job information of the security job. The image forming apparatus described in the item.   The said setting part sets starting start distance based on the image type set to the said security job in addition to the job type of the job information of the said security job, The any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The setting unit refers to the job type of the job information of the security job, and when the post-processing performed by the post-processing unit is not set for the security job, the time when the first sheet is discharged The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an activation start distance is set based on

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