JP2019104142A - Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus which stops execution of automatic cancelling processing of a job when it is determined that a user intends to release an error.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: measuring means for measuring a continuing time of an error state when printing processing based on a job is suspended due to the occurrence of an error; cancelling means for cancelling the suspended job if the continuing time measured by the measuring means reaches a prescribed time; determining means for determining whether a user has started work of releasing the error; and stopping means for stopping measuring of the continuing time by the measuring means when the determining means has determined that the user has started the work.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes print processing based on a job, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In an office environment, it is assumed that printers are shared by multiple users. For example, while print processing based on a print job input by a certain user is being executed, a plurality of other users can be used to input print jobs from their own host computer. In such an environment, if printing can not be continued due to some error (for example, an error such as no paper or no toner) while printing a certain job, if the user does not notice an error occurrence, There is also a problem that printing is delayed. This problem leads to reduced usability and security.

  As a method of coping with this problem, it is known to execute processing for automatically canceling a print job (referred to as automatic cancellation processing) when an error state continues for a certain period of time after occurrence of an error (Patent Document 1). . According to Patent Document 1, in order for the user to resume printing of a job interrupted by an error (referred to as an interrupted job), it is necessary to perform an operation (referred to as an error cancellation operation) for recovering an error state within a predetermined time. There is.

JP 2017-87591 A

  However, according to Patent Document 1, even when it is delayed to notice the occurrence of an error, or when it takes a long time to cancel the error, the job of the user who intends to cancel the error and resume printing is canceled. There is a problem that The user whose job has been canceled has to re-enter the same job as the canceled job after completion of the error cancellation work, which is a waste of time and effort.

  Therefore, in view of the above problem, the present invention has an object of canceling execution of automatic cancellation processing of a job when it is determined that the user has an intention to cancel an error.

  In the present invention, when printing processing based on a job is interrupted due to the occurrence of an error, a measuring unit that measures the duration of an error state, and an interrupted job when the duration measured by the measuring unit reaches a predetermined time Cancellation means for canceling the operation, a determination means for determining whether the user has started the work for canceling the error, and the determination means determines that the user has started the work, the duration time by the measurement means And a stop unit for stopping measurement of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, after the printing is interrupted due to the occurrence of an error, the user can partially cancel the error within a predetermined time, thereby giving a delay for the error cancellation. Therefore, the user can perform the error cancellation work with a margin. In addition, since printing resumes after completion of the error cancellation operation, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the user re-inputting the same job.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a software module configuration of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of automatic cancellation of a discontinuation job. It is a flowchart of execution control processing of automatic cancellation of the conventional interruption job. It is a flowchart of execution control processing of automatic cancellation of a suspended job in a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of execution control processing of automatic cancellation of a suspended job in the second embodiment mobile phone.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

First Embodiment
<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is realized as a so-called MFP (multifunctional peripheral device) in which a plurality of functions such as a scan function and a print function are integrated. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller unit 100 that controls the entire apparatus, a scanner 113, a printer 114, and an operation unit 106. The scanner 113 is an image input device that optically reads a document set on a document table. The printer 114 is an image output device that prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper based on image data. The operation unit 106 includes a ten key, various hard keys, and the like for receiving an input of an instruction to execute a job from the user, and can also execute device status information, job progress information, etc., or the image forming apparatus 1. The display panel which displays the setting screen of a function and presents it to a user is included.

  The controller unit 100 includes an operation unit interface (hereinafter, the interface is abbreviated as I / F) 105, a scanner processing unit 111, and a printer processing unit 112. The scanner 113 is connected to the scanner processing unit 111, the printer 114 is connected to the printer processing unit 112, and the operation unit 106 is connected to the operation unit I / F 105. Under such a configuration, the scanner 113, the printer 114, and the operation unit 106 are controlled by the controller unit 100 and operate.

  The controller unit 100 includes a CPU 101 that centrally controls each block of the controller unit 100. The CPU 101 is connected to the RAM 102, the ROM 103, the hardware disk drive (HDD) 104, the operation unit I / F 105, and the network I / F 107 via the system bus 108. The RAM 102 is a general-purpose RAM, and is a memory for providing a work area of the CPU 101. The RAM 102 is also used as a memory for temporarily storing parameters, setting values and the like, and as an image memory for storing image data in a predetermined unit such as a page. The ROM 103 is a general-purpose ROM, and stores, for example, a system boot program as a boot ROM. The HDD 104 stores system software programs, history data, image data, tables, and the like. The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading out a program stored in the ROM 103 to the RAM 102 and executing the program.

  The operation unit I / F 105 is an interface for performing input and output of information with the operation unit 106. The operation unit I / F 105 outputs display data to the operation unit 106 in response to an instruction from the CPU 101, and transmits information input by the user on the operation unit 106 to the CPU 101. The network I / F 107 is connected to a LAN 115 of a wired or wireless medium, and enables input and output of information between the image forming apparatus 1 and devices on the LAN 115. The network I / F 107 has a configuration compatible with the LAN 115, and may have a configuration compatible with near field communication (Near Field Communication) with a wireless distance of about several tens of cm, for example. In that case, communication is performed between the image forming apparatus 1 and the portable wireless terminal.

  The image processing unit 109 executes general-purpose image processing. For example, processing such as enlargement / reduction, rotation, conversion, etc. is performed on image data acquired from the outside via the LAN 115. Further, the image processing unit 109 executes processing for expanding a code described in page description language (PDL) received via the LAN 115 into an image (data) in a bitmap format. Further, when outputting by the printer 114 via the printer processing unit 112, the image processing unit 109 converts the image data compressed and encoded and stored in the HDD 104 into a format that can be processed by the printer processing unit 112. Execute processing for The device I / F 110 is connected to the scanner 113 via the scanner processing unit 111 and to the printer 114 via the printer processing unit 112. The device I / F 110 transmits synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data, setting values, adjustment values, and the like to the scanner 113 and the printer 114. The device I / F 110 also transmits status information of the scanner 113 and the printer 114 to the CPU 101. This status information includes, for example, error information such as jamming occurring in the scanner 113 or the printer 114.

  The scanner processing unit 111 performs various processing corresponding to a scan function such as correction, processing, image area separation, magnification change, and binarization processing on read data read and input by the scanner 113. The scanner 113 includes an automatic continuous document feeding device and a pressure plate reading device, and can execute reading of a document placed on a document table, double-sided reading of a plurality of documents, and the like. In addition, a sensor is provided in the scanner 113 to open and close the feeding apparatus cover, open and close the document cover, detect the presence or absence of the document, detect the document size, and the like. Detection signals of these sensors and status information of the scanner 113 are transmitted to the CPU 101 via the scanner processing unit 111 and the device I / F 110, and the CPU 101 recognizes the status of the scanner 113 such as occurrence of an error or cancellation of the error.

  The printer processing unit 112 performs processing corresponding to the print function such as output correction corresponding to the output characteristic of the printer 114, resolution conversion, adjustment of the print position of the image, and the like to the image data to be printed out. The printer 114 can sequentially feed one or more sheets of paper from the paper cassette one or more paper feed cassettes for storing printing paper, one or more toner trays for storing toner, and the paper feeding cassette. Includes units and The printer 114 also includes a marking unit for printing the toner on the fed paper, and a fixing unit for fixing the toner printed by the marking unit by heat and pressure. A sensor is provided in the printer 114 to detect the open / close status of each paper feed cassette, the remaining amount of paper, the open / close status of the toner tray, the open / close of the paper feed unit cover, the presence or absence of toner, etc. It is done. The detection signal from the sensor and the status information of the printer 114 are transmitted to the CPU 101 via the printer processing unit 112 and the device I / F 110, and the CPU 101 recognizes the status of the printer 114 such as error occurrence or error release.

<About the software module configuration of the image forming apparatus>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a software module configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Each module in FIG. 2 is realized by the CPU 101 executing a program. The job control processing unit 201 controls other modules and generally controls the execution of each job generated in the image forming apparatus 1 such as copying, printing, scanning, and user interface (UI) processing.

  The UI processing unit 202 performs processing related to the operation unit 106 and the operation unit I / F 105. The UI processing unit 202 transmits information input by the user operating the operation unit 106 to the job control processing unit 201, and causes the operation unit 106 to display contents according to an instruction from the job control processing unit 201. . The UI processing unit 202 also edits drawing data to be displayed on the operation unit 106.

  The network processing unit 203 performs communication processing with devices on the LAN 115 via the network I / F 107. When receiving a control command or data from the device on the LAN 115, the network processing unit 203 transmits the information to the job control processing unit 201. Also, in response to an instruction from the job control processing unit 201, the network processing unit 203 transmits control commands and data to devices on the LAN 115.

  In response to an instruction from the job control processing unit 201, the scan processing unit 204 controls the scanner 113 and the scanner processing unit 111 to execute the reading processing of the document placed on the document table of the scanner 113. The scan processing unit 204 also controls the scanner processing unit 111 to execute image processing on the read image data. Further, the scan processing unit 204 acquires status information of the scanner processing unit 111 and the scanner 113, and transmits the acquired status information to the job control processing unit 201.

  In response to an instruction from the job control processing unit 201, the print processing unit 205 controls the image processing unit 109, the printer processing unit 112, and the printer 114 to execute print processing. The print processing unit 205 receives image data, image information (image data size, color mode, resolution, etc.), layout information (offset, scaling, imposition, etc.), and output sheet information (size) from the job control processing unit 201. , Information such as printing direction, etc.). Then, the print processing unit 205 controls the image processing unit 109 and the printer processing unit 112 to execute appropriate image processing on the image data, and controls the printer processing unit 112 and the printer 114 to make the sheet, etc. Execute print processing on the recording medium. Further, the print processing unit 205 acquires status information of the printer processing unit 112 and the printer 114, and transmits the acquired status information to the job control processing unit 201.

<About the setting screen for automatic cancellation of interrupted job>
FIG. 3 shows a setting screen displayed on the operation unit 106 for receiving the setting of the automatic cancellation ON / OFF of the job when printing processing is interrupted due to an error occurrence and the setting of the time until the execution of the automatic cancellation according to this embodiment. Is a diagram illustrating an example of The setting item 301 is an item for receiving a setting as to whether or not to cancel the interrupted job when a predetermined time has elapsed after the occurrence of an error. When "ON" is specified by the user, cancellation of the interrupted job is executed when a predetermined time has elapsed after an error occurs, while cancellation of the interrupted job is not executed when "OFF" is specified by the user.

  The setting item 302 is an item for receiving the setting of the time until execution of the automatic cancellation of the interrupted job. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the user can adjust the value "5 minutes" displayed by default by pressing the plus button or the minus button. When the user presses the OK button, the setting content accepted on the setting screen of FIG. 3 is determined, and the determined setting content is stored in the HDD 104 or the RAM 102. When the user presses the cancel button, the setting contents accepted on the setting screen of FIG. 3 are cancelled.

<About conventional execution control processing of automatic cancellation>
Hereinafter, conventional automatic cancellation execution control processing will be described by taking, as an example, a case where a document scanned by the scanner 113 is printed by the printer 114. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the execution control process of the automatic cancellation. In this example, for a job whose printing is interrupted due to an error such as a paper jam, an automatic cancellation process is performed to automatically cancel the job after a predetermined time. The following processing is realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading out a program stored in the HDD 104 to the RAM 102 and executing the program.

  Execution control processing of automatic cancellation is started when the job control processing unit 201 executes printing processing.

  In step S401, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether an error that can not continue print processing is detected during execution of the print processing. This determination is performed by receiving from the print processing unit 205 information on an error generated in the printer 114 or from the scan processing unit 204 information on an error generated in the scanner 113. The error detection process of this step is always executed during the printing process. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, when the determination result of this step is false, when the printing process ends normally, the execution control process of automatic cancellation ends.

  An error that can not continue printing that occurs with the printer 114 is, for example, when there is no paper in the paper feed cassette (paper out), or when the paper being conveyed is jammed in the paper feed unit or paper discharge unit (paper (Clogging), toner remaining amount becomes 0 (toner out), etc. Upon receiving the error information notified from the print processing unit 205, the job control processing unit 201 instructs the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to interrupt the job execution. Also, the job control processing unit 201 instructs the UI processing unit 202 to display error information on the operation unit 106.

  The error which can not continue printing which occurs with the scanner 113 includes, for example, paper jamming of the automatic continuous original feeding device. When receiving the error information notified from the scan processing unit 204, the job control processing unit 201 instructs the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to interrupt the job execution. Also, the job control processing unit 201 instructs the UI processing unit 202 to display error information on the operation unit 106.

  In step S402, the job control processing unit 201 reads the information of the setting item 301 in FIG. 3 from the RAM 102 or the HDD 104, and determines whether the value of the setting item 301 is ON. If the determination result in step S402 is true, the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S402 is false, the process proceeds to step S403.

  First, the case where the value of the setting item 301 is determined to be OFF (NO in step S402) will be described. In this case, in step S403, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the error is canceled based on the state information received from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S404, the job control processing unit 201 instructs the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to resume the execution of the job, and resumes the print processing. Next, the process returns to step S401.

  In step S <b> 405, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether there is a user cancellation instruction via the UI processing unit 202. User cancellation is that a user intentionally cancels a job of the image forming apparatus 1. The user cancellation instruction is performed, for example, by the user pressing a cancel button (not shown) of the operation unit 106. If the determination result of this step is true, the interrupted job is canceled, and the execution control process of the automatic cancellation ends. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process returns to step S403. When the interrupted job is canceled by pressing the cancel button, the other jobs already accepted by the image forming apparatus 1 are not canceled, and the printing process for the job following the interrupted job is sequentially executed.

  Subsequently, a case where the value of the setting item 301 is determined to be ON (YES in step S402) will be described. In this case, in step S406, the job control processing unit 201 reads, from the RAM 102 or the HDD 104, the value of the waiting time until the execution of the automatic cancellation received in the setting item 302 in FIG. Then, the job control processing unit 201 sets the read value to the first timer (referred to as timer A), and starts the countdown.

  In step S <b> 407, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the error detected in step S <b> 401 has been canceled based on the status information received from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S408. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S408, the job control processing unit 201 stops the timer A started in step S406, instructs the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to resume the execution of the job, and resumes the print processing. Further, the job control processing unit 201 notifies the UI processing unit 202 of the error cancellation information, and instructs the operation unit 106 to erase the error notification screen being displayed. Next, the process returns to step S401.

  In step S409, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether there is a user cancellation instruction via the UI processing unit 202. If the determination result of this step is true, the interrupted job is canceled, and the execution control process of the automatic cancellation ends. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In step S410, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the countdown by the timer A started in step S406 is completed. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S411. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process returns to step S407 to maintain the print interruption state and to receive the state information from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205.

  In step S411, the job control processing unit 201 cancels all the jobs received before the countdown by the timer A is completed, including the interrupted job, and the execution control process of the automatic cancellation is ended.

  The above is the contents of the conventional automatic cancellation execution control process.

<About Execution Control Process of Automatic Cancellation in the Present Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the execution control process of automatic cancellation in the present embodiment will be described by taking, as an example, a case where the document scanned by the scanner 113 is printed by the printer 114. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the execution control process of automatic cancellation in the present embodiment. In this example, in addition to the process shown in FIG. 4, a process for canceling the automatic cancellation process is added when the image forming apparatus determines that the user has partially performed the error cancellation operation. The following processing is realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading out a program stored in the HDD 104 to the RAM 102 and executing the program. In the following, the same contents as those of the above-described conventional automatic cancellation execution control process (FIG. 4) will not be described.

  Execution control processing of automatic cancellation is started when the job control processing unit 201 executes printing processing.

  In step S501, the job control processing unit 201 sets a value of “false” in the error release operation flag. The error cancellation work flag is binary data that indicates whether the job control processing unit 201 has determined that the user has started the error cancellation work. The information on the error cancellation work flag is stored in the RAM 102 or the HDD 104, and the job control processing unit 201 reads out or writes the value of the error cancellation work flag as necessary. After step S501, the process proceeds to step S401. Each process of step S401-step S408 is the same as the conventional execution control process of automatic cancellation (refer FIG. 4).

  In step S409, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether there is a user cancellation instruction via the UI processing unit 202. If the determination result of this step is true, the interrupted job is canceled, and the execution control process of the automatic cancellation ends. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the value of the error release operation flag is “true”. If the determination result of this step is true, the process returns to step S407. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S 503, the job control processing unit 201 determines based on the status information received from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205 whether the user has an intention to cancel the error, that is, the user has started the error cancellation work. judge. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S504. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In the determination of step S503, the job control processing unit 201 displays in the status information information (parts open information, etc.) indicating that a part (specifically, a cover, a tray, etc.) required to be opened in the error release operation has been opened. Yes) is included. Then, the job control processing unit 201 determines that the error release work has been started when the part open information is included in the state information, while the error release work is performed when the part open information is not included in the state information. Do not judge that it has started. Here, the job control processing unit 201 may determine as follows. Although the status information includes information indicating that the part that can not be opened for error release has been opened, the information indicates that the part that needs to be opened for error release has been opened. If it is not included, it is not judged that the error release work has been started.

  The following is a specific example of the error release operation.

  In the case of a paper jam error due to a paper jam in the automatic continuous document feeder of the scanner 113, if the scanner processing unit 111 detects that the feeder cover of the scanner 113 has been opened, the user may It can be determined that there is an intention to cancel the error.

  In the case of an out-of-paper error due to an interruption cause error because there is no paper in the paper feed cassette of the printer 114, if the printer processing unit 112 detects that the paper feed cassette has been opened, the user intends to cancel the error. It can be determined that there is

  In the case of a paper jam error due to a paper jam in the paper feed unit of the printer 114, if the printer processing unit 112 detects that the paper feed unit cover of the printer 114 has been opened, the user can cancel the error. It can be judged that there is an intention.

  In the case of the toner out error due to the interruption cause error being no toner remaining amount of the printer 114, when the printer processing unit 112 detects that the toner tray of the printer 114 is opened, the user has an intention to cancel the error. It can be determined that

  Furthermore, if the button for stopping the timer A is displayed on the operation unit 106 or if the button is provided on the operation unit 106, any button is pressed. It may be determined that the user has an intention to cancel the error of.

  In step S504, the job control processing unit 201 stops the timer A, and sets a value of “true” in the error release operation flag. By stopping the timer A, the automatic cancellation process is cancelled. Next, the process returns to step S407.

  Each process of step S410-step S411 is the same as the conventional execution control process of automatic cancellation (refer FIG. 4). The above is the contents of the execution control process of the automatic cancellation in this embodiment.

<About the effect of this embodiment, a modification>
As can be seen by comparing the flowchart of FIG. 4 with the flowchart of FIG. 5, the merit of the execution control process of the automatic cancellation in the present embodiment is that the user is given the grace of the error cancellation work.

  The purpose of the automatic cancellation process is to eliminate the deterioration in usability and security caused by the interruption job remaining if the user does not notice an error in printing. Therefore, if the user notices an error and wants to resume the interrupted job, there is no need to execute the automatic cancellation process.

  However, in the flow chart of FIG. 4, the time measurement (counting down) by the timer in the automatic cancellation process is continued until the error cancellation work is actually completed. Therefore, when it takes time for the error cancellation work, the countdown may be completed, and the automatic cancellation process of the interrupted job may be performed.

  On the other hand, in the flowchart of FIG. 5, when the image forming apparatus determines that the user has an intention to cancel the error, the timer of the automatic cancellation process is stopped without waiting for the completion of the error cancellation operation. This prevents the interrupted job from being canceled unnecessarily, and enables the user to perform the error cancellation work with a margin.

  In the above-described example, the case where the timer is set to the predetermined time and the countdown is described. However, the present embodiment can be applied to the case where the interruption job is canceled when the duration of the error state is measured (counted up) after the occurrence of the error and the measured duration reaches a predetermined time.

  Further, in the above-described example, the case of using the error release operation flag has been described with reference to FIG. However, the present embodiment can be applied to the case where the error cancellation operation flag is not used. In such a case, for example, each process of step S501, step S502, and step S504 is deleted from the flow shown in FIG. 5, and if the determination result in step S503 is true, the flow proceeds to step S403. Is considered.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, when the image forming apparatus determines that the user intends to cancel the error, the timer of the automatic cancellation process is completely stopped. However, in this configuration, if the user leaves the place without completing the error cancellation work for some reason, the interrupted job will continue to remain, which may reduce usability and security.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus determines that the user intends to cancel the error, the countdown by the timer of the automatic cancellation process is temporarily stopped, and the error cancellation operation is not completed even after a predetermined time. Restart the countdown. In the following, the description of the same contents as those of the above-described first embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

<About execution control processing of automatic cancellation>
Hereinafter, the execution control process of automatic cancellation in the present embodiment will be described by taking, as an example, a case where the document scanned by the scanner 113 is printed by the printer 114. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the execution control process of automatic cancellation in the present embodiment. In this example, in addition to the process shown in FIG. 4, a process for delaying the execution of the automatic cancellation process is added when the image forming apparatus determines that the user has performed an error cancellation operation. The following processing is realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading out a program stored in the HDD 104 to the RAM 102 and executing the program.

  Execution control processing of automatic cancellation is started when the job control processing unit 201 executes printing processing. Each process of step S401-step S406 is the same as that of each process of 1st Embodiment (refer FIG. 5).

  In step S <b> 407, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the error detected in step S <b> 401 has been canceled based on the status information received from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S601. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S601, the job control processing unit 201 stops the countdown by the timer A started in step S405 or a second timer (referred to as a timer B) described later. Also, the job control processing unit 201 instructs the scan processing unit 204 and the print processing unit 205 to resume the execution of the job, and resumes the printing process. Further, the job control processing unit 201 notifies the UI processing unit 202 of the error cancellation information, and instructs the operation unit 106 to erase the error notification screen being displayed. Next, the process returns to step S401.

  In step S409, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether there is a user cancellation instruction via the UI processing unit 202. If the determination result of this step is true, the interrupted job is canceled, and the execution control process of the automatic cancellation ends. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S602.

  In step S602, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the countdown by the timer B described later is in progress. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S604. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step 503.

  First, the case where it is determined that the countdown by the timer B is not in progress (NO in step S602) will be described. In this case, in step S503, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the user has an intention to cancel the error based on the state information received from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205, that is, the error cancellation work by the user is Determine if it has started. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S603. On the other hand, if the determination result of this step is false, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In step S603, the job control processing unit 201 suspends the countdown by the timer A started in step S406. Then, the job control processing unit 201 sets a predetermined waiting time in the timer B and starts the countdown by the timer B. Here, the predetermined waiting time is a time (e.g., 15 minutes) sufficient for the user to complete the error release operation. The waiting time set in the timer B may be a fixed value, or may be a value set by the user by separately providing a waiting time setting unit of the timer B.

  Subsequently, a case where it is determined that the countdown by the timer B is in progress (YES in step S602) will be described. In this case, in step S604, the job control processing unit 201 determines whether the countdown by the timer B started in step S603 is completed. If the determination result of this step is true, the process proceeds to step S605. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false, the process returns to step S407 to receive the status information from the scan processing unit 204 or the print processing unit 205 while maintaining the printing interruption state.

  In step S605, the job control processing unit 201 resumes the countdown by the timer A temporarily stopped in step S603. After step S605, the process proceeds to step S410. Each process of step S410-step S411 is the same as each process of 1st Embodiment (refer FIG. 5).

  The above is the contents of the execution control process of the automatic cancellation in this embodiment.

<About the effect of this embodiment, a modification>
Both the first embodiment and the second embodiment give the user the grace of the error cancellation work, but the second embodiment imposes a limitation on the grace.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined that the user has an intention to cancel the error, the execution of the automatic cancellation process is canceled. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the execution of the automatic cancellation process is not canceled but the execution is delayed. As a result, when the error cancellation work is not completed in a fixed time, the automatic cancellation process is executed, and there is no possibility that the interrupted job remains. Therefore, the fall of usability and security can be prevented.

  In the above-described example, the case where the predetermined waiting time is set in the operation time measuring means (timer B) and the countdown is described. However, the present embodiment can also be applied to the case of measuring the work time of the user and resuming the countdown (or count up) by the timer A when the measured work time reaches the predetermined waiting time.

Other Embodiments
The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. Can also be realized. It can also be implemented by a circuit (eg, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Claims (9)

When printing processing based on a job is interrupted due to the occurrence of an error, measuring means for measuring the duration of the error state;
A cancellation unit that cancels the interrupted job when the duration time measured by the measurement unit reaches a predetermined time;
A determination unit that determines whether the user has started the operation of canceling the error;
An image forming apparatus characterized by further comprising: stopping means for stopping measurement of the duration by the measuring means when the determining means determines that the user has started the work. When the determination means determines that the work has been started by the user, the determination means further includes work time measurement means for measuring a work time,
If the determination means determines that the user has started the work, the stopping means temporarily stops measuring the duration time;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the working time measured by the working time measuring means reaches a predetermined waiting time, the measurement of the temporarily stopped duration is resumed. .   The said cancellation means cancels all the jobs received by the said continuation time measured by the said measurement means in addition to the said interruption job until the said predetermined time is characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus. It further has a button for canceling the interrupted job,
When the button is pressed, the interrupted job is canceled, while other jobs accepted until the continuation time measured by the measuring means reaches the predetermined time are not canceled. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a button for stopping measurement of the duration.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the error is a paper jam error, a paper out error, or a toner out error. It further comprises detection means for detecting the start of the work,
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the start is that the user opens the cover, the user opens the paper feed cassette, or the user opens the toner tray. Image forming device. When printing processing based on a job is interrupted due to the occurrence of an error, measuring means for measuring the duration of the error state;
A control method of an image forming apparatus, comprising: canceling means for canceling an interrupted job when the duration time measured by the measuring means reaches a predetermined time.
A determination step of determining whether the user has started the operation of canceling the error;
A control method comprising: a stop step of stopping measurement of the duration by the measurement unit when it is determined in the determination step that the user has started the work.   A program for making a computer execute the method according to claim 8.

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