JP2019107773A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress the reduction in the productivity due to the extension of the time taken from the completion of the preceding job to the start of the next job.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: a printing unit; a finisher which performs the discharge processing in any mode of a plurality of types of discharge modes; a storage unit which stores transition time information previously determining the transition time from the discharge mode of the previously-executed discharge processing to the discharge mode of the subsequently-executed discharge processing; and a control unit which recognizes a reservation job having the shortest transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job on the basis of the discharge mode of each of the plurality of reservation jobs and the transition time information, and executes the recognized reservation job subsequently to the preceding job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a finisher.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus provided with a finisher is known. Such an image forming apparatus is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

  The image forming apparatus provided with the finisher transports the printed sheet to the finisher. The finisher carries in the printed sheet, and performs discharge processing for discharging the printed sheet that has been carried in. When discharging the printed sheet, the finisher performs post-processing such as staple processing as necessary.

JP, 2001-96870, A

  When the job is executed, the finisher performs the ejection process in one of a plurality of modes. For example, when stapling a sheet bundle (a bundle of a plurality of printed sheets) and discharging the sheet, the finisher performs the discharging process in a mode accompanied by a stapling process, and when discharging the printed sheets without stapling, the finisher , Ejection processing in a mode not accompanied by staple processing. In the configuration in which a plurality of discharge trays (for example, the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray) are installed in the finisher, when the printed sheet is discharged to the first discharge tray, the finisher discharges the first discharge destination When the discharge process is performed in the mode set in the tray and the printed sheet is discharged to the second discharge tray, the finisher performs the discharge process in the mode in which the discharge destination is set to the second discharge tray.

  If the mode of discharge processing performed by the preceding job (preceding mode) differs from the mode of discharge processing performed by the next job (next mode), the transition processing for switching from the preceding mode to the next mode after completion of the preceding job is To be done. The transition time required for the transition process varies depending on the type of preceding mode and the type of next mode. The longer the transition time from the preceding mode to the next mode, the later the start of the next job.

  Here, if there are a plurality of pending jobs pending execution, the image forming apparatus executes the pending jobs in the order of acceptance of the execution request after the job being executed is completed. That is, among the plurality of pending jobs, the pending job with the earliest acceptance order is executed next to the preceding job.

  As described above, when the pending job is executed in the order of acceptance, the transition time from the preceding mode to the next mode may be extended depending on the type of discharge process to be performed by the pending job with the earliest acceptance order among the plurality of pending jobs. That is, the time taken from the completion of the preceding job to the start of the next job becomes longer. As a result, the disadvantage that productivity falls is caused.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is capable of suppressing a decrease in productivity caused by an increase in the time taken from the completion of a preceding job to the start of the next job. It aims at providing an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention performs discharge processing in one of a plurality of discharge modes of a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet at the time of job execution and at the time of job execution. To discharge the paper carried in from the printing unit, and when performing discharge processing in the discharge mode with post-processing among multiple types of discharge modes, the finisher that performs the post-processing and then discharges the paper, and firstly Required for transition from the discharge mode of the discharge process to be performed first to the discharge mode of the discharge process to be performed next, for each combination of the discharge mode of the discharge process to be performed and the discharge mode of the discharge process to be performed next A storage unit that stores transition time information in which transition time is predetermined, and a printing unit and finisher are controlled, and there are a plurality of pending jobs that are pending execution. In this case, based on the discharge mode and the transition time information of each of the plurality of held jobs, the held job with the shortest transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job executed is recognized, and the recognized held job is preceded And a control unit that causes the printing unit and the finisher to execute the job.

  In the configuration of the present invention, when there are a plurality of pending jobs, the control unit causes the pending job with the shortest transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job to be executed to be executed next to the preceding job. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the time taken from the completion of the preceding job to the start of the next job. As a result, the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity caused by an increase in the time taken from the completion of the preceding job to the start of the next job.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a finisher of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing transition time information stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing a first selection process performed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing a second selection process performed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 1. Although not shown, the image reading unit 1 includes a reading unit that optically reads an original. The reading unit includes a light source, an image sensor, and the like. The image reading unit 1 reads a document and generates image data of the document.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a printing unit 2. When executing a print job, the printing unit 2 feeds the sheet P from the sheet cassette CA to the sheet conveyance path, and conveys the sheet P along the sheet conveyance path. Further, the printing unit 2 forms an image to be printed. Then, the printing unit 2 prints an image on the sheet P being conveyed. In FIG. 1, the sheet conveyance path is indicated by a broken arrow.

  The printing unit 2 includes a sheet feeding roller pair 21, an image forming unit 22, and a fixing roller pair 23. Although not shown, the printing unit 2 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs for transporting the sheet P along the sheet transport path.

  The feed roller pair 21 feeds the stored sheet P of the sheet cassette CA to the sheet conveyance path. For example, a pickup roller (not shown) is installed above the sheet cassette CA. When the sheet feed roller pair 21 feeds the sheet P to the sheet conveyance path, the sheet P is pulled out of the sheet cassette CA by the pickup roller. The sheet P fed to the sheet conveyance path is conveyed along the sheet conveyance path by the plurality of conveyance roller pairs.

  The image forming unit 22 includes a photosensitive drum 221 and a transfer roller 222. Although not shown, the image forming unit 22 is a charging device that charges the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 221, an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 221, and the photosensitive drum 221. And a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the circumferential surface of the toner into a toner image. The photosensitive drum 221 and the transfer roller 222 are in pressure contact with each other to form a transfer nip. The image forming unit 22 transfers the toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 221 to the sheet P passing through the transfer nip.

  The fixing roller pair 23 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. The heating roller incorporates a heater. The pressure roller is in pressure contact with the heating roller and forms a fixing nip with the heating roller. The fixing roller pair 23 fixes the toner image on the sheet P by heating and pressing the sheet P passing through the fixing nip.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes the finisher 3. At the time of execution of the print job, the finisher 3 carries in the printed sheet P (the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed) from the printing unit 2 via the carry-in port 3A. Then, the finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P by performing the discharge process in any one of a plurality of discharge modes. When the finisher 3 performs the discharge process in the discharge mode with the post-processing among the plurality of discharge modes, the finisher 3 performs the post-processing on the printed paper P, and then discharges the printed paper P. The discharge mode will be described later.

  The finisher 3 includes a punch unit U1 as shown in FIG. The punch unit UI performs punch processing for punching the printed paper P as post-processing.

  The finisher 3 also includes a staple unit U2. The staple unit U2 performs, as post-processing, a staple process of stapling a sheet bundle (a bundle of a plurality of printed sheets P) with staples. The staple unit U2 includes a processing tray PT. The staple unit U2 staples a sheet bundle placed on the processing tray PT.

  The processing tray PT is provided with a shift guide SG movable in the width direction of the printed sheet P (direction orthogonal to the discharge direction). When such a shift guide SG is provided on the processing tray PT, it is possible to execute shift processing for shifting the printed sheet P to be discharged in the width direction as post-processing.

  The finisher 3 also includes a plurality of discharge trays 30. The finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P to one of the plurality of discharge trays 30. For example, the discharge tray 30 includes a main tray 31 and a sub tray 32. Further, the discharge tray 30 includes a plurality of mailbox trays 33 installed in the mailbox MB.

  The staple unit U2 does not exist on the sheet conveyance path from the inlet 3A to the sub tray 32. Therefore, the staple processing and the shift processing are not performed on the printed sheets P discharged to the sub tray 32.

  A staple unit U2 is present on the sheet conveyance path from the inlet 3A to the mailbox tray 33. However, staple processing and shift processing are not performed on the printed sheets P discharged to the mailbox tray 33.

  When the stapler process or the shift process is performed, the finisher 3 discharges the processed printed sheet P to the main tray 31. The finisher 3 may discharge the printed sheet P to the main tray 31 without performing the stapling process and the shift process on the printed sheet P.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 4. The control unit 4 includes a CPU 41, a memory 42 and an image processing module 43. The CPU 41 operates based on control programs and data, and performs processing for controlling each part of the image forming apparatus 100. The memory 42 stores control programs and data for operating the CPU 41. The image processing module 43 includes a dedicated circuit and memory for performing image processing. The control unit 4 uses the image processing module 43 to perform image processing on the image data of the image to be printed.

  The control unit 4 is connected to the image reading unit 1 and controls the image reading unit 1. Further, the control unit 4 is connected to the printing unit 2 and controls the printing unit 2. Further, the control unit 4 is connected to the finisher 3 and controls the finisher 3.

  The image forming apparatus 100 also includes an operation panel 5. A touch screen 51 is installed on the operation panel 5. The touch screen 51 displays a screen on which the software button is arranged, and receives a touch operation on the software button from the user. The operation panel 5 is also provided with a plurality of hardware buttons 52 such as a start button for receiving a job execution request from the user.

  The operation panel 5 is connected to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 controls the display operation of the operation panel 5 and detects an operation performed on the operation panel 5 (an operation of touching the touch screen 51 or an operation of pressing the hardware button 52). For example, when the control unit 4 detects an operation on the start button of the operation panel 5 in a state where the document is set in the image reading unit 1, the control unit 4 requests the user to execute a print job (copy job etc.) I judge that I accepted it.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a communication unit 6. The communication unit 6 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 to a network NT such as a LAN, and includes a communication circuit, a communication memory, a communication connector, and the like.

  The communication unit 6 is connected to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 controls the communication performed by the communication unit 6. The control unit 4 communicates with the user terminal 200 (PC or the like) using the communication unit 6. When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a printer, job data including image data used in a print job and a print job execution request is transmitted from the user terminal 200 to the image forming apparatus 100. When the communication unit 6 receives the job data, the control unit 4 determines that the communication unit 6 receives a print job execution request from the user.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a storage unit 7. Although not particularly limited, a storage device such as an EEPROM is used as the storage unit 7. The storage unit 7 is connected to the control unit 4. The control unit 4 writes information to the storage unit 7 and reads information from the storage unit 7. For example, control unit 4 stores transition time information 70. The transition time information 70 will be described in detail later.

<Execution of print job>
Operation panel 5 receives a user-designated discharge mode of a plurality of discharge modes when executing a print job. When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a printer, job data transmitted from the user terminal 200 to the image forming apparatus 100 includes mode information indicating a discharge mode designated by the user among a plurality of discharge modes.

  When the control unit 4 determines that the print job execution request has been received, the control unit 4 performs various processes on the image data. For example, the control unit 4 performs image processing for image data for exposure (RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing, predetermined image processing (rotation processing, enlargement / reduction processing, density conversion processing, etc.), image processing-completed image data A process of converting data to control lighting on / off is performed.

  Further, the control unit 4 gives a job execution instruction to the printing unit 2 and the finisher 3. The finisher 3 having received the job execution instruction performs an initial operation according to the discharge mode designated by the user. For example, the control unit 4 causes the finisher 3 to perform the initial operation to check the operation of the sensor or the motor, and check whether or not the discharge process of the discharge mode designated by the user is executable (for example, the remaining staple needle (Quantity confirmation), and position adjustment of the movable member (for example, adjustment of staple position). The printing unit 2 that has received the job execution instruction starts printing when the finisher 3 performs an initial operation, and conveys the printed sheet P to the finisher 3. Then, when the printed paper P is carried in from the printing unit 2, the finisher 3 carries out the ejection process in the ejection mode designated by the user. When the user-designated discharge mode is a discharge mode with post-processing, the finisher 3 performs post-processing and then discharges the printed paper P.

<Type of discharge mode>
There are a plurality of discharge modes that can be specified by the user, and are classified into, for example, five types of first mode, second mode, third mode, fourth mode and fifth mode. The finisher 3 performs the discharge process in the discharge mode designated by the user among the first to fifth modes when executing the print job.

  When the discharge mode designated by the user is the first mode, the finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P to the discharge tray 31 as discharge processing. Here, the first mode is a mode in which neither the staple processing nor the shift processing is involved. Therefore, when the discharge process is performed in the first mode, the finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P to the discharge tray 31 without performing both the staple process and the shift process. When the finisher 3 performs the discharging process in the first mode, the punching process may or may not be performed. The user can arbitrarily select whether or not to perform the punching process.

  When the discharge mode designated by the user is the second mode, the finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P to the discharge tray 31 as the discharge process, as in the first mode. However, the second mode is a mode that involves stapling. Therefore, when the finisher 3 performs the discharge process in the second mode, the finisher 3 staples the sheet bundle (a bundle of a plurality of printed sheets P), and then discharges the sheet bundle to the discharge tray 31. When the finisher 3 performs the discharge process in the second mode, the punch process may or may not be performed. The user can arbitrarily select whether or not to perform the punching process.

  When the discharge mode designated by the user is the third mode, the finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P onto the discharge tray 31 as the discharge process, as in the first and second modes. However, the third mode is a mode that involves shift processing. Therefore, when the finisher 3 performs the discharge process in the third mode, the finisher 3 shifts the printed sheet P, and then discharges the printed sheet P to the discharge tray 31. When the finisher 3 performs the discharge process in the third mode, the punch process may or may not be performed. The user can arbitrarily select whether or not to perform the punching process.

  When the discharge mode designated by the user is the fourth mode, the finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P to the sub tray 32 as discharge processing. When the printed sheet P is discharged to the sub tray 32, the staple process and the shift process on the printed sheet P are not performed. When the finisher 3 performs the discharging process in the fourth mode, the punching process may or may not be performed. The user can arbitrarily select whether or not to perform the punching process.

  When the discharge mode designated by the user is the fifth mode, the finisher 3 discharges the printed sheet P to the mailbox tray 33 as discharge processing. When the printed sheet P is discharged to the mailbox tray 33, the staple process and the shift process on the printed sheet P are not performed. When the finisher 3 performs the discharging process in the fourth mode, the punching process may or may not be performed. The user can arbitrarily select whether or not to perform the punching process.

<Pending Print Jobs and Executing Pending Jobs>
When a new print job execution request is received during print job execution, the control unit 4 suspends the execution of the new print job. Job data of a print job pending execution (hereinafter referred to as a pending job) is stored in the storage unit 7. The storage unit 7 stores the job data of the pending job and the reception date and time of the execution request of the pending job in association with each other. The execution of a plurality of print jobs may be suspended.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with an order changing function for changing the execution order of pending jobs based on a transition time described later. The operation panel 5 receives the setting of valid / invalid of the order change function from the user. When the order change function is set to be effective, the control unit 4 performs selection processing (first selection processing or second selection processing) described later, and selects a pending job to be preferentially executed. On the other hand, when the order change function is set to be invalid, the control unit 4 causes the pending job to be executed in the order of earlier reception date and time of the execution request.

(First selection process)
When the setting to make the first selection process effective is set, the control unit 4 determines whether or not there is a pending job when the print job executed earlier (hereinafter referred to as a preceding job) is completed. To judge. In addition, when there is a pending job, the control unit 4 recognizes the number of pending jobs. When there is only one pending job, the control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 and the finisher 3 to execute the pending job next to the preceding job. On the other hand, when there are a plurality of pending jobs, the control unit 4 performs the first selection process to select the pending job to be executed next to the preceding job.

  Here, if the ejection mode of the preceding job and the ejection mode of the pending job to be executed next are the same, the initial operation by the finisher 3 is not performed when the pending job is executed. On the other hand, if the discharge mode of the preceding job is different from the discharge mode of the held job to be executed next, the finisher 3 performs an initial operation according to the held job discharge mode when executing the held job. The discharge mode of the preceding job is a discharge mode of the discharge process performed by the finisher 3 when the preceding job is executed. The pending job discharge mode is a discharge mode of the discharge process scheduled to be performed by the finisher 3 when the pending job is executed.

  When the discharge mode of the preceding job and the discharge mode of the next held job are the same, the initial operation by the finisher 3 is not performed, so that the held job can be started promptly after the completion of the preceding job. it can. When the discharge mode of the preceding job is different from the discharge mode of the next held job, the initial operation by the finisher 3 is performed to shift from the discharge mode of the preceding job to the next held job discharge mode. ) Is done. The longer the transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job to the discharge mode of the next held job, the later the start timing of the next held job will be delayed.

  The transition time from the ejection mode of the preceding job to the ejection mode of the pending job to be executed next varies depending on the ejection mode of the preceding job and also on the ejection mode of the pending job to be executed next. Therefore, when performing the first selection process, the control unit 4 selects a pending job with the shortest transition time.

  In the first selection process by the control unit 4, the transition time information 70 stored in the storage unit 7 is referred to. The transition time information 70 may be referred to as a discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed first (hereinafter may be referred to as a preceding discharge mode) and a discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed next (hereinafter referred to as a next discharge mode). It is the information (table) which defined beforehand the transition time which the transition from a precedent ejection mode to the next ejection mode is required for every combination with. A conceptual diagram of the transition time information 70 is shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the preceding discharge mode is the first mode, the transition time is 3000 msec if the next discharge mode is the second mode, and the transition time is 2000 msec if the next discharge mode is the third mode. It is shown that the transition time is 500 msec if the next ejection mode is the fourth mode, and the transition time is 1000 msec if the next ejection mode is the fifth mode.

  When the advance discharge mode is the second mode, the transition time is 2800 msec if the next discharge mode is the first mode, and the transition time is 3200 msec if the next discharge mode is the third mode, and the next discharge mode is In the fourth mode, the transition time is 2600 msec. When the next discharge mode is the fifth mode, the transition time is 3500 msec.

  When the advance discharge mode is the third mode, the transition time is 1400 msec if the next discharge mode is the first mode, and the transition time is 3400 msec if the next discharge mode is the second mode, and the next discharge mode is It is shown that the transition time is 1600 msec if the mode is the fourth mode, and the transition time is 1800 msec if the next discharge mode is the fifth mode.

  If the first ejection mode is the first mode, then the transition time will be 600 msec. If the next ejection mode is the second mode, the transition time will be 2900 msec, and the next ejection mode will be the next ejection mode. It is shown that if the third mode is the third mode, the transition time is 1900 msec, and if the next discharge mode is the fifth mode, the transition time is 1000 msec.

  When the advance discharge mode is the fifth mode, the transition time is 200 msec if the next discharge mode is the first mode, and the transition time is 3500 msec if the next discharge mode is the second mode, and the next discharge mode is It is shown that the transition time is 2500 msec if the third mode is the third mode, and the transition time is 100 msec if the next discharge mode is the fourth mode.

  Thus, the transition time from the preceding discharge mode to the next discharge mode changes depending on the type of the next discharge mode even if the type of the previous discharge mode is the same. In addition, even if the type of the next discharge mode is the same, it changes depending on the type of the preceding discharge mode. When the advance discharge mode and the next discharge mode are the same, the transition time is 0 msec.

  The first selection process performed by the control unit 4 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that a print job is being executed in the image forming apparatus 100 at the start of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 (the print job is a preceding job). Then, when the preceding job is completed, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts.

  In step S1, the control unit 4 determines whether a pending job exists. As a result, when the control unit 4 determines that there is no pending job, the present flow ends. On the other hand, when the control unit 4 determines that there is a pending job, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the control unit 4 recognizes the number of pending jobs, and determines whether there are a plurality of pending jobs. As a result, when the control unit 4 determines that there is only one pending job, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control unit 4 causes the pending job to be executed next to the preceding job. In this case, the first selection process by the control unit 4 is not performed.

  In step S2, when the control unit 4 determines that there are a plurality of pending jobs, the process proceeds to step S4. When the process proceeds to step S4, the control unit 4 recognizes the retention time of each of the plurality of pending jobs (the time that has not been executed since the suspension of the execution). The residence time is the time from the acceptance of the execution request to the completion of the preceding job. Then, the control unit 4 determines whether there is a held job (hereinafter, referred to as a long-time staying job) in which the staying time exceeds the predetermined upper limit time.

  Note that the upper limit time can be set arbitrarily by the user. Operation panel 5 receives the setting of the upper limit time from the user. Alternatively, the setting of the upper limit time may be performed from the user terminal 200. For example, the upper limit time can be changed within the range of 0 to 60 minutes.

  In step S4, when the control unit 4 determines that there is a long staying job, the process proceeds to step S5. When the process proceeds to step S5, the control unit 4 executes a long staying job next to the preceding job. If there are a plurality of long-duration jobs, the long-duration job with the earliest acceptance date of the execution request is preferentially executed among the plurality of long-duration jobs.

  In step S4, when the control unit 4 determines that there is no long-term staying job (all the holding times of the plurality of holding jobs are equal to or less than the upper limit time), the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the control unit 4 recognizes a pending job with the shortest transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job based on the respective discharge modes of the plurality of pending jobs and the transition time information 70. Then, the control unit 4 performs, as a first selection process, a process of selecting a pending job whose transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job is shortest as a priority job (a pending job to be executed next to the preceding job).

  For example, it is assumed that the discharge mode of the preceding job is the first mode (preceding discharge mode). Further, it is assumed that there are three pending jobs in the second mode (next ejection mode), a pending job in the third mode (next ejection mode), and a pending job in the fourth mode (next ejection mode). In this case, the control unit 4 recognizes the second mode, the third mode and the fourth mode as the pending job discharge mode. Further, the control unit 4 recognizes that the transition time from the first mode to the second mode is 3000 msec based on the transition time information 70 (see FIG. 4), and the transition time from the first mode to the third mode It recognizes that it is 2000 msec and recognizes that the transition time from the first mode to the fourth mode is 500 msec.

  Among the transition times recognized by the control unit 4 based on the transition time information 70, the shortest transition time is 500 msec. Therefore, the control unit 4 recognizes that, among the three pending jobs, the pending job with the shortest transition time from the discharge mode (first mode) of the preceding job is the pending job of the fourth mode. That is, the control unit 4 selects the hold job in the fourth mode as the priority job.

  Note that if there is a pending job with the same preceding job and discharge mode, the transition time is “0”, so the pending job is selected as the priority job. In addition, when there are a plurality of pending jobs having the same ejection mode, and the transition time of the plurality of pending jobs to the ejection mode is the shortest, of the plurality of pending jobs, the acceptance date of the execution request is the earliest pending date. The job is selected as a priority job.

  After the process of step S6, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control unit 4 causes the finisher 3 to perform an initial operation according to the priority job discharge mode selected in the first selection process. Then, after the end of the initial operation of the finisher 3 (following the preceding job), the print unit 2 and the finisher 3 execute the priority job.

(Second selection process)
When the setting to make the second selection process effective is set, the control unit 4 performs the second selection process. The second selection process by the control unit 4 is performed when the preceding job is a mode mixed job. The control unit 4 performs the second selection process to select a pending job to be executed by an interrupt on the mode mixed job.

  Note that the mode mixed job is a print job that involves discharge processing in two or more discharge modes. For example, it is assumed that the print job is a mixed mode job involving ejection processing of the first mode and the second mode. In this case, a predetermined number of printed sheets P among the plurality of printed sheets P printed in the mode mixed job are discharged to the discharge tray 31 without being subjected to either the staple processing or the shift processing, and the remaining The printed sheet P is discharged to the discharge tray 31 after being stapled.

  Hereinafter, the second selection process performed by the control unit 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that the mode mixed job is being executed in the image forming apparatus 100 at the start time point of the flowchart shown in FIG. Then, during the execution of the mode mixed job, when discharge processing of any of two or more types of discharge modes of the mode mixed job is completed (every time), the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 starts.

  In step S11, the control unit 4 determines whether a pending job exists. As a result, if the control unit 4 determines that there is a pending job, the process proceeds to step S12 regardless of the number of pending jobs (even if there is only one pending job).

  When the process proceeds to step S12, the control unit 4 recognizes the discharge mode of the discharge process completed this time among the two or more discharge modes of the mode mixed job. Further, the control unit 4 recognizes the discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed next among the two or more discharge modes of the mode mixed job. Then, based on the transition time information 70, the control unit 4 sets the transition time from the discharge mode of the discharge process completed this time (preceding discharge mode) to the discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed next (next discharge mode) first Recognize as transition time.

  In step S13, based on the transition time information 70, the control unit 4 shifts the transition time from the discharge mode (preceding discharge mode) of the discharge process completed this time to the discharge mode (next discharge mode) of the hold job to the second Recognize as time.

  Then, in step S14, the control unit 4 determines whether there is a pending job in which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time. As a result, when the control unit 4 determines that there is a pending job in which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the control unit 4 performs, as a second selection process, a process of selecting a pending job whose second transition time is shorter than the first transition time as a priority job. When there are a plurality of pending jobs for which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time, the pending job with the earliest acceptance date of the execution request is selected as the priority job among the plurality of pending jobs.

  As an example, the discharge mode of the discharge process completed this time is the first mode (preceding discharge mode) among the two or more discharge modes of the mode mixed job, and the discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed next is the third mode It is assumed that (the next discharge mode). Also, it is assumed that there is a pending job in the fourth mode (next ejection mode). In this case, the control unit 4 recognizes that the transition time from the first mode to the third mode is 2000 msec based on the transition time information 70 (see FIG. 4), and the transition time from the first mode to the fourth mode Recognizes that it is 500 msec. That is, the control unit 4 recognizes that the first transition time is 2000 msec, and recognizes that the second transition time is 500 msec.

  In this example, the second transition time (500 msec) is shorter than the first transition time (2000 msec). Therefore, in step S14, the control unit 4 determines that there is a pending job (the pending job is a pending job in the fourth mode) in which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time. In step S15, the control unit 4 selects, as a priority job, the hold job in the fourth mode in which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time.

  It is assumed that only the hold job of the second mode (next discharge mode) exists. In this case, since the transition time from the first mode to the second mode (second transition time) is 3000 msec, the control unit 4 determines that there is no pending job in which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time. Do.

  After the process of step S15, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the control unit 4 interrupts the mode mixed job and causes the finisher 3 to perform an initial operation according to the discharge mode of the priority job selected in the second selection process. After completion of the initial operation of the finisher 3, the control unit 4 instructs the printing unit 2 and the finisher 3 to execute a priority job by interrupt.

  Thereafter, in step S17, the control unit 4 determines whether the priority job is completed. As a result, when the control unit 4 determines that the priority job is completed, the process proceeds to step S18. When the control unit 4 determines that the priority job is not completed, the process of step S17 is repeated. . In step S18, the control unit 4 resumes the mode mixed job.

  In step S14, when the control unit 4 determines that there is no pending job in which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time, the process proceeds to step S19. Also, in step S11, if the control unit 4 determines that there is no pending job, the process proceeds to step S19. After shifting to step S19, the control unit 4 causes the mode mixed job to continue.

  When the discharge tray 30 to which the printed matter of the mode mixed job is discharged is the same as the discharge tray 30 to which the printed matter of the priority job (the second job for which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time) is discharged, When the priority job is executed by interrupting the mixed job, the printed matter of the priority job is mixed in the bundle of the printed matter of the mode mixed job. In such a state, it is difficult to sort the printed matter of the mode mixed job and the printed matter of the priority job.

  Therefore, in addition to the transition time, the second selection process may be performed by the control unit 4 based on the discharge destination of the mode mixed job and the discharge destination of the held job whose second transition time is shorter than the first transition time.

  In such a configuration, when the control unit 4 performs the second selection process, if there is a held job in which the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time, the discharge tray to which the printed matter of the held job is discharged. Recognize 30 Further, the control unit 4 recognizes the discharge tray 30 to which the printed matter of the mode mixed job is discharged.

  Then, the control unit 4 determines that the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time if the discharge destination of the mode mixed job and the discharge destination of the held job whose second transition time is shorter than the first transition time are different from each other. Select a held job as a priority job, interrupt the mixed mode job, and execute the priority job. On the other hand, the control unit 4 does not interrupt the mode mixed job if the discharge destination of the mode mixed job and the discharge destination of the held job whose second transition time is shorter than the first transition time are the same with each other (mode mixed job To continue). That is, the control unit 4 does not select the pending job whose second transition time is shorter than the first transition time as the priority job.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment ejects the printing unit 2 that prints an image on a sheet P when executing a job, and the ejection mode in any of a plurality of ejection modes when executing a job. The sheet P discharged from the printing unit 2 is discharged by performing processing, and when performing discharge processing in a discharge mode with post-processing among multiple types of discharge modes, the finisher 3 discharges the sheet P after performing post-processing For each combination of the discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed first and the discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed next, the discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed next from the discharge mode of the discharge process to be executed first The storage unit 7 storing the transition time information 70 in which the transition time required for transition to the predetermined time is stored, the printing unit 2 and the finisher 3 are controlled, and the execution is suspended When there are a plurality of jobs, based on the discharge mode of each of the plurality of held jobs and the transition time information 70, the held job which makes the transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job executed earlier is shortest is recognized. The control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 and the finisher 3 to execute the recognized pending job next to the preceding job.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of pending jobs, the control unit 4 causes the pending job with the shortest transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job to be executed to be executed next to the preceding job. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the time taken from the completion of the preceding job to the start of the next job. As a result, the decrease in productivity can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 4 recognizes the staying time for each of the plurality of pending jobs, and the staying time exceeds the predetermined upper limit time. Execute a pending job that exceeds the upper limit time next to the preceding job. In this configuration, the execution order of the pending job which has received the execution request at a relatively early stage is delayed many times, which causes the disadvantage that the pending job continues to stay unexecuted for a long time. It can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to suppress the disadvantage of the user who has requested the execution of the pending job.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the order change function is set to be effective, the control unit 4 holds the pending job whose transition time from the discharge mode of the preceding job is shortest to the next to the preceding job. Make it run. In this configuration, it is possible to cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a plurality of pending jobs in the order of acceptance of the execution request, which improves the convenience of the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the preceding job is a mode mixed job involving discharge processing of two or more types of discharge modes, the control unit 4 performs the following every time discharge processing is completed. Recognizes the first transition time, which is the transition time to the ejection mode of the ejection process to be performed, and recognizes the second transition time, which is the transition time to the ejection mode of the hold job, and the second transition time is the first transition When there is a pending job shorter than the time, the mode mixed job is interrupted, and the second transition time is caused to execute the pending job shorter than the first transition time. In this configuration, the completion of the preceding job (mode mixed job) is delayed, but the time taken for the completion of all the preceding job and the held job can be shortened (the productivity is further improved).

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 4 discharges the output tray 30 to which the printed matter of the mode mixed job is discharged, and the printed matter of the hold job whose second transition time is shorter than the first transition time. The mixed mode job is interrupted and the second transition time is shorter than the first transition time to execute the hold job, and the printed matter of the mixed mode job is discharged; (2) When the output tray 30 to which the printed matter of the hold job whose transfer time is shorter than the first transfer time is discharged is the same, the mode mixed job is not interrupted. In this configuration, no other job is mixed in a bundle of prints of mode mixed jobs. That is, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the sorting operation becomes difficult.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the description of the above embodiment but by the scope of claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

Reference Signs List 2 printing unit 3 finisher 4 control unit 5 operation panel 7 storage unit 30 discharge tray 70 transition time information 100 image forming apparatus

Claims (5)

A printing unit that prints an image on paper when the job is executed;
During the execution of the job, the discharge process is performed in any one of a plurality of discharge modes to discharge the sheet carried in from the printing unit, and in the discharge mode with a post-process among the plurality of discharge modes. A finisher that discharges a sheet after performing the post-processing when performing the discharge process;
The combination is performed from the discharge mode of the discharge process to be performed first for each combination of the discharge mode of the discharge process to be performed first and the discharge mode of the discharge process to be performed next. A storage unit storing transition time information in which transition time required for transition of the discharge process to the discharge mode is predetermined;
The control unit controls the printing unit and the finisher, and when there are a plurality of pending jobs pending execution, execution is first performed based on the discharge mode and the transition time information of each of the plurality of pending jobs. And a control unit that recognizes the pending job that minimizes the transition time of the preceding job from the discharge mode, and causes the printing unit and the finisher to execute the recognized pending job next to the preceding job. An image forming apparatus characterized by   The control unit recognizes, for each of the plurality of pending jobs, a staying time which is an elapsed time after holding the execution, and there is a pending job in which the staying time exceeds a predetermined upper limit time. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pending job whose staying time exceeds the upper limit time is executed next to the preceding job. Equipped with an operation panel that accepts the setting of valid / invalid of order change function,
The control unit is characterized in that, when the order change function is set to be effective, the control unit causes the pending job whose transfer time from the discharge mode of the preceding job is shortest to be executed next to the preceding job. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   When the preceding job is a mode mixed job involving the discharge process of two or more types of the discharge mode, the control unit performs the discharge process next to the discharge process every time the discharge process is completed. The first transition time, which is the transition time to the ejection mode, is recognized, and the second transition time, which is the transition time to the ejection mode of the hold job, is recognized, and the second transition time is the first transition 4. The mode mixed job is interrupted when the pending job shorter than time exists, and the pending job having the second transition time shorter than the first transition time is executed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. With multiple discharge trays where the printed material of the job is discharged,
When the control unit determines that the discharge tray from which the printed matter of the mixed mode job is discharged is different from the discharge tray from which the printed matter of the reserved job whose second transition time is shorter than the first transition time is discharged. Interrupting the mixed mode job, causing the pending job to execute the second transition time shorter than the first transition time, and discharging the printed matter of the mixed mode job, and the second transition 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mode mixed job is not interrupted if the output tray for discharging the printed matter of the hold job whose time is shorter than the first transition time is the same. .

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