JP2019111778A - Image formation system and image formation program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image formation system and an image formation program, which can improve convenience regarding interruption of a job.SOLUTION: An MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) acquires a distance between the MFP and a user instructing a job in process to the MFP. When the acquired distance is equal to or greater than a first distance (YES in S121), the reception of interruption operations of all the jobs from an operation section is permitted (S122). When the acquired distance is less than the first distance or equal to or greater than a second distance (YES in S124), the reception of the interruption operations of all the jobs from the operation section is permitted without hindering the execution of the job in process (S125).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming program for receiving an interrupt operation of a job.

  As a conventional image forming system, when the distance between the image forming apparatus provided with the operation device and the user who instructed the image forming apparatus about the job being executed by the image forming apparatus is equal to or greater than a specific distance, It is known that this user accepts an instruction to prohibit acceptance of a job interrupt operation from the operation device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2015-108855, A

  However, in the image forming system described in Patent Document 1, there is no problem even if the user who has instructed the image forming apparatus about the job being executed by the image forming apparatus is apart from the image forming apparatus and the job is interrupted. Even in this case, there is a problem that the convenience is not good because the interruption of the job may be prohibited.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and an image forming program capable of improving the convenience regarding the interruption of a job.

  An image forming system according to the present invention comprises: an image forming apparatus having an operation device; distance acquiring means for acquiring a distance between a user who has instructed the image forming apparatus about a job being executed by the image forming apparatus; The apparatus is characterized by further comprising: operation receiving means for receiving an interrupt operation of a job from the operation device when the distance obtained by the distance obtaining means is equal to or greater than a specific distance.

  With this configuration, when the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user who instructed the image forming apparatus to the job being executed by the image forming apparatus is equal to or greater than a specific distance, the image forming system according to the present invention Since the interruption operation of the job is received from the operation device of the image forming apparatus, the convenience regarding the interruption of the job can be improved.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the specific distance includes a first distance and a second distance shorter than the first distance, and the operation receiving unit is configured to acquire the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit. When the distance is equal to or more than the first distance, the interrupt operation of all jobs is received from the operation device, and the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is equal to or more than the second distance and less than the first distance. In this case, the interrupt operation of all the jobs that do not interfere with the execution of the job being executed may be received from the operation device.

  With this configuration, the image forming system according to the present invention is interrupted in response to an increase in the distance between the image forming apparatus and a user who instructs the image forming apparatus to a job being executed by the image forming apparatus. Since the range of the job that accepts the operation is gradually expanded, the convenience regarding the interruption of the job can be improved.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the operation receiving unit prohibits reception of the interrupt operation from the operation device when the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is less than the second distance. Also good.

  According to this configuration, when the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user who instructs the image forming apparatus about the job being executed by the image forming apparatus is less than the second distance Since the acceptance of the interrupt operation of the job from the operation device is prohibited, the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user who instructed the image forming apparatus to execute the job being executed by the image forming apparatus is a second distance. When it is less than the distance, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a job interruption operation is input to the operation device by a user other than the user who instructs the image forming apparatus about the job being executed by the image forming apparatus. It is possible to improve the convenience for the user who instructs the image forming apparatus about the job being executed by the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming system according to the present invention may further comprise status notification means for notifying the status of acceptance of the interrupt operation by the operation receiving means.

  With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention notifies the acceptance status of the interrupt operation of the job. Therefore, the user other than the user who instructed the image forming apparatus about the job being executed by the image forming apparatus, that is, the job The convenience for the person who executes the interrupt operation of can be improved.

  An image forming program according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with an operation device, distance acquisition for acquiring a distance between a user who instructed the image forming apparatus about a job being executed by the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus And an operation accepting unit that accepts an interrupt operation of a job from the operation device when the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is equal to or greater than a specific distance.

  According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus executing the image forming program of the present invention can specify the distance between the image forming apparatus and the user who instructed the image forming apparatus to the job being executed by the image forming apparatus. When the distance is equal to or more than the distance, the interruption operation of the job is received from the operation device of the image forming apparatus, so that the convenience regarding the interruption of the job can be improved.

  The image forming system and the image forming program of the present invention can improve the convenience regarding the interruption of a job.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1; It is a block diagram of the portable apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2; It is a flowchart of the interruption operation reception state setting process shown in FIG.

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

  First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an image forming system, and a portable device 30 such as a smartphone. The MFP 20 and the portable device 30 can communicate with each other by wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The system 10 can include at least one MFP similar to the MFP 20 in addition to the MFP 20.

  Similarly, the system 10 can include at least one portable device similar to the portable device 30 in addition to the portable device 30. The portable devices included in the system 10 are carried by different users.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP 20. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 is a display which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) which displays various information, and an operation unit 21 which is an operation device such as a button to which various operations are input. The communication unit 22 communicates with a printer 23, which is a printing device for printing an image on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24 which is a reading device for reading an image from a document, and an external facsimile machine (not shown) and a public telephone line. Communicate with external devices directly via fax communication unit 25, which is a fax device that performs fax communication via a line, via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or via a wired or wireless connection without a network. Communication device And a storage unit 27 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing various information, and a control unit 28 for controlling the entire MFP 20. .

  The storage unit 27 stores an image forming program 27a. For example, the image forming program 27a may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or the like. May be additionally installed on the MFP 20.

  The storage unit 27 stores an identification information table 27b that indicates identification information of a portable device carried by the user for each user.

  For example, the control unit 28 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) storing programs and various data, and a random access memory (RAM) as a memory used as a work area of the CPU. Is equipped. The CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit 27 or the ROM.

  By executing the image forming program 27a, the control unit 28 obtains the distance between the MFP 20 and the user who has instructed the MFP 20 the job being executed by the MFP 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "executing job instructor"). Distance receiving means 28a, operation receiving means 28b for receiving an interrupt operation of a job from the operation unit 21 when the distance obtained by the distance obtaining means 28a is equal to or greater than a specific distance, and interrupt operation by the operation receiving means 28b And a status notification means 28c for notifying the reception status.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the portable device 30. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the portable device 30 includes an operation unit 31 which is an input device such as a button to which various operations are input, and a display unit 32 which is a display device such as an LCD to display various information. , A communication unit 33 which is a communication device which communicates with an external device directly via a network or by wire or wirelessly without a network, and non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor memory or HDD for storing various information And a control unit 35 that controls the entire portable device 30.

  The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM storing programs and various data, and a RAM used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 34.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 will be described.

  The user can instruct the MFP 20 to execute a job via the operation unit 21. As a job executed by the MFP 20, for example, an image based on a file stored in an external storage medium such as a storage unit 27 or a USB memory, or an external device such as a server is printed on the recording medium by the printer 23 Print jobs, a copy job for printing an image read from a document by the scanner 24 on a recording medium by the printer 23, a file of an image read from the document by the scanner 24, an external storage such as a storage unit 27 or a USB memory Stored in an external storage medium such as a storage job or a USB memory, and a transmission job for transmitting a file stored in the storage medium to an external device such as a server, an image read from an original by the Image based on the selected file Storage unit for fax transmission job for fax transmission to milli device, file of image read from document by scanner 24, external storage medium such as USB memory, or file stored in external storage device such as server The stored job stored in 27 exists.

  When instructed to execute a job via the operation unit 21, the control unit 28 of the MFP 20 starts to execute the instructed job. If the job instructed via the operation unit 21 is, for example, a job including printing on a large amount of recording media, the control unit 28 requires a long time until the end of the job. When the execution of the job is started, the control unit 28 executes the operation shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the distance acquiring unit 28 a acquires the distance between the MFP 20 and the in-progress job instructor (S 101). Here, the control unit of the portable device carried by the user causes the communication unit to emit a beacon signal including identification information of the portable device by Bluetooth, for example. Therefore, the distance acquiring unit 28a receives the signal of the beacon emitted by the portable device carried by the job instruction under execution by the communication unit 26, so that the field intensity of the received signal, and the identification information included in the signal, Based on the identification information table 27b, it is possible to acquire the distance between the MFP 20 and the portable device carried by the job instructioner in execution, that is, the distance between the MFP 20 and the job instructioner in execution.

  After the process of S101, the control unit 28 executes an interruption operation acceptance state setting process of setting the acceptance state of the interruption operation of the job on the distance acquired in S101 (S102).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the interrupt operation acceptance state setting process shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operation receiving unit 28b determines whether the target distance is equal to or greater than the first distance (S121).

  If it is determined in S121 that the target distance is equal to or greater than the first distance, the operation receiving unit 28b permits reception of the interrupt operation of all the jobs from the operation unit 21 (S122).

  Then, the status notification means 28c notifies the portable device existing around the MFP 20, for example, by Bluetooth, that permission to receive interrupt operations of all the jobs from the operation unit 21 (S123). . For example, the status notification means 28c notifies information such as "Currently, the MFP is executing a job. However, all jobs can be interrupted." A control unit of a portable device existing around MFP 20 causes a user carrying the portable device to recognize the information notified from MFP 20 by displaying the information notified from MFP 20 on the display unit. Can. Therefore, a user other than the executing job instructor carrying a portable device existing around MFP 20, that is, a user other than the executing job instructor present around MFP 20 sends the job to the MFP. When it is desired to execute the job, the in-progress job instructor can move to a location away from the MFP 20 and input an interrupt operation of a desired job to the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20.

  If it is determined in S121 that the target distance is not the first distance or more, the operation receiving unit 28b determines whether the target distance is the second distance or more shorter than the first distance (S124).

  If it is determined in S124 that the target distance is equal to or greater than the second distance, the operation receiving unit 28b permits reception of an interrupt operation of all the jobs that do not prevent the execution of the job being executed from the operation unit 21 (S125 ). For example, if the job being executed is a print job, the print job is not a "job that does not prevent the execution of the job being executed", but a copy job including printing by the printer 23 also prevents the execution of the job being executed. Not a job. That is, among the plurality of functions (for example, printing, document reading, transmission, and storage) possessed by MFP 20, a job using the same function as that used by the job being executed does not prevent the execution of the job being executed. It is not a job. On the other hand, when the job being executed is a print job, the transmission job, the fax transmission job, or the storage job is “a job that does not hinder the execution of the job being executed”. That is, among the plurality of functions possessed by MFP 20, a job not utilizing the same function as that used by the job being executed is “a job that does not prevent the execution of the job being executed”.

  Next, the status notifying means 28 c transmits to the portable device existing in the periphery of the MFP 20 that the status notifying means 28 c permits acceptance of the interrupt operation of all the jobs not interfering with the execution of the job being executed from the operation unit 21. The notification is made, for example, by Bluetooth (S126). For example, the status notification means 28c notifies information such as "Currently, the MFP is executing a job. However, interrupt operations of jobs except print jobs and copy jobs are possible." A control unit of a portable device existing around MFP 20 causes a user carrying the portable device to recognize the information notified from MFP 20 by displaying the information notified from MFP 20 on the display unit. Can. Therefore, a user other than the executing job instructor carrying a portable device existing around MFP 20, that is, a user other than the executing job instructor present around MFP 20 performs an interrupt operation on MFP 20. When it is desired to cause the MFP to execute a job that is not permitted to receive the job, it is possible to approach MFPs other than the MFP 20 without unnecessarily moving to the location of the MFP 20. On the other hand, when a user other than the executing job instructor present around the MFP 20 desires to cause the MFP to execute the job of which acceptance of the interrupt operation is permitted by the MFP 20, the executing job instructor is The user can move to the location of the MFP 20 that is away, and input an interrupt operation of a desired job to the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20.

  If the operation receiving unit 28b determines in S124 that the target distance is not longer than the second distance, the operation receiving unit 28b prohibits reception of the interrupt operation of the job from the operation unit 21 (S127).

  Next, the status notification means 28c notifies the portable device existing in the vicinity of the MFP 20, for example, by Bluetooth, that the reception of the job interrupt operation from the operation unit 21 is prohibited (S128). For example, the status notification means 28c notifies information such as "Currently, the MFP is being used by the user. Therefore, the job can not be interrupted." A control unit of a portable device existing around MFP 20 causes a user carrying the portable device to recognize the information notified from MFP 20 by displaying the information notified from MFP 20 on the display unit. Can. Therefore, a user other than the executing job instructor carrying a portable device existing around MFP 20, that is, a user other than the executing job instructor present around MFP 20 transmits the job to the MFP. When it is desired to execute the job, MFPs other than the MFP 20 can be approached without being unnecessarily moved to the location of the MFP 20 where the job interrupt operation can not be performed.

  After the process of S123, S126 or S128, the control unit 28 ends the interrupt operation acceptance state setting process shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, after the end of the interrupt operation acceptance state setting process of S102, the operation acceptance unit 28b determines whether there is a job being executed by the MFP 20 (S103).

  If the distance acquiring unit 28a determines in S103 that there is a job being executed by the MFP 20, the distance acquiring unit 28a acquires the distance between the MFP 20 and the currently-executing job instructor (S104) as in the process of S101.

  Next, the operation receiving unit 28b changes the range of the distance acquired for two times immediately before, that is, the range of the distance acquired at S104 immediately before and the range of the distance acquired immediately before S101 or S104. It is determined whether or not it has been made (S105). Here, there are three types of ranges: a range equal to or greater than the first distance, a range greater than or equal to the first distance, and a range greater than or equal to the second distance, and a range less than the second distance.

  If the operation receiving unit 28b determines in S105 that the two distance ranges acquired immediately before have not changed, it executes the process of S103.

  If it is determined in S105 that the range of the distance for two times acquired immediately before has changed, the operation receiving means 28b executes the process of S102 for the distance acquired in S104 immediately before.

  If it is determined in S103 that there is no job being executed by the MFP 20, the operation accepting unit 28b prohibits acceptance of a job interrupt operation from the operation unit 21 (S106).

  Next, the status notification means 28c notifies the portable device existing in the vicinity of the MFP 20, for example, via Bluetooth, that the reception of the job interrupt operation from the operation unit 21 is prohibited (S107). For example, the status notification unit 28c notifies information such as "the MFP is not currently executing a job. However, the job can not be interrupted because of a failure." Therefore, the control unit of the portable device existing around MFP 20 recognizes the information notified from MFP 20 by the user carrying the portable device itself by displaying the information notified from MFP 20 on the display unit. It can be done.

  After the process of S107, the control unit 28 ends the operation shown in FIG.

  As described above, MFP 20 receives a job interrupt operation from operation unit 21 (YES in S121 or YES in S124) if the distance to the job instruction under execution is equal to or greater than the specific distance (YES in S121 or YES in S124) ( Since S122 or S125), the convenience regarding the interruption of the job can be improved.

  If the in-progress job instructor is away from the MFP 20 but relatively close, the in-progress job instructor is likely to return to the location of the MFP 20 immediately. When the in-progress job instructor is far from the MFP 20, the possibility that the in-progress job instructor immediately returns to the location of the MFP 20 is low. Since the MFP 20 gradually expands the scope of the job that accepts the interrupt operation according to the increase in the distance to the executing job instructor (S122 and S125), the convenience regarding the interruption of the job is improved. Can.

  When the in-progress job instructor is present near the MFP 20, there is a high possibility that the in-progress job instructor is operating the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20. MFP 20 prohibits acceptance of the interrupt operation of the job from operation unit 21 (S127) when the distance to the executing job instructor is less than the second distance (NO in S124). When the distance to the job instructor is less than the second distance, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a user other than the executing job instructor inputs a job interrupt operation to the operation unit 21. It is possible to improve the convenience for the executing job instructor.

  Since the MFP 20 notifies the acceptance status of the job interrupt operation (S123, S126 and S128), the convenience for users other than the executing job instructor, ie, the person who executes the job interrupt operation can be improved. it can.

  The image forming system according to the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a copy dedicated machine, or may be configured by an image forming apparatus and at least one other electronic device. Also good.

20 MFP (image forming system, image forming apparatus)
21 Operation Unit (Operation Device)
27a image forming program 28a distance acquisition means 28b operation reception means 28c status notification means

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus including an operation device; and distance acquisition means for acquiring a distance between a user who has instructed the image forming apparatus about a job being executed by the image forming apparatus;
And an operation receiving unit configured to receive an interrupt operation of a job from the operation device when the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is equal to or greater than a specific distance. The particular distance includes a first distance and a second distance shorter than the first distance,
The operation receiving means is
When the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is equal to or greater than the first distance, the interrupt operation of all jobs is accepted from the operation device,
When the distance acquired by the distance acquiring means is greater than or equal to the second distance and less than the first distance, the interrupt operation of all jobs that do not interfere with the execution of the job being executed is performed from the operation device The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system receives the image.   3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation accepting unit prohibits acceptance of the interrupt operation from the operation device when the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is less than the second distance. Image formation system as described.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising situation notification means for giving notice of a reception situation of the interrupt operation by the operation reception means. In an image forming apparatus provided with an operation device,
Distance acquisition means for acquiring a distance between a user who has instructed the image forming apparatus about a job being executed by the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus;
And an operation receiving unit configured to receive an interrupt operation of a job from the operation device when the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is equal to or greater than a specific distance.

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