JP2020001190A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, job execution method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a job execution method, and a program, which can properly execute an image forming job when sorting processing instructed in the image forming job cannot be executed.SOLUTION: An image forming job received in a MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 2 from a user terminal 4 is executed under condition of authentication establishment by authentication information after being once stored in a memory 12 of a server 3. A stapler 33 or a mail box 34, which is a finisher, is mounted in the MFP 2 at a reception time point of the image forming job. Since post processing using the finisher cannot be executed when the finisher is removed from the MFP 2 during a storage period until the execution of the image forming job is started even if the execution of the post processing using the finisher is instructed in the image forming job, alternative processing is executed in place of the post processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus such as a printer having an accumulated image forming function (for example, see Patent Document 1). In an image forming apparatus having a stored image forming function, after receiving an image forming job related to image formation from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer), the image forming job is not immediately executed, and the image data is stored in the image forming apparatus. Or a management server communicably connected to the image forming apparatus. After that, an authentication operation such as a password input by a user or card authentication is performed. When the authentication is established, the image forming job for which the authentication is established is executed. That is, when the authentication is established, an image related to the authenticated image data is formed on the sheet among the image data stored in the memory or the management server.

  Further, the image forming apparatus includes a sorting apparatus that performs sorting processing such as sorting processing in which sheets on which images are formed are sorted into a plurality of trays and discharging the sheets, and stapling processing in which a plurality of sheets on which images are formed are bound with binding needles. It may be attached (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-286848 JP-A-4-177266

  In the configuration in which the sorting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus having the accumulated image forming function, the sorting device is switched from the image forming apparatus during the period when the image forming job for which the execution of the sorting process is specified is stored in the memory or the management server. It is conceivable that the sorting device is removed or replaced with another sorting device. In this case, since the sorting process specified in the image forming job cannot be executed, the image forming job stored in the memory or the management server may not be properly executed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a job execution method, and a program that can appropriately execute an image forming job even when a sorting process specified by the image forming job cannot be executed. To provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and a control unit. An image forming apparatus to which a sorting device for executing a sorting process of the sheet on which an image is formed by a forming unit is attachable, wherein the control unit is configured to form an image on the sheet by the image forming unit. A receiving process for receiving, via the communication unit, the image forming job specified to execute the sorting process from the external device, a storing process of storing the image forming job in a storing unit; After the storage process, in response to receiving the authentication information related to the image forming job stored in the storage unit, an authentication process of determining whether or not authentication is established based on the authentication information; A job execution process of controlling the image forming unit to execute the image forming job according to the authentication information, and During the accumulation period until the execution of the sorting process, the attachment determining process for determining whether or not the sorting device for performing the sorting process specified in the image forming job is installed. When it is determined in the determination process that the sorting device is not mounted, in the job execution process, an alternative process is performed instead of the sorting process performed by the sorting device.

  According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus can be equipped with the sorting device that executes the sorting process of the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. The image forming job received from the external device via the communication unit is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and then executed on condition that the authentication based on the authentication information is established. Even when the sorting device is mounted on the image forming apparatus at the time of receiving the image forming job and the execution of the sorting process by the sorting device is instructed by the image forming job, a period until the execution of the image forming job is started, that is, During the accumulation period in which the image forming job is accumulated in the accumulation unit, the sorting device may be removed from the image forming device, or the sorting device may be replaced with another sorting device. In this case, at the time of execution of the image forming job, the sorting process specified by the image forming job cannot be executed, and therefore, an alternative process is executed instead of the sorting process. Thereby, the image forming job can be appropriately executed.

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

  According to the present invention, even when the sorting process instructed by an image forming job cannot be executed, the image forming job can be appropriately executed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the MFP included in the image forming system. 6 is a main flowchart executed by the MFP. It is a figure showing an example of the 1st warning screen. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a job control process. It is a figure showing an example of the 2nd warning screen. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an alternative setting control process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a finisher attaching / detaching process. It is a figure showing an example of the 3rd warning screen. It is a figure showing an example of the 4th warning screen. It is a figure showing an example of the 5th warning screen. It is a figure showing an example of the 6th warning screen.

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

<System configuration>
The image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 2, a server 3, and a user terminal 4.

  The MFP 2 (an example of an image forming apparatus) has a plurality of functions. The plurality of functions include an image forming function. The image forming function is a function of forming image data on a sheet. The plurality of functions include, for example, an image reading function of reading an image and generating image data in addition to the image forming function. The MFP 2 is a network-compatible device and is used by being connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 5. The LAN 5 is connected to the Internet 6.

  The server 3 is, for example, a server provided by a manufacturer of the MFP 2 and is located on the Internet. The server 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 and a memory 12. The memory 12 (an example of a storage unit) includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM is a data rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk. The ROM stores a program to be executed by the CPU 11. In the ROM, image data to be formed by the MFP 2 is stored and accumulated. The RAM is used as a work area when the CPU 11 executes a program.

  The user terminal 4 (an example of an external device) is a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) operated by a user, and is an external device when viewed from the MFP 2. When the user operates the user terminal 4, an image forming job can be transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the MFP 2 via the LAN 5. The image forming job is a job for forming image data on a sheet by the image forming function of the MFP 2.

  The LAN 5 may be one of a wired LAN and a wireless LAN, or may be configured by combining a wired LAN and a wireless LAN.

<Electrical configuration of MFP>
As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 2 includes an image forming unit 21 for an image forming function and an image reading unit 22 for an image reading function. The image forming unit 21 is a mechanism that forms an image on a sheet conveyed along a conveyance path in a casing that forms an outer shell of the MFP 2. The method of image formation by the image forming unit 21 may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. Further, the image formed on the sheet may be a color image or a monochrome image. The image reading unit 22 is a mechanism that reads an image of a document and generates image data of the document. The image reading method by the image reading unit 22 may be an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) method of reading an image of the document while conveying the document, or an FB that reads an image of the document placed on the contact glass. (Flat Bed) method may be used.

  The MFP 2 includes an operation display unit 23 (an example of a display unit). The operation display unit 23 is a touch panel, and is arranged facing the outside of the housing so that a user can operate and visually recognize the image forming unit 21 and the image reading unit 22 from the outside of the housing. The operation display unit 23 displays various information and images such as operation keys. When the user performs a pressing operation (touch operation) on an operation key displayed on the operation display unit 23, the operation is accepted by the operation display unit 23, and a signal corresponding to the content of the operation is output from the operation display unit 23. Is done.

  Further, the MFP 2 includes a network communication unit 24 (an example of a communication unit). The network communication unit 24 includes a circuit for network communication via the LAN 5 and the like.

  The MFP 2 further includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 25, a ROM 26, and a RAM 27. The ASIC 25 has a built-in CPU 28 (an example of a control unit). A signal output from the operation display unit 23 and the like are input to the ASIC 25. The CPU 28 executes a program stored in the ROM 26 based on a signal or the like input to the ASIC 25 to execute each unit including the image forming unit 21, the image reading unit 22, the operation display unit 23, and the network communication unit 24. Control. The ROM 26 is a data rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The RAM 27 is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area when the CPU 28 executes a program.

  The MFP 2 is equipped with a separator tray 30 (an example of a sorting device or an alternative device). The separator tray 30 is optionally mounted on the MFP 2 in addition to the supply tray mounted on the MFP 2 as a standard. The separator tray 30 is a device that executes a separation process of inserting a sheet-like separator of a type different from the sheets between sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit 21 to sort those sheets into a plurality of sheets.

  The separator tray 30 includes a feeding mechanism 31 and a separator tray IC (Integrated Circuit) 32. The feeding mechanism 31 is a mechanism for sending the separator supported by the separator tray 30 to a transport path in the housing of the MFP 2. The separator tray IC 32 is communicably connected to the ASIC 25 of the MFP 2. The separator tray IC 32 controls the operation of the feeding mechanism 31 according to a command from the ASIC 25.

  Further, one of a stapler 33 (an example of a sorting device and an alternative device) and a mailbox 34 (an example of a sorting device and an alternative device) are selectively and optionally attached to the MFP 2. The stapler 33 is a device that executes a stapling process that sorts a plurality of sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 21 into a plurality of sheets by binding them with a binding staple. The mail box 34 is a device that executes a sorting process for sorting sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 21 to a plurality of discharge destinations and discharging the sorted sheets. Both the stapling process and the sorting process are post-processes for handling a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 21. Therefore, the stapler 33 and the mailbox 34 are both finishers that execute post-processing.

  The stapler 33 includes a stapling mechanism 35 and a stapler IC 36. The stapling mechanism 35 is a mechanism for binding a sheet with a binding staple. The stapler IC 36 is communicably connected to the ASIC 25 of the MFP 2 with the stapler 33 attached to the MFP 2, and controls the operation of the stapling mechanism 35 according to a command from the ASIC 25.

  The mail box 34 has a plurality of discharge trays 37 as discharge destinations of sheets on which images are formed. In addition, the mailbox 34 includes a distribution mechanism 38 and a mailbox IC 39. The distribution mechanism 38 is configured to include a flapper or the like that changes the transport direction of the sheet. The distribution mechanism 38 receives the image-formed sheet that is transported along the transport path in the housing of the MFP 2 as a standard output tray and a This is a mechanism for selectively distributing to any of the plurality of discharge trays 37. The mailbox IC 39 is communicably connected to the ASIC 25 of the MFP 2 with the mailbox 34 attached to the MFP 2, and controls the operation of the distribution mechanism 38 according to a command from the ASIC 25.

<Main flowchart>
In the MFP 2, a main flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU 28 of the ASIC 25. The main flowchart is repeatedly executed while the power of the MFP 2 is on.

  By executing the main flowchart, the CPU 28 determines whether an image forming job has been received (S1). The image forming job is transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the MFP 2 via the LAN 5 when the user operates the user terminal 4. The image forming job includes, in addition to the image data, a user ID assigned to the user who transmitted the image forming job. That is, the user logs in to the user terminal 4 using the user ID, and performs an operation of transmitting an image forming job in the logged-in state. Thereby, an image forming job including the user ID together with the image data is transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the MFP 2.

  When determining that the image forming job has been received (S1: YES), the CPU 28 transmits to the server 3 an instruction to save the image forming job in the memory 12 together with the received image forming job. When the server 3 receives the image forming job and the storage instruction, the CPU 11 of the server 3 stores the image forming job in the memory 12 according to the storage instruction. Thus, the image forming job is stored in the memory 12 of the server 3 (S2).

  The CPU 28 determines whether the use of the stapler 33 or the mailbox 34 as the finisher, that is, the execution of the stapling process or the sorting process, is set in the image forming job stored in the memory 12 (hereinafter, referred to as “storage job”). It is determined whether or not it is (S3).

  When the use of the finisher is set in the stored job (S3: YES), the CPU 28 further determines whether or not a finisher used by the setting (hereinafter, referred to as a "setting finisher") is mounted on the MFP 2. (S4). When the stapler 33 is mounted on the MFP 2, the CPU 28 can determine that the stapler 33 is mounted on the MFP 2 by communication between the ASIC 25 and the stapler IC 36 of the stapler 33. When the mailbox 34 is mounted on the MFP 2, the CPU 28 can determine that the mailbox 34 is mounted on the MFP 2 through communication between the ASIC 25 and the mailbox IC 39 of the mailbox 34.

  When the setting finisher is attached to the MFP 2 (S4: YES), the CPU 28 displays a first warning screen on the operation display unit 23 (S5). For example, when the stored job is a stapler setting job in which the stapler 33 is used and the stapler 33 is mounted on the MFP 2, as shown in FIG. Please do not remove the stapler. "Is displayed. If the storage job is a mailbox setting job that uses the mailbox 34 and the mailbox 34 is mounted on the MFP 2, the first warning screen displays "Mailbox setting job is stored. Please do not remove the box. " The first warning screen is displayed on the operation display unit 23 until a storage job is executed or a third warning screen, a fourth warning screen, a fifth warning screen, or a sixth warning screen described later is displayed. You.

  After displaying the first warning screen, the CPU 28 determines whether or not the authentication has been established (S6). When executing a stored job, an authentication operation by a user is required. The authentication operation may be, for example, an operation of operating the operation display unit 23 to input authentication information of a user ID and a password, or a card for reading information from an IC card to the MFP 2 by NFC (Near Field Communication) communication. When a reader is provided, the operation may be to hold an IC card owned by a user over a card reader. In the latter case, when the IC card is held over the card reader, the card reader reads the user ID and password authentication information from the IC card. When the user performs the authentication operation, the CPU 28 determines whether the authentication information acquired by the authentication operation, that is, the combination of the user ID and the password is correct. If the combination of the user ID and the password is correct, the CPU 28 determines that the authentication has been established. If the combination of the user ID and the password is incorrect, the CPU 28 determines that the authentication has failed.

  When determining that the image forming job has not been received (S1: NO), the CPU 28 skips steps S2 to S5 and determines whether or not the authentication is established based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication operation. (S6). When the use of the finisher is not set in the accumulation job (S3: NO), or when the setting finisher is not attached to the MFP 2 (S4: NO), the CPU 28 displays the first warning screen on the operation display unit 23. Is not displayed (S5: skip), it is determined whether or not the authentication is established based on the authentication information acquired by the authentication operation (S6).

  When determining that the authentication is established (S6: YES), the CPU 28 executes a job control process (S7). When the job control process ends, the main flowchart ends. The job control processing will be described next. On the other hand, when it is determined that the authentication is not established (S6: NO), the CPU 28 determines again whether or not an image forming job has been received (S1).

<Job control processing>
The flow of the job control process is shown in FIG. In the job control process, the CPU 28 of the ASIC 25 controls the image forming job related to the authentication information used to determine whether the authentication has been completed, that is, the accumulated job including the user ID used to determine the authentication has been completed (hereinafter referred to as “execution target job”). .) Is read from the memory 12 of the server 3. Then, the CPU 28 determines whether or not use of the finisher is set in the execution target job (S701).

  When determining that the use of the finisher is set in the execution target job (S701: YES), the CPU 28 further determines whether or not the setting finisher used by the setting is mounted on the MFP 2 (S702). When determining that the setting finisher is attached to the MFP 2 (S702: YES), the CPU 28 controls the image forming unit 21 and the like to execute the execution target job normally (S703). At this time, by executing the execution target job, an image related to image data included in the execution target job is formed on a sheet, and post-processing for handling the sheet on which the image is formed, that is, the stapler 33 set in the execution target job is executed. The stapling process to be used or the sorting process using the mailbox 34 is executed. When the job to be executed is completed (S704: YES), the CPU 28 ends the job control process.

  When determining that the use of the finisher is not set for the execution target job (S701: NO), the CPU 28 executes the execution target job normally (S705). At this time, by executing the execution target job, an image related to the image data included in the execution target job is formed on the sheet, and post-processing for handling the sheet on which the image is formed is not executed. When the execution target job is completed (S704: YES), the CPU 28 ends the job control process.

  If the use of the finisher is set in the execution target job (S701: YES), but the CPU 28 determines that the setting finisher used by the setting is not attached to the MFP 2 (S702: NO), the operation display unit 23, a second warning screen is displayed (S706). For example, if the execution target job is a stapler setting job that uses the stapler 33 and the stapler 33 is not mounted on the MFP 2, as shown in FIG. A stapler is not mounted. What should I do? ", A substitute instruction key 41, an instruction key 42 without post-processing, and a cancel instruction key 43 are displayed. If the job to be executed is a mailbox setting job that uses the mailbox 34 and the mailbox 34 is not mounted on the MFP 2, the second warning screen displays “The mailbox setting job is executed. Box is not mounted. What do you want to do? ", An alternative instruction key 41, an instruction key 42 without post-processing, and a cancel instruction key 43 are displayed.

  When the substitute instruction key 41 is touched, an instruction to execute a substitute process is input from the operation display unit 23 to the ASIC 25. When the post-processing-less instruction key 42 is touch-operated, an instruction to execute the execution target job for which the post-processing execution setting has been canceled is input from the operation display unit 23 to the ASIC 25. When the cancel instruction key 43 is touched, an instruction to cancel execution of the execution target job is input from the operation display unit 23 to the ASIC 25.

  When any one of the alternative instruction key 41, the no post-processing instruction key 42, and the cancel instruction key 43 is touched, the CPU 28 determines whether execution of the alternative processing has been instructed (S707). When determining that the execution of the substitution process has been instructed (S707: YES), the CPU 28 executes the substitution setting control (S708). The alternative setting control will be described later. After the completion of the alternative setting control, when the execution target job is completed (S704: YES), the CPU 28 ends the job control process.

  When determining that execution of the substitution process has not been instructed (S707: NO), the CPU 28 determines whether or not cancellation of execution of the execution target job has been instructed (S709). If the CPU 28 determines that the execution of the execution target job is not instructed (S709: NO), the CPU 28 cancels the post-processing execution setting of the execution target job, and then executes the execution target job (S710: Run without post-processing). By executing the execution target job, an image related to the image data included in the execution target job is formed on a sheet, but post-processing for handling the sheet on which the image is formed is not executed. When the execution target job is completed (S704: YES), the CPU 28 ends the job control process.

  When determining that the execution of the execution target job has been instructed (S709: YES), the CPU 28 cancels the execution of the execution target job (S711), and ends the job control process.

<Alternative setting control processing>
The flow of the alternative setting control process is shown in FIG. In the alternative setting control process, the CPU 28 of the ASIC 25 determines whether a finisher is attached to the MFP 2 (S7801). If the CPU 28 determines that the finisher is attached to the MFP 2 (S7801: YES), the CPU 28 determines whether the attached finisher is the stapler 33 (S7802). If the CPU 28 determines that the stapler 33 is attached to the MFP 2, the CPU 28 determines that the mailbox 34 is not attached to the MFP 2 even though the use of the mailbox 34 is set in the execution target job. It is.

  When determining that the stapler 33 is mounted on the MFP 2 (S7802: YES), the CPU 28 determines whether the stapler 33 is operable (S7803). For example, if the staples are not stocked in the stapler 33, the CPU 28 determines that the stapler 33 is not operable.

  When the CPU 28 determines that the stapler 33 is operable (S7803: YES), the CPU 28 substitutes the stapling process using the stapler 33 for the sorting process using the mailbox 34 set in the job to be executed. The execution of the stapling process, which is the process, is set as the execution target job (S7804). Then, the execution target job in which the stapling process (use of the stapler 33) is set is executed (S7805: alternative execution), and the alternative setting control ends. By executing the execution target job, the sheets on which the images are formed by the image forming unit 21 are bound together by a predetermined number of sheets and bound by the binding staples, whereby the sheets are sorted into a plurality of sheets in the same manner as when the sort processing is executed. . For example, when a set of image-formed sheets including the first page, the second page, and the third page is sorted and discharged to each of the three trays by the sorting process, the first page is used in the stapling process. A set of image-formed sheets including the second and third pages is collectively bound by a binding staple, and the three sets of sheets bound by the binding staple are discharged to a discharge tray provided as a standard in the MFP 2. You.

  When the finisher is attached to the MFP 2 and the stapler 33 is not attached (S7802: NO), the CPU 28 determines whether or not the mailbox 34 is attached (S7806).

  When the use of the mailbox 34 is set in the execution target job and the stapler 33 is not attached to the MFP 2, both the stapler 33 and the mailbox 34 are not attached to the MFP 2. In this case, for example, an offsetter, which is a type of finisher, is mounted on the MFP 2. The offsetter is an apparatus that performs an offset process of shifting the position of a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 21 onto a standard discharge tray to the MFP 2 for each predetermined number of sheets.

  When determining that the mailbox 34 is not mounted on the MFP 2 (S7806: NO), the CPU 28 determines whether the separator tray 30 is mounted on the MFP 2 (S7807). In this embodiment, since the separator tray 30 is mounted on the MFP 2, the CPU 28 determines that the separator tray 30 is mounted on the MFP 2 (S7807: YES). Then, the CPU 28 determines whether or not the separator tray 30 is operable (S7808). For example, if no separator is stored in the separator tray 30, the CPU 28 determines that the separator tray 30 is not operable.

  If the CPU 28 determines that the separator tray 30 is operable (S7808: YES), the CPU 28 replaces the sorting process using the mailbox 34 set in the execution target job with the separating process using the separator tray 30. Then, the execution of the separate process, which is an alternative process, is set as the execution target job (S7809). Then, the execution target job in which the separate processing (use of the separator tray 30) is set is executed (S7805: alternative execution). By executing this execution target job, every time a predetermined number of sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 21 is discharged to the MFP 2 to the standard discharge tray, the separator fed from the separator tray 30 is discharged to the discharge tray. Then, the sheets on the discharge tray are sorted into a plurality of sheets by the separator in the same manner as in the case where the sort processing is executed. For example, when a set of image-formed sheets including the first page, the second page, and the third page is sorted and discharged one by one to each of the three trays by the sorting process, the first page is used in the separate process. , A separator is inserted between a set of image-formed sheets of the second and third pages and another set.

  If the separator tray 30 is not mounted on the MFP 2 (S7807: NO), or if the separator tray 30 is mounted on the MFP 2 but the separator tray 30 is not operable (S7808: NO), the CPU 28 executes After canceling the setting of post-processing execution in the target job, the execution target job is executed (S7810: execution without post-processing), and the alternative setting control ends. By executing the execution target job, an image related to the image data included in the execution target job is formed on a sheet, but post-processing for handling the sheet on which the image is formed is not executed.

  When the CPU 28 determines that the stapler 33 is not mounted on the MFP 2 and the mailbox is mounted, the stapler 33 is mounted on the MFP 2 even though the use of the stapler 33 is set in the execution target job. If not.

  When determining that the mailbox 34 is mounted on the MFP 2 (S7806: YES), the CPU 28 determines whether the mailbox 34 is operable (S7811). For example, when sheets remain in the discharge tray 37 of the mailbox 34, the CPU 28 determines that the mailbox 34 is not operable.

  If the CPU 28 determines that the mailbox 34 is operable (S7811: YES), the CPU 28 replaces the stapling process using the stapler 33 set in the execution target job with the sorting process using the mailbox 34, The execution of the sort process, which is an alternative process, is set as the execution target job (S7812). Then, the execution target job in which the sorting process (use of the mailbox 34) is set is executed (S7805: substitute execution), and the substitute setting control ends. By executing the execution target job, the sheets on which the images are formed by the image forming unit 21 are distributed to the MFP 2 by a predetermined number of sheets and discharged to one of the standard discharge tray and the discharge tray 37, and the stapling process is performed. It is sorted into a plurality in the same manner as in the case. For example, by the stapling process, a set of image-formed sheets including a first page, a second page, and a third page are collectively bound with a binding staple, and the three sets of sheets bound with the binding staple are standardized in the MFP 2. In the case of discharging to the provided discharge tray, in the sorting process, a set of image-formed sheets including the first page, the second page, and the third page is sorted and discharged to each of the three trays. You.

<Finisher attachment / detachment processing>
The CPU 28 of the ASIC 25 executes the finisher attaching / detaching process shown in FIG. 8 separately from the execution of the main flowchart shown in FIG. The finisher attaching / detaching process is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle (for example, 300 msec) while the power of the MFP 2 is on.

  In the finisher attachment / detachment processing, the CPU 28 detects the attachment / detachment state of the finisher in the MFP 2 (S101). Specifically, when communication between the ASIC 25 and the stapler IC 36 of the stapler 33 is possible, the CPU 28 determines that the stapler 33 is mounted on the MFP 2 and communication between them is disabled. In this case, it is determined that the stapler 33 is not mounted on the MFP 2. Further, when communication between the ASIC 25 and the mailbox IC 39 of the mailbox 34 is possible, the CPU 28 determines that the mailbox 34 is mounted on the MFP 2 and communication between them is disabled. In this case, it is determined that the mailbox 34 is not attached to the MFP 2. If the ASIC 25 cannot communicate with both the stapler IC 36 and the mailbox IC 39, the CPU 28 determines that the MFP 2 has no finisher. Then, the CPU 28 stores the determination result (detection result) in the RAM 27.

  Next, the CPU 28 determines whether or not a storage job in which use of the stapler 33 is set (hereinafter, referred to as a “stapler setting job”) is stored in the memory 12 of the server 3 (S102). When the CPU 28 determines that the stapler setting job is stored in the memory 12 (S102: YES), the CPU 28 compares the finisher attaching / detaching state at the end of the previous finisher attaching / detaching process with the current finisher attaching / detaching state, It is determined whether the stapler 33 has been detached from the MFP 2 (S103). When determining that the stapler 33 has been detached from the MFP 2 (S103: YES), the CPU 28 displays a third warning screen on the operation display unit 23 (S104), and ends the finisher attaching / detaching process. On the third warning screen, as shown in FIG. 9, the OK key 51 is displayed together with the message "Stapler setting job has been accumulated. The stapler has been removed. Can the stapler be removed?" Is done. When the OK key 51 is touched, the CPU 28 deletes the third warning screen from the operation display unit 23.

  If the stapler setting job has been stored in the memory 12, the stapler 33 has not been detached after the previous execution of the finisher attaching / detaching process, and the mailbox 34 is attached to the MFP 2 (S105: YES), the CPU 28 Then, a fourth warning screen is displayed on the operation display unit 23 (S106), and the finisher attaching / detaching process ends. On the fourth warning screen, as shown in FIG. 10, the OK key 51 is displayed together with the message "Stapler setting job has been accumulated. Mailbox is installed. Staple processing cannot be executed." . When the OK key 51 is touched, the CPU 28 deletes the fourth warning screen from the operation display unit 23.

  If the stapler setting job has been stored in the memory 12, the stapler 33 has not been detached since the previous finisher attaching / detaching process was executed, and the mailbox 34 has not been attached to the MFP 2 (S105: NO), the CPU 28 Then, the finisher attaching / detaching process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 28 determines that the stapler setting job is not stored in the memory 12 (S102: NO), the stored job in which the use of the mailbox 34 is set in the memory 12 of the server 3 (hereinafter, "mailbox"). It is determined whether or not “setting job” is stored (S107).

  When the CPU 28 determines that the mailbox setting job is stored in the memory 12 (S107: YES), the CPU 28 compares the finisher attach / detach state at the end of the previous finisher attach / detach process with the current finisher attach / detach state. It is determined whether the mailbox 34 has been detached from the MFP 2 (S108). When determining that the mailbox 34 has been detached from the MFP 2 (S108: YES), the CPU 28 displays a fifth warning screen on the operation display unit 23 (S109), and ends the finisher attaching / detaching process. On the fifth warning screen, as shown in FIG. 11, an OK key is displayed with the message "The mailbox setting job has been accumulated. The mailbox has been removed. Can the mailbox be removed?" 51 is displayed. When the OK key 51 is touched, the CPU 28 deletes the fifth warning screen from the operation display unit 23.

  If the mailbox setting job is stored in the memory 12 and the mailbox 34 has not been removed after the previous finisher attaching / detaching process is executed and the stapler 33 is attached to the MFP 2 (S110: YES), the CPU 28 Displays a sixth warning screen on the operation display unit 23 (S111), and ends the finisher attaching / detaching process. On the sixth warning screen, as shown in FIG. 12, the OK key 51 is displayed together with the message "The mailbox setting job has been accumulated. The stapler is attached. The sort process cannot be executed." . When the OK key 51 is touched, the CPU 28 deletes the sixth warning screen from the operation display unit 23.

  If the mailbox setting job has been stored in the memory 12 and the mailbox 34 has not been removed after the previous finisher attaching / detaching process has been executed and the stapler 33 has not been attached to the MFP 2 (S110: NO), the CPU 28 Ends the finisher attaching / detaching process.

<Effects>
As described above, the MFP 2 can be equipped with the sorting device that executes the sorting process of the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 21. Specifically, the MFP 2 includes, as a sorting device, a separator tray 30 that executes a separating process, which is an example of a sorting process of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit 21, and a staple process, which is another example of the sorting process. And a mailbox 34 for executing a sorting process, which is another example of the sorting process.

  The image forming job received by the ASIC 25 from the user terminal 4 via the network communication unit 24 of the MFP 2 is temporarily stored in the memory 12 of the server 3 and then executed on condition that the authentication based on the authentication information is established. Even when the stapler 33 or the mailbox 34 as a finisher is attached to the MFP 2 at the time of receiving the image forming job and the execution of the post-processing using the finisher is instructed by the image forming job, the execution of the image forming job is started. During the period until the image forming job is stored in the memory 12 of the server 3, the finisher may be removed from the MFP 2, or the finisher may be replaced with another finisher. In this case, when the image forming job is executed, the post-process using the finisher specified in the image forming job cannot be executed, and thus the substitute process is executed instead of the subsequent process. Thereby, the image forming job can be appropriately executed.

  During a period (accumulation period) from when the accumulated job is accumulated in the memory 12 of the server 3 to when the accumulated job is executed, the finisher designated by the execution target job that is the accumulated job to be executed is not installed. In this case, a second warning screen that warns the user that the finisher is not mounted on the MFP 2 is displayed on the operation display unit 23. This allows the user to recognize that the finisher is not mounted on MFP 2.

  Note that, instead of or in addition to the display of the second warning screen on the operation display unit 23, data representing the content of the second warning screen is transmitted from the MFP 2 to the user terminal 4, The content of the second warning screen may be displayed on the display of the terminal 4.

  The second warning screen also includes an alternative instruction key 41 for instructing execution of an alternative process, an instruction key for no post-processing 42 for instructing execution of an execution target job for which the setting of execution of post-processing has been canceled, In addition, a cancel instruction key 43 for instructing cancellation of the execution of the execution target job is displayed. Accordingly, the user selectively touches one of the alternative instruction key 41, the no post-processing key, and the cancel instruction key 43 to execute the alternative processing and the execution target for which the post-processing execution setting has been released. Execution of a job or execution of a job to be executed can be arbitrarily selected.

  When a plurality of alternative processes can be selectively executed, when the alternative instruction key 41 is touched (pressed), a dialog for selecting any of the plurality of alternative processes is displayed. Alternatively, the alternative process selected in the dialog may be executed.

  In the MFP 2, when execution of a sort process for sorting and discharging the sheets on which the images are formed by the image forming unit 21 in the execution target job to the plurality of discharge trays 37 is set, as an alternative process, the image forming unit 21 executes the image processing. By stapling the sheet on which the is formed with the binding staples, a stapling process of sorting into a plurality of sheets can be executed. Not only the stapling process but also a separate process for sorting the sheet on which the image is formed into a plurality of sheets by inserting a separator between the sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 21 can be executed.

  Further, in the MFP 2, when execution of a stapling process in which a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 21 in an execution target job is bound by a binding staple is set to be executed, the image forming unit 21 performs an alternative process. It is also possible to execute a sort process in which sheets on which images are formed are sorted into a plurality of discharge trays 37 and discharged. In addition to the sorting process, a separating process for sorting the sheet on which the image is formed into a plurality of sheets by inserting a separator between the sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 21 can also be executed.

  When the use of the finisher is set in the image forming job received by the MFP 2 and the finisher is attached to the MFP 2, a first warning screen notifying the user that the use of the finisher is set in the image forming job. Is displayed on the operation display unit 23. This can prompt the user not to remove the finisher from MFP 2.

<Modification>
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented in another form.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the MFP 2 receives an image forming job from the user terminal 4, the image forming job is transferred from the MFP 2 to the server 3, and the image forming job is stored in the memory 12 of the server 3. . However, the image forming job received by the MFP 2 from the user terminal 4 may be stored in the RAM 27 of the MFP 2 as an example of a storage unit.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 28 executes each process has been described. However, the ASIC 25 may include a plurality of CPUs, and the plurality of CPUs may execute each process in cooperation.

  Although the MFP 2 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus may be a printer having a printer function as a single function.

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

1: Image forming system 2: MFP
3: Server 4: User terminal 12: Memory 21: Image forming unit 23: Operation display unit 24: Network communication unit 27: RAM
28: CPU
30: separator tray 33: stapler 34: mailbox 37: discharge tray

Claims (12)

A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet,
And a control unit,
An image forming apparatus to which a sorting device for performing a sorting process of the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit can be mounted,
The control unit includes:
An image forming job for forming an image on the sheet by the image forming unit, an image forming job specified to execute the sorting process, a receiving process of receiving from the external device via the communication unit;
A storage process for storing the image forming job in a storage unit;
After the accumulation process, in response to receiving the authentication information related to the image forming job stored in the storage unit, an authentication process of determining whether the authentication is established by the authentication information,
A job execution process of controlling the image forming unit and executing the image forming job according to the authentication information, on condition that it is determined that the authentication is established in the authentication process;
During an accumulation period from the execution of the accumulation process to the execution of the job execution process, it is determined whether or not the sorting device for executing the sorting process specified in the image forming job is mounted. To perform the mounting determination process,
An image forming apparatus that executes an alternative process in the job execution process in place of the sorting process performed by the sorting device when it is determined in the mounting determination process that the sorting device is not mounted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The control unit, when it is determined that the sorting device is not mounted in the mounting determination process, transmits information to the effect that the sorting device is not mounted, to the external device via the communication unit, Image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
A display unit,
The image forming apparatus, wherein, when the control unit determines that the sorting device is not mounted in the mounting determination process, the control unit displays on the display unit that the sorting device is not mounted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
The control unit, when determining that the sorting apparatus is not mounted in the mounting determination processing, executes processing by an alternative apparatus mounted on the image forming apparatus as the alternative processing, or executes the image forming job Executing a process of canceling the designation of the execution of the sorting process in the alternative process, and displaying a screen for selecting either to cancel the execution of the image forming job on the display unit, Image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The sorting device includes a plurality of discharge trays,
The sorting process by the sorting device is a sorting process of sorting and discharging the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit to the plurality of discharge trays,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the alternative device is a device that performs a stapling process that sorts the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit into a plurality of sheets by binding with a binding staple. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The sorting device includes a plurality of discharge trays,
The sorting process by the sorting device is a sorting process of sorting and discharging the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit to the plurality of discharge trays,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the substitute device is a device that performs a separation process of sorting the sheet on which the image is formed into a plurality of sheets by inserting a separator between the sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The sorting process by the sorting device is a stapling process of sorting the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit into a plurality of sheets by binding with a binding staple,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the substitute device includes a plurality of discharge trays, and executes a sort process of sorting and discharging the sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit into the plurality of discharge trays. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
The sorting process by the sorting device is a stapling process of sorting the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit into a plurality of sheets by binding with a binding staple,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the substitute device is a device that executes a separation process of sorting the sheet on which the image is formed into a plurality of sheets by inserting a separator between sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
The control unit, during a period from the reception of the image forming job to the execution of the mounting determination process, to the display unit that the execution of the sorting process by the sorting device is specified in the image forming job. An image forming apparatus for displaying. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus, an external device, and a server,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A communication unit that communicates with the external device;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet,
With
An image forming apparatus to which a sorting device for executing a sorting process of the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit can be mounted,
The image forming system includes:
Equipped with a control unit,
The control unit includes:
An image forming job for forming an image on the sheet by the image forming unit, wherein the image forming job specified to execute the sorting process is stored in the storage unit;
After the accumulation process, performing an authentication process of determining whether or not authentication is established based on the authentication information related to the image forming job stored in the storage unit,
A job execution process for controlling the image forming unit to execute the image forming job according to the authentication information, on condition that it is determined that the authentication is established in the authentication process;
Attachment determination processing that determines whether or not the sorting device that performs the sorting processing specified in the image forming job is attached during an accumulation period from execution of the accumulation processing to execution of the job execution processing. And run,
An image forming system, wherein, when it is determined in the mounting determination process that the sorting device is not mounted, an alternative process is performed in the job execution process instead of the sorting process performed by the sorting device. An image forming apparatus, an external device, a job execution method executed in an image forming system including a server,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet,
An image forming apparatus to which a sorting device that performs a sorting process of the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit can be mounted,
The server includes a storage unit,
An image forming job for forming an image on the sheet by the image forming unit, the image forming job specified to execute the sorting process is stored in the storage unit,
After accumulating the image forming job, it is determined whether or not the authentication is established based on the authentication information on the image forming job stored in the storage unit,
On condition that it is determined that the authentication is established, the image forming job according to the authentication information is executed,
During the accumulation period from the accumulation of the image forming job to the execution of the image forming job, it is determined whether or not the sorting device that performs the sorting process specified in the image forming job is mounted.
A job execution method, wherein when it is determined that the sorting device is not mounted, an alternative process is executed instead of the sorting process by the sorting device when the image forming job is executed. A communication unit that communicates with an external device;
An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet,
A program installed in a computer of an image forming apparatus to which a sorting device that performs a sorting process of the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit can be mounted,
To the computer,
An image forming job for forming an image on the sheet by the image forming unit, an image forming job specified to execute the sorting process, a receiving process of receiving from the external device via the communication unit;
A storage process for storing the image forming job in a storage unit;
After the accumulation process, in response to receiving the authentication information related to the image forming job stored in the storage unit, an authentication process of determining whether the authentication is established by the authentication information,
A job execution process of controlling the image forming unit and executing the image forming job according to the authentication information, on condition that it is determined that the authentication is established in the authentication process;
Mounting for determining whether or not the sorting device that performs the sorting process specified in the image forming job is mounted during a storage period from when the storage process is performed to when the job execution process is performed; The judgment process and
A program for executing an alternative process in the job execution process in place of the sorting process by the sorting device, when the sorting device determines that the sorting device is not mounted in the mounting determination process.

Images