JP3562329B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus used as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a multifunction peripheral thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a digital copying machine (a type of image forming apparatus) having a memory function has been known. The memory function is a function of storing read image data and work contents (number of copies, copy magnification, etc.). With the memory function, input of image data and work contents and output (copy output) of an image can be performed independently. Since one job is called one job, and a plurality of jobs are registered and executed sequentially, such a copying machine is sometimes called a multi-job copying machine.
[0003]
When a multi-job copying machine is shared and used by a plurality of people, when a new job is to be registered, the newly registered job is executed based on the amount of unprocessed job data remaining in the memory. You can know how long it takes.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a multi-job copying machine, the work contents (number of copies, copy magnification, etc.) of a job registered in a memory and not yet processed may be corrected or changed. At this time, for example, when the number of copies increases due to the correction, the time required for executing the job increases as compared to before the correction.
[0005]
In such a case, the start and end times of the jobs scheduled thereafter are also delayed. At this time, if the start and end times of the job input by another person are delayed, inconvenience will occur to the other person.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which does not cause any inconvenience even if the registered work content is changed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a registration unit capable of registering a plurality of work contents; an execution unit configured to sequentially execute the plurality of work contents; A correcting unit that corrects the task, a determining unit that determines whether a time for executing the corrected task content increases compared to before the correction, and a corrected task based on a determination result of the determining unit. A changing unit that changes the order in which the contents are executed by the executing unit.
[0008]
More preferably, the registration unit performs registration using the ID code, and the correction unit performs correction using the ID code.
[0009]
More preferably, when the determining unit determines that the time increases as compared with the time before the correction, the changing unit changes the order of the work content executed by the executing unit.
[0010]
According to these inventions, it is determined whether or not the time for executing the corrected work content increases compared to before the correction, and the order in which the corrected work content is executed is determined based on the determination result. Be changed. This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that does not cause any inconvenience even if the registered work content is changed.
[0011]
According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a registration unit that can register a plurality of work contents, an execution unit that sequentially executes the plurality of work contents, and a correction unit that corrects the registered work contents. Determining means for determining whether the time for executing the corrected work content increases as compared to before the correction, and executing the corrected work content based on the determination result of the determination means If it is determined that the time for For the execution of the modified work, round up at the completion of the time taken before the modification, And control means for controlling the contents of the work increased by the correction to be executed after completion of all the work contents registered by the registration means.
[0012]
Preferably, the registration unit registers the number of image formations for each registered work content, and the correction unit corrects the registered number of image formations.
[0013]
More preferably, the registration unit registers the image forming mode for each registered work content, and the correcting unit corrects the image forming mode. However, the work content of the increase due to the correction is the work content of the processing time extension due to the correction. .
[0014]
According to another aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the time for executing the corrected work content is longer than before the correction, the work content of the increase due to the correction is all registered work content. Executed after completion of This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that does not cause any inconvenience even if the registered work content is changed.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an entire configuration of a digital copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
Referring to FIG. 1, a digital copier includes a scanning system 10 for reading a document and converting the image signal into an image signal, an image signal processing unit 20 for processing an image signal sent from the scanning system 10, and an image signal processing unit 20. A memory unit 30 that stores input image data and outputs it to a print processing unit; a print processing unit 40 that drives a semiconductor laser 61 based on image data output from the memory unit 30; A laser optical system 60 for guiding light to an exposure position on the photosensitive drum 71; an image forming system 70 for developing a latent image by exposure, transferring the image onto recording paper, and fixing to form an image; And an original transport unit 500 that transports an original and reverses the front and back as necessary.
[0017]
The scanning unit 10 and the image signal processing unit 20 constitute a reading unit IR, and the print processing unit 40, the laser optical system 60, the image forming system 70 and the like constitute a printer unit P.
[0018]
The reading unit IR reads an image of a document placed on the document glass 19 and generates image data corresponding to each pixel of the document image. The first scanner 11 having the exposure lamp 12 and the first mirror 13a and the second scanner 14 having the second and third mirrors 13b and 13c are driven by the scan motor M2 in the directions of arrows b and b '(in the sub-scanning direction). Go to).
[0019]
The light of the exposure lamp 12 is reflected by the original on the original glass 19 and is applied to a line sensor (CCD) 17 via mirrors 13a, 13b, 13c and a lens 15. The line sensor 17 has a large number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1, reads an image at 400 DPI, for example, and outputs image data corresponding to each pixel.
[0020]
Further, as described above, when the first scanner 11 moves in the directions of the arrows b and b ', the line sensor 17 can sub-scan the document image. The sensor SE3 is a sensor for detecting that the first scanner 11 is at the home position.
[0021]
The image data output from the line sensor 17 is processed by the image signal processing unit 20 and then transmitted to the memory unit 30. The memory unit 30 compresses and temporarily stores the image data received from the image signal processing unit 20, performs a decompression process, and transmits the image data to the printer unit P. At this time, if necessary, a rotation editing process is performed.
[0022]
The memory unit 30 has an external device interface unit to be described later, and is connected to an external device through an external cable 91 via an external device connection connector 90. The image signal processing unit 20 and the memory unit 30 will be described later in detail.
[0023]
Next, the printer unit P will be described. The print processing unit 40 controls the laser optical system 60 based on the image data received from the memory unit 30. The laser optical system 60 emits a laser beam that is modulated (on / off) controlled by the print processing unit 40, and scans the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 61 onto the photosensitive drum 71. Polygon mirror 62, fθ lens 63, and mirrors 64a and 64b.
[0024]
A charging charger 72, a developing device 73, a transfer charger 74, a separation charger 75, a cleaner 76, and an eraser lamp 77 are arranged around the photoreceptor drum 71 which is driven to rotate along the rotation direction. Have been. The photoconductor drum 71 forms a toner image by a well-known electrophotographic process, and transfers the toner image onto a sheet. The paper is supplied from paper feed cassettes 81a and 81b by paper feed rollers 82a and 82b, and is fed to a transfer charger 74 by a paper transport path 83 and a timing roller 84. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred at the position of the transfer charger 74 is discharged to the sheet re-feeding unit 600 via the transport belt 85, the fixing device 86, and the discharge roller 87.
[0025]
The various rollers and the photosensitive drum 71 of the image forming system 70 are driven by the main motor M1. In the vicinity of the sheet cassettes 81a and 81b, sheet size detection sensors SE1 and SE2 for detecting the size of sheets stored in each cassette are provided.
[0026]
The document feeder 500 automatically feeds a document set on a document feed tray 510 onto a document glass, and discharges a document read by the scanning system 10 to a document discharge unit 511.
[0027]
In the normal mode, the user sets one or a plurality of documents on the document feed tray 510 with the surface to be read facing upward, and adjusts the side regulating plate to the width of the document. When the operation is started, the set originals are conveyed in order from the bottom by the feeding roller 501, separated by the separating roller 502 and the separating pad 503, and fed one by one. The conveyed document passes through the intermediate roller 504, and after the size and the like are detected by the registration sensor SE51 and the width size sensor SE53, the skew is corrected by the registration roller 505. Immediately after the trailing edge of the original has passed the left end of the original scale 512, the original transport belt 506 slightly reverses and stops.
[0028]
As a result, the right end of the original comes into contact with the edge of the original scale 512, and the original is set at an accurate position on the original glass 19. At this time, the leading end of the next document has reached the registration roller 505, so that the transport time of the next document is reduced.
[0029]
When the original is set at an accurate reading position on the original glass 19, the scanning of the original by the scanning system 10 is performed. When the reading of the document is completed, the document is transported leftward by the document transport belt 506, the transport direction is changed by the reversing roller 507, and the document is discharged above the switching claw 508 onto the discharge tray 511.
[0030]
In the case of a double-sided original, when the reading of the first side is completed, the original is conveyed to the left by the original conveying belt 506, the conveying direction is changed by the reversing roller 507, and the original is again fed by the switching claw 508. The document is sent upward, and the second surface of the document is set at the reading position.
[0031]
The document whose second surface has been read is conveyed leftward by the document conveying belt 506, and is discharged onto a discharge tray 511 via a reversing roller 507, a switching claw 508, and a discharge roller 509.
[0032]
The refeed unit 600 is attached to the side of the printer as an additional device for automating double-sided copying. It has the function of sending back.
[0033]
In the one-sided copy mode, the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 621 without passing through the sheet re-feed unit 600. On the other hand, in the double-sided copy mode, the left end of the switching claw 601 is moved upward by a solenoid (not shown), and the sheet discharged from the discharge roller 87 reaches the forward / reverse roller 603 through the transport roller 602. .
[0034]
When the trailing edge of the sheet reaches the sheet sensor SE61, the forward / reverse roller 603 is inverted. As a result, the sheet is returned to the printer body. The returned sheet is sent to the timing roller 84 through the horizontal transport rollers 88a, 88b, 88c and waits.
[0035]
Here, when a plurality of sheets are continuously fed, the respective sheets are conveyed one after another at predetermined intervals so as not to overlap each other, and are sent to the re-feeding unit 600. Since the length of the paper transport path is constant, the number of sheets in one circulation (the maximum number of circulations) by the re-feed unit 600 and the horizontal transport rollers 88a to 88c depends on the paper size.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel of the digital copying machine of FIG.
On the operation panel, a liquid crystal touch panel 201 for status display and various mode settings, a numeric keypad 202 for inputting numerical value conditions (number of sheets, magnification, etc.), and a clear key 203 for returning numerical value conditions to standard values A panel reset key 204 for initializing the copy mode, a stop key 205 for instructing to stop copying, a start key 206 for instructing to start copying, and whether the document is a single-sided or double-sided original. , A copy mode key 210 for switching between double-sided copy and single-sided copy, and an interrupt key 208 for inputting interrupt activation and return.
[0037]
Further, the operation panel is provided with an ID card insertion slot 211 for inserting the ID card 212.
[0038]
FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control unit 100 of the copying machine.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, control unit 100 is mainly configured with seven CPUs 1 to 7, each of which has a ROM 111 to 117 storing a program, and a work area for program execution. RAMs 121 to 127 are provided. The CPU 3 is provided in the memory unit 30.
[0039]
The CPU 1 performs control relating to input of signals from various operation keys of the operation panel and display on the liquid crystal touch panel 201. The CPU 2 controls each part of the image signal processing unit 20 and controls driving of the scanning system 10. The CPU 4 controls the print processing unit 40, the laser optical system 60, and the image forming system 70. The CPU 4 also controls the main motor M1. The CPU 5 performs a process for adjusting the overall timing of the control unit 100 and setting an operation mode.
[0040]
The CPU 3 temporarily stores the image data read by controlling the memory unit 30 in the memory (the image memory 304 in FIG. 6), reads out the image data, and outputs the read image data to the print processing unit 40. The memory unit 30 has a function of interfacing with an external device. The exchange of image data and control data is executed via the memory unit 30.
[0041]
The signals from the sheet size detection sensors SE1 and SE2 are input to the I / O managed by the CPU 4, and the size of the copy sheet is managed by the CPU 4.
[0042]
The CPU 6 controls document transport by the document transport unit 500. The CPU 7 controls the re-feed unit 600.
[0043]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the reading unit IR and the image signal processing unit 20. In this figure, the CPU 2, the ROM 112, the RAM 122, and the line sensor (CCD) 17 correspond to those in FIG.
[0044]
Referring to the drawing, an image reading synchronization signal is supplied from a timing control unit 21 to each block. A CCD (line sensor) 17 photoelectrically converts document information to generate an electric signal. The signal is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 23 and converted into an 8-bit digital signal by an A / D converter 25. The signal is subjected to processing for removing distortion by the optical system and the CCD by the shading correction unit 26. Next, the density converter 27 converts the reflection data into density data and performs gamma correction.
[0045]
The signal output from the density conversion unit 27 is input to the electric scaling unit 28, and an electric scaling process is performed in the main scanning direction based on the set magnification information. After that, the image data edited by the editing unit 29 is supplied to the printer unit P and the memory unit 30.
[0046]
The image monitor memory 24 stores one line of image data according to an instruction from the CPU 2. Further, the CPU 2 controls parameters of the image processing units 26 to 29, controls scanning by driving the scanner motor M2, and controls the entire reading unit IR such as communication with the CPU 5 (host CPU) of the timing control unit.
[0047]
Next, a method for detecting the size of the original and whether the original is portrait or landscape will be described.
[0048]
The determination of which portion of the read image is the original is made by, for example, setting the original cover to a mirror surface and scanning the original to determine a portion where the amount of reflected light is large as the original. If it is a mirror surface, the amount of reflected light is very small, so that the judgment is easy. Therefore, even if scanning is performed with the document cover opened, the position of the document can be known.
[0049]
When receiving an instruction of the document size detecting operation from CPU 5, CPU 2 performs a preliminary scan. The CPU 2 controls the scanner motor M2 based on the scanner position information from the scanner position sensor SE-IR, and causes the first scanner 11 to scan in the sub-scanning direction. At a timing corresponding to the sub-scanning direction, the document size and whether the document is placed vertically or horizontally are detected from the content of the image data and the scanner position information, and the detection result is transmitted to the host CPU 5.
[0050]
An accurate position where the document is placed, for example, a shift amount and a tilt angle with respect to the reference position, is similarly detected. The detection result is transmitted to the CPU 5.
[0051]
Based on the magnification information transmitted from the CPU 5, the CPU 2 controls the speed of the scanner motor M2 at the scan speed that matches the magnification information when reading an image.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the memory unit 30.
Referring to the figure, a memory unit 30 includes an image signal processing unit, a print processing unit, a bus switching unit 301 for switching a route of image data to an external IF unit 310, a simple binary area of input image data and a halftone. Area determination unit 303 that determines the area of the image, a binarization processing unit 302 that generates binary data based on parameter settings from the CPU 3, and an image memory 304 that has a capacity of two pages. A code processing unit 305 having an operable compressor 311 and decompressor 312, a multi-port code memory 306, an editing processing unit 307 for performing rotation, scaling, movement, etc., and a parameter setting from the CPU 3 Multi-level processing section 308 for performing multi-level processing, smoothing processing section 309 for performing smoothing processing, and CPU Composed of the like.
[0053]
The switching unit 301 can exchange image data with an external device via the external IF unit 310. The image transfer between the code memory 306 and the external IF unit 310 can be performed in parallel with the copying process of the main body. At this time, the image data is compressed / decompressed by the code processing unit 305 if necessary.
[0054]
In a memory mode copy in which an image read by scanning a document or an image input from an external device via the external IF unit 310 is temporarily stored, the binarization processing unit 302 of the memory unit 30 includes an image signal processing unit. 8-bit multi-value image data is input from the unit 20 via the bus switching unit 301 and the area determination unit 303. The binarization processing unit 302 performs a process of converting multi-valued image data into binary image data within a recoverable range by error diffusion, dithering, or the like. The binarized image data is temporarily written into the image memory 304.
[0055]
When the image data is written into the image memory 304, the code processing unit 305 reads and compresses the data to generate code data (compressed data), and writes the code data into the code memory 306. Further, the code processing unit 305 reads out the code data to be printed from the code memory 306, decompresses the code data, and writes the obtained image data in the image memory 304. Note that the compressor 311 and the decompressor 312 are configured to be able to operate independently and in parallel with each other to improve the copy speed. It is to be transferred.
[0056]
When the decompressed image data is transferred to the image memory 304, the editing processing unit 307 performs editing processing such as rotation and scaling as necessary.
[0057]
When one page of image data is reproduced by the decompression and editing processing, the data is read from the image memory 304. The read data is restored to multi-valued data depending on the mode by the multi-value / smoothing processing units 308 and 309, and subjected to a smoothing process as needed. Then, the multi-valued image data is transferred to the print processing unit 40 or to an external device via the external IF unit 310.
[0058]
When such a document image is temporarily stored, the code memory 306 is managed by a management table MT1 provided in the RAM 123.
[0059]
7 and 8 are diagrams showing the relationship between the management table MT1 and the code memory 306.
[0060]
The code memory 306 is divided into memory areas in units of 32 Kbytes, and in consideration of enabling simultaneous control of writing (at the time of reading an image) and reading (at the time of printing), each area has Code data is stored for each page.
[0061]
The management table MT1 includes a number indicating an area of the code memory 306, a page number (original image number) PN of image data added in a writing order (an original scanning order), and a number of a connected area. And various additional information required for the compression / decompression processing such as the compression method and the data length. The code memory 306 is dynamically managed based on these pieces of information.
[0062]
Note that “previous link” in FIG. 7 indicates a link in a forward direction of an area of 32 Kbytes in each page. If this is "00", it indicates that it is the first storage area of the data for one page. Similarly, when “FF” is “FF”, it indicates the last area, and other than “FF”, it indicates the number of the area that follows.
[0063]
When reading and compressing the image data from the image memory 304, the CPU 3 controls the compression unit 311 and stores the image data in the code memory 306 while referring to the information in the management table MT1. When outputting image data, code data is read from the code memory 306 by the reverse operation. The information in the management table MT1 is deleted when the information of the corresponding page is normally read and the copy of the number (number of copies) M specified by the user is completed.
[0064]
Next, an operation sequence of the digital copying machine will be described focusing on a request command (Q) exchanged between CPUs, a report (A), or a data flow.
[0065]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of the memory write operation. In the writing operation, image data is transferred from the image signal processing unit 20 to the image memory 304.
[0066]
Referring to the figure, first, CPU 5 controlling the entire sequence requests CPU 3 to prepare a memory. In response to this, the CPU 3 sets the bus connection state for transferring the image data from the image signal processing unit 20 to the image memory 304 to the internal hardware, sets the mode for binarization processing, and sets the image memory The setting of the start address of the writing area to 304 and the XY length information are performed.
[0067]
When these settings are completed and the preparation is completed, the CPU 3 notifies the CPU 5 of the completion of the memory preparation.
[0068]
When the CPU 5 requests the CPU 3 and the CPU 2 to read, the CPU 2 requests the internal document scanning unit to scan.
[0069]
When scanning is started by the document scanning unit and the first scanner 11 reaches the image area, the read data (image data) is transferred from the image signal processing unit 20 to the memory unit 30 according to the image processing mode set by the CPU 2. Is done.
[0070]
When the scan is completed and the completion of the reading is notified from the CPUs 2 and 3 to the CPU 5, the CPU 5 requests the CPU 3 to compress the data. In response to this, the CPU 3 sets the read address from the image memory 304, the XY length information, the write address to the code memory 306, the mode of the compression unit 311 (for example, the arithmetic coding method and the MH method), and the like. Is started. As a result, the compression process is performed, and the code data is stored in the code memory 306.
[0071]
When the compression process is completed, the CPU 3 notifies the CPU 5 of the completion of the compression. At this time, if the code memory 306 is full, a compression completion report to which a parameter indicating that compression is impossible is added is sent to the CPU 5. Thereby, the CPU 5 can know that the code memory 306 has reached the memory full state.
[0072]
FIG. 10 shows a schematic sequence of the memory read operation.
In the memory reading operation, image data is read from the image memory 304, and a copy image is printed on a sheet based on the image data.
[0073]
Referring to the figure, CPU 5 requests CPU 3 to decompress data. The CPU 3 performs editing processing such as a read address from the code memory 306, a data amount, a write address to the image memory 304, XY length information, a mode of the decompressor 312 (for example, an arithmetic coding method and an MH method), and rotation. Set the mode etc. and start each part. Thus, the decompression process is performed, and the image data is written into the image memory 304.
[0074]
When the decompression process is completed, a completion report is sent from the CPU 3 to the CPU 5. After that, the CPU 5 outputs a memory preparation request for reading image data from the image memory 304 to the CPU 3. In response to this, the CPU 3 sets the bus connection state for outputting image data from the image memory 304 to the print processing unit 40 to the internal hardware, and sets the start address of the read area of the image memory 304 and XY length information. Make settings.
[0075]
When these settings are completed and preparation is completed, and the CPU 5 receives the notification, the CPU 5 requests the CPU 3 and the print processing unit 40 to perform printing. A paper feed report is sent from the print processing unit 40 to the CPU 5 to notify the CPU 5 of the paper transport state. Thereafter, the image data read from the image memory 304 is output to the print processing unit 40, and printing is performed.
[0076]
When printing is completed, the CPU 3 and the print processing unit 40 send a print completion report and an ejection completion report to the CPU 5. The CPU 5 receiving these reports gives a memory clear request to the CPU 3 as necessary.
[0077]
FIG. 11 is a main flowchart of CPU 1 for controlling the operation panel. Referring to the figure, when power is turned on, CPU 1 first performs initialization for initializing a RAM, a register, and the like (# 11). Thereafter, an internal timer that defines the length of one routine is set (# 12), a key input process for accepting a key operation (# 13), a panel display process for performing a display according to the operation (# 14), and other processes. (# 15) and waiting for continuation of the internal timer (# 16) are repeatedly executed. In addition, communication with another CPU is performed as an interrupt process at an appropriate time. The panel display process (# 14) and other processes (# 15) will be described later in detail.
[0078]
FIG. 12 is a main flowchart of the CPU 3 for controlling the memory unit 30.
[0079]
After performing the initial setting process (# 31), the CPU 3 executes the command receiving process (# 32), the status transmission process (# 33), the image memory writing process (# 34), the compression control process (# 35), the decompression. The control process (# 36), the image memory read process (# 37), and other processes (# 38) are repeatedly executed.
[0080]
FIG. 13 is a main flowchart of the CPU 4 for controlling the printer unit P.
[0081]
After performing the initial setting (# 41), the CPU 4 sets the internal timer (# 42), controls the development and transfer systems (# 43), controls the transport system (# 44), and controls the fixing system (# 45). ), The control of the print processing unit (# 46), other processes (# 47), and the process of waiting for the completion of measurement by the internal timer (# 48) are repeatedly executed.
[0082]
FIG. 14 is a main flowchart of the CPU 5 for controlling the control of the copying machine. After performing the initial setting (# 51), the CPU 5 sets an internal timer (# 52), performs an input data analysis process for checking input data from another CPU (# 53), and sets an operation mode according to the operation content. Determined mode setting processing (# 54), interrupt switching processing (# 55), command setting processing according to the mode (# 56), output data set (# 57) for making a command wait in a communication port, and other processing (# 57) 58), and the internal timer waiting process (# 59) is repeatedly executed.
[0083]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the panel display process (# 14) of FIG.
Referring to the figure, in step # 101, it is determined what screen is to be displayed on liquid crystal touch panel 201. If the screen to be displayed is the basic screen, the basic screen is displayed in step # 102.
[0084]
If the screen to be displayed in step # 101 is a job management screen, it is determined in step # 103 which screen to display in the job management screen. If the screen to be displayed is the basic job management screen, the basic job management screen is displayed in step # 104.
[0085]
If it is determined in step # 103 that the screen to be displayed is a job number display screen, a job number display screen is displayed in step # 105. Then, if it is determined in step # 106 that the input of the ID code has been made with the ten keys 202 or ID card 212, the registered job corresponding to the input ID code is displayed in step # 107. Then, a correction key is displayed on liquid crystal touch panel 201 in step # 108.
[0086]
The user can correct the work content of the job corresponding to the ID code by pressing the correction key.
[0087]
If it is determined in step # 103 that the screen to be displayed is the list display screen, a list display screen displaying a list of the registered jobs in step # 109 is displayed on liquid crystal touch panel 201. It is determined in step # 110 whether an ID code has been input. If YES, a mark is displayed on the displayed job corresponding to the ID code in step # 111. Thereafter, the correction key is displayed in step # 112.
[0088]
If it is determined in step # 101 that the screen to be displayed is another screen, the corresponding screen is displayed in step # 113.
[0089]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a basic screen displayed in step # 102 of FIG.
Referring to the figure, the basic screen includes a job management key TP1, a filing key TP2, a finishing key TP3, a document → copy key TP4, a basic key TP5, a message display section TP6, and a copy number display section TP7. , A job registration key TP8 are displayed.
[0090]
When the user presses the job management key TP1, a job management basic screen described later is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 201. When the job registration key TP8 is pressed, new image data is read, and a new job is registered by inputting the work content (number of copies, copy magnification, etc.) by the user. The processing corresponding to these key inputs is performed in step # 13 of FIG.
[0091]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the job management basic screen displayed at # 104 in FIG.
[0092]
Referring to the figure, on the basic job management screen, a job number display key TP9 and a list display key TP10 are displayed. By pressing each key, registered jobs can be displayed. By pressing the basic key TP5, the screen of FIG. 16 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 201.
[0093]
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a job number display screen displayed in step # 105 of FIG.
[0094]
Referring to the figure, on the job number display screen, a display prompting input of an ID code is made. Also, an EXIT key TP11 is displayed, and when this key is pressed, the display returns to the job management basic screen.
[0095]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state after an ID code is input from the state of FIG.
[0096]
In this case, the input ID code is displayed, and the job number (JOB-No.) Registered in association with the ID code, the end time of the job, and the time when the job is executed The remaining memory capacity is displayed. Also, a job content modification key TP12 is displayed. By pressing the job content correction key TP12, the user can correct the work content (number of copies, paper size, magnification, and other modes) of the currently displayed job.
[0097]
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a configuration of a job management table for managing registered jobs.
[0098]
Referring to the figure, in the job management table, the registration number (registration number) of the job, the image data capacity CAPA (n) of the job, the time TIME (n) required for executing the job, The remaining time REST (n) until the end of the job, the time TSUM (n) from the current time to the end of each job, the amount CSUM (n) of the image data recorded in the memory, The free space SPACE (n) and the ID code ID (n) of the person who registered the job are registered for each job.
[0099]
On the screen of FIG. 19, the registration number of the job corresponding to the input ID code, the value of the variable TSUM (n), and the value of the variable SPACE (n) are displayed.
[0100]
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a list display screen displayed in step # 109 of FIG.
[0101]
Referring to the figure, a list display TP15 of registered jobs is displayed on the screen. Further, an up key TP13 for scrolling the job list display TP15 and a down key TP14 are displayed.
[0102]
On this screen, the registration numbers of all the jobs registered in the job management table of FIG. 20, the value of the variable TSUM (n), and the value of the variable SPACE (n) are displayed on the job list display TP15. . However, since the value of ID (n) is not displayed, in this state, the user cannot specifically know which job the user has registered.
[0103]
In the state of FIG. 21, when an ID is input, a screen shown in FIG. 22 is displayed.
[0104]
Referring to FIG. 22, liquid crystal touch panel 201 displays the ID code input at the position of the job corresponding to the input ID code in job list display TP15. Thereby, the user can easily know the end time of the job registered by the user.
[0105]
Further, when the ID code is input, a job content correction key TP12 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 201, and the user can correct the content of the job whose execution has been registered.
[0106]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process in another process (# 15) in FIG.
[0107]
Referring to the figure, in step # 201, a process corresponding to the input of the ID code is performed. Next, in step # 202, processing for inputting a new job is performed. At step # 203, processing for correcting the content of the registered job is performed. In step # 204, when there is an inconvenience in modifying the registered job, a process of displaying a warning is performed.
[0108]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing processing in the ID input processing (# 201) in FIG.
[0109]
Referring to the figure, in step # 210, it is determined whether or not an ID code has been input using an ID card or numeric keypad 202. If YES, the ID code input in step # 211 is collated. At step # 212, it is determined whether or not the ID code is a code of a person who is permitted to use the copying machine registered in the copying machine.
[0110]
If "YES" in the step # 212, the flag JOB indicating the job receiving state is set to "1" in a step # 213.
[0111]
If NO in step # 210 or # 212, the process returns.
[0112]
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing processing in the job input processing (# 202) in FIG.
[0113]
Referring to the figure, in step # 221, it is determined whether flag JOB indicating the job reception status is "1". If YES, it is determined in step # 222 whether a new job has been input. The input of a new job is, specifically, registration of a new job by pressing a job registration key TP8 in FIG.
[0114]
If "YES" in the step # 222, a new job input process is performed in a step # 223. Specifically, it stores the image data of the new job, its processing contents (number of copies, copy magnification, paper size and other modes, etc.) and the ID code of the person who registers the new job.
[0115]
Next, in step # 224, it is determined whether the input of a new job has been completed. If YES, the value of the flag JOB indicating the job reception state is set to "0" in step # 225, and the process returns.
[0116]
If NO in step # 221, # 222 or # 224, the process returns.
[0117]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing processing in the job correction input processing (# 203) of FIG.
[0118]
Referring to the figure, in step # 230, it is determined whether the value of flag JOB indicating the job reception status is "1". If YES in step # 230, it is determined in step # 231 whether the job is modified by job content modification key TP12. If YES in step # 231, in step # 232, a process of inputting the correction content of the registered job corresponding to the ID code is performed. Specifically, processing for inputting the number of copies, the copy magnification, the paper size, other modes, and the like is performed.
[0119]
In step # 233, it is determined whether the input of the correction of the job has been completed. If YES, the process of transferring the contents of the correction to CPU 3 is performed in step # 234.
[0120]
Then, in step # 235, the value of the flag JOB indicating the job reception status is set to "0", and the routine returns.
[0121]
If NO in any of steps # 230, # 231, and # 233, the process returns.
[0122]
CPU 3 checks the contents of the correction of the job transferred in step # 234 of FIG. 26, and determines whether the contents of the correction are appropriate. If the content of the correction is determined to be inappropriate, a warning is output to the CPU 1. The operation of the CPU 3 will be described later.
[0123]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing processing in the job correction warning display processing (# 204) of FIG.
[0124]
Referring to the figure, it is determined in step # 240 whether the contents of the job have been corrected. If YES, it is determined in step # 241 whether or not a warning has been output from CPU 3 regarding the correction of the job content. If YES, a warning is displayed on liquid crystal touch panel 201 in step # 242, and the routine returns.
[0125]
If NO in step # 241, a message indicating that the job modification has been completed is displayed on liquid crystal touch panel 201, and the routine returns.
[0126]
If NO in step # 240, the process returns.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a message displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 201 in the job correction warning display (# 242) of FIG.
[0127]
In this embodiment, when the content of the job is modified, it is determined whether or not the time required for executing the modified job has increased compared to before the modification, When the number of jobs increases, processing of the corrected job is performed last. This prevents the end time of a job registered by another person from being later than expected.
[0128]
In other words, referring to FIG. 28, liquid crystal touch panel 201 displays that processing of the corrected job is the last.
[0129]
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a process in another process (# 38) of CPU 3 in FIG. Referring to the figure, registration processing of a new job is performed in step # 300. At step # 301, a process for correcting a registered job is performed. In step # 302, a process of monitoring the running job is performed. In step # 303, a process of calculating the required time and the end time of the registered job is performed. In step # 304, a process of calculating the free space in the memory is performed.
[0130]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing processing in the job registration processing (# 300) in FIG.
[0131]
Referring to the figure, in step # 310, it is determined whether a new job has been registered. If YES, at step # 311 variable n indicating the last value of the registration number of the job registered is incremented by one. At step # 312, processing for registering a new job is performed. In step # 313, the capacity of the image data of the new job is recorded in the variable CAPA (n). At step # 314, the time required to execute the job is registered in variable TIME (n).
[0132]
If NO in step # 310, the process returns.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing processing in the job correction registration processing (# 301) in FIG.
[0133]
Referring to the figure, it is determined whether the job registered in step # 320 has been corrected. If YES, in step # 321, the registration number r of the job to be corrected is acquired from the ID code or the like. In step # 322, the required time of the corrected job is calculated. In step # 323, it is determined whether the required time of the job has increased after the correction. If YES, in step # 324, the job whose processing time has been increased is made last. At step # 325, a warning is output to CPU1.
[0134]
If "NO" in the step # 323, a process of correcting the content of the job is performed in a step # 326, and the variables CAPA (r) and TIME (r) are newly registered.
[0135]
If NO in step # 320, the process returns.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the job monitoring process (# 302) in FIG.
[0136]
Referring to the figure, it is determined in step # 330 whether the job is being executed. If YES, the registration number of the job being executed is registered in variable N in step # 331.
[0137]
Thereafter, in step # 332, the value of variable N is transmitted to CPU1.
If NO in step # 330, the process returns.
[0138]
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the processing in the job required time calculation processing (# 303) in FIG.
[0139]
Referring to the figure, in step 341, the job number N being executed is substituted for a variable t. At step # 342, the value of variable REST (t) is substituted for the value of variable TSUM (t) (see FIG. 20).
[0140]
Next, in step # 343, the value of the variable TSUM (t-1) is set to 0. Next, in step # 344, the value of variable t is incremented by one. At step # 345, it is determined whether the value of variable t has exceeded the value of variable n. If YES, the value of TSUM (t-1) + TIME (t) is substituted for the value of variable TSUM (t) at step # 346. Then, the process from step # 344 is repeated.
[0141]
If NO in step # 345, the process returns.
By this processing, the value of TSUM (n) in each job is obtained, and the end time of each job can be known.
[0142]
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing processing in the memory free space calculation processing (# 304) in FIG.
[0143]
Referring to the figure, in step # 350, the value of variable n indicating the registration number of the last registered job is substituted for variable c. At step # 351, the value of the variable CSUM (c) is set to 0. In step # 352, the value of the variable CSUM (c + 1) is set to 0.
[0144]
In step # 353, the value of CSUM (c + 1) + CAPA (c) is substituted for the value of variable CSUM (c) (see FIG. 20). Next, in step # 354, a value obtained by subtracting the value of CSUM (c) from the total amount of memory is substituted for the value of the variable SPACE (c). At step # 355, the value of variable c is decremented by one. In step # 356, it is determined whether c <N. If YES, the process returns.
[0145]
If NO in step # 356, the process from step # 353 is performed.
[Second embodiment]
The hardware configuration of the copying machine according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 35 is performed instead of the job correction registration processing shown in FIG.
[0146]
Referring to FIG. 35, the processes in steps # 401 to # 404 and # 406 correspond to # 320 to # 323 and # 326 in FIG. 31, respectively.
[0147]
In the flowchart of FIG. 35, when it is determined in step # 404 that the processing time of the corrected job increases, a warning is output to CPU 1 in # 405. At this time, only a warning is output, and the contents of the job are not actually corrected. In response to this, the CPU 1 displays the screen shown in FIG. 36 in the job correction warning display process (# 242 in FIG. 27). That is, the user is warned that the correction that increases the processing time of the job cannot be performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the end time of the job registered by another person from being delayed due to an increase in the processing time of the registered job.
[0148]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardware configuration of a copying machine according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first and second embodiments. In the third embodiment, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 37 is performed instead of the job correction registration processing shown in FIG.
[0149]
Referring to FIG. 37, the processes in steps # 501 to # 504 and # 507 correspond to # 320 to # 323 and # 326 in FIG. 31, respectively.
[0150]
In the flowchart of FIG. 37, in step # 504, it is determined whether or not the completion time of the corrected job has increased compared to the time before the correction. Here, if it is determined that the completion time of the job after the correction is increased, that is, later, than the time before the correction, only the processing of the job increased by the correction is finally deferred. That is, the jobs increased by the correction are executed after all the waiting jobs are completed.
[0151]
Next, specific display contents will be described. FIG. 38 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 36 in the second embodiment. A case will be described in which the job of job number 2 has the number of copies of 5 before the correction and the number of copies is 9 by the job correction. Referring to FIG. 38, the five copies before correction are executed in the order registered in advance, that is, the second copy. The remaining four copies, ie, the four copies added by the correction, are executed at the end of all the waiting jobs, that is, after the completion of job number 4. That is, the job of the four parts increased by the correction is registered as the fifth job.
[0152]
As a form in which the completion time of the job is delayed, a delay in the completion time due to a change in the copy mode may be considered in addition to the addition of the number of copies as in the above-described embodiment. Generally, in the one-sided copy mode and the two-sided copy mode, the copy processing speed in the two-sided copy mode is slow. Therefore, if the one-sided copy mode before the correction is changed to the two-sided copy mode, the job completion time is delayed. Therefore, in such a case, a process of reducing the time increased until the job is completed by changing the mode to the duplex copying mode is performed.
[0153]
More specifically, if a job registered to copy 15 copies of 15 copies of 40 originals is modified so as to copy 15 copies of 15 copies of 40 originals, the following is performed. That is, assuming that the ratio of the time required for the single-sided copying process to the time required for the double-sided copying is 1: 1.5, and if the time required for completing the job before correction is 10 minutes, It takes 15 minutes. In other words, the start and end times of the jobs waiting after the corrected job are all delayed by 5 minutes. In such a case, the job after the correction is rounded up when it is completed in 10 minutes, which is the time required before the correction. That is, in the above-described embodiment, in the corrected job, the copying process is interrupted at 10 copies that are completed in 10 minutes (see Expression 1 below), and the remaining 5 jobs are the last of all the waiting jobs. To run.
[0154]
15 minutes / 10 minutes = 15 parts / X part X = 10 parts ... Formula (1)
Note that other modes of the above-described mode change include addition of a stapling process and punch control. In any case, by performing the above operation, the additional amount (extended processing time) is moved backward.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an entire configuration of a copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel of the copying machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the copying machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram following FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image signal processing unit 20 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory unit 30 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a management table of a code memory 306.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a code memory 306.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation sequence in a memory write operation.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation sequence at the time of memory reading.
FIG. 11 is a main flowchart of the CPU 1;
FIG. 12 is a main flowchart of the CPU 3;
FIG. 13 is a main flowchart of the CPU 4;
FIG. 14 is a main flowchart of the CPU 5;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a panel display process (# 14) in FIG. 11;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a basic screen.
FIG. 17 illustrates a basic job management screen.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a job number display screen.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state where an ID code has been input from the state of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a job management table.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a list display screen of a registered job.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where an ID code has been input from the state of FIG. 21;
FIG. 23 is a flowchart of another process (# 15) in FIG. 11;
24 is a flowchart of the ID input process (# 201) in FIG.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the job input process (# 202) of FIG.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the job correction input process (# 203) of FIG.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a job correction warning display process (# 204) of FIG. 23.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a screen displaying a warning about a job modification.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart of another process (# 38) in FIG.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart of the job registration process (# 300) in FIG. 29.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart of the job correction registration process (# 301) in FIG. 29;
FIG. 32 is a flowchart of the job monitor process (# 302) in FIG.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a job required time calculation process (# 303) of FIG. 29;
FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a memory free space calculation process (# 304) in FIG. 29.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a job correction registration processing routine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a warning display when the required time of a job increases due to correction in the second embodiment.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating a job correction registration processing routine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating display contents when a required time of a job is increased by modification in the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 memory units
211 ID card slot
212 ID card

Claims (6)

Registration means capable of registering a plurality of work contents;
Execution means for sequentially executing the plurality of work contents,
Modifying means for modifying the registered work content,
Determining means for determining whether the time for executing the corrected work content increases as compared to before the correction,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a changing unit configured to change an order in which the corrected work content is executed by the execution unit based on a determination result of the determination unit. The registration means performs registration using an ID code,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit performs correction using an ID code. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the time increases as compared to before the correction, the change unit changes the order of the work content executed by the execution unit. Registration means capable of registering a plurality of work contents;
Execution means for sequentially executing the plurality of work contents,
Modifying means for modifying the registered work content,
Determining means for determining whether the time for executing the corrected work content increases as compared to before the correction,
When it is determined based on the determination result of the determining means that the time for executing the corrected work content is longer than before the correction, the correction of the execution of the corrected work content is performed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform a round-up operation when the time required before completion is completed, and to execute the work content of the increment by the correction after completion of all the work content registered by the registration unit. The registration means registers the number of image formation for each of the registered work contents,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the correction unit corrects the registered number of formed images. The registration unit registers an image forming mode for each of the registered work contents,
The correction unit corrects the registered image forming mode ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the work content of the increase due to the correction is a work content of an extended processing time due to the correction .

Images