JP4393536B2 - Image forming apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an image memory and capable of receiving a plurality of jobs, and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, digital copying machines having the following functions are known. That is, image data read from a scanner or PDL (Page Description Language) data sent from a host computer via a network is developed into a bitmap. The image data is temporarily stored in a memory such as a hard disk in the copying machine, and image data of an arbitrary document is repeatedly read from the memory and printed out.

  Some digital copying machines of this type are provided with a reserved copy function (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The reserved copy function includes, for example, a memory such as a large-capacity hard disk as an image buffer. If the scanner unit is separated from the printer unit and the printer unit is warming up or another job is being output, the next copy job can be accepted if the scanner unit is available. Can do.

With this function, even if a large number of copy jobs occupy the copier, the next copy job can be accepted as long as the image input from the scanner to the memory is completed, and the throughput of the copy function can be increased. it can.
JP-A-9-90681

  However, in the above conventional example, since it is possible to accept a plurality of jobs, when the PDL print job issued from the personal computer is transferred from the print server to the copier, the personal computer is notified of the end of the job. . For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to determine whether or not the job actually output has been completed.

  In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to know what the result of your job is when the job is canceled during the job execution or if the job does not end normally for some reason .

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that stores history information relating to the executed job and a control method thereof when the mode in which the job is executed is a mode set to store history information. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus that executes a job in any one of a plurality of modes, the mode being set to store history information among the plurality of modes. Storage means for storing information indicating the status, and determination means for determining whether the mode in which the job was executed is a mode set to save history information based on the information stored in the storage means, A storage unit that stores history information regarding the executed job when the mode in which the job is executed is a mode set to save history information as a result of the determination by the determination unit; It is characterized by.

  The present invention is also a method for controlling an image processing apparatus that executes a job in any one of a plurality of modes, wherein the mode in which the job is executed is set to save history information. A determination step for determining whether or not based on information stored in advance, and as a result of determination in the determination step, the mode in which the job is executed is a mode set to save history information, And a storage step for storing history information regarding the executed job.

  As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention, when the mode in which the job is executed is a mode set to store history information, the history relating to the executed job. Information can be saved.

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

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a digital copying machine main body, which includes an operation unit 102, a reader unit 103, and a printer unit 104. The operation unit 102 is used to operate the digital copying machine main body 101 and the image input / output control unit 105. A reader unit 103 (reading unit) reads an image of a document, generates image data corresponding to the document image, and outputs the image data to the printer unit 104 and the image input / output control unit 105.

  The printer unit 104 prints an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 103 and the image input / output control unit 105 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 105 is connected to the reader unit 103 and includes a facsimile unit 106, a computer interface unit 107, an image memory 108 including a hard disk, and a control unit 109.

  The facsimile unit 106 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the control unit 109, and compresses and compresses the image data transferred from the control unit 109. The compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. The compressed image data received by the facsimile unit 106 can be temporarily stored in the hard disk 108.

  The computer interface unit 107 is an interface between the control unit 109 and the print server 110 (external device) configured by a personal computer or a workstation (PC / WS). It has a function of developing code data (PDL) representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 110 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 104 and passing it to the control unit 109 (print mode).

  The control unit 109 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 103, the facsimile unit 106, the computer interface unit 107, and the image memory 108.

  The backup RAM 111 is a memory that is not erased even when the power is turned off, and stores data that must be backed up in the digital copying machine 101 and the image input / output control unit 105.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reader unit 103 and the printer unit 104.

  The document feeder 201 of the reader unit 103 feeds documents one by one onto the platen glass 202 in the final order, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 202 after the document reading operation is completed. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 202, the lamp 203 is turned on, and the movement of the scanner unit 204 is started to expose and scan the document. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 209 by mirrors 205, 206, 207 and a lens 208.

  In this way, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 209, and the image data output from the CCD 209 is transferred to the printer unit 104 and the control unit 109 of the image input / output control unit 105 after predetermined processing. Is done.

  The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 104 drives the laser light emitting unit 210 and causes the laser light emitting unit 210 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 103. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 211, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 211. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 211 by the developing device 212.

  Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 213 and the cassette 214 and conveyed to the transfer unit 215, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 211 is applied to the recording paper. Transcript. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 216, and the developer is fixed to the image recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 216.

  The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 216 is discharged by a discharge roller 217, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin to sort the recording paper or stap the sorted recording paper. . Note that the sorter 220 stores recording paper in the uppermost bin when sorting is not set.

  If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 217, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 217 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 219 by the flapper 218. When multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the refeed conveyance path 219 by the flapper 218 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 217. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 219 is fed to the transfer unit 215 at the timing described above.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a key layout of the operation unit 102 of the digital copying machine.

  Reference numeral 301 in the figure denotes a power switch that controls energization to the main body. Reference numeral 302 denotes a preheating key, which is used to turn on / off the preheating mode. A copy mode key 303 is used to select a copy mode from a plurality of functions. A fax mode key 304 is used to select a fax mode from a plurality of functions.

  A personal box key 305 is used to select a personal box mode from a plurality of functions. The personal box function is a function that has a storage area in the memory in the copying machine for each user or department, puts a PDL or a scanned image therein, and outputs it at any time.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes an extended key, which is used when an operation is performed on the PDL. Reference numeral 307 denotes a copy start key, which is used to instruct the start of copying. Reference numeral 308 denotes a stop key, which is used when the copy is interrupted or stopped. Reference numeral 309 denotes a reset key which operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a guide key, which is used when it is desired to know each function. Reference numeral 311 denotes a user mode key which is used when the user changes the basic setting of the system. Reference numeral 312 denotes an interrupt key, which is used when an interrupt occurs during copying and copying is desired. Reference numeral 313 denotes a numeric keypad which is used when inputting numerical values. A clear key 314 is used to clear a numerical value.

  An ID key 315 is used when shifting to an ID input mode when using a copying machine. Reference numeral 316 denotes a touch panel composed of a combination of a liquid crystal screen and a touch sensor. An individual setting screen is displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be performed by touching the drawn keys. is there. Reference numeral 317 denotes a tally lamp indicating a communication state of the network, which is normally green, blinks green when communicating, and turns red when a network error occurs.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a copy standard screen of the operation panel 316 in the present embodiment. Note that the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is activated on the copy standard screen as a default when the power is turned on.

  Reference numeral 401 in the figure denotes a message line, which displays the status of the copy job as a message. Reference numeral 402 denotes a magnification display, which displays a magnification that is automatically determined according to a set magnification or a copy mode as a percentage. Reference numeral 403 denotes a paper size display, which displays the selected output paper. If automatic paper selection is set, a message “auto paper” is displayed. Reference numeral 404 denotes a numerical value display indicating how many copies are made.

  Reference numeral 405 denotes a reduction key, which is used when a reduction copy is desired. Reference numeral 406 denotes an equal magnification key, which is used when it is desired to return to an equal magnification when reduction or enlargement is set. Reference numeral 407 denotes an enlargement key which is used when an enlarged copy is desired. Reference numeral 408 denotes a zoom key, which is used when it is desired to set a magnification in fine units and perform reduced copy or enlarged copy.

  Reference numeral 409 denotes a paper selection key, which is used when an output paper is designated. Reference numeral 410 denotes a sorter key, which is used when setting a sorting or stapling mode. Reference numeral 411 denotes a double-sided key, which is used when setting the double-sided mode. Reference numeral 412 denotes a density display, which shows the current density. The left side shows a low density and the right side shows a high density. Further, the display of the density display 412 changes in conjunction with the light key 413 and the light key 415.

  Reference numeral 413 denotes a light key, which is used when it is desired to reduce the density. Reference numeral 414 denotes an automatic key, which is used when a mode for automatically determining density is used. Reference numeral 415 denotes a rich key which is used when it is desired to increase the density. A character key 416 is used to set a character mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a character document.

  Reference numeral 417 denotes a character / photo key, which is used to set a character / photo mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a document in which a photo is mixed. Reference numeral 418 denotes an application mode key, which is used when various copy modes that cannot be set on the copy standard screen are set. Reference numeral 419 denotes a print status key, which is used when it is desired to check the status of printing currently being performed by the image forming apparatus 101. The print status key 419 always appears at this position as well as the copy standard screen, and the print status can be viewed at any time by pressing this key.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a job history screen displayed on the operation panel 316.

  In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes a history list of jobs executed in the past. In this embodiment, the history list is displayed in order from the top. Reference numeral 502 denotes a field for displaying a job reception time in this embodiment. A field 503 displays a host name or user name in the case of PDL printing, and a function name for other copy and FAX jobs.

  A field 504 displays a job name. The file name is displayed for PDL printing, the number of copies and the number of copies are displayed for copying, and the FAX number is displayed for FAX. A field 505 displays the execution result of each job. The field 505 displays OK when the job ends normally, NG when the job ends abnormally, and Stop when the job is forcibly terminated with the stop key 308 or the like.

  Reference numerals 506 and 507 denote a down scroll key and an up scroll key, respectively, and when the job cannot be displayed on one screen of the job history list 501, the history information displayed in the job history list 501 is scrolled up and down. A detailed information key 508 is used when viewing detailed information on the job selected in the job history list 501. When the detailed information key 508 is pressed, the job detailed information screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Reference numeral 509 denotes a key for ending the job history screen. When this key is pressed, the screen returns to the standard screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a job history detail screen displayed on the operation panel 316.

  In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a job history detail window that displays detailed history information of one print job. Reference numeral 602 denotes a job reception time. Reference numeral 603 denotes a job reception number. Reference numeral 604 denotes a job file size. Reference numeral 605 denotes the number of pages output by the job. Reference numeral 606 indicates a host name or user name in the case of PDL printing, and indicates the function name for other copy and FAX jobs.

  A field 607 displays a job name. The file name is displayed for PDL printing, the number of copies and the number of copies are displayed for copying, and the FAX number is displayed for FAX. A field 608 displays an execution result, and displays OK when the process is normally completed, NG when the process is abnormally terminated, and Stop when the process is forcibly terminated with the stop key 308 or the like. Reference numeral 609 denotes a close key. Pressing this key returns to the job history screen of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a user setting screen displayed on the operation panel 316.

  By pressing a user mode key 311, this screen can be opened, and various settings of the copying machine can be performed from this screen. By pressing 701, a screen for setting a screen to be displayed on the operation panel 316 when the power is turned on can be opened. By pressing 702, the job history setting screen shown in FIG. 8 can be opened. By pressing 703, a screen for selecting a cassette stage that can be used in the automatic paper function can be opened.

  Reference numeral 704 indicates how many items on the user setting screen are currently displayed in the form of a fraction. Reference numerals 705 and 706 denote a down scroll key and an up scroll key, respectively. When the items cannot be displayed on one screen, the items are scrolled up and down by pressing these keys. A close key 707 is used to end the user setting screen.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a job history setting screen displayed on the operation panel 316.

  Reference numeral 801 denotes an ON / OFF key, which is used to set whether to record each job history. The ON / OFF key 801 can set only “ON” or “OFF” for each item, and “ON” takes a history, “OFF” does not take a history. Is shown. Reference numeral 802 denotes a cancel key. Pressing this key invalidates the changed setting and returns to the screen of FIG. Reference numeral 803 denotes an OK key. By pressing this key, the changed setting is written in the backup RAM 111, and the screen returns to the screen of FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a job history storage method of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S1, the job ends normally or abnormally, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether the completed job is a copy job. If the job is a copy job, the process proceeds to step S3. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S5.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the job history setting is read from the backup RAM 111 and a copy job history is obtained (determination means), the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the history of the completed copy job is stored in the backup RAM 111 (storage means).

  In step S5, it is determined whether the completed job is a fax job. If the job is a fax job, the process proceeds to step S6. If not, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S6, if the setting is to read the job history setting from the backup RAM 111 and obtain the fax job history, the process proceeds to step S7, and if not set, the process ends.

  In step S7, the history of the finished fax job is stored in the backup RAM 111. In step S8, it is determined whether the completed job is a personal box job. If the job is a personal box job, the process proceeds to step S9, and if not, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S9, if the setting is to read the job history setting from the backup RAM 111 and obtain the personal box job history, the process proceeds to step S10, and if not set, the process ends. In step S10, the history of the completed personal box job is stored in the backup RAM 111.

  In step S11, it is determined whether the completed job is a PDL print job. If the job is a PDL print job, the process proceeds to step S12. If not, the process ends. In step S12, if the setting of taking the history of the PDL print job by reading the job history setting from the backup RAM 111, the process proceeds to step S13, and if not set, the process ends. In step S13, the history of the completed PDL print job is stored in the backup RAM 111.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a job history window screen on a host such as a personal computer according to the present embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes a job history window, which is a window that is activated from a program incorporated in a printer driver of a personal computer and performs settings for acquiring a job history. A button 1002 is a toggle operation for selecting a job to be acquired, and a plurality of jobs can be selected.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes an OK key, which transmits a command for acquiring the job history of the type set in 1002 to the server 110 via the network. This command is transmitted to the image input / output control unit 105 via the server 110, receives the selected job history as a response, and displays on the personal computer the same display as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. A cancel key 1004 is used to close the job history window 1001 without acquiring the job history.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing for a job history inquiry of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S21, a job history inquiry from the print server 110 is received, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the history information is read from the backup RAM 111 one by one, and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, it is determined whether or not the read job history information is a copy job. If it is a copy job, the process proceeds to step S24, and if not, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S24, it is determined whether the copy job history is inquired. If the copy job history is set, the process proceeds to step S25, and if not, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S25, the read copy job history is added to the data to be returned to the print server 110, and the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S26, it is determined whether or not the read job history information is a fax job. If it is a fax job, the process proceeds to step S27, and if not, the process proceeds to step S29. In step S27, it is determined whether or not the fax job history is inquired. If the fax job history is set, the process proceeds to step S28, and if not, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S28, the read fax job history is added to the data to be returned to the print server 110, and the process proceeds to step S35. In step S29, it is determined whether or not the read job history information is a personal box job. If it is a personal box job, the process proceeds to step S30, and if not, the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S30, it is determined whether the personal box job history is inquired. If the personal box job history is set, the process proceeds to step S31. If not, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S25, the read personal box job history is added to the data to be returned to the print server 110, and the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S32, it is determined whether or not the read job history information is a PDL print job. If it is a PDL print job, the process proceeds to step S33, and if not, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S33, it is determined whether the history of the PDL print job is inquired. If the history of the PDL print job is set, the process proceeds to step S34, and if not, the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S34, the read PDL print job history is added to the data to be returned to the pointant server 110, and the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, it is determined whether or not the read job history information is the last history information. If it is the last history information, the process proceeds to step S36, and if not, the process returns to step S22. In step S36, the read history information is transmitted to the print server 110.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described control method can be realized by storing and operating the program according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 in the storage device in the control unit 109.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the execution history of jobs performed in the past is stored and the stored execution history is displayed, in the digital copying machine capable of receiving a plurality of jobs, the user can You can surely know the execution result of your job.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a reader unit 103 and a printer unit 104. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a key layout of an operation unit 102 of a digital copying machine. FIG. It is the figure which showed the copy standard screen of the operation panel 316 in this embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a job history screen displayed on an operation panel 316. FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a job detailed information screen It is a figure which shows the user setting screen displayed on the operation panel. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of a job history. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for storing a job history of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the job history window screen in hosts, such as a personal computer, concerning embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for a job history inquiry of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Digital copier main body 102 Operation part 103 Reader part 104 Printer part 105 Image input / output control part 106 Fax part 107 Computer interface part 108 Image memory 109 Control part 110 Print server 111 Backup RAM

Claims (14)

An image processing apparatus that executes a job in any one of a plurality of modes,
Storage means for storing information indicating a mode set to save history information among the plurality of modes;
Determining means for determining whether or not the mode in which the job has been executed is a mode set to save history information based on information stored in the storage means;
As a result of determination by the determination unit, when the mode in which the job is executed is a mode set to save history information, a storage unit that stores history information about the executed job;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set whether or not history information is stored for each of the plurality of modes. It further comprises display means for displaying a screen for inputting user instructions,
The setting unit is configured to set whether to save history information for each of the plurality of modes, in accordance with an instruction from a user input via a setting screen displayed on the display unit. Item 3. The image processing apparatus according to Item 2.   As a result of the determination by the determination means, when the mode in which the job is executed is not a mode set to save history information, the storage means does not save history information regarding the executed job. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores at least information indicating a reception time, a reception number, a file size, or a page number of the job as history information regarding the executed job. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   6. The transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits history information stored in the storage unit to the external device in response to an inquiry from an external device connected via a network. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Reading means for reading an original and generating image data representing an image on the original;
Receiving means for receiving image data from an external device;
Printing means for printing an image based on the input image data,
The plurality of modes are a copy mode in which an image based on image data from the reading unit is printed by the printing unit, and a print mode in which an image based on the image data received by the receiving unit is printed by the printing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An image processing apparatus control method for executing a job in any one of a plurality of modes,
A determination step of determining whether or not the mode in which the job was executed is a mode set to store history information based on information stored in advance;
As a result of the determination in the determination step, if the mode in which the job is executed is a mode set to save history information, a storage step for storing history information regarding the executed job;
An image processing apparatus control method comprising:   9. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a setting step for setting whether or not history information is stored for each of the plurality of modes. A display step for displaying a screen for inputting a user instruction;
In the setting step, whether to store history information for each of the plurality of modes is set according to an instruction from the user input via the setting screen displayed in the display step. Item 10. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to Item 9.   As a result of determination in the determination step, when the mode in which the job is executed is not a mode set to save history information, history information regarding the executed job is not stored in the storage step. The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 8.   12. The storage step according to claim 8, wherein at least one of reception time, reception number, file size, and number of pages of the job is stored as history information about the executed job. A control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting the history information stored in the storage step to the external device in response to an inquiry from an external device connected via a network. A control method for an image processing apparatus according to the item. A reading step of reading an original and generating image data representing an image on the original;
A receiving step for receiving image data from an external device;
A printing step of printing an image based on the input image data,
The plurality of modes are at least a copy mode in which an image based on the image data generated in the reading step is printed in the printing step, and a print in which an image based on the image data received in the receiving step is printed in the printing step. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a mode.

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