JP4529583B2 - Image forming apparatus and job interrupt management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a printer, a copier or a facsimile machine function, or a combined function thereof, and a job management method thereof, and more particularly to a job reservation management technique.

When the image forming apparatus handles a large number of jobs (image output units requested by the user or the operator), before executing the output, for example, the document is read, and the reservation list is received in the order received and received. The reservation is managed in the waiting state of the output execution according to the reservation list. If there are multiple jobs waiting to be placed and there is a job that you want to output urgently, reserve the job with higher urgency by prioritizing the job before other jobs. Management is performed (for example, Patent Literature 1, 2, or 3).

  According to the technique of Patent Document 1, the order of waiting for the reservation job can be changed by an “urgent” or “normal” method. For example, when a job is reserved, if there is a preceding job in which image output has already been executed if it is reserved with “Emergency”, the job is advanced to the next order. In the “normal” setting, the order is the last of jobs already reserved. Therefore, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, when there is a preceding job, the rank is not raised until the output is stopped.

  According to the technique of Patent Document 2, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a preceding job during image output can be stopped, and a desired job requiring urgent priority can be preferentially interrupted to output an image. The predetermined condition is to discharge a bundle subjected to post-processing such as sorting and stapling (binding processing) when discharging a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed after image formation to a discharge processing section (finisher). There is a subsequent process. In the technique of Patent Document 2, for example, when post-processing of a desired job is unnecessary and post-processing of a preceding job is necessary, or post-processing of a desired job is necessary and post-processing of a preceding job is not necessary In these two cases, the preceding job is stopped and the desired job is preferentially output.

  The technique of Patent Document 2 is made in order to solve the problem that a bundle of sheets on which image output is output is mixed by post-processing when a preceding job is stopped and a desired job is interrupted. Yes.

  The technique of Patent Document 3 is also an object almost similar to that of Patent Document 2, and when both the preceding job and the desired job have post-processing, output is executed without stopping the preceding job, Next, a desired job is output. If either the preceding job or the desired job has post-processing, the preceding job is stopped, and the desired job is interrupted and output.

JP 2000-305421 A (paragraphs “0010”, “0025” to “0028”, FIG. 2) JP-A-11-334182 (paragraphs “0005” to “0006”, “0047” to “0050”, FIG. 10) JP-A-11-188948 (paragraphs “0007”, “0089” to “0094”, FIG. 10)

  When it is desired to urgently output an image for a desired job, if there is a large number of preceding jobs that are being output, it is convenient to stop outputting the preceding job and output the desired job with the highest priority. However, in the above Patent Documents 2 and 3, there is an inconvenience that an interrupt output cannot be performed if both the desired job and the preceding job have post-processing. The fact that post-processing is necessary means that there is a high possibility that a large amount of objects are being handled, so that interrupt output should be given priority.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for smoothly interrupting a desired job with respect to a preceding job being output and outputting the desired job with the highest priority.

  In order to interrupt the desired job while outputting the preceding job, the internal operation is not stopped when stopping the output of the preceding job. Instead, the image data (original data) to be output is replaced smoothly. Interrupt.

  Further, by interrupting the interrupt timing in units of the number of copies of the preceding job and interrupting the desired job, the preceding job at the time of the interrupt can be handled in units of the number of copies. By doing so, it is possible to prevent mixing between jobs at least in units of pages.

  Here, some of the terms are defined in advance. “Reservation” refers to reserving a job, accepting image data that is the contents of the job and post-processing conditions that are one of the output conditions for outputting it on paper, registering them in priority order (accepting Or the order set by the operation means or the like is registered as a priority order), and the waiting state. The post-processing conditions performed after the image formation include at least one of sort, stipple, punch, or a combination process thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a display means, image data, and post-processing conditions for outputting the image data are accepted as a job, and a reservation list for the accepted job is received. Reservation management means for generating and displaying the job on the display means so as to be selectable, image output means for outputting an image based on the reservation list, and selecting and interrupting any job in the displayed reservation list Compares the interrupt instruction means for giving an instruction with the post-processing conditions of the selected job and the post-processing conditions of the preceding job that the image output means has already started outputting when the interrupt is instructed If both post-processing conditions match, the image output unit stops the output of the preceding job in units of copies, and continuously outputs the selected job instead of the preceding job. Is, when the both of the post-processing conditions do not match, to the image output means stops the output of the preceding job in response to the interrupt stopping method that is set in advance from the user interface, to said prior job Instead, image forming control means for outputting the selected job is provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 accepts a display means, image data, and post-processing conditions for outputting the image data as a job, and sets a reservation list for the accepted job. A reservation management unit that generates and displays the job on the display unit in a selectable manner, an image output unit that outputs an image based on the reservation list, and a preceding job that has already started to be output by the image output unit When interrupting, the designation means for designating whether to stop the output of the preceding job in units of copies or pages, and select one of the jobs in the displayed reservation list to issue an interrupt instruction And when the interruption is instructed, the post-processing condition of the selected job matches the post-processing condition of the preceding job for the image output means. The output of the preceding job is stopped in units of copies, the selected job is continuously output instead of the preceding job, the post-processing condition of the selected job and the post-processing condition of the preceding job The image forming control means for stopping the output of the preceding job in the unit designated by the designation means and outputting the selected job instead of the preceding job.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 accepts image data and post-processing conditions when outputting the image data as a job, and generates and displays a reservation list for the accepted job. A reservation display stage for displaying the job in a selectable manner on the means, an image output stage for output by the image output means based on the reservation list, and one of the displayed reservation lists is selected and an interruption is instructed. Whether the post-processing conditions of the selected job match the post-processing conditions of the preceding job that has already started output by the image output means when the interrupt is instructed. When the determination stage matches the post-processing conditions in the determination stage, the image output unit stops the output of the preceding job in units of copies and replaces the preceding job. Was continuously outputs the selected job, if the post condition is not matched in the determining step, the preceding job in response to the relative image output unit, an interrupt stop method set in advance from the user interface And an interrupt control stage for outputting the selected job instead of the preceding job.

  To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 accepts image data and post-processing conditions when outputting the image data as a job, and generates and displays a reservation list for the accepted job. A reservation display stage for displaying the job in a selectable manner on the means, an image output stage for output by the image output means based on the reservation list, and an interrupt for a preceding job that has already started output by the image output means When stopping, the stop unit specification stage that specifies whether output of the preceding job is to be stopped in copy units or page units, and one of the jobs in the displayed reservation list is selected and an interrupt is instructed When the interruption is instructed, and when the interruption is instructed, the post-processing condition of the selected job and the post-processing condition of the preceding job are the same for the image output means. When the determination stage for determining whether or not the post-processing conditions match at the determination stage, the image output means stops outputting the preceding job in units of copies and replaces the preceding job. If the selected job is continuously output and the post-processing conditions do not match, the output of the preceding job is stopped in the unit specified in the stop unit specifying step, and the selection is performed instead of the preceding job. An interrupt control stage for continuously outputting the received job.

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, when an interrupt job to be interrupted is selected, it is determined whether or not the preceding job being output and the post-processing conditions that are a part of the output conditions of the interrupt job are the same. If they are the same, the interrupt job can be preferentially output. In addition, since processing methods such as post-processing are the same when interrupting, even if output of the preceding job is stopped (or interrupted), the internal operation is stopped and the operation or processing content is changed. Since the preceding job is replaced with an interrupt job and output continuously, smooth interruption and output are possible. When an interruption occurs, only the number of copies of the preceding job can be collected and handled first.

If the post-processing conditions do not match, the interrupt timing can be set to either the number of copies or the page, so that the interrupt timing can be selected according to the job contents of the preceding job and the interrupt job.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram centering on the image control unit 160 in FIG. 1 for explaining the characteristic part of the present invention. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing examples of a reservation list and interrupt timing setting screen displayed on a screen in reservation management. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of output conditions. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the interrupt timing. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating an operation flow in the present embodiment.

  A schematic configuration of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 100 reads image data from the reading processing unit 110 that reads a document and converts it into image data, a compression / decompression unit 120 that compresses and decompresses image data, an image memory 170 that stores image data, and the like. Includes a memory control unit 130 that controls the entry / exit, a write processing unit 150 that writes image data, and an image control unit 160 that controls each of these elements. The control unit 100 further includes a program memory 180 that stores programs and data for causing the image control unit 160 to function, a system memory 190, and an I / O 140 that is an interface for communicating with the outside. The scanner 200 is a document reading device, and includes a CCD 201 and a scanner control unit 203 that controls the CCD 201. The user interface unit 300 is a so-called man-machine interface, and includes a display / operation unit 301 and an interface control unit 302 that controls the display / operation unit 301. The printer unit 400 constitutes an image output unit together with the post-processing unit 600 and the automatic paper feeding unit 700. The printer unit 400 includes an LD 401 and a printer control unit 402.

Next, the overall operation of FIG. 1 will be described using the function of each part.
[Reading image data] (Reading and receiving data from the scanner unit 200)
The image of the original is read by the CCD 201, the read data is converted into predetermined digital data by the reading processing unit 110, and the data is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 120. Thereafter, the memory control unit 130 stores the image data of the job in the compression memory 171 of the image memory 170 so as to be readable with a job ID (job identification information, which may be a reception number or a priority order of reservation). An instruction to start reading and operation is sent from the display / operation unit 301 to the scanner control unit 203 through the interface control unit 302 and the image control unit 160.

  At this time, output conditions including information such as job requester (user) identification information and paper size, paper type, number of copies, post-processing method, etc. when outputting to paper are also displayed as job data from the display / operation unit 301. The data is sent to the control unit 160, and the reservation management unit 161 manages the reservation in association with the corresponding job ID. For example, the job data may be stored in a system memory 190 including a RAM.

  Note that image data may be read by receiving image data from a terminal (personal computer) through a LAN.

[Image output] (Output to printer unit 400)
For the job with the highest reservation (priority) order managed by the reservation management means 161, the memory control unit 130 reads it from the compression memory 171 and inputs it to the compression / decompression unit 120, which is a data decompressor. Restore job image data. The writing processing unit 150 sends an image to the LD 401 that is a laser diode of the printer unit 400. At this time, the printer control unit 402 performs processing according to the output condition from the image control unit 160 and outputs the image. Further, the image is processed and output by the post-processing device 600 in a format that matches a desired output condition. The automatic paper feeding unit 700 automatically supplies a desired size and type of paper, which is one of the output conditions, to the printer unit 400 according to an instruction from the image control unit 160.

  In FIG. 1, a program memory 180 is composed of a ROM and stores a program for causing an image control unit (CPU) 100 described later to function. The system memory 190 is composed of a RAM, and stores information set and input by the user interface unit 300, information for operating the system by executing the program, and data.

  Next, the configuration and operation of reservation management for preferentially interrupting a desired job in the job reservation list will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, the image input unit 1000 and the memory 1200 are functional representations of what has been described in the above “reading of image data”. That is, for example, the image input unit 1000 receives image data from a document or the like and output conditions from the display / operation unit 301 via the image control unit 160 and stores them in association with the image memory 1200.

  Some of the output conditions include, for example, the number of copies, the output mode, the used tray (paper feed tray), post-processing staples, and post-processing punches among the items of job data shown in FIG. Of these, post-processing staples and post-processing punches are the contents of post-processing referred to in the present invention. In addition, FIG. 5 includes information indicating the image output state that the image control unit 160 monitors and obtains while communicating with each unit during image output, such as the number of output copies and job status. Is always updated and stored.

  The user interface unit 300 includes a display / operation unit 301 and an interface control unit 302. The interface control unit 302 controls the operation and display of the display / operation unit 301 including the display unit and the operation unit in association with each other. Hereinafter, in the example described here, the display screen of the display / operation unit 301 is a touch panel, and data, items, and soft keys (display keys) displayed in a predetermined format are manually selected. Can do. In addition, when the display unit and the operation unit are configured separately and the operation unit includes a mouse or a hard key, for example, items, soft keys, and markers are displayed on the display unit, and the marker is desired by the mouse. It is also possible to move to an item or soft key and click or select desired data.

  The image control unit 160 as a whole performs, for example, functions indicated by the upper or lower rectangular frames in FIG. 3, for example, control of copy, scanner, storage, reading, etc., management of reservation jobs, hold jobs, and the like. The following description will be given focusing on the functions related to the present invention.

  The image control unit 160 as an embodiment according to the present invention includes a reservation management unit 161 and an image formation control unit 162. Further, the reservation management unit 161 receives the image data as a job in the image input unit 1000, and based on the image data and the output conditions, the reservation list indicating the order of job output execution in the received order. Is generated and displayed on the display / operation unit 301. The display example is shown in FIG. 3, and the central table is the reservation list itself, and “priority”, “hold”, “delete”, “assignment” arranged in the “job operation” section on the right side of the table. “Output” is a soft key for operating a job in the reservation list (hereinafter, when specifying an individual soft key, it is expressed as a key “interrupt output”), and an arrow is It is for explanation (it does not actually exist), and is for explaining the designated or selected part. Each soft key at the bottom of the reservation list is a soft key for selecting data to be displayed on the screen. FIG. 3 shows that the key “reserved job” is selected and highlighted. The format of the display layout as shown in FIG. 3A is stored in advance, and the reservation management unit 161 generates data in the central reservation list, and stores the data every time the reservation state changes. Update.

  As shown in the reservation list in the central part of FIG. 3, the reservation management unit 161 has a lower reservation (priority) order from the highest in order of acceptance as the “job ID” item changes from top to bottom. . The “mode” field indicates the output format (printer, copy, etc.), and the “status” field indicates whether the data is being output, reserved (standby in order) or receiving. Furthermore, the number of output sheets of the job, the number of copies, the remaining number of sheets, and the time required for output are respectively described in the “number of sheets”, “number of copies”, “remaining number of sheets”, and “time” items. Note that the ID of the user (output requester) is entered below the “mode”.

  In FIG. 3, for example, the job ID “0001” is currently output in advance, but when interrupting this and wanting to output the job ID “0005” first, display / operation The job ID “0005” is designated by the unit 301 (arrow in FIG. 3), and the key “interrupt output” is selected (the user interface unit 300 is also an interrupt instruction unit in claims). If it is desired to increase the reservation order of the job ID “0005”, the priority can be increased one by one by selecting the key “priority”. However, it will not be more than the preceding job that has started output.

  The image formation control unit 162 includes an interrupt determination unit 162b and an output control unit 162a. In response to the job ID “0005” being designated in FIG. 3 and the key “interrupt output” being selected as described above, the interrupt determination means 162b receives the job data of the job ID “0005” (FIG. 5). The post-processing of the job ID “0001”, which is the preceding job, and the post-processing of the preceding job (the job data is stored in the memory 1200) to determine whether they match, If they match, it is determined that interruption is possible. Then, at least the result of whether or not they match is sent to the output control means 162a. Note that the comparison of whether or not post-processing matches is performed by comparing the post-processing items and their contents. For example, in FIG. 5, the item example is “post-processing staples” and the like, and the content example is “left one place”.

  The output control unit 162a controls the image output unit 1100 and the automatic paper feeding unit 700 by communication, and simultaneously acquires a control result, that is, an output state, and updates and stores job data in the memory 1200 each time. The output status is shown in the terms of the number of output copies and job status in FIG. The state in FIG. 3, the remaining number, and the like are also the output states acquired by the output control means 162a.

  In response to the fact that the interrupt determination unit 162b matches the post-processing of the job ID “0005” and the post-processing of the job ID “0001”, the output control unit 162a outputs the job ID “0001” as the preceding job. An image output unit that reads the image data of the job ID “0005” from the memory 1200 instead of the image data of the job ID “0001” instead of the image data of the job ID “0001” by estimating the time before the output of the next number of copies. By sending to 1100, an interrupt is performed. Accordingly, the output of the job ID “0001” stops at a certain number of copies.

  The reservation list (FIG. 3) during the interruption operation is updated by the reservation management unit 161. For example, the job ID “0005” is described as the status “outputting” at the top of FIG. “0001” is moved down in the following order, and the state “retracting” is displayed.

When the interrupt determination unit 162b determines that the post-processing of the job ID “0005” and the post-processing of the job ID “0001” do not match, the output control unit 162a is set in advance in response to the determination result. The image output unit 1100 is controlled according to the timing or method, and the job ID “0005” is output instead of the output of the job ID “0001”.
For this “preset timing or method”, the system setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed by the display / operation unit 301, and item 6 “interrupt stop method” in FIG. The setting contents change each time the key “Change setting contents” is pressed, so that the desired setting contents can be obtained. In FIG. 4, the setting content is “number of copies separator” (number of copies), but may be “page separator” (page units), for example. Information on this system setting screen is sent to the image control unit 160.

  Therefore, if the post-processing of job ID “0005” and the post-processing of job ID “0001” do not match, the output control unit 162a performs an interrupt based on this system setting information. Since the post-processing of the job ID “0005” is stopped, the post-processing unit 600 stops the post-processing of the job ID “0005”, sets the post-processing content of the job ID “0001”, and then issues an interrupt. Do.

  FIG. 6 shows the timing of the interrupt operation, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the operation flow. Note that the notation (FIG. 6-T *) described in the upper right of each step in FIGS. 7 and 8 is substantially the same as the timing represented by the corresponding T number in FIG. Hereinafter, although partially overlapping with the above description, a flow of a series of operations will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 and FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow from the reservation stage to the interrupt determination stage, and FIG. 8 is a flow from the interrupt determination stage to the interrupt output stage.

7 and 6,
Step S0 (FIG. 6-T1): Image data and output conditions have already been received, registered, and reserved (priority) for the reserved job (hereinafter referred to as “preceding job”). For the job ID “0001” in FIG. 3, image output is executed based on the image data.
Step S1 (FIG. 6-T2): In the meantime, new image data and output conditions (including post-processing conditions) are input, stored, and reserved as jobs and in the order of acceptance (in this example, the order of acceptance is changed). Registered as a priority).
Step S2 (FIG. 6-T3): The reservation manager 161 generates a reservation list of reserved jobs and displays the jobs in a selectable manner (see FIG. 3).
Step S3 (FIG. 6-T4): The operator designates a desired job ID “0005” while viewing the screen of FIG. 3, and selects the key “interrupt output” (hereinafter simplified, “interrupt”). "Job" and "Interrupt job selection").

Steps S4 and S5: The interface unit 302 waits for an interrupt job to be selected while displaying the screen of FIG. 3 on the display / operation unit 301 (S4-No). If it is selected (step S4-Yes), it is checked whether the selected interrupt job is a job waiting for image formation (step S5). If the interrupt job already matches the preceding job that is outputting an image (step S5-No), the process returns to step S4 (that is, no interruption is performed), and a new interrupt job is selected. I wait. If the interrupt job is a job waiting for image formation, the process proceeds to the next step.

Steps S6 and 7 (FIG. 6-T5): The interrupt determination unit 162b compares the contents of the post-processing of both the preceding job and the interrupt job with reference to the job data, and notifies the output control unit 162a of the result. To do.
Step S8: When the comparison result is coincident, it is decided to interrupt the output of the preceding job by dividing it by a certain number of copies.
Step S9: If the comparison result does not match, the output of the preceding job is divided by the conditions set in “System Settings” and stopped, and the output of the interrupt job is determined.

8 and 6;
Steps S10, 11, 14 (FIGS. 6-T6, T7): The output control unit 162a obtains the status in which the image output unit 1100 is outputting the preceding job by communication, and the preceding job is just divided by a certain number of copies Is checked (step S10), and the image data of the interrupt job is sent to the image output means 1100 instead of the image data of the preceding job with the number of copies separated (step 11), and the interrupt job is started. (Step S14).

Steps S12, 13, 14: These steps are when the post-processing of the preceding job and the interrupt job do not match. Even in this case, it is checked whether or not the system setting is a copy number division, and if it is a copy number division, the process proceeds to step 10 (step 12-Yes). If the system setting is not a page break, for example, a page break (step 12-No), the output control unit 162a causes the image output unit 1100 to stop the preceding job at the page break and to display the image of the preceding job. Instead of the data, the image data of the interrupt job is sent to the image output means 1100 (step 13), and the interrupt job is started (step S14).
Since these steps are cases where the preceding processing and the post-processing of the interrupt job do not match as described above, when performing an interrupt, although not shown, the post-processing unit 600 sets the conditions for the interrupt job. It is necessary to reset to.

  Steps S15 and 16 (FIG. 6-T8): The output control unit 162a monitors whether the image output unit 1100 has completed the output of the interrupt job (step 15). Instead of the data, the image data of the preceding job is sent to the image output means 1100, the preceding job is restarted and executed, and the number of copies (number of pages) which is insufficient due to interruption is output (step 16).

  From the above, when the conditions for the post-processing of the preceding job and the interrupt job match, there is an effect that smooth interruption and return can be performed as shown by the dotted line in FIG.

It is a block diagram of an embodiment concerning the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram centering on an image control unit 160 in FIG. 1, for explaining a characteristic part of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the reservation list displayed on the screen in reservation management. It is a figure which shows the example of the system setting (setting of interruption timing) screen displayed on the screen. It is a figure which shows the example of output conditions. It is a figure for demonstrating interruption timing. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control part 200 Scanner part 300 User interface part 400 Printer part 600 Post-processing part 700 Automatic paper feed part 1000 Image input part 1100 Image output means 1200 Memory

Claims (4)

Display means;
Reservation management means for accepting image data and post-processing conditions for outputting the image data as a job, generating a reservation list for the accepted job, and displaying the job on the display means in a selectable manner;
Image output means for outputting an image based on the reservation list;
An interrupt instruction means for selecting any job in the displayed reservation list and issuing an interrupt instruction;
When the interruption is instructed, the post-processing conditions of the selected job are compared with the post-processing conditions of the preceding job that has already started to be output by the image output means, and both post-processing conditions match When the output of the preceding job is stopped by the number of copies to the image output means, the selected job is continuously output instead of the preceding job, and the post-processing conditions of both do not match Image forming control means for causing the image output means to stop the output of the preceding job in accordance with an interrupt stopping method set in advance from a user interface and to output the selected job instead of the preceding job And an image forming apparatus. Display means;
Reservation management means for accepting image data and post-processing conditions for outputting the image data as a job, generating a reservation list for the accepted job, and displaying the job on the display means in a selectable manner;
Image output means for outputting an image based on the reservation list;
Designating means for designating whether to stop the output of the preceding job in units of copies or in units of pages when the image output unit interrupts the preceding job that has already started output;
An interrupt instruction means for selecting any job in the displayed reservation list and issuing an interrupt instruction;
When the interruption is instructed, if the post-processing conditions of the selected job coincide with the post-processing conditions of the preceding job, the output of the preceding job is stopped in units of copies. If the post-processing conditions of the selected job do not match the post-processing conditions of the preceding job, the designated job is designated by the designating means. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming control unit that stops outputting the preceding job in units of the selected unit and outputs the selected job instead of the preceding job. A reservation display stage for receiving image data and post-processing conditions for outputting the image data as a job, generating a reservation list for the received job, and displaying the job on the display unit in a selectable manner;
An image output stage for outputting by the image output means based on the reservation list;
An interrupt instruction stage in which any job in the displayed reservation list is selected and an interrupt is instructed;
A determination step of determining whether the post-processing condition of the selected job matches the post-processing condition of the preceding job that has already started to be output by the image output means when the interrupt is instructed;
If the post-processing conditions match at the determination stage, the image output unit stops outputting the preceding job in units of copies, and continuously outputs the selected job instead of the preceding job. If the post-processing conditions do not match in the determination step, the image output means stops the output of the preceding job according to the interrupt stopping method set in advance from the user interface, and the preceding job A job interrupt management method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: an interrupt control step for outputting the selected job instead. A reservation display stage for receiving image data and post-processing conditions for outputting the image data as a job, generating a reservation list for the received job, and displaying the job on the display unit in a selectable manner;
An image output stage for outputting by the image output means based on the reservation list;
A stop unit designation stage for designating whether to stop the output of the preceding job in units of copies or pages when the image output means interrupts the preceding job that has already started output; ,
An interrupt instruction stage in which any job in the displayed reservation list is selected and an interrupt is instructed;
A determination step of determining whether the post-processing condition of the selected job matches the post-processing condition of the preceding job when the interruption is instructed;
If the post-processing conditions match at the determination step, the image output means stops outputting the preceding job in units of copies, and continuously outputs the selected job instead of the preceding job. If the post-processing conditions do not match, an interrupt control stage for stopping the output of the preceding job in the unit specified in the stop unit specifying stage and outputting the selected job instead of the preceding job And a job interrupt management method for an image forming apparatus.

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