JP5051064B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of reserving a plurality of jobs.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a scanner, or a combination of these, an image forming process is executed in response to an image processing request called a job. As such an image forming apparatus, conventionally, an image forming apparatus that can reserve a plurality of jobs and sequentially executes the reserved plurality of jobs has been widely used.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, if it becomes impossible to feed paper during a job due to factors such as paper shortage, the image forming process is stopped. In such a case, the image forming process was stopped until the restart of the image forming process was instructed after the cause of stopping the image forming process was removed by replenishing paper or changing the job setting conditions. It becomes a state. Therefore, if the reserved job includes a job for which the image forming process is stopped, there is a problem that the operation rate and productivity of the image forming apparatus are lowered.

FIG. 8 shows a job list screen in the conventional image forming apparatus.
In the job list screen of FIG. 8, the setting information of a plurality of reserved jobs including the job being executed is listed in the order of execution reservation, and the mode (for example, printer mode, copy mode), status ( During execution or reservation), number of sheets (for example, 20 sheets), number of copies (for example, 3 copies), remaining number of sheets (for example, 60 sheets), time (for example, 1 minute), user name (for example, Yamada Taro), File names (for example, test files) can be recognized in association with each other.

  However, in the job list screen of FIG. 8, each of a plurality of jobs indicates how much paper is required, more specifically, what paper type, paper size, and how many papers are required, The number of sheets on the tray is not recognized. For this reason, it is difficult to grasp in advance the tray to be replenished, the paper to be replenished, the number of sheets to be replenished, and prevent the image forming process from being stopped in advance.

In view of this, a printing system has been proposed in which, in the schedule mode, a vertical axis indicates a paper type and a horizontal axis indicates a scheduled job on a screen (see, for example, Patent Document 1). On this screen, the type of paper used by the reserved job can be confirmed in association with the time.
JP 2004-348713 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, although the time required for each paper type can be recognized on the screen, the number of sheets used by each job is set to the tray to be used (hereinafter referred to as “tray information”). ) Or for each paper used (hereinafter referred to as “paper information”). Therefore, even if it is patent document 1, it is difficult to take the countermeasure for preventing the stop of an image formation process in advance.

  An object of the present invention is to enable an image forming apparatus capable of reserving a plurality of jobs to easily recognize in advance the number of sheets to be used for a plurality of reserved jobs for each tray information or sheet information. This is to prevent a reduction in operating rate.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes a reservation unit capable of reserving a plurality of jobs, an image forming unit that executes an image forming process according to a job reserved by the reservation unit, In an image forming apparatus comprising:
A control unit that displays on the display unit a job scheduling screen displaying reservation information of each reserved job on a two-dimensional table in which the first axis indicates tray information or paper information, and the second axis indicates the expected number of sheets to be used. With
The control unit identifies the tray or paper used by each job based on the setting conditions of each reserved job, and makes the reservation for the length of the second axis corresponding to the expected number of sheets used for each job. The information is displayed at a position on the first axis corresponding to the specified tray or paper.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit accumulates the scheduled number of use of each job in the order of execution reservation, and the reserved job is displayed on the job scheduling screen. The reservation information is displayed as a starting point in the second axis direction where the origin is zero sheets, where the scheduled use number of jobs whose execution reservation order is earlier than that job is integrated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the control unit sets the reservation information on the job scheduling screen at a predetermined update timing with the origin of the second axis as a current time. Update the display position.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the predetermined update timing is a predetermined time when the image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed or from the previous update timing. It is when it has passed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image forming apparatus further includes a remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of paper stored in the tray.
When the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit is less than the scheduled number of use of the job, the control unit includes, in the reservation information of the job on the job scheduling screen, The display of the display area corresponding to the length in the second axis direction corresponding to the shortage of paper is made different from the display of the other display areas, thereby displaying the shortage of paper.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit delimits each job in the second axis direction on the job scheduling screen. The dividing line shown is displayed along the first axis.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the tray information includes information relating to a tray for printing paper and information relating to a tray for insertion paper. It is characterized by including.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the scheduled number of sheets used by a plurality of reserved jobs can be easily determined in advance for each tray information or sheet information by the job scheduling screen displayed on the display unit. Since it can be recognized, the work of replenishing paper in advance can be performed more easily, and a reduction in operating rate can be prevented.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first aspect of the invention, and the integrated value of the expected number of sheets to be used at an arbitrary time point during execution of each job is obtained. It can be grasped sensuously and easily.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 2 can be obtained, and the number of scheduled jobs currently used for each reserved job at every predetermined update timing. Can be recognized.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 3 can be obtained, every time image forming processing is performed on a predetermined number of sheets, or a predetermined time elapses. Each time, it is possible to recognize the number of scheduled jobs currently used for each reserved job.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, it is needless to say that the same effect as in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained. Insufficient paper is used for each reserved job. The amount can be grasped.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of any one of claims 1 to 5 can be obtained, and a tray or paper to be used for each reserved job. Thus, it is possible to more easily recognize the scheduled number of sheets to be used.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, it is needless to say that the same effect as in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6 can be obtained. Whichever tray is used for the insertion sheet, it can be displayed on the job scheduling screen as tray information.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body unit 10, and a large capacity tray unit 20 and a post-processing unit 30 that are optionally connected thereto.

  The main body unit 10 includes a scanner unit 200, an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 300, an operation display unit 500, and an image forming unit 600. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called digital multi-function peripheral having a scanner function, a copy function, and a printer function.

  The main body unit 10 includes, for example, three paper feed trays FT1 to FT3 which are trays for printing paper, and accommodates printing paper. In the vicinity of each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT3, remaining amount detection sensors D are provided as a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT3. .

  The large capacity tray unit 20 includes, for example, paper feed trays FT4 to FT9 that are trays for printing paper, and accommodates printing paper. In the vicinity of each of the paper feed trays FT4 to FT9, a remaining amount detection sensor D is provided as a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the paper feed trays FT4 to FT9. .

  The post-processing unit 30 is a so-called finisher that performs various post-processing on the paper conveyed from the main body unit 10. For example, a sorting unit that performs a sorting process on sheets conveyed from the main body unit 10, a punch unit that performs a punching process, a folding unit that performs a folding process, a cutting unit that performs a cutting process, and the like are provided. On the left side of the post-processing unit 30, there are provided paper discharge trays ET1 and ET2 for discharging the conveyed paper, and the conveyed paper is discharged.

Further, two post inserter upper PI1 and lower PI2 that are trays for inserted paper are provided on the upper portion of the post-processing unit 30, and various types of paper are stacked and fed in accordance with user needs. It is possible.
For example, one of the post inserters PI1 and PI2 is provided with a tab sheet having a tab portion protruding from a part of a sheet piece, a color sheet having a different color scheme, a sheet already formed with an image (hereinafter referred to as a tab sheet or the like). ) And the like, and paper is fed according to the job setting, these papers can be inserted between a plurality of printing papers conveyed from the main body 10.

In the image forming process, for example, a document placed on the document tray T1 of the ADF unit 300 is conveyed to a contact glass that is a reading position of the scanner unit 200, and an image of the document is read by the optical system of the scanner unit 200. Here, the image includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.
An image (analog image signal) read by the scanner unit 200 is output to a state management unit 100, which will be described later, A / D converted by the state management unit 100, and subjected to various types of image processing. Is output. In the image forming unit 600, an image based on the digital image data is formed on a sheet fed from any of the sheet feeding trays FT1 to FT9 provided in the main body unit 10 or the large capacity tray unit 20.
The paper on which the image has been formed is transported to the post-processing unit 30 by the transport unit 610 in the image forming unit 600, subjected to predetermined post-processing by the post-processing mechanism of the post-processing unit 30, and then the paper discharge trays ET1, ET2. The paper is discharged to either of these.

That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, paper can be fed from the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and the post inserters PI1 and PI2. When paper feeding from the paper feeding trays FT1 to FT9 and the post inserters PI1 and PI2 becomes impossible, the image forming process by the image forming unit 600 is stopped.
In the following description of the present embodiment, the above-described paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and post inserters PI1 and PI2 are collectively referred to as “tray”.
Further, the forms of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, the post inserters PI1 and PI2, and the paper discharge trays ET1 and ET2 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 1, and for example, the number thereof may be more or less than that illustrated. Also good.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The main body unit 10 includes a state management unit 100, a scanner unit 200, an ADF unit 300, a print controller 400, paper feed trays FT1 to FT3, a remaining amount detection sensor D, an operation display unit 500, and an image forming unit. 600.

  The state management unit 100 includes, for example, a control unit 101, a program memory (ROM: Read Only Memory) 102, a system memory (RAM: Random Access Memory) 103, a nonvolatile memory 104, a read processing unit 105, a write processing unit 106, a DRAM ( Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC 107, compression / decompression IC 108, and image memory 109.

  The control unit 101 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, reads various processing programs such as a system program, an image formation processing program, and a post-processing processing program stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and expands them. The operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is centrally controlled according to the program.

Specifically, the control unit 101 stores, in the nonvolatile memory 104, setting information for a job reserved on a job reservation screen described later. The setting information includes job setting conditions, and the control unit 101 executes image forming processing by the image forming unit 600 based on the job setting conditions stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. A job refers to a series of operations relating to image formation. For example, when copying a plurality of originals, a series of operations relating to copying of a plurality of originals is one job. In addition, when a plurality of copies are performed, a series of operations related to a plurality of copies is one job.
Here, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can reserve a plurality of jobs, and the control unit 101 executes image forming processing corresponding to the reserved jobs in the order of job execution reservation.
Further, as will be described later, the control unit 101 performs control to display a job scheduling screen indicating reservation information R of a plurality of reserved jobs on the display unit 501 based on setting conditions of the plurality of reserved jobs. Execute.

  The ROM 102 is configured by, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 and various processing programs such as an image forming processing program and a post-processing program that can be executed on the system program. . These programs are stored in the form of computer readable program codes, and the control unit 101 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

  The RAM 103 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 101 and data related to these programs, and stores setting information and the like of the job being executed.

The nonvolatile memory 104 stores various setting data related to the image forming apparatus 1.
Specifically, the nonvolatile memory 104 stores job setting information input on a job reservation screen described later.
The non-volatile memory 104 includes a tray information table 104a, which will be described later, and stores tray sheet information related to sheets stored in each tray.
Further, as will be described later, the nonvolatile memory 104 stores information related to the update timing of the job scheduling screen set by the user.

The reading processing unit 105 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D conversion processing, and shading processing on the analog image signal input from the scanner unit 200, generates digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to the DRAM control IC 107. .
The writing processing unit 106 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal based on the image data input from the compression / decompression IC 108 and outputs the generated signal to the image forming unit 600.

The DRAM control IC 107 controls the compression / decompression processing of the compression / decompression IC 108 based on the control from the control unit 101 and performs input / output control of image data in the image memory 109.
Specifically, digital image data input from the reading processing unit 105 or image data input from the print controller 400 is compressed by the compression / decompression IC 108, and the compressed image data is stored in the compression memory 109 a of the image memory 109. Write and store temporarily. In addition, the image data stored in the image memory 109 is decompressed by the compression / decompression IC 108 and output to the write processing unit 106. At this time, if a control signal indicating that the composition processing is to be performed is output from the control unit 101, the DRAM control IC 107 decompresses the image data by the compression / decompression IC 108, and then the unique image data in the nonvolatile memory 104. Are overwritten and output to the writing processing unit 106.
The DRAM control IC 107 outputs the control data input from the print controller 400 to the control unit 101.

The compression / decompression IC 108 performs image data compression processing and decompression processing under the control of the DRAM control IC 107.
The image memory 109 includes, for example, a compression memory 109a and a page memory 109b configured by DRAM. For example, the compression memory 109 a temporarily stores the job file compressed by the compression / decompression IC 108 in accordance with a control signal input from the DRAM control IC 107. For example, the page memory 109b temporarily stores an uncompressed job file to be printed before printing.

  The scanner unit 200 includes, for example, an image sensor such as a CCD 201 and a scanner control unit 201. The scanner control unit 201 drives and controls each unit of the scanner unit 200 based on a control signal from the control unit 101. Specifically, exposure scanning of the document surface placed on the contact glass is executed, and the reflected light is imaged by the CCD 201 to read the image. Then, the imaged optical signal is photoelectrically converted to generate an analog image signal, which is output to the reading processing unit 105.

  The ADF unit 300 includes an ADF control unit 301 that controls the ADF unit 300 based on a control signal from the control unit 101. One document placed on the document tray T <b> 1 is placed on the contact glass of the scanner unit 200. Automatic feeding one by one.

The paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 are trays that store printing paper, and contain paper of various paper types, paper sizes, and basis weights.
Here, each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and the post inserters PI1 and PI2
Pre-set paper type, paper size and basis weight are stored, and information on the paper type, paper size and basis weight of the paper stored in each tray is detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D. Along with the remaining amount of paper in each tray, it is stored in the tray information table 104a as tray paper information.

FIG. 3 shows a tray information table 104a for storing tray paper information.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tray information table 104a is based on the paper type / paper size / basis weight of the paper stored in each tray (paper feed trays FT1 to FT9, post inserters PI1, PI2) and the remaining amount detection sensor D. The remaining amount of paper detected in each tray is stored as tray paper information. In the tray information table 104a, the paper stored in each tray is set by associating the paper type, paper size, and basis weight of each paper with each tray.

In FIG. 3, for example, the paper feed tray FT < ^b > 1 is set to store paper of “plain paper”, paper size “A4”, basis weight “62-71 g / m ² ”, and the remaining amount of paper is “1700”. Sheet ". In addition, for example, the paper feed tray FT2 is set to accommodate paper of “quality paper”, paper size “A3”, basis weight “50-61 g / m ² ”, and the remaining amount of paper is “130 sheets”. It is.
Further, the tray information table 104a in FIG. 3, the sheet of "plain paper · A4 · 62-71g / m ^2" in each of the paper feed tray FT1~FT9 and post inserters PI1, PI2, "plain paper · A4 · 50-61g / m ² "of the paper, to accommodate" high quality paper · A3 · 50-61g / m ² "of the paper, one of the paper out of the paper of" ○○ special paper · A4 · 62-71g / m ² " It is set. In other words, settings other than these cannot be used in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The remaining amount detection sensor D is provided in the vicinity of each of the sheet feeding trays FT1 to FT9, and detects the remaining amount of sheets stored in each of the sheet feeding trays FT1 to FT9. The remaining amount of paper in each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D is output to the control unit 101 and stored as tray paper information in the tray information table 104a of the nonvolatile memory 104.

The printer controller 400 includes a controller control unit 401, a DRAM control IC 402, an image memory 403, a LANIF 404, and the like. When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a network printer, the image forming apparatus is connected from an external device connected to the network. Management and control of the job input to 1 is performed.
Specifically, the print controller 400 receives job setting information including job setting conditions from an external device as a reservation unit, and transmits the data to the main body unit 10. The job setting information transmitted from the printer controller 400 to the main unit 10 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 104 together with the execution reservation order.

  The controller control unit 401 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the print controller 400. The controller control unit 401 converts print data input from the external device via the LANIF 404 into image data in a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1 using a predetermined page description language, and is input from the external device. It is output to the DRAM control IC 402 together with job setting information.

  The DRAM control IC 402 outputs job setting information and print data received by the LANIF 404 to the controller control unit 401, and in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 401, job setting information and images input from the controller control unit 401. Control to temporarily store data in the image memory 403 is performed. The DRAM control IC 402 is connected to the DRAM control IC 107 of the control unit 101 via a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) bus, and reads job setting information and image data from the image memory 403 in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 401. To the DRAM control IC 402.

  The image memory 403 is composed of, for example, a DRAM, and temporarily stores input data.

  The LANIF 404 is configured by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and performs data transmission / reception such as job setting information, print data, and FAX image data with an external device connected to the communication network N. The job setting information, print data, and image data received from the external device are output to the DRAM control IC 402.

  The operation display unit 500 includes a display unit 501, a touch panel 502 provided integrally with the display unit 501, an operation display control unit 503, and other operation key groups (not shown).

The display unit 501 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various setting screens, image status displays, operation statuses of functions, and the like on the screen in accordance with display control signals from the operation display control unit 503. Do.
In addition, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel 502 in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern is configured on the screen of the display unit 501, and the XY coordinates of a power point operated by a finger or a touch pen are expressed as voltage values. The detected position signal is output to the operation display control unit 503 as an operation signal.

  The operation display control unit 503 performs display control on the display unit 501 based on a control signal from the control unit 101. Specifically, the operation display control unit 503 displays a job reservation screen for reserving a job, a job scheduling screen indicating job reservation information R described later, various setting screens, various processing results, and the like on the display unit 501. To do. Further, the operation display control unit 503 outputs an operation signal input from the touch panel 502 or the operation key group on the display unit 501 to the control unit 101.

  Specifically, the touch panel 502 is operated as a reservation unit when a user reserves a job. Job reservation is performed by the user operating the touch panel 502 on the job reservation screen displayed on the display unit 501 to set job setting conditions.

Here, the job setting conditions include tray setting information and paper setting information, and the expected number of sheets to be used. The tray setting information is information for setting a tray to be used by the job. Specifically, the job uses any one or a plurality of trays among the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and the post inserters PI1 and PI2. This is information set as a tray to be used. The paper setting information is information for setting the paper used by the job. Specifically, the paper setting information is information for setting the paper type, paper size, and basis weight of the paper used by the job.
The user operates the touch panel 502 on the job reservation screen displayed on the display unit 501, and sets tray setting information (for example, the paper feed tray FT1) and paper setting information (for example, plain paper / A4) as job setting conditions. By setting either or both of 62-71 g / m ² ), the tray and / or paper used by the job is set. Further, when only the paper setting information is set without setting the tray setting information as the job setting condition, that is, when the paper is set without setting the tray, the tray information table 104a described later is entered. Based on this, the tray for storing the set paper is automatically selected.

  The job setting conditions set by the operation of the touch panel 502 on the job reservation screen include other information such as mode, user name, file name, post-processing mode, paper discharge trays ET1, ET2, and the like as job setting information. The data is output to the control unit 101 via the operation display control unit 503 and stored in the nonvolatile memory 104 together with the execution reservation order.

  The touch panel 502 is operated when the user requests the display unit 501 to display a job scheduling screen. Specifically, a button B1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) for requesting display of a job scheduling screen is displayed on the display unit 501, and this button B1 is operated on the touch panel 502 to perform job scheduling. When a screen display request is made, the operation display control unit 503 outputs an operation signal based on this operation to the control unit 101. Receiving this operation signal, the control unit 101 determines that it is the display timing of the job scheduling screen, and displays a job scheduling screen to be described later on the display unit 501.

  The image forming unit 600 includes a conveyance unit 610, an LD (Laser Diode) unit 620, and a printer control unit 630, and forms an image on a sheet based on image data input from the writing processing unit 106.

The transport unit 610 includes, for example, various rollers including a paper feed roller 611, a registration roller 612, and a paper discharge roller 613 for transporting paper according to a transport path in the LD unit 620, a transport path switching plate 614, and a reversing unit 615. Etc. The transport unit 610 feeds paper from a tray according to job setting conditions based on control from the printer control unit 630 and transports the fed paper along a transport path.
A plurality of sensors (not shown) are provided on the conveyance path of the LD unit 620. These sensors generate a detection signal when the paper passes and output it to the printer control unit 630.

The LD unit 620 includes an LD 621, a photosensitive drum 622, a charging unit 623, a developing unit 624, a transfer unit 625, a fixing unit 626, and the like.
The LD unit 620 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 622 of the LD unit 620 with the charging unit 623 based on an instruction from the printer control unit 630, and the photoconductor with the LD 621 based on the PWM signal input from the writing processing unit 106. An electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface of the drum 622 with laser light. The developing unit 624 attaches toner to a region including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 622, and the transfer unit 625 transfers the toner to a sheet to form an image. Then, after the transferred image is fixed by the fixing unit 626, the paper on which the image has been formed is conveyed to the post-processing unit 30 by the paper discharge roller 613.

The printer control unit 630 receives a control signal from the control unit 101 and controls the operation of each unit of the LD unit 620. Further, the printer control unit 630 counts the number of fed sheets based on a detection signal from a sensor provided on the conveyance path, and outputs the counted number of sheets to the control unit 101.
Further, the printer control unit 630 counts the number of fed sheets by counting sensor signals output from sensors (not shown) provided near the sheet feeding roller 611 during execution of each job. And output to the control unit 101.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the image forming process by the image forming unit 600 is temporarily stopped when the paper feeding trays FT1 to FT9 or the post inserters PI1 and PI2 cannot be fed. It is supposed to be.

  Here, there are three stop factors that cause the stop of the image forming process. At the display timing and update timing of the job scheduling screen, the control unit 101 stops the image forming process for each reserved job based on the setting conditions of each reserved job and the tray paper information in the tray information table 104a. It is predicted whether or not all the image forming processes of each job can be executed without stopping by determining which of the three stop factors incurs. If there is a job having any one of the three stop factors, the reservation information R of the job on the job scheduling screen is displayed in a manner corresponding to the stop factor, as will be described later.

  The control unit 101 determines whether each job corresponds to one of the first to third stop factors described below at the display timing and update timing of the job scheduling screen. The stop factor and the third stop factor are determined in order.

The first stop factor is that there is no tray paper information that matches the tray setting information and the paper setting information. Specifically, when there is no tray setting information and there is paper setting information, that is, when only paper is set as a job setting condition, the set paper itself is set to be accommodated in any tray. That is not. When there is tray setting information as a job setting condition, that is, when a tray is set, it is not determined whether the first stop factor is met.
When the paper is set as the job setting condition, the control unit 101 refers to the tray information table 104a to determine whether the paper set as the job setting condition is stored in any tray. Judge whether or not. Then, when the set sheet is set to be accommodated in any tray, it is determined that the first stop factor is not met. On the other hand, if the set sheet is not set to be accommodated in any tray, it is determined that the first stop factor is met.
For example, as described above, in the tray information table 104a shown in FIG. 3, each of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and the post inserters PI1 and PI2 includes “plain paper / A4 · 62-71 g / m ² ” paper, “plain paper / A4 · 50-61g / m ² "of the paper, the paper of" high quality paper · A3 · 50-61g / m ² ", any one of the paper of" ○○ special paper · A4 · 62-71g / m ² " Paper other than these cannot be fed. Therefore, for example, when a sheet having a sheet size of “B5” is designated as a job setting condition, the control unit 101 is not set to accommodate the sheet in any of the trays. Is determined to fall under the cause of stoppage.
When the control unit 101 determines that it does not correspond to the first stop factor, the control unit 101 proceeds to determination of the second stop factor.

The second stop factor is that there is tray paper information that matches the tray setting information and the paper setting information, and the remaining amount of paper in the tray is zero. Specifically, when there is at least tray setting information, that is, when at least a tray is set as a job setting condition, paper is not stored in the set tray, or there is no tray setting information. When there is setting information, that is, when only paper is set as the job setting condition, no paper is stored in the tray selected according to the paper setting.
When the tray is set as the job setting condition, or the paper stored in any tray is set as the job setting condition, and the control unit 101 selects the tray based on the paper setting. Further, the remaining amount of paper detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D provided in the set or selected tray and stored in the tray information table 104a is referred to. When the remaining amount of paper in the set tray or the tray automatically selected based on the paper setting is one or more, it is determined that the second stop factor is not met. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of paper in the set tray or the tray selected based on the paper setting is zero, it is determined that the second stop factor is met.
For example, when the paper feed tray FT7 is set as the job setting condition, or paper (for example, plain paper, A4, 50-61 g / m ² ) is set as the job setting condition, and based on this setting When the paper feed tray FT7 is automatically selected, the control unit 101 refers to the paper remaining amount in the paper feed tray FT7 detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D provided in the paper feed tray FT7, and the remaining paper amount is determined. When the number of sheets is zero, that is, when no sheets are stored in the sheet feed tray FT7, it is determined that the second stop factor is met.
If the control unit 101 determines that it does not correspond to the second stop factor, the control unit 101 proceeds to determination of the third stop factor.

The third stop factor is that there is tray paper information that matches the tray setting information and the paper setting information, and the remaining amount of paper in the tray becomes zero during execution of the job. Specifically, when there is at least tray setting information, that is, when at least a tray is set as a job setting condition, the remaining amount of paper in the set tray is one or more, and the paper of the job Of the tray selected based on the paper setting when there is no tray setting information, or there is no tray setting information and there is paper setting information, that is, when only paper is set as the job setting condition. The remaining amount of paper is one or more and is less than the expected number of sheets for the job.
When the tray is set as the job setting condition, or when the paper stored in any tray is set as the job setting condition, the control unit 101 selects the tray based on the paper setting. Further, the remaining amount of paper detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D provided in the set or selected tray and stored in the tray information table 104a is referred to. Then, if the remaining amount of paper in the set tray or the tray selected based on the paper setting is equal to or more than the scheduled use number, it is determined that the third stop factor is not met. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of paper in the set tray or the tray selected based on the paper setting is one or more and less than the expected number of sheets to be used, the third stop factor is met. to decide.
For example, the paper feed tray FT2 is set as the job setting condition, or the paper (for example, fine paper, A3, 50-61 g / m ² ) is set as the job setting condition, and automatically based on the setting. When the paper feed tray FT2 is selected, the control unit 101 detects the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray FT2 by the remaining amount detection sensor D provided in the paper feed tray FT2, and the paper set as the job setting condition Compare with the expected number of sheets to be used. If the detected remaining amount of paper is "130 sheets" and the designated designated number of sheets is "230", the remaining amount of sheets is set to the expected number of sheets to be used set as the job setting condition. If not, it is determined that the third stop factor is met.
On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that the job does not correspond to the third stop factor, the job does not have any of the first to third stop factors, and the image forming process for the expected number of sheets to be used is performed. Judge that everything is feasible.

FIG. 4 shows a job scheduling screen displayed on the display unit 501.
A two-dimensional table having two axes orthogonal to each other is displayed on the job scheduling screen of FIG. The first axis that is the vertical axis indicates tray information, and the second axis that is the horizontal axis indicates the expected number of sheets to be used. On the two-dimensional table, reservation information R1 to R7 for each job is displayed.
The tray information is information regarding trays that can be set as trays to be used, that is, paper feed trays T1 to T9, post inserters PI1 and PI2. This tray information is linked with the tray paper information stored in the tray information table 104a. When the tray paper information in the tray information table 104a is changed, the job scheduling screen is also updated. The reservation information R is displayed in an area composed of a position on the first axis corresponding to the tray to be used and a position on the second axis having a length corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used, as will be described later. Thus, the information indicates the tray to be used and the expected number of sheets to be used.
In the job scheduling screen of FIG. 4, the reservation information R1 is also displayed for the job being executed as the first job in the execution reservation order. For a job that is being executed, the remaining number of sheets at the display / update timing of the job scheduling screen is the scheduled number of sheets to be used.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first axis on the job scheduling screen indicates tray information. Eleven rows corresponding to the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 and the post inserters PI1 and PI2, respectively, Are divided into one row corresponding to the stop factor.

That is, in the job scheduling screen of FIG. 4, the first row at the top is an area corresponding to “paper feed tray FT1”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 62-71g” accommodated in this paper feed tray FT1. / M ² "is displayed.
The second row is an area corresponding to “paper feed tray FT2”, and the paper “high quality paper · A3 · 50-61 g / m ² ” stored in this paper feed tray FT2 is displayed.
The third row is an area corresponding to “paper feed tray FT3”, and the paper “XX special paper / A4 · 62-71 g / m ² ” stored in this paper feed tray FT3 is displayed.
The fourth row is an area corresponding to the “paper feed tray FT4”, and the paper “high quality paper / A3 · 50-61 g / m ² ” stored in the paper feed tray FT4 is displayed.
The fifth row is an area corresponding to the “paper feed tray FT5”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 50−61 g / m ² ” stored in the paper feed tray FT5 is displayed.
Further, the sixth row is an area corresponding to “paper feed tray FT6”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 62-71 g / m ² ” stored in this paper feed tray FT6 is displayed.
The seventh line is an area corresponding to “paper feed tray FT7”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 50-61 g / m ² ” stored in this paper feed tray is displayed.
The eighth line is an area corresponding to the “paper feed tray FT8”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 62-71 g / m ² ” stored in the paper feed tray FT8 is displayed.
The ninth line is an area corresponding to “paper feed tray FT9”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 62-71 g / m ² ” stored in this paper feed tray FT9 is displayed.
The tenth line is an area corresponding to “post inserter PI1”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 62-71 g / m ² ” stored in this post inserter PI1 is displayed.
The eleventh line is an area corresponding to “post inserter PI1”, and the paper “plain paper · A4 · 62-71 g / m ² ” stored in this post inserter PI2 is displayed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the first to ninth rows corresponding to the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9 on the first axis are detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D provided in each paper feed tray FT. The remaining amount of paper is outlined. In FIG. 4, the remaining amount of paper is expressed by the number of lines.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a scale indicating the expected number of sheets to be used is displayed on the second axis on the job scheduling screen. The origin of the second axis indicates zero sheets, and one scale indicates 100 sheets.

In such a job scheduling screen, the control unit 101 specifies a tray to be used by each job based on tray setting information and paper setting information as setting conditions for each job stored in the nonvolatile memory 104, and performs job scheduling. On the screen, the reservation information R1 to R7 of each job is displayed at the position on the first axis corresponding to the specified tray (that is, the first to twelfth lines).
Further, the control unit 101 determines the length of the job reservation information R1 to R7 in the second axis direction on the job scheduling screen based on the scheduled number of sheets to be used as the setting condition of each job stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. Is a length corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used.
In this way, on the job scheduling screen, the reservation information R for each job is at a position on the first axis corresponding to the tray to be used and a position on the second axis having a length corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used. By displaying, it is possible to grasp the scheduled number of sheets to be used for each tray in each job and the entire job.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 101 displays the reservation information R1 of the job in the execution reservation order No. 1 on the first line corresponding to the paper feed tray FT1 to be used, and the reservation information R1. By setting the length in the two-axis direction to a length corresponding to the nine-scale scale corresponding to the scheduled use number of sheets “900”, the job in the first execution reservation order uses 900 sheets in the sheet feed tray FT1. It is possible to recognize that.
Further, the control unit 101 displays the reservation information R3 of the job in the execution reservation order No. 3 in the second row corresponding to the paper feed tray FT2 to be used, and the length of the reservation information R3 in the second axis direction. By setting the length to 2.3 scales corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used “230 sheets”, it is possible to recognize that the job in the third execution reservation order uses 230 sheets in the sheet feed tray FT2. Yes.
Further, the control unit 101 displays the reservation information R4 of the execution reservation order No. 4 in the seventh row corresponding to the paper feed tray FT7 to be used, and the length of the reservation information R4 in the second axis direction is set to the sheet By setting the length to 4.7 scales corresponding to the scheduled use number “470 sheets”, it is possible to recognize that the job in the execution reservation order No. 4 uses 470 sheets in the sheet feed tray FT7.
In addition, the control unit 101 displays the reservation information R6 for the job of execution reservation number 6 in the first row corresponding to the paper feed tray FT1 to be used, and the length of the reservation information R6 in the second axis direction. By setting the length to the length of 9.5 scales corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used “950 sheets”, it is recognized that the job in the execution reservation order No. 6 uses 950 sheets of the sheet in the sheet feed tray FT1. It is possible.

  Further, when using a plurality of trays in one job, the control unit 101 displays the reservation information R of the job by dividing it into positions on the first axis corresponding to each tray to be used. In addition, even if one job uses a plurality of trays, the length in the second axis direction of the reservation information R corresponding to each tray is set to a length corresponding to the expected number of used trays. Thus, it is possible to grasp the expected number of sheets of paper used in the entire job and the expected number of sheets used for each tray.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 101 divides and displays the reservation information R5 in the execution reservation order No. 5 into the fourth to sixth rows corresponding to the paper feed trays FT4 to FT6 to be used. The length of each of the three reservation information R in the second axis direction is the length corresponding to the scale corresponding to the expected number of sheets used in each of the paper feed trays FT4 to FT6. As a result, the fifth job in the execution reservation order uses 500 sheets stored in the sheet feed tray FT4, uses 450 sheets stored in the sheet feed tray FT5, and the sheet feed tray FT6. It is possible to recognize that 450 sheets contained in the printer are used and that 1400 sheets are used for the entire job.
Further, the control unit 101 displays the reservation information R7 for the job in the execution reservation order No. 7 on the ninth to eleventh lines corresponding to the paper feed tray FT9 and post inserters PI1 and PI2 to be used. The seventh job forms an image on the paper fed from the paper feed tray FT1, inserts paper fed from the post inserters PI1 and PI2 between these papers, and the post inserter PI1. , It is possible to recognize the number of sheets from PI2.

In addition, as described above, the control unit 101 determines whether each job corresponds to one of the first stop factor, the second stop factor, and the third stop factor, and stops any of them. In the case of corresponding to the factor, the reservation information R of the job on the job scheduling screen is displayed in a mode corresponding to the stop factor.
As a result, a job having a stop factor and a job having no stop factor can be easily recognized at a glance on the job scheduling screen, and the first stop factor and the second stop for the job having the stop factor can be easily recognized. It is possible to easily grasp which of the factor and the third stop factor is present.

Specifically, the control unit 101 converts all of the reservation information R into a first color (for example, for a job that does not correspond to any of the first stop factor, the second stop factor, and the third stop factor. , Blue).
For example, when the paper feed tray FT1 and the scheduled number of sheets to be used “900” are designated as the setting conditions of the job in the first execution reservation order, the control unit 101 determines the remaining amount provided in the paper feed tray FT1. Based on the remaining amount of paper detected by the detection sensor D and the scheduled use number of the job in the execution reservation order that uses the same paper feed tray FT1, the remaining amount of paper at the start of execution of the job is calculated. calculate. In other words, if the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray FT1 detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D is “1700 sheets” and there is no previous job in the order of execution reservation using the same paper feed tray F1, execution reservation is made. The remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray FT1 at the start of execution of the first job is “1700 sheets”. Further, the control unit 101 compares the remaining amount of paper “1700 sheets” in the paper feed tray FT1 at the start of execution of the first job in the execution reservation order with the expected number of sheets used for the job “900 sheets”. If it is determined that the remaining amount of paper “1700 sheets” in the paper feed tray FT1 at the start of execution of the job is equal to or more than the scheduled use number “900 sheets” of the paper of the job, all of the job reservation information R1 is displayed in blue. To do.
As described above, when all the job reservation information R1 is displayed in the first color on the job scheduling screen, the user can easily recognize that all the image forming processes of the job can be executed. it can.

In addition, the control unit 101 sets the job reservation information R corresponding to the above-described first stop factor on the first axis indicating that there is no tray corresponding to the set sheet (that is, the 12th row). Are all displayed in the second color (for example, brown). In the job scheduling screen of FIG. 4, “No applicable sheet” is displayed in the 12th line, so that it can be easily understood that the sheet setting itself set as the job setting condition does not exist. .
For example, when the setting condition of the second job in the execution reservation order is set to “plain paper / B5 / 50-61 g / m ² ” which is not set to be accommodated in any of the paper feed trays FT1 to FT9. The control unit 101 displays the job reservation information R in brown on the twelfth line on the first axis where “no applicable sheet” is displayed.
Thus, on the job scheduling screen, the job reservation information R2 is displayed in the second color at the position on the first axis indicating that there is no tray corresponding to the set paper, so that the user can It can be easily recognized that the image forming process of this job is stopped by the first stop factor, that is, an unusable paper is set as the setting condition of this job.

Further, the control unit 101 displays all the reservation information R of the job corresponding to the second stop factor in a third color (for example, red).
For example, when the paper feed tray FT7 is designated as the setting condition of the job in the execution reservation order No. 4, the control unit 101 determines the remaining amount of paper detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D provided in the paper feed tray FT7. The remaining amount of paper at the start of execution of the job is calculated based on the scheduled use number of the job whose execution reservation order is the previous, using the same paper feed tray FT7. If the remaining amount of paper at the start of execution of the job is zero, the control unit 101 displays all of the job reservation information R4 in red.
As described above, in the job scheduling screen, all of the job reservation information R4 indicates that the set tray has a remaining paper amount of zero, or the remaining amount of paper in the tray selected based on the paper setting. By displaying in the third color indicating zero sheets, the user stops the image forming process of this job due to the second stop factor, that is, the tray set as the setting condition of this job or It can be easily recognized that no paper is stored in the tray corresponding to the set paper, and that there are not enough papers for the number of sheets to be used set as job setting conditions.

Further, the control unit 101 displays a display area corresponding to the length in the second axis direction corresponding to the remaining amount of paper in the reservation information R of the job corresponding to the third stop factor in the first color (for example, blue). ) And a display area corresponding to the length in the second axis direction corresponding to the shortage of paper is displayed in a third color (for example, red).
For example, when the paper feed tray FT1 and the scheduled number of sheets to be used “950 sheets” are designated as the setting conditions for the job of execution reservation number 6, the control unit 101 has the remaining amount provided in the paper feed tray FT1. Based on the remaining amount of paper detected by the detection sensor D and the scheduled use number of the job in the execution reservation order that uses the same paper feed tray FT1, the remaining amount of paper at the start of execution of the job is calculated. calculate. That is, the remaining amount of paper in the sheet feed tray FT1 detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D is “1700 sheets”, and the scheduled number of jobs to be used for the first job in the execution reservation order using the same sheet feed tray F1 is “900”. In the case of “sheet”, the remaining amount of paper in the paper feed tray FT1 at the start of execution of the job of execution reservation number 6 is “800 sheets”. Further, the control unit 101 compares the remaining amount of paper “800 sheets” in the paper feed tray FT1 at the start of execution of the job of execution reservation number 6 with the scheduled number of sheets used for the job “950 sheets”. If it is determined that the remaining amount of paper “800 sheets” in the paper feed tray FT1 at the start of execution of the job is less than the expected number of sheets used for the job “950 sheets”, the difference between the planned number of sheets used and the remaining amount of paper is calculated. calculate. In the job reservation information R6, the display area corresponding to the length in the second axis direction corresponding to the remaining amount of paper, that is, the eight scales is displayed in blue. Further, the difference “150 sheets” between the expected number of sheets to be used and the remaining amount of paper is set as an insufficient amount, and a display area corresponding to the length in the second axis direction corresponding to the insufficient amount, that is, 1.5 scales is displayed in red. .
As described above, in the job scheduling screen, the job reservation information R6 indicates that the remaining amount of paper in the tray selected based on the set tray or paper setting is one or more, and less than the expected number of sheets to be used. By displaying in the first color and the third color indicating that the image is displayed, the user stops the image forming process of this job due to the third stop factor, that is, set as a setting condition of this job. It is possible to easily recognize that the remaining amount of paper in the selected tray or the tray corresponding to the set paper is insufficient. In addition, the shortage amount of paper can be easily recognized by displaying the display area for the length corresponding to the shortage amount in the job reservation information R6 in the third color.

  Further, the control unit 101 integrates the scheduled number of use of each job in the order of execution reservation based on the setting conditions of each job stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. Then, on the job scheduling screen, the reservation information R of each job is displayed at the position in the second axis direction where the scheduled number of use of the job whose execution reservation order is earlier than that job is integrated, so that each job is being executed. It is possible to grasp the total number of sheets to be used at an arbitrary time.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 101 sets the job reservation information R1 of the job whose execution reservation order is No. 1 from the start point to the second axis direction, starting from the origin of the second axis. Is displayed at a position on the second axis whose end point is a position advanced by nine scales corresponding to the number of sheets to be used “900 sheets”.

  Next, the control unit 101 sets the reservation information R2 of the job having the second execution reservation order to the position on the second axis indicating the scheduled use number “900 sheets” of the job having the first execution reservation order (that is, 9 from the origin). The position advanced from the start point by the 4th scale corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used “400 sheets” in the second axis direction (ie, the position advanced from the origin by 13 scales). ) Is displayed at the position on the second axis with the end point.

  Next, the control unit 101 calculates an integrated value “1300 sheets” of the expected number of sheets to be used in the first and second jobs in the execution reservation order. Then, the reservation information R3 of the job whose execution reservation order is No. 3 is stored in the position on the second axis indicating the integrated value “1300 sheets” of the scheduled number of use of the previous job in the execution reservation order (that is, 13 divisions from the origin). The position advanced by 2.3 scales corresponding to the expected number of sheets used for the job “230 sheets” in the second axis direction from the start point (that is, advanced position) (ie, advanced by 15.3 scales from the origin). Is displayed at a position on the second axis with the end position as the end point.

  Next, the control unit 101 calculates an integrated value “1530 sheets” of the expected number of sheets to be used in the first to third execution order jobs. Then, the reservation information R4 of the job whose execution reservation order is No. 4 is stored in the position on the second axis (ie, 15.3 from the origin) indicating the integrated value “1530 sheets” of the scheduled number of use of the previous job in the execution reservation order. The position advanced by the graduation of 4.7 corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used for the job “470 sheets” in the second axis direction from the start point (ie, the position advanced by the graduation) (ie, advanced by 20 graduations from the origin). Is displayed at a position on the second axis with the end position as the end point.

  Next, the control unit 101 calculates an integrated value “2000 sheets” of the number of sheets to be used for the jobs whose execution reservation order is No. 1 to No. 4. Then, the reservation information R5 of the job whose execution reservation order is No. 5 is stored in the position on the second axis indicating the accumulated value “2000 sheets” of the scheduled number of use of the previous job in the execution reservation order (that is, 20 divisions from the origin). The position advanced from the start point in the second axis direction by the 14th scale corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used for the job “1400 sheets” (that is, the position advanced by 34 scales from the origin). Displayed at the position on the second axis as the end point.

  Next, the control unit 101 calculates an integrated value “3400 sheets” of the expected number of sheets to be used in the jobs whose execution reservation order is Nos. 1 to 5. Then, the reservation information R6 of the job whose execution reservation order is No. 6 is stored in the position on the second axis indicating the integrated value “3400 sheets” of the scheduled number of use of the previous job in the execution reservation order (that is, 34 scales from the origin). The position advanced from the start point by the 9.5 scale corresponding to the scheduled use number “950 sheets” of the paper for the job (that is, advanced from the origin by 43.5 scales). Is displayed at a position on the second axis with the end position as the end point.

  Next, the control unit 101 calculates an integrated value “4350 sheets” of the expected number of sheets to be used in the jobs whose execution reservation order is Nos. 1 to 6. Then, the reservation information R7 of the job whose execution reservation order is No. 7 is stored in the position on the second axis (ie, 43.5 from the origin) indicating the integrated value “4350 sheets” of the scheduled number of use of the previous job in the execution reservation order. Since the planned number of sheets used for this job is equal to or more than “650” corresponding to the remaining 6.5 scales in the second axis direction, the two-dimensional table Is displayed at a position on the second axis whose end point is the right end of.

  In addition, the control unit 101 individually displays the reservation information R for each job by displaying, on the job scheduling screen, separation lines Sa to Sf indicating the separation of each job in parallel to the first axis in the second axis direction. Can be distinguished.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 101 displays a separator line Sa at the boundary between the reservation information R1 of the first job in the execution reservation order and the reservation information R2 of the second job. In addition, a separator line Sb is displayed at the boundary between the reservation information R2 of the job in the second execution reservation order and the reservation information R3 of the third job. In addition, a separation line Sc is displayed at the boundary between the reservation information R3 of the third job in the execution reservation order and the reservation information R4 of the fourth job. In addition, a separation line Sd is displayed at the boundary between the reservation information R4 of the job No. 4 in the execution reservation order and the reservation information R5 of the job No. 5. In addition, a separation line Se is displayed at the boundary between the reservation information R5 of the job in the execution reservation order No. 5 and the reservation information R6 of the job No. 6. In addition, a separation line Sf is displayed at the boundary between the reservation information R6 of the sixth job and the reservation information R7 of the seventh job. As a result, the information of each job in the execution reservation order Nos. 1 to 7 can be easily grasped by distinguishing from the information of the jobs in the execution reservation order.

  In addition, the control unit 101 updates the display position of each reservation information R on the job scheduling screen with the origin of the second axis as the current time at a predetermined update timing.

Here, the predetermined update timing is when the image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous update timing, and which timing is the update timing of the job scheduling screen. The user can set in advance by operating the touch panel 502 on a setting screen (not shown). If the update timing has never arrived after the job scheduling screen is displayed, the display timing of the job scheduling screen is the previous update timing.
When the update timing is set when the image forming process for each predetermined sheet is completed, it is possible to set how many sheets are updated. For example, the user can set the job scheduling screen to be updated every one, ten, or 100 sheets.
On the other hand, when the time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous update timing is set as the update timing, it is further possible to set how many seconds / minutes / hours the update is performed. For example, the user can set the job scheduling screen to be updated every 10 seconds, 60 seconds, or 10 minutes.
Information regarding the update timing set by the user is output to the control unit 101 via the operation display control unit 503 and stored in the nonvolatile memory 104.

FIG. 5 shows a job scheduling screen updated at the update timing.
The job scheduling screen of FIG. 5 is set at the update timing when the image forming process for 100 sheets of paper is newly completed from the timing when the job scheduling screen of FIG. 4 is displayed or updated. It is the screen updated based on.

Although illustration is omitted, the job scheduling screen is not limited to one in which the first axis indicates tray information, and may be a job scheduling screen in which the first axis indicates paper information. Paper information is information relating to paper that can be set as paper used by a job. In the job scheduling screen, the first axis is divided into rows corresponding to the respective sheets stored in the tray based on the tray sheet information in the tray information table 104a.
Specifically, “plain paper, A4, 62-71 g / m ² accommodated in six trays including a paper feed tray FT1, a paper feed tray FT6, a paper feed tray FT8, a paper feed tray FT9, and post inserters PI1 and PI2. "Paper, paper tray FT5, paper tray FT7," plain paper, A4, 50-61 g / m ² "paper, paper tray FT2, paper tray FT4 Correspond to each of “quality paper, A3, 50-61 g / m ² ” paper accommodated in the paper, and “XX special paper, A4, 62-71 g / m ² ” paper accommodated in the paper feed tray FT3. The first axis is constituted by four rows. The paper information on the first axis of the job scheduling screen is linked with the tray paper information stored in the tray information table 104a. When the tray paper information in the tray information table 104a is changed, the job scheduling screen is also displayed. Will be updated.
In this job scheduling screen display process, the control unit 101 identifies the paper used by each job based on the tray setting information and the paper setting information as the setting conditions of each job stored in the nonvolatile memory 104, and the job On the scheduling screen, the reservation information R of each job is displayed at a position on the first axis corresponding to the specified sheet (that is, the first to fourth lines). On the other hand, the control unit 101 determines the length in the second axis direction of the reservation information R of each job on the job scheduling screen based on the expected number of sheets to be used as the setting condition of each job stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. Is a length corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used. In this way, on the job scheduling screen, the reservation information R for each job is at a position on the first axis corresponding to the paper to be used and a position on the second axis having a length corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used. By displaying, it is possible to grasp the scheduled number of sheets used for each sheet in each job and the entire job.

  Next, the flow of job scheduling screen display processing will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, in step S101 in FIG. 6, the control unit 101 determines whether the display timing is based on a job scheduling screen display request or a preset update timing. If it is determined in step S101 that the display / update timing is not reached (step S101; No), the control unit 101 determines in step S102 whether there is an instruction to end display of the job scheduling screen. In step S102, when the control unit 101 determines that there is an instruction to end display of the job scheduling screen (step S102; Yes), the process ends. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S102 that there is no instruction to end display of the job scheduling screen (step S102; No), the control unit 101 returns to step S101.

On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S101 that it is one of the display / update timings (step S101; Yes), the sheet of each tray at the current time detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D in the subsequent step S103. The remaining amount is stored in the tray information table 104a.
Next, in step S104, the control unit 101 specifies the tray or paper used by the job of the execution reservation order N (the initial value of N = 1) based on the tray setting information and the paper setting information of the job.
Next, in step S105, the control unit 101 calculates an integrated value of the number of sheets that are scheduled to be used for jobs in the execution reservation order No. 1 to No. N-1, and calculates the calculated integration with the origin of the second axis as zero sheets. The position on the second axis corresponding to the value is specified as the starting point of the reservation information R in the execution reservation order N.

Next, in step S106, the control unit 101 determines the tray / paper used by the job in the execution reservation order N specified in step S104, the expected number of sheets to be used, and the tray paper information stored in the tray information table 104a. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the job in the execution reservation order N has a first stop factor. In step S106, when the control unit 101 determines that the Nth job in the execution reservation order does not have the first stop factor (step S106; No), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S108.
On the other hand, in step S106, when the control unit 101 determines that the job in the execution reservation order N has the first stop factor (step S106; Yes), in the subsequent step S107, the job setting condition is displayed on the job scheduling screen. A position on the first axis indicating that there is no tray / paper set as, and a length corresponding to the expected number of sheets to be used starting from the position on the second axis specified in step S105. All the reservation information R of the job with the execution reservation order N in the second axis is displayed in the second color, and the process proceeds to step S113.

Next, in step S108, the control unit 101 determines the tray / paper used by the job in the execution reservation order N specified in step S104, the expected number of sheets to be used, and the tray paper information stored in the tray information table 104a. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the job in the execution reservation order N has a second stop factor. In step S108, when the control unit 101 determines that the Nth job in the execution reservation order does not have the second stop factor (step S108; No), the control unit 101 proceeds to step S110.
On the other hand, in step S108, when the control unit 101 determines that the job of execution reservation number N has the second stop factor (step S108; Yes), in step S109, in the job scheduling screen, the identification is performed in step S104. This is the position on the first axis corresponding to the tray / paper used by the Nth execution reservation order job, and corresponds to the planned number of sheets to be used starting from the position on the second axis specified in step S105. All the reservation information R of the job in the execution reservation order N is displayed in the third color at the position on the second axis corresponding to the length to be processed, and the process proceeds to step S113.

Next, in step S110, the control unit 101 determines the tray / paper used by the job in the execution reservation order N identified in step S104, the expected number of sheets to be used, and the tray paper information stored in the tray information table 104a. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the job in the execution reservation order N has a third stop factor. In step S110, if the control unit 101 determines that the job in the execution reservation order N has no third stop factor (step S110; No), the process proceeds to step S112.
On the other hand, in step S110, if the control unit 101 determines that the job in the execution reservation order N has a third stop factor (step S110; Yes), in step S111, in the job scheduling screen, the identification is performed in step S104. This is the position on the first axis corresponding to the tray / paper used by the Nth execution reservation order job, and corresponds to the planned number of sheets to be used starting from the position on the second axis specified in step S105. Display the reservation information R of the job in the execution reservation order N at the position on the second axis corresponding to the length to be displayed, the remaining amount of paper in the first color, and the shortage of paper in the third color. The process proceeds to S113.

  Next, in step S112, the control unit 101 determines, on the job scheduling screen, the position on the first axis corresponding to the tray / paper used by the job in the execution reservation order N identified in step S104, and in step S105. All the reservation information R of the job with the execution reservation order number N is set to the first position at the position on the second axis corresponding to the scheduled number of sheets to be used starting from the position on the second axis specified in step 1. The color is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S113.

Next, in step S113, the control unit 101 determines whether there is an undisplayed job among jobs that can be displayed on the job scheduling screen. In step S113, when the control unit 101 determines that there is an undisplayed job (step S113; Yes), in subsequent step S114, N is incremented, and the process returns to step S104.
On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines in step S113 that there is no undisplayed job (step S113; No), the control unit 101 returns to step S101.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, on the job scheduling screen displayed on the display unit 501, the first axis indicates tray information or paper information, and the second axis indicates the expected number of sheets to be used. On the two-dimensional table, reservation information R corresponding to the length of the second axis corresponding to the scheduled number of sheets used for each reserved job is displayed on the first axis corresponding to the tray or paper used by each job. Displayed in position.
Therefore, the scheduled use number of sheets used by a plurality of reserved jobs can be easily recognized in advance for each tray information and / or sheet information on the job scheduling screen displayed on the display unit 501. By grasping the tray to be replenished and / or the paper to be replenished and the number of sheets to be replenished, the work of replenishing the paper in advance can be performed more easily, thereby preventing a decrease in operating efficiency. Can do.

  Also, on the job scheduling screen, the reservation information R for each reserved job is displayed in the second axis direction where the origin is zero, at the position where the scheduled use number of the job whose execution reservation order is earlier than that job is integrated Therefore, the integrated value of the expected number of sheets to be used at an arbitrary time point during execution of each job can be grasped sensuously and easily.

  In addition, since the job scheduling screen is updated at a predetermined update timing, it is possible to recognize the scheduled use number of sheets at the current time of each reserved job at each predetermined update timing.

  Further, since the predetermined update timing is when the image forming process for a predetermined number of sheets is completed or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous update timing, each time the image forming process is performed for each predetermined sheet, Alternatively, every time a predetermined time elapses, it is possible to recognize the current scheduled number of use of each reserved job.

  Further, when the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection sensor D is less than the expected number of jobs to be used, in the reservation information R of the job on the job scheduling screen, the shortage amount of paper in the display area of the reservation information R The display area corresponding to the length in the second axis direction is displayed differently from the display of other display areas and the amount of paper shortage is displayed. It will be possible to grasp the shortage.

  In the job scheduling screen, since the delimiter line S indicating the delimiter of each job is displayed along the first axis in the second axis direction, the tray information on the paper to be used for each reserved job, and In other words, the paper information and the expected number of sheets to be used can be recognized more easily.

  Furthermore, since the tray information includes information related to the tray for the printing paper and information related to the tray for the insertion paper, even if either the tray for the printing paper or the tray for the insertion paper is used, It can be displayed on the job scheduling screen as tray information.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the vertical axis in the job scheduling screen is described as the first axis, and the horizontal axis is the second axis. However, the directions of the first axis and the second axis may be reversed.
In the above-described embodiment, the reservation information R for each job is displayed at the position where the scheduled number of sheets used for the job whose execution reservation order is previous is integrated. However, the reservation information R for each job is displayed on the second axis. You may comprise so that it may display on the position which makes the origin of a start point. Further, in this case, the reservation information R is displayed at the position where the scheduled use number of jobs in the previous execution order in which the tray information or the paper information is the same is accumulated, and the paper usage for each tray information or paper information is used. You may make it show the integrated value of a scheduled number of sheets.
Also, when both tray setting information and paper setting information exist, that is, when a tray and paper are set as job setting conditions, the paper stored in the set tray and the set paper are set. Even when the sheet is different, it may be determined that there is a stop factor.
In the above embodiment, when there is tray paper information that matches the tray setting information and the paper setting information set as the job setting conditions, the case where the remaining amount of paper in the tray is zero is the first stop factor. On the other hand, if the paper remaining in the tray becomes zero during job execution, it is determined that this is the second stop factor, but the paper remaining in the tray is less than the expected number of paper to be used May be determined to be one stop factor regardless of whether the remaining amount of paper in the tray is zero or one or more.

1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is an example of the tray information table which memorize | stores tray paper information. It is an example of a job scheduling screen. It is an example of the job scheduling screen after an update. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a job scheduling screen display process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a job scheduling screen display process. 10 is an example of a job list screen in a conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 101 Control part 501 Display part 502 Touch panel (reservation part)
600 Image forming units FT1 to FT9 Paper feed tray (Tray used for printing)
PI1, PI2 post inserter (insert paper tray)
D Remaining amount detection sensor (remaining amount detection unit)
R (R1-R7) Reservation information Sa-Sf Separator line

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus comprising: a reservation unit capable of reserving a plurality of jobs; and an image forming unit that executes an image forming process according to a job reserved by the reservation unit.
A control unit that displays on the display unit a job scheduling screen displaying reservation information of each reserved job on a two-dimensional table in which the first axis indicates tray information or paper information, and the second axis indicates the expected number of sheets to be used. With
The control unit identifies the tray or paper used by each job based on the setting conditions of each reserved job, and makes the reservation for the length of the second axis corresponding to the expected number of sheets used for each job. An image forming apparatus, wherein information is displayed at a position on a first axis corresponding to a specified tray or paper.   The control unit accumulates the scheduled number of use of each job in the order of execution reservation, and the reservation information of each reserved job is displayed on the job scheduling screen in the second axis direction with the origin as zero. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position where the scheduled number of jobs used in the previous execution reservation order is added is displayed as a starting point.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit updates the display position of the reservation information on the job scheduling screen at a predetermined update timing with the origin of the second axis as a current time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined update timing is when an image forming process on a predetermined number of sheets is completed or when a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous update timing. A remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of paper stored in the tray;
When the remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit is less than the scheduled number of use of the job, the control unit includes, in the reservation information of the job on the job scheduling screen, The paper shortage amount is displayed by making the display area display corresponding to the length in the second axis direction corresponding to the paper shortage amount different from the display of other display areas. The image forming apparatus as described in any one of 1-4.   6. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays, on the job scheduling screen, a dividing line indicating a division of each job along the first axis in the second axis direction. The image forming apparatus described in the item.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray information includes information about a tray for printing paper and information about a tray for insertion paper.

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