JP5083609B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system including an image forming apparatus and peripheral devices.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sorting device that facilitates the removal of jammed paper and paper that has been transported after a jam has occurred.
JP-A-57-057161

  The present invention aims to reduce the downtime of the apparatus.

The present invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that controls an image forming unit that forms an image on a print sheet and a discharge device that discharges the sheet.
When executing a plurality of input processing requests , if a processing request subsequent to the processing request currently being executed is executed, if the discharge tray of the discharge device becomes full during execution of the subsequent processing request , the processing request is currently executed. If it is determined during execution of the middle processing request , the operator is notified to remove the printing paper from the paper discharge tray and the timing at which the subsequent next processing request is started. A determining unit that determines to change the order of processing requests when the printing paper in the discharge tray is not removed;
When it is determined by the determining means to change the order of the processing requests, a processing request specifying a peripheral device other than the discharge device is searched from the subsequent processing requests, and the processing request is based on the search result. And a device control means for changing the order.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms an image on printing paper;
A discharge device connected to the image forming apparatus for discharging paper;
When executing a plurality of input processing requests , if a processing request subsequent to the processing request currently being executed is executed, if the discharge tray of the discharge device becomes full during execution of the subsequent processing request , the processing request is currently executed. If it is determined during execution of the middle processing request , the operator is notified to remove the printing paper from the paper discharge tray and the timing at which the subsequent next processing request is started. A determining unit that determines to change the order of processing requests when the printing paper in the discharge tray is not removed;
When it is determined by the determining means to change the order of the processing requests, a processing request specifying a peripheral device other than the discharge device is searched from the subsequent processing requests, and the processing request is based on the search result. And a device control means for changing the order.

The present invention according to claim 3 is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a printing paper, and a program for controlling a discharging device connected to the image forming apparatus and discharging the paper,
When executing a plurality of input processing requests , if a processing request subsequent to the processing request currently being executed is executed, if the discharge tray of the discharge device becomes full during execution of the subsequent processing request , the processing request is currently executed. If it is determined during execution of the middle processing request , the operator is notified to remove the printing paper from the paper discharge tray and the timing at which the subsequent next processing request is started. Determining to change the order of the processing requests if the printing paper in the discharge tray is not removed;
When it is decided to change the order of the processing requests, the processing request specifying the peripheral device other than the discharge device is searched from the subsequent processing requests, and the processing request order is changed based on the search result. And controlling the computer to execute the control step.

  According to the present invention, the downtime of the image forming apparatus or the peripheral device can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a plurality of post-processing apparatuses 30.
The image forming apparatus 10 is directly or indirectly connected to each post-processing apparatus 30.
The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control device 100, a plurality of paper feeding devices 20, and an operation unit 40.
The control device 100 controls, for example, each configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 (print engine, paper feeding device 20, operation unit 40, and the like) and the post-processing device 30.
Note that the paper feeding device 20 and the post-processing device 30 in the present embodiment are specific examples of peripheral devices according to the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a printing paper (image recording medium) in response to a processing request (hereinafter referred to as a job) from an operator. More specifically, when a job is input from the outside to the image forming apparatus 10, the control apparatus 100 sends a control signal to each component of the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing apparatus 30 according to the received job. Output. In response to a control signal from the control device 100, the paper feeding device 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 supplies the print paper designated by the job to the print engine. The print engine of the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on the printing paper supplied from the paper feeding device 20 in response to a control signal from the control device 100. The printing paper on which the image is formed is sent to one of the post-processing devices 30 according to a control signal from the control device 100. The post-processing device 30 performs post-processing on the printing paper on which an image is formed by the image forming device 10 in accordance with a control signal from the control device 100.
Here, the post-processing is processing performed on the printing paper after the image is formed, and includes, for example, stapling processing, bookbinding processing, paper discharge processing, and the like.
The operation unit 40 is a user interface that receives an instruction from an operator, and is, for example, a touch panel.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control program 5 installed in the control device 100 (FIG. 1).
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control program 5 includes a job search unit 500, a processing capability monitoring unit 510, a determination unit 520, a device control unit 530, and a release measure detection unit 540. In addition, the apparatus control unit 530 includes a release measure notification unit 532 and a job replacement unit 534.
Although the control program 5 of this example is implemented by software, a part or all of the control program 5 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC.

In the control program 5, the job search unit 500 searches for a job input from the operator, specifies the content (hereinafter, specified information) specified by the subsequent job, and determines the specified specified information by the determining unit 520. Output to. Here, the subsequent job is a job other than the job being processed. Since the already processed job disappears upon completion of the processing, the subsequent job is an unprocessed processing request excluding the job being processed.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the job includes, for example, image data to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, paper designation information for designating print paper, and post-processing designation information for designating post-processing to be performed. include.

  The processing capacity monitoring unit 510 monitors the processing capacity of peripheral devices (for example, the paper feeding device 20 and the post-processing device 30), and outputs the processing capacity of each peripheral device to the determination unit 520. The processing capability of the peripheral device is the amount that each peripheral device can process without external assistance or replenishment. For example, the number of print sheets remaining in each paper feeding device 20, the post processing device 30 This is the number of sheets that can be processed.

The determination unit 520 determines whether to notify the operator or to change the job order based on the contents of the input job and the processing capability of the peripheral device. The notification to the operator is, for example, a message display or warning sound for prompting a measure (release measure) by the operator.
More specifically, when there are a plurality of jobs, the determination unit 520 processes these jobs when the subsequent jobs are processed based on the contents of the subsequent jobs and the designation information specified by the jobs. It is determined whether or not the job request exceeds the processing capability of the peripheral device, and when it is determined that the request exceeds, it is determined to notify the operator. In this example, notification to the operator is a precondition for job order change. In other words, after displaying a message prompting the operator to release the job, if no release procedure is detected by a predetermined timing, the job order can be changed.

The apparatus control unit 530 controls at least one of the components of the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing apparatus 30 according to the determination by the determination unit 520.
More specifically, the release measure notification unit 532 of the device control unit 530 controls the operation unit 40 (FIG. 1) to perform the release measure when the determination unit 520 determines to notify the operator. Display a prompt message. In addition, the job replacement unit 534 replaces the job when a release measure is not detected by the release measure detection unit 540 by a predetermined timing after the release measure notification unit 532 displays a message prompting the release measure. To start. The job replacement is performed so that a peripheral device (feeding device 20 or post-processing device 30 that exceeds the processing capability in the subsequent job) that needs to be released is switched. That is, the job replacement unit 534 searches for a subsequent job that specifies a peripheral device that is different from the peripheral device (the paper feeding device 20 or the post-processing device 30) for which the release action is urged, and when such a subsequent job exists. Then, the job order is changed.

  The release measure detection unit 540 detects whether a release measure has been taken based on signals from sensors provided in the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing device 30, and outputs the detection result to the device control unit 530.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating job replacement.
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, each job includes the number of copies, paper designation information, post-processing designation information, and the like in addition to image data.
As illustrated in FIG. 3B, when a plurality of jobs (job 1 to job 3) are accumulated in the image forming apparatus 10, they are normally processed in the order in which the jobs are input. However, the control device 100 (control program 5) according to the present embodiment determines that the processing capacity is exceeded in the next job ("Job 2" in the figure) ("Job 2" is being executed in the figure). As shown in FIG. 3C, “job 3” and “job 2” for specifying other post-processing (punch processing in this figure) are used. Replace. As a result, release processing (replenishment of staples) can be performed while “job 3” is being processed.

Next, an operation example of the image forming system 1 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the post-processing operation (S10) in the image forming system 1.
As shown in FIG. 4, in step 102 (S102), when the control device 100 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives a job from the operator's computer terminal, the image forming apparatus 10 starts printing processing in the order in which the jobs are received. 1 are controlled (sheet feeding device 20 and print engine, etc.).
The job is received not only at the start of the printing process (S102) but also during the printing process (S104 to S120).

In step 104 (S104), the job search unit 500 of the control device 100 (control program 5) determines whether there are a plurality of jobs.
The control program 5 proceeds to the process of S106 when there are a plurality of jobs, and proceeds to the process of S120 when there are not a plurality of jobs.

In step 106 (S106), the job search unit 500 identifies the content of the post-processing designated in the next job (that is, the job received next to the job being processed), and the content of the identified post-processing. Notify the determination unit 520.
The processing capacity monitoring unit 510 monitors the processing capacity (that is, the number of sheets that can be post-processed) of each post-processing apparatus 30 based on the information from the sensor provided in the post-processing apparatus 30, and the determination unit 520 Output.

In step 108 (S108), the determination unit 520 determines the post-processing contents (post-processing type and requested number of sheets) notified from the job search unit 500 and the processing of the post-processing device 30 input from the processing capacity monitoring unit 510. Comparing with the capacity (the number of sheets that can be processed by the post-processing device specified in the job), whether post-processing is possible in the next job (that is, the post-processing requested in the job is specified in this job) Whether or not the processing capacity of the post-processing apparatus 30 is exceeded) is determined.
When the determination unit 520 determines that post-processing is possible, the control program 5 proceeds to the processing of S120, and when it is determined that post-processing is not possible (that is, a request for the next job is made). When it is determined that the processing capacity of the post-processing device 30 specified in this job is exceeded, the process proceeds to S110.

In step 110 (S110), the release measure notifying unit 532 of the device control unit 530 determines that the post-processing is impossible by the determining unit 520 (that is, the post-processing device 30 designated in the next job). On the other hand, when a release measure is required, a message prompting the release processing for the post-processing device 30 is displayed on the operation unit 40.
The operator can know the necessity of the release measure by the message displayed on the operation unit 40 before the next job is started.

In step 112 (S112), the apparatus control unit 530 responds to the release action (corresponding to the above message) by a predetermined timing (for example, the timing when the next job is started) based on the detection result by the release action detection unit 540. It is determined whether or not measures have been taken. Note that the release measure detection unit 540 intermittently monitors the release measure for the post-processing device 30, and when detecting that the release measure has been taken, outputs the fact to the device control unit 530.
The control program 5 proceeds to the process of S120 when it is determined by the device control unit 530 that the release measure has been taken, and moves to the process of S114 when it is determined that the release measure has not been taken.

  In step 114 (S114), the job replacement unit 534 searches for a subsequent job that specifies a post-processing device 30 that is different from the next job, when it is determined that a release measure has not been taken by a predetermined timing.

  In step 116 (S116), the control program 5 proceeds to the process of S118 when there is a subsequent job specifying a different post-processing device 30, and proceeds to the process of S120 when there is no subsequent job.

  In step 118 (S118), the job replacement unit 534 switches the order of the next job and the found subsequent job (a job specifying a different post-processing device).

  In step 120 (S120), the control device 100 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing device 30 so as to continue the printing process and the post-processing according to the input job.

  In step 122 (S122), the control device 100 determines whether or not all the input jobs have been processed and disappeared. If there are jobs remaining, the control device 100 returns to the processing of S104 to perform printing processing and post-processing. If no job remains, the process is terminated and a standby state is entered until a new job is submitted.

FIG. 5 illustrates post-processing that can be performed by the post-processing device 30 and release measures related to these post-processing.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the post-processing device 30 executes staple processing, paper discharge processing, punch processing, coil binder processing, tape binder processing, glue binding, paper cutting, and the like as post-processing.
Regarding the post-processing device 30 that performs the staple processing, the time when the staples are exhausted and the time when the staple staple waste is full in the waste bin are the limits of the post-processing capability, and are subject to release measures. Accordingly, when it is determined that the staples are insufficient during processing of the next job, the release measure notifying unit 530 displays a message for prompting replenishment of staples, and the job replacement unit 534 is configured to replenish the staples. If it has not been done before the timing, a subsequent job that does not use this staple is searched. Further, when it is determined that staple staple waste is full during processing of the next job, the release measure notification unit 530 displays a message prompting removal of staple staple waste, and the job replacement unit 534 displays the staple staple waste. Is not removed by a predetermined timing, a subsequent job that does not generate staples is searched.
Similarly, with regard to the post-processing device 30 that discharges paper, when the paper discharge tray is full of paper, the limit of the post-processing capability is the target of the release measure. Accordingly, when it is determined that the paper discharge tray is full during processing of the next job, the release measure notifying unit 530 displays a message prompting the user to remove the print paper from the paper discharge tray, and the job replacing unit 534 When the printing paper in the paper discharge tray is not removed by a predetermined timing, a subsequent job that does not use this paper discharge tray is searched.

Further, regarding the post-processing device 30 that performs the punching process, the time when the waste in the waste bin is full is the limit of the post-processing capability, and is subject to release measures. Accordingly, when it is determined that the punch waste is filled during the processing of the next job, the release measure notifying unit 530 displays a message prompting the removal of the punch waste, and the job replacement unit 534 If the removal is not performed by a predetermined timing, a subsequent job in which punch scraps are not generated is searched.
Similarly, with regard to the post-processing apparatus 30 that performs the coil binder process or the tape binder process, the time when the coil is insufficient or the time when the tape is insufficient is the limit of the post-processing capability, and is the target of the release measure. Accordingly, when it is determined that the coil or tape is insufficient during processing of the next job, the release measure notifying unit 530 displays a message for prompting replenishment of the coil or tape, and the job replacing unit 534 When the replenishment is not performed by a predetermined timing, a subsequent job that does not use the coil or the tape is searched.

In addition, regarding the post-processing apparatus 30 that performs glue-binding, when the amount of glue used for bookbinding is insufficient, it is the limit of the post-processing capability and is subject to release measures. Accordingly, when it is determined that the binding for bookbinding is insufficient during the processing of the next job, the release measure notifying unit 530 displays a message for prompting replenishment of the binding for bookbinding, and the job replacement unit 534 for the binding for bookbinding. When the replenishment is not performed by a predetermined timing, a subsequent job that does not use the bookbinding glue is searched.
Similarly, with regard to the post-processing device 30 that performs sheet cutting, the limit of the post-processing capability is when the waste bin is full with the cutting waste, and is subject to release measures. Therefore, when it is determined that the waste bin is filled with cutting waste during the processing of the next job, the release measure notification unit 530 displays a message for prompting removal of the cutting waste, and the job replacement unit 534 displays the cutting waste. If the removal is not performed by a predetermined timing, a subsequent job in which cutting waste does not occur is searched.

Next, another operation example of the image forming system 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (S20) of paper feed processing in the image forming system 1.
As shown in FIG. 6, in step 202 (S202), when the control device 100 of the image processing apparatus 10 receives a job from the operator's computer terminal, the image forming apparatus 10 starts printing processing in the order in which the jobs are received. 1 are controlled (sheet feeding device 20 and print engine, etc.).

  In step 204 (S204), the job search unit 500 of the control device 100 (control program 5) determines whether or not there are a plurality of jobs. If there are a plurality of jobs, the process proceeds to the process of S206, and the job If there are no more than one, the process proceeds to S220.

In step 206 (S206), the job search unit 500 identifies the printing paper designated in the next job and the requested number of sheets, and notifies the determining unit 520 of the identified printing paper and the number of requested sheets.
The processing capacity monitoring unit 510 monitors the processing capacity (that is, the remaining number of print sheets) of each paper feeding device 20 based on information from a sensor provided in the paper feeding device 20, and determines to the determination unit 520. Output.

In step 208 (S208), the determination unit 520 compares the print paper and the requested number of sheets notified from the job search unit 500 with the remaining number of print sheets input from the processing capacity monitoring unit 510, and It is determined whether or not paper can be fed in the job (that is, whether or not the requested number of print sheets requested in the next job exceeds the number of print sheets remaining in the sheet feeder 20).
When the determination unit 520 determines that the paper can be fed, the control program 5 proceeds to the process of S220, and when it is determined that the paper cannot be fed (that is, the printing paper in the next job) If it is determined that there is a shortage, the process proceeds to S210.

In step 210 (S210), the release measure notifying unit 532 of the apparatus control unit 530 determines that the paper cannot be fed by the determining unit 520 (that is, the printing paper designated in the next job is replenished). When necessary, the operation unit 40 displays a message that prompts the user to release the paper feeding device 20 (that is, replenish printing paper).
The operator can know from the message displayed on the operation unit 40 that the printing paper needs to be replenished before the next job is started.

In step 212 (S212), the apparatus control unit 530 determines, based on the detection result by the release measure detection unit 540, whether or not the printing paper has been replenished before the next job is started. Note that the release measure detection unit 540 monitors the number of print sheets remaining in the paper supply device 20, and when detecting an increase in print sheets (that is, replenishment of print sheets), the apparatus control unit 530 notifies that fact. Output to.
The control program 5 shifts to the process of S220 when the printing paper is replenished before the next job is started, and shifts to the process of S214 in other cases.

  In step 214 (S214), the job replacement unit 534 specifies a subsequent job that specifies a print sheet (that is, a paper feed tray) different from the next job when the print sheet is not replenished by the start of the next job. Search for.

  In step 216 (S216), the control program 5 proceeds to the process of S218 when there is a subsequent job specifying a different print sheet, and proceeds to the process of S220 when there is no subsequent job.

  In step 218 (S218), the job replacement unit 534 switches the order of the next job and the found subsequent job (a job using a different print sheet).

  In step 220 (S220), the control device 100 controls each component (the paper feeding device 20 and the print engine) of the image forming apparatus 10 so as to continue the printing process according to the input job.

  In step 222 (S222), the control device 100 determines whether or not all the input jobs have been processed and disappeared. If there are jobs remaining, the control device 100 returns to the processing in S204 and continues the printing processing. If there are no jobs remaining, the process is terminated, and a standby state is entered until a new job is submitted.

  As described above, when a plurality of jobs are input, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment checks not only the job being processed but also the subsequent jobs, and the image forming apparatus 10 or the subsequent one. The occurrence of downtime in the processing device 30 is predicted, and an appropriate release measure is presented to the operator in advance.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, notification to the operator (display of a message for prompting cancellation) is a precondition for changing the order of jobs. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, notification to the operator, The job order change may be performed in parallel, or after the job order change, the operator may be notified.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system 1. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the functional structure of the control program 5 installed in the control apparatus 100 (FIG. 1). It is a figure which illustrates replacement of a job. 4 is a flowchart illustrating post-processing operations (S10) in the image processing system 1. Examples of post-processing that can be performed by the post-processing device 30 and cancellation measures relating to these post-processing are illustrated. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (S20) of paper feed processing in the image processing system 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming system 10 ... Image forming apparatus 100 ... Control apparatus 20 ... Paper feed apparatus 30 ... Post-processing apparatus 5 ... Control program 500 ... Job search part 510 ... Processing capacity monitoring unit 520 ... determining unit 530 ... device control unit 532 ... release measure notifying unit 534 ... job replacement unit 540 ... release measure detecting unit

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus that controls an image forming unit that forms an image on a print sheet and a discharge apparatus that discharges the sheet,
When executing a plurality of input processing requests , if a processing request subsequent to the processing request currently being executed is executed, if the discharge tray of the discharge device becomes full during execution of the subsequent processing request , the processing request is currently executed. If it is determined during execution of the middle processing request , the operator is notified to remove the printing paper from the paper discharge tray and the timing at which the subsequent next processing request is started. A determining unit that determines to change the order of processing requests when the printing paper in the discharge tray is not removed;
When it is determined by the determining means to change the order of the processing requests, a processing request specifying a peripheral device other than the discharge device is searched from the subsequent processing requests, and the processing request is based on the search result. Device control means for changing the order of
An image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on printing paper;
A discharge device connected to the image forming apparatus for discharging paper;
When executing a plurality of input processing requests , if a processing request subsequent to the processing request currently being executed is executed, if the discharge tray of the discharge device becomes full during execution of the subsequent processing request , the processing request is currently executed. If it is determined during execution of the middle processing request , the operator is notified to remove the printing paper from the paper discharge tray and the timing at which the subsequent next processing request is started. A determining unit that determines to change the order of processing requests when the printing paper in the discharge tray is not removed;
When it is determined by the determining means to change the order of the processing requests, a processing request specifying a peripheral device other than the discharge device is searched from the subsequent processing requests, and the processing request is based on the search result. Device control means for changing the order of
An image forming system. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a print sheet, and a program for controlling a discharge apparatus that is connected to the image forming apparatus and discharges the sheet,
When executing a plurality of input processing requests , if a processing request subsequent to the processing request currently being executed is executed, if the discharge tray of the discharge device becomes full during execution of the subsequent processing request , the processing request is currently executed. If it is determined during execution of the middle processing request , the operator is notified to remove the printing paper from the paper discharge tray and the timing at which the subsequent next processing request is started. Determining to change the order of the processing requests if the printing paper in the discharge tray is not removed;
When it is decided to change the order of the processing requests, the processing request specifying the peripheral device other than the discharge device is searched from the subsequent processing requests, and the processing request order is changed based on the search result. The step of controlling
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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