JP5130888B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, a plurality of paper feed trays for storing paper for each preset type are provided, and when executing a job, it is determined whether or not the paper related to execution of the job is in the paper feed tray. There is an image forming apparatus that displays a result.

For example, when executing a job in an image forming apparatus that forms images by feeding a plurality of holders that hold paper for each type and paper of the type specified in the job, it is used to execute the job A printing system is disclosed that determines whether or not a sheet to be used is insufficient, and displays a time when the sheet is insufficient.
JP 2004-348713 A

  However, the conventional technique is a technique for determining whether or not there is a shortage of paper stored in a paper feed tray that feeds paper when a job is executed. However, it does not determine whether or not the sheet can be discharged, and the following problem occurs.

  In the image forming apparatus that designates the paper discharge destination for the paper discharged by execution of the job at the time of job reservation, changes the paper discharge destination after reservation, or displays a list of reserved jobs, When a reserved job is executed later, the output tray specified for the job is full of paper, or the job is specified during the job execution. There is a problem that the execution of the job stops because the paper discharge tray becomes full of paper, the paper cannot be stacked, and the paper cannot be discharged. Further, since the execution of the job is stopped until the paper is removed from the paper discharge tray where the paper is full and a restart instruction is issued, there is a problem that the operation efficiency is lowered.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to prevent a paper discharge tray designated for a job from being discharged and stop execution in advance, thereby efficiently operating.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a job including a plurality of paper discharge trays provided with a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of paper , information indicating a paper discharge tray from which paper is discharged, and the number of papers to be discharged. A storage unit for storing information for each job; a display unit for displaying information indicating whether or not each job can be discharged to a specified discharge tray; and the above-mentioned provided for each discharge tray. Based on the detection signal from the detection unit, the information indicating the discharge tray of the job information of each job stored in the storage unit, and the number of sheets to be discharged, the discharge specified at the time of execution is performed. A job that cannot be ejected to the paper tray is determined, and the display unit displays that the job cannot be ejected to the designated paper ejection tray. Further, the job cannot be ejected when the job is executed. If the problem is resolved, execute the job, If the paper not is not solved is the image forming apparatus and a control unit for controlling so as not to execute the job.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the job information includes a scheduled execution order, and is the display unit capable of discharging each job to a specified discharge tray? The contents including information indicating whether or not the information is displayed in the scheduled execution order, the control unit, when the detection signal from the detection unit is changed, when the job information of a new job is stored in the storage unit, Specified when the job information stored in the storage unit is deleted, or when the scheduled execution order of the job information stored in the storage unit is changed. A job that cannot be discharged to the discharge tray is determined.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the control unit applies a job that cannot be discharged to a discharge tray specified at the time of execution. Information indicating the paper discharge tray designated for the job is displayed on the display unit.

According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to display the paper ejection to the paper discharge tray that is specified when the job is executed is impossible, discharge in accordance with the pre-determine the constant results Users can be given an opportunity to take measures to enable paper, and work efficiently by preventing the paper discharge tray specified for the job from being discharged and stopped in advance. Can be made.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained, and when the detection signal from the detection unit changes, the job information of a new job is stored in the storage unit. If the job information stored in the storage unit is deleted, or if the execution order of the job information stored in the storage unit is changed, that is, the state of the discharge tray Whenever there is a risk of a change in (the number of sheets to be stacked), the determination result of a job that cannot be discharged can be displayed on the specified discharge tray at the time of execution, and in accordance with the determination result in advance Opportunities for taking measures to enable paper discharge can be increased, and efficient operation can be achieved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the same effect as in the first or second aspect can be obtained, and the discharge can be performed based on the displayed information indicating the discharge tray that cannot be discharged. This makes it easier to take such measures.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 reads an image from a document, forms an image of the read image on a sheet P, page data including image data from an external device or the like, image forming conditions of each image data, and the like. A digital multi-function peripheral including a print unit 40 that forms an image on paper P based on the received job, a post-processing unit 50 that temporarily stores the paper on which the image is formed, and the like. is there. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 20, an operation display unit 30, a printing unit 40, a post-processing unit 50, and the like.

The image reading unit 20 includes an automatic document feeder 21 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and a reading unit 22. The document d placed on the document tray T1 of the automatic document feeder 21 is conveyed to a contact glass as a reading location, and an image on one or both sides of the document d is read by an optical system, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 22a. As a result, the image of the document d is read. Here, the image means 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 image reading unit 20 is output to a reading processing unit 140 of an image control board, which will be described later, A / D converted by the reading processing unit 140 and subjected to various image processing, and then printed. Is output to the unit 40.

  The operation display unit 30 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 31, a touch panel provided so as to cover the LCD, and other operation key groups (not shown). The operation display unit 30 receives a user input and outputs the input information to the control unit 110. Further, various setting screens for inputting various setting conditions, various processing results, and the like are displayed in accordance with a display signal input from the control unit 110.

  Further, on the LCD 31 of the operation display unit 30, a job list screen (see FIGS. 5 and 6) that displays job information contents of a job being executed and a reserved job (reserved job) in the order of scheduled execution of jobs. ) Etc. are displayed.

  The print unit 40 performs electrophotographic image forming processing based on input print data, and includes a paper feed unit 41, a paper feed conveyance unit 42, an image formation unit 43, and a carry-out unit 44. Is done.

  The paper feed unit 41 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 41a, paper feed means 41b, a manual feed tray T2, and the like. The paper feed tray 41a stores paper P identified in advance for each paper type for each paper feed tray 41a. The paper feed means 41b directs the paper P from the top to the paper feed / conveyance section 42 one by one. Transport. The manual feed tray T2 can stack various types of paper P according to the user's needs, and transports the paper P stacked by the paper feed rollers one by one from the top to the paper feed transport unit 42. To do.

The sheet feeding / conveying section 42 conveys the sheet P conveyed from the sheet feeding tray 41a or the manual feed tray T2 to the transfer device 43a via a plurality of intermediate rollers, registration rollers 42a, and the like.
Further, the sheet feeding / conveying section 42 conveys the sheet P on which the single-sided image formation processing has been performed to the duplex conveying path by the conveyance path switching plate, and again conveys it to the transfer device 43a via the intermediate roller and the registration roller 42a.

  The image forming unit 43 includes an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device 43a, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser output unit that outputs laser light based on image data, and a polygon mirror that scans the laser light in the main scanning direction. A cleaning unit and a fixing device 43b are provided. Specifically, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating a photosensitive drum charged by a charging device with laser light using an exposure device. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image by attaching charged toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum by the developing device is transferred to the paper P by the transfer device 43a. Further, after the toner image is transferred to the paper P, residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum is removed by the cleaning unit.

  The fixing device 43 b thermally fixes the toner image transferred to the paper P conveyed by the paper feed conveyance unit 42. The fixed sheet P is sandwiched between the discharge rollers of the carry-out unit 44 and conveyed from the carry-out port to the post-processing unit 50.

  The post-processing unit 50 includes a sorting unit that performs sorting of sheets on which images are formed, a punch unit that performs punching processing, a stapling unit that performs stapling processing to bind a bundle of sheets at a set binding position, and a folding unit that performs folding processing. And a post-processing unit such as a cutting unit that performs a cutting process, and a plurality of paper discharge trays T3 on which sheets on which various processes have been or have not been performed are discharged and stacked.

  Each of the paper discharge trays T3 is provided in the vicinity of a paper exit to the paper discharge tray T3, and detects whether the paper has been discharged to the paper discharge tray T3 by detecting whether or not the paper has passed. 51 and a stack detection sensor 52 as a detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of paper on the paper discharge tray T3.

FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 1a, a printer controller 1b, and a post-processing unit 50 connected to the main body 1a. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to an external apparatus 2 on the network 3 through a LANIF (Local Area Network InterFace) 14 of the printer controller 1b so as to be able to send and receive information to and from each other.

  The main body unit 1a includes an image reading unit 20, an operation display unit 30, a printing unit 40, and an image control board 100. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as each part demonstrated in FIG. 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The image control board 100 includes a control unit 110, a nonvolatile memory 120, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 130, a reading processing unit 140, a compression IC 150, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC 160, an image memory 170, a decompression IC 180, and a writing process. Part 190.

  The control unit 110 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, reads a system program and various application programs stored in the nonvolatile memory 120, various programs and data designated from various data, and expands them in the RAM 130. Various processes are executed in cooperation with the program developed in the RAM 130 to centrally control each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, in accordance with an instruction signal input from the operation display unit 30 or the external device 2, the copy mode, printer mode, and scanner mode are switched, and control such as copying, printing, and reading of image data is performed.

The control unit 110 reads various data such as job list display processing program according to the present embodiment and job information of each job stored in the RAM 130 from the nonvolatile memory 120, and in cooperation with the program and various data,
Based on detection signals from the discharge detection sensor 51 and the stack detection sensor 52 provided for each discharge tray T3, information indicating the discharge tray included in the job information of each job, and the number of sheets to be discharged. A process for determining a job that cannot be discharged to a specified discharge tray at the time of execution, and displaying the determination result on the job list screen displayed on the LCD 31 of the operation display unit 30 for notification. Control.

  The nonvolatile memory 120 includes a job list display processing program according to the present embodiment, various processing programs and data relating to image formation, and a maximum number of sheets that can be stacked (upper limit number of stacking sheets) set in advance for each discharge tray. Various data such as data processed by various programs and initial values of the respective units are stored.

  The RAM 130 is loaded for each program executed by the control unit 110, data related to these programs, job information of jobs that have not been executed (reserved jobs) including jobs of jobs being executed, and discharge trays. A work area for temporarily storing the number of sheets (the number of stacked sheets) is formed.

  Each job information is stored with information indicating a scheduled execution order in addition to various data such as information indicating a discharge tray, the number of sheets to be discharged, image data, and other setting information related to job execution. . The scheduled execution order is added in the order in which the reserved jobs are received, but can be changed based on an instruction from the operation display unit 30 or the external device 2.

  The number of stacked sheets is a value obtained by counting the number of sheets detected by the sheet discharge detection sensor 51 after the detection signal from the stack detection sensor 52 indicates no sheet for each sheet discharge tray.

  The reading processing unit 140 performs various processing such as analog processing, A / D conversion processing, and shading processing on the analog image signal input from the image reading control unit 200 of the image reading unit 20, and then generates digital image data. To do. The generated image data is output to the compression IC 150.

  The compression IC 150 performs compression processing on the input digital image data and outputs it to the DRAM control IC 160.

  The DRAM control IC 160 controls the image data compression processing by the compression IC 150 and the decompression processing of the compressed image data by the decompression IC 180 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 110, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory 170. For example, when an instruction to store the image signal read by the image reading unit 20 is given, the compression processing of the image data input from the reading processing unit 140 is executed by the compression IC 150, and the compressed image data is compressed in the image memory 170. It is stored in the memory 171. When the print output of the compressed image data stored in the compression memory 171 is instructed, the compressed image data is read from the compression memory 171, decompressed by the decompression IC 180, and stored in the page memory 172. Further, when an instruction to print out the image data stored in the page memory 172 is issued, the image data is read from the page memory 172 and output to the writing processing unit 190.

  The image memory 170 includes a compression memory 171 and a page memory 172 configured from DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The compression memory 171 is a memory for storing compressed image data, and the page memory 172 is a memory for temporarily storing image data (print data) for print output.

  The decompression IC 180 performs decompression processing on the compressed image data.

  The write processing unit 190 generates print data for image formation based on the image data input from the DRAM control IC 160 and outputs the print data to the print unit 40.

  The image reading unit 20 includes a CCD 22a, an image reading control unit 200, and other automatic document feeding unit 21 and reading unit 22 shown in FIG. The image reading control unit 200 controls the automatic document feeding unit 21, the reading unit 22, and the like to execute exposure scanning of the document surface, and performs photoelectric conversion on the reflected light of the light by the CCD 22a to read the image. The read analog image signal is output to the reading processing unit 140.

  The operation display unit 30 includes an LCD 31, an operation display control unit 300, and other operation key groups such as a touch panel and a numeric keypad (not shown). The operation display control unit 300 displays various setting screens for inputting various setting conditions, a job list screen as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, various processing results, and the like on the LCD 31 in accordance with a display signal input from the control unit 110. Display. Further, the operation display control unit 300 outputs an operation signal input from the operation key group or the touch panel to the control unit 110.

  The print unit 40 includes various units related to print output, such as the image forming unit 43 shown in FIG. The print control unit 400 controls the operation of each unit of the print unit 40 such as the image forming unit 43 according to an instruction from the control unit 110, and forms an image on the paper P based on the print data input from the writing processing unit 190. In addition, an instruction signal for operating each part of the post-processing unit 50 according to an instruction from the control unit 110 is output to the post-processing control unit 500.

  Although not shown here, the post-processing unit 50 is provided in various post-processing units and the like, transport means such as transport rollers for transporting paper to the various post-processing units, a plurality of paper discharge trays T3, and each paper discharge tray T3. The paper discharge detection sensor 51 and the stack detection sensor 52 are provided, and the various post-processing units and the paper discharge trays T3 are comprehensively controlled by the post-processing control unit 500. The post-processing control unit 500 transports the paper P to a predetermined post-processing unit along the transport path in response to a post-processing instruction signal input from the control unit 110 via the print control unit 400, and drives each unit. Control is performed so that the paper P is subjected to predetermined post-processing and discharged onto the paper discharge tray T3, and is detected from the paper discharge detection sensor 51 and the stack detection sensor 52 provided on each paper discharge tray T3. The detection signal is output to the control unit 110.

  Next, each part of the printer controller 1b will be described. The printer controller 1b manages and controls jobs input to the image forming apparatus 1 from the external apparatus 2 connected to the network 3 when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a network printer. The data to be printed is received, and the data is transmitted as a job to the main body 1a.

  The printer controller 1b includes a controller control unit 11, a DRAM control IC 12, an image memory 13, and a LANIF 14.

  The controller control unit 11 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the printer controller 1b, and transmits data input from the external device 2 to the main body unit 1a via the LANIF 14 as a job.

  The DRAM control IC 12 controls storage of data received by the LANIF 14 in the image memory 13 and reading of data from the image memory 13. The DRAM control IC 12 is connected to the DRAM control IC 160 of the image control board 100 via a PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) bus, and reads data to be printed from the image memory 13 in accordance with instructions from the controller control unit 11. Output to the control IC 160.

  The image memory 13 is composed of a DRAM and temporarily stores input output data.

  The LANIF 14 is a communication interface for connecting to a network 3 such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a LAN such as a modem, and receives data from the external device 2. The received data is output to the DRAM control IC 12.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the job list display process in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows an image diagram of the number of various sheets used during the process shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is a process executed by the control unit 110.

  The control unit 110 determines whether or not the job information of the new job is stored in the RAM 130, that is, whether or not the job information of the new reserved job is in the RAM 130 (step S1).

  When there is no new reserved job (step S1; No), the control unit 110 stores the job information of any of the reserved jobs stored in the RAM 130 as the operation display unit 30 or the external device 2. It is determined whether or not it has been deleted by an instruction from (step S2).

  When none of the job information of the reserved job stored in the RAM 130 has been deleted (step S2; No), the control unit 110 determines that the scheduled execution order of the job information stored in the RAM 130 is the operation display unit 30. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not it has been changed by an instruction from the external device 2 (step S3).

  If there is no change in the scheduled execution order of the job information stored in the RAM 130 (step S3; No), the control unit 110 determines whether or not a change has occurred in the number of sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray T3. It is determined whether or not the detection signal from the paper discharge detection sensor 51 or the stack detection sensor 52 has changed (step S4). When the number of sheets stacked on the paper discharge tray T3 has not changed (step S4; No), This process ends.

  When the number of sheets stacked on the discharge tray T3 has changed, that is, when there is a discharge tray whose detection signal from the discharge detection sensor 51 or the stack detection sensor 52 has changed (Step S4; Yes), the stacking number A of the paper discharge tray whose number of sheets has changed is updated (step S5).

  As the processing in step S5, for example, when the detection signal detected from the stack detection sensor 52 indicates that there is no sheet, it is determined that the sheet stacked on the paper discharge tray T3 provided with the stack detection sensor 52 has been removed. Then, the number A of stacked sheets on the paper discharge tray T3 is updated to zero. Further, when the detection signal detected from the stack detection sensor 52 indicates that there is a sheet and the detection signal detected from the discharge detection sensor 51 detects that the sheet has passed, the discharge detection sensor 51 is provided. It is determined that one sheet has been discharged to the discharged paper discharge tray T3, and 1 is added to the stacking sheet number A of the paper discharge tray T3 for updating.

  Instead of using the discharge detection sensor 51, it may be determined that one sheet is discharged based on a control signal such as a sheet discharge signal.

  When there is a new reserved job (step S1; Yes), the control unit 110 stores the reserved job information stored in the RAM 130 in the RAM 130 (step S2; Yes). If there is a change in the scheduled execution order of the job information (step S3; Yes), there is a paper discharge tray whose detection signal from the paper discharge detection sensor 51 or the stack detection sensor 52 has changed, and the number of stacked paper discharge trays In any case after A is updated (after step S5), the total number B of paper discharge scheduled for each paper discharge tray T3 is calculated (step S6).

  In step S6, the estimated total discharge number B of each discharge tray T3 is calculated based on the discharge tray designation information of the job information of each reserved job stored in the RAM 130 and the number of sheets to be discharged. The scheduled total number B of paper discharge is calculated as the number of papers to be discharged for each paper tray. For example, the number of sheets to be discharged (scheduled number of sheets to be discharged) is read based on the job information of each reserved job, and the discharge tray is specified for each discharge tray according to the discharge tray designation information of the job information of each reserved job. Can be calculated by adding up the scheduled number of paper discharges (b1, b2, b3... Bn) of the reserved job.

  After step S6, the control unit 110 adds the number of stacked sheets A stored in the RAM 130 to the total number of scheduled discharges B calculated in step 6 for each discharge tray, and calculates the total number of planned stacks C for each discharge tray. Calculate (step S7).

  The control unit 110 compares the estimated total stacking C calculated in step S7 with the upper limit stacking number D for each output tray, and determines a discharge tray having a larger total planned stacking C than the upper limit stacking number D. Is performed (step S8).

  The control unit 110 determines whether or not there is an overloaded tray in the processing result of step S8 (step S9). If there is no overloaded tray (step S9; No), the process is terminated.

  When there is an overload tray (step S9; Yes), the control unit 110 executes a process of specifying the overload scheduled job (step S10).

  As the processing in step S10, for example, a stackable sheet number E is calculated as the number of sheets obtained by subtracting the stacking sheet number A of the discharge tray from the stacking upper limit sheet number D of the discharge tray of the overload tray. Then, the calculated stackable sheet number E is compared with the sheet number obtained by sequentially adding the scheduled sheet discharge number of the job with the fast execution schedule among the reserved jobs specifying the overload tray, and the sequentially added sheet number is loaded. As a job that cannot be discharged to the specified paper discharge tray when executing a reservation job in the scheduled execution order after the last reserved job when the number exceeds the possible number E, that is, as an overload scheduled job judge.

In step S10, FIG. 4 will be described as an example.
It is assumed that there are n reservation jobs in which the overload tray is designated as a discharge tray, and the scheduled number of discharged sheets of each reservation job is b1, b2, b3. First, the stackable number E of the overloaded tray is compared with the scheduled discharge number b1 of the reservation job with the fastest execution order, and the stackable number E is larger than the scheduled discharge number b1 of the reserved job. It is determined that the reserved job is not an overload scheduled job.

  Next, the scheduled discharge number b2 of the reserved job to be executed next to the reserved job of the scheduled discharge number b1 determined not to be an overload job and the discharge schedule of the reserved job determined to be not an overload job The number of sheets b1 added is compared with the stackable sheet number E. Since the stackable sheet number E is greater than the scheduled sheet discharge number b1 + b2, the reserved sheet discharge number b1 determined not to be an overload job is reserved. It is determined that the reserved job for the scheduled number of discharged sheets b2 to be executed next to the job is not an overload scheduled job.

  Further, the scheduled discharge number b3 of the reserved job executed next to the reserved job with the scheduled discharge number b2 determined not to be an overload job and the scheduled discharge number of the reserved job determined to be not an overload job. When the number obtained by adding b1 and b2 is compared with the stackable sheet number E, the added sheet discharge number b1 + b2 + b3 is larger than the stackable sheet number E. The final reserved job at this time, that is, the reserved job for the scheduled number of ejected sheets b3, and the reserved job in the order of the subsequent execution schedule (the reserved jobs for the scheduled number of ejected sheets b3 to bn) are executed. It is determined as a job that cannot be discharged onto the paper tray, that is, a job that is overloaded.

  As described above, in steps S5 to S10, based on the detection signal from the stack detection sensor 52, the job information, and the stacking upper limit number D of each discharge tray, the discharge tray specified at the time of execution is set. Jobs that cannot be discharged can be determined.

  After completion of execution of the process for performing the overload scheduled job (after step S10), the control unit 110 cannot discharge the paper to the designated discharge tray when the reserved job determined as the overload scheduled job is executed. And a job list screen including information indicating the paper discharge tray designated for the reserved job is displayed on the LCD 31 of the operation display unit 30 (step S11), and the process is terminated.

  Note that when an instruction to display the job list screen is input by the operation display unit 30, the job list display process may be executed from step S6.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the job list screen G1, and FIG. 6 shows an example of the job list screen G1 in which the job execution schedule order is changed in the job list screen G1 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the job list screen G <b> 1 displays a display area E <b> 1 in which the contents of job information of each reserved job are displayed according to the scheduled execution order, and a reservation job displayed in the display area E <b> 1. Order change buttons B11 and B12 for receiving an instruction to change the scheduled execution order of the reserved job, and a delete button B13 for deleting the selected reserved job among the reserved jobs displayed in the display area E1.

  The display area E1 is a region indicating the contents of job information of each reserved job, a job number region E11 indicating a job number for identifying each reserved job, and a mode region indicating the mode (print mode, copy mode, etc.) of each reserved job E12, an output tray area E13 indicating the state of the paper discharge tray, a number area E14 indicating the number of sheets to be discharged, a number area E15 indicating the number of sheets to be discharged, a remaining number area E16 indicating the number of undischarged sheets, and a job execution A time region E17 or the like indicating the time required.

  In the output tray area E13, the status of the discharge tray set for each reserved job is displayed. A job that can be discharged to the designated discharge tray is “output possible” in the output tray area E13. And a reserved job that cannot be discharged to the designated paper discharge tray (a reserved job determined to be an overload scheduled job) includes information indicating the designated paper discharge tray (for example, “tray 1”) and A message indicating that the paper cannot be discharged (for example, “full”) is displayed on the paper discharge tray.

  In the job list screen G1 of FIG. 5, the reserved job with the job number “0017” is displayed as the output tray “tray 1 full”, and the reserved job with the job number “0019” is displayed as the output tray “tray 2 full”. For this reason, it is displayed that the reserved jobs with job numbers “0017” and “0019” cannot be discharged because the designated discharge trays “Tray 1” and “Tray 2” are “full”. Become. The reserved jobs of other job numbers are displayed as “output ready” or “outputting” in the output tray, and therefore it is displayed that the paper can be discharged.

  When the scheduled execution order of the reserved job with the job number “0020” is changed by the order change buttons B11 and B12 in the state where the job list screen G1 of FIG. 5 is displayed, the job list display process in this embodiment is performed. As a result, a job list scene G1 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display a determination result as to whether or not paper discharge is possible on the discharge tray designated when the job is executed. Accordingly, the user can be given an opportunity to take measures to enable discharge (for example, remove paper on the discharge tray, change the discharge tray, change the scheduled execution order, etc.) Thus, it is possible to prevent the paper discharge tray designated in the above from being discharged and stop executing in advance, and to operate efficiently.

  In particular, when the detection signal from the stack detection sensor 52 changes, when job information of a new job is stored in the RAM 130, when job information stored in the RAM 130 is deleted, the job stored in the RAM 130 is stored. If there is a change in the scheduled execution order of information, that is, every time there is a possibility that the state of the paper discharge tray (the number of sheets stacked) may change, The determination result of the job that cannot be discharged can be displayed on the paper tray, and the opportunity to take a measure to enable discharge according to the determination result in advance can be increased, so that efficient operation can be achieved. it can.

  Furthermore, it is possible to make it easy to take a measure to enable discharge based on information indicating a discharge tray that cannot discharge paper displayed in the output tray column of the job list screen G1.

  In the above description, the example in which the nonvolatile memory 120 is used as the computer-readable medium of the program according to the present embodiment has been disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. Further, a carrier wave (carrier wave) is also applied as a medium for providing the program data according to the present embodiment via a communication line.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a flowchart of a job list display process. It is an image figure of the number of various paper sheets used during the process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a job list screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list screen in which the scheduled execution order of jobs is changed on the job list screen illustrated in FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Main part 1b Printer controller 2 External apparatus 3 Network 11 Controller control part 12 DRAM control IC
13 Image memory 14 LANIF
20 Image Reading Unit 21 Automatic Document Feeding Unit 22 Reading Unit 22a CCD
30 Operation display unit 31 LCD
40 Printing unit 41 Paper feeding unit 41a Paper feeding tray 41b Paper feeding means 42 Paper feeding conveyance unit 42a Registration roller 43 Image forming unit 43a Transfer device 43b Fixing device 44 Unloading unit 50 Post-processing unit 51 Paper discharge detection sensor 52 Stack detection sensor 100 Image control board 110 Control unit 120 Non-volatile memory 130 RAM
140 Reading processing unit 150 Compression IC
160 DRAM control IC
170 Image memory 171 Compression memory 172 Page memory 180 Decompression IC
190 Write processing unit 200 Image reading control unit 300 Operation display control unit 400 Print control unit 500 Post-processing control unit B11 Order change button B12 Order change button B13 Delete button d Document E1 Display area E11 Job number area E12 Mode area E13 Output tray Area E14 Number of sheets area E15 Number of copies area E16 Remaining number of sheets area E17 Time area G1 Job list screen P Paper T1 Document tray T2 Manual feed tray T3 Paper discharge tray

Claims (3)

A plurality of paper discharge trays provided with detection units for detecting the presence or absence of paper;
A storage unit that stores, for each job, information indicating a paper discharge tray on which paper is discharged and job information including the number of papers to be discharged;
A display unit for displaying contents including information indicating whether or not each job can be discharged to a specified discharge tray;
Based on a detection signal from the detection unit provided for each discharge tray, information indicating a discharge tray of job information of each job stored in the storage unit, and the number of sheets to be discharged Determining a job that cannot be discharged to the specified discharge tray when it is executed, and displaying on the display section that the job cannot be discharged to the specified discharge tray . And a control unit that controls to execute the job when the non-discharge is resolved at the time of execution of the job, and not to execute the job when the non-discharge is not resolved .
An image forming apparatus comprising: The job information includes a scheduled execution order,
The display unit displays contents including information indicating whether or not each job can be discharged to a specified discharge tray in an order of execution,
The controller is
When the detection signal from the detection unit has changed,
When job information of a new job is stored in the storage unit,
When the job information stored in the storage unit is deleted,
When there is a change in the scheduled execution order of the job information stored in the storage unit,
In any of the cases, a job that cannot be discharged to the discharge tray specified at the time of execution is determined.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The controller is
For a job that cannot be discharged to the discharge tray specified when executed, information indicating the discharge tray specified for the job is displayed on the display unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

Images