JP5246465B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an image forming system, an image processing system, and a program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 describes an image that can stop execution of a job that is being executed from among a plurality of jobs displayed in a list, change the job, and then restart execution of the stopped job. A processing unit is shown.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-26883 discloses an image that executes a job when the determining unit determines that the job to be executed is executable, and skips the job when the determining unit determines that the job is not executable. A forming device is shown.

JP 2002-111932 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-131984

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and image processing capable of efficiently executing execution order switching control for a plurality of print processing requests so as to reduce a waiting time until the end of the plurality of print processing requests. An apparatus, an image forming system, an image processing system, and a program are provided.

[Image forming equipment]
The present invention according to claim 1 is a storage means for storing a print processing request waiting for execution;
A setting means for setting a desired end time for finishing the processing for each print processing request;
When a print process request other than the print process request currently being executed is stored in the storage unit , the remaining execution time of the print process request currently being executed, and the print process request stored in the storage unit is executed A predicted execution time that is a time required for each print processing request is calculated for each print processing request, and each print processing request is calculated based on the calculated predicted execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests. A calculation means for calculating each scheduled end time at which the processing request ends;
If there is a print processing request that is longer than the desired end time set by the setting means and shorter than the print processing request that is currently being executed , the current end of execution is calculated. The image forming apparatus includes an interrupt execution unit that temporarily stops the print processing request and interrupts the print processing request with respect to the print processing request that is currently being executed.

The present invention according to claim 2 has priority setting means for setting a priority for each print processing request,
The interrupt execution means is currently executing a print processing request having a higher priority than the priority of the currently executed print processing request among the print processing requests whose scheduled end time is longer than the desired end time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is executed by interrupting the print processing request.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the discharge destination of the currently executed print processing request is the same as the discharge destination of the print processing request executed in priority to the currently executed print processing request, two print processing request A sorting means for performing sorting processing so that processing results can be sorted,
If the output destination of the print processing request currently being executed is the same as the output destination of the print processing request executed prior to the currently executing print processing request, the print processing executed prior to the currently executing print processing request 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interrupt timing adjustment unit that adjusts a timing for interrupting a request with respect to a print processing request that is currently being executed.

  4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a scheduled end time of each print processing request after the interrupt processing by the interrupt execution unit. It is.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when there is a print processing request in which the desired completion time set by the setting unit is not satisfied even after the interrupt processing by the interrupt execution unit, the notification unit notifies that fact. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing a print processing request waiting for execution;
A setting means for setting a desired end time for each print processing request, which is a time at which processing is to be ended at the latest,
When a print process request other than the print process request currently being executed is stored in the storage unit , the remaining execution time of the print process request currently being executed, and the print process request stored in the storage unit is executed A predicted execution time that is a time required for each print processing request is calculated for each print processing request, and each print processing request is calculated based on the calculated predicted execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests. A calculation means for calculating a scheduled end time at which the processing request ends;
If the scheduled end time calculated by the calculating means is the slower than desired completion time set by the setting means, and the desired completion time than the printing process currently executing requests exist earlier print processing request, the current execution The image forming apparatus includes an interrupt execution unit that temporarily stops the print processing request and interrupts the print processing request with respect to the print processing request that is currently being executed.

[Image forming system]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing a print processing request waiting for execution;
A setting means for setting a desired end time for finishing the processing for each print processing request;
When a print process request other than the print process request currently being executed is stored in the storage unit , the remaining execution time of the print process request currently being executed, and the print process request stored in the storage unit is executed A predicted execution time that is a time required for each print processing request is calculated for each print processing request, and each print processing request is calculated based on the calculated predicted execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests. A calculation means for calculating each scheduled end time at which the processing request ends;
If there is a print processing request that is longer than the desired end time set by the setting means and shorter than the print processing request that is currently being executed , the current end of execution is calculated. And an interrupt execution unit that temporarily interrupts the print processing request and interrupts the print processing request with respect to the currently executed print processing request.

[program]
In the present invention according to claim 8 , when a print process request other than the print process request currently being executed is stored, the remaining execution time of the print process request currently being executed, and the print process request waiting to be executed are executed Calculating a predicted execution time, which is a time required for each print processing request,
Calculating each estimated end time of each print processing request based on the calculated estimated execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests;
If there is a print processing request for which the calculated scheduled end time is longer than the desired end time for which the preset processing is desired to be completed and the end time is shorter than the currently executing print processing request , This is a program for causing a computer to execute a step of temporarily stopping a print processing request and interrupting and executing the print processing request with respect to a currently executed print processing request.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image capable of efficiently executing execution order switching control for a plurality of print processing requests so as to reduce a waiting time until the end of the plurality of print processing requests. A forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the first aspect of the invention, only the print processing request having a higher priority than the print processing request currently being executed is currently being executed. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can be executed with priority

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the first or second aspect of the invention, even when two print processing requests are discharged to the same discharge destination, the processing of two print processing requests is performed. An image forming apparatus capable of preventing the result from being mixed can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the estimated end time of each print processing request after the execution order is changed is known. An image forming apparatus capable of

  According to the present invention of claim 5, in addition to the effect obtained by the invention of claim 4, an image forming apparatus capable of knowing a print processing request that does not satisfy a preset desired end time is provided. be able to

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an image capable of efficiently executing execution order switching control for a plurality of print processing requests so as to reduce a waiting time until the end of the plurality of print processing requests. A forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, an image capable of efficiently executing execution order switching control for a plurality of print processing requests so as to reduce a waiting time until the end of the plurality of print processing requests. A forming system can be provided.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a program capable of efficiently executing execution order switching control for a plurality of print processing requests so as to reduce a waiting time until the end of the plurality of print processing requests. Can be provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 having a display unit 19, a sheet post-processing apparatus group 40 connected in cascade to the image forming apparatus 10, a paper feeding device 51, 52 and the terminal device 30. The image forming apparatus 10 and the terminal device 30 are connected by a network 20. The terminal device 30 generates a print job (print processing request) and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 20. The image forming apparatus 10 receives the print job transmitted from the terminal device 30 and outputs an image corresponding to the print job on a sheet. The paper post-processing device group 40 performs various paper post-processing such as needle fastening (staple), punching (punching), cutting, folding processing, bookbinding (booklet), etc., on the paper on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 10. It is comprised by the various post-processing apparatuses 41-46 which perform.

  Specifically, the sheet post-processing device group 40 includes a stacker 41, a tape binder 42, a binder 43, a puncher 44, a tamper 45, and a folder 46.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming system of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits and receives data to and from the CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and an external terminal device 30 via a network. It has a communication interface (IF) 14, a user interface (UI) device 15 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scanner 16, and a print engine (printing mechanism) 17 as described above. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

  The CPU 11 executes predetermined processing based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 has been described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but the program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in the CPU 11. It is also possible to provide.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the control program.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a display unit 19, a print control unit 31, an operation unit 32, a print job storage unit 33, and an image forming unit 34. .

  The print control unit 31 includes a notification unit 35, a calculation unit 36, a rearrangement unit 37, an interrupt execution unit 29, a priority setting unit 38, and a mixing prevention measure execution unit 39.

  The print control unit 31 receives a print job from the terminal device 30, stores the received print job in the print job storage unit 33, and controls the image forming unit 34 based on the received print job to perform image formation processing. Realize. The print job storage unit 33 stores print jobs awaiting execution according to the execution order. For example, the print job storage unit 33 registers a plurality of print jobs including a currently executed print job in the job queue in the order in which they are received.

  The image forming unit 34 performs an image forming process based on the control by the print control unit 31 on the paper fed by the paper feeding devices 51 and 52, and the paper on which the image is formed is treated as a group of paper post-processing devices. Output to 40.

  The calculation unit 36 calculates, for each print job, an estimated execution time that is a time required when the print job stored in the print job storage unit 33 is executed, and the estimated execution time of each calculated print job. And the scheduled end time of each print job is calculated based on the print job execution order.

  For example, the calculation unit 36 calculates the predicted execution time of each print job based on the conditions as shown in FIG. Specifically, first, the calculation unit 36 calculates the process speed from the color mode and the paper type, and further, based on information on whether the process speed, the paper size, and the printing method are single-sided printing or double-sided printing. IPM (Image Per Minute), which is the number of printed images per minute, is calculated.

  Next, the calculation unit 36 calculates a processing time per copy based on the IPM and the number of pages per copy. Then, the calculation unit 36 determines the entire job based on the processing time per copy, the number of copies to be printed, the initialization time of the post-processing device determined by the post-processing mode, and the post-processing time per copy. By calculating the processing time, the estimated execution time of this job is calculated.

  The priority setting unit 38 sets a priority for each print job in advance based on an operation by the operation unit 32. Then, based on the priority set by the priority setting unit 38, the desired completion time and job interrupt timing of each print job are set. An example of the relationship between the priority, the desired end time, and the job interrupt timing is shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, a desired end time of 30 to 3600 seconds and an interrupt timing are set corresponding to job priorities 1 to 5. Here, the desired end time is a time when it is desired to end the processing of the print job after transmitting the print job to the image forming apparatus 10. The interrupt timing indicates when a print job to be stopped is stopped when execution of the print job is stopped and another print job is preferentially executed during execution of the print job. is there. In other words, when the interrupt timing is a sheet, it means that when the processing for one sheet of a certain print job is completed, the print job is stopped and the print job process to be preferentially executed is started. Yes.

  Here, the priority indicates that the smaller the value is, the more the print job should be executed, and the print job with the priority of 1 prints with the highest priority over the other priority print jobs. It is assumed that the print job should be.

  In the case where the desired end time is not set based on the priority as in the present embodiment, a setting unit is provided that sets the desired end time for which processing is to be ended individually for each print job. May be. This setting unit may be provided on the terminal device 30 side.

  The rearrangement unit 37 has a scheduled end time calculated by the calculation unit 36 longer than a preset desired end time, and a print job that is currently being executed or whose execution order is shorter than the first print job. If the print job is presently executed, the print job execution order stored in the print job storage unit 33 is rearranged so that the print job is currently executed or is executed with priority over the first print job. Here, when there is a print job that is currently being executed or has a shorter desired completion time than the first print job in the execution order, a higher priority is set than the print job currently being executed or in the first execution order. This is when there is a print job. For this reason, the rearrangement unit 37 selects a print job whose priority is higher than the priority of the print job that is currently being executed or whose execution order is the first among the print jobs whose scheduled end time is longer than the desired end time. The execution order is rearranged so that the execution order becomes an execution order that is currently being executed or is earlier than the first print job.

  When there is a print job in which the scheduled end time calculated by the calculation unit 36 is longer than the preset desired end time and the desired end time is shorter than the print job currently being executed, This print job is executed by interrupting the currently executed print job. Here, interrupting and executing another print job with respect to the currently executing print job means temporarily stopping execution of the currently executing print job and preferentially executing another print job. .

  Here, while the print job with the top execution order is being executed, the rearrangement unit 37 performs execution order rearrangement processing so that other print jobs are executed with priority over the job with the top execution order. If this happens, the interrupt execution unit 20 executes this print job by interrupting the currently executing print job. However, in order to simplify the description, in the following description, when the rearrangement unit 37 performs rearrangement of the execution order, the interrupt execution unit 29 performs interrupt processing for a print job currently being executed. Omitted, it is assumed that interrupt processing for a print job currently being executed is automatically performed by rearranging the execution order by the rearrangement unit 37.

  In this embodiment, the rearrangement unit 37 rearranges the execution order of the print jobs by comparing the print job currently being executed or the print job whose execution order is the first, but the rearrangement unit 37 calculates the calculation order by the calculation unit 36. If there is a print job whose scheduled end time is longer than the preset desired end time, the print job stored in the print job storage unit 33 is set so that the scheduled end time of this print job is shorter than the desired end time. It is also possible to rearrange the job execution order.

  When the discharge destination of the currently executing print job is the same as the discharge destination of the print job to be executed with priority over the currently executed print job, the mixing prevention measure executing unit 39 mixes the processing results of the two print jobs. Take necessary measures to prevent it. Specifically, the mixing prevention device executing unit 39 determines that two print jobs are output when the discharge destination of the currently executed print job is the same as the discharge destination of the print job executed in priority to the currently executed print job. A sorting process is performed so that the processing result can be sorted, and an interrupt timing, which is a timing for interrupting a print job to be executed with priority over a print job currently being executed, is adjusted. More specifically, the mixing prevention device execution unit 39 inserts a sorting sheet job between two print jobs output to the same discharge destination, or the discharge mode of the currently executed print job is set to staple or booklet. In such a case, take measures such as changing the interrupt timing to a set. Note that when the discharge mode of the currently executing print job is staple or booklet, the interrupt timing is changed from sheet to set when the discharge mode of the currently executing print job is staple or booklet. This is because if another print job is inserted during this process, there is a possibility that the two print jobs are mixed and the staples and the book are bound.

  The mixing prevention measure execution unit 39 performs printing by the rearrangement unit 37 when the discharge destination of the currently executed print job is the same as the discharge destination of the print job executed in priority to the currently executed print job. By prohibiting job rearrangement, mixing of processing results of two print jobs may be prevented.

  The notification unit 35 notifies the display unit 19 and the terminal device 30 of the scheduled end time of each print job after the execution order rearrangement processing by the rearrangement unit 37, and after the rearrangement processing by the rearrangement unit 37. If there is a print job that does not satisfy the preset desired completion time, the fact is notified.

Next, the operation of the image forming system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the print control operation of the print control unit 31 in the image forming system of this embodiment.

  The print control unit 31 sets the priority n of the processing target job to 1 (step S101), and waits until a print job other than the print job currently being executed is registered in the print job storage unit 33 (step S102). .

  When a print job other than the print job currently being executed is registered in the print job storage unit 33 (Yes in step S102), the calculation unit 36 predicts the execution time (remaining execution time) of the print job currently being executed. Then, the predicted execution time of the newly registered print job is calculated (step S103), and the estimated end time of each print job is calculated based on the predicted execution time and the execution order of the print jobs (step S104).

  Then, the print control unit 31 extracts a print job in which the scheduled end time calculated by the calculation unit 36 exceeds the desired end time based on the priority (step S105). If no print job is extracted in step S105, that is, if there is no print job that does not satisfy the desired end time (No in step S106), the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S106 that there is a print job that does not satisfy the desired completion time, the sorting unit 37 sets a print job having a priority of 1 among the print jobs that do not satisfy the desired completion time as a processing target job. Then, the rearrangement process is executed (step S107).

  Then, the print control unit 31 sets the priority n of the processing target job to 2 (step S108). Here, since the priority n of the job to be processed is still lower than 5 which is the maximum priority (No in step S109), the estimated end time of each print job is calculated (step S104), and the expected end time is the desired end time. Is repeated (step S105) and rearrangement processing is executed (step S107). The print control unit 31 repeats this process until the priority n = 6 (step S109).

  Finally, the notification unit 35 notifies the scheduled end time of each print job to the display unit 19 and the terminal device 30 (step S110).

Next, details of the rearrangement process (step S107) in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The rearrangement unit 37 determines whether there is a job with priority n among the print jobs extracted in step S105 (step S201). If there is a job with priority n, the priority is determined. The n job is set as a processing target job (step S202).
Then, the rearrangement unit 37 determines whether the priority n of the processing target job is lower (that is, the priority is higher) than the priority of the print job currently being executed (step S203). If the priority n is not lower than the priority of the currently executing print job, the process is terminated. If the priority n of the processing target job is lower than the priority of the currently executing print job, the output destination Is checked (step S204).

  Then, the rearrangement unit 37 performs rearrangement processing so that the processing order of the processing target job comes before the currently executed print job (step S205).

Next, details of the discharge destination check process (step S204) in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the rearrangement processing unit 37 determines whether or not the print job currently being executed and the discharge destination of the print job to be moved before the print job currently being executed are the same (step S301).

  If it is determined in step S301 that the discharge destination is not the same, the process ends. If it is determined in step S301 that the discharge destination is the same, the mixing prevention measure execution unit 39 prints currently being executed. It is determined whether or not the job discharge mode is staple or booklet (step S303). If it is determined in step S303 that the discharge mode of the currently executed print job is staple or booklet, the mixture prevention measure execution unit 39 determines whether the interrupt timing of the processing target job is a sheet. If the interrupt timing is a sheet, the interrupt timing is changed to a set (step S305).

Next, the details of the end time notification process (step S110) in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the print job rearrangement process by the rearrangement unit 37 ends, the notification unit 35 notifies the terminal device 30 and the display unit 19 of the scheduled end time of each print job after the rearrangement process (step S401).

  If there is a print job in which the scheduled end time exceeds the desired end time even though the rearrangement process is performed (Yes in step S402), the notification unit 35 exceeds the expected end time. The terminal device 30 and the display unit 19 are notified that there is a print job (step S403).

  Next, the operation of the image forming system of this embodiment will be described using a specific example. An example of a print job stored in the print job storage unit 33 is shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the print job with the job ID “001” is currently being executed and is registered in the job queue in the execution order of the job IDs “001”, “002”,.

  A print job with a job ID of 001 has a priority set to 3 and a discharge destination set to a stapler. The print job with the job ID 002 has a priority set to 5 and a discharge destination set to the top tray. The print job with the job ID 003 has a priority set to 1 and a discharge destination set to a booklet. The print job with the job ID 004 has a priority set to 2 and a discharge destination set to a stapler. The print job with the job ID 005 has a priority set to 3 and a discharge destination set to a stapler. The print job with the job ID 006 has a priority set to 4 and a discharge destination set to the top tray. The print job with the job ID 007 has the priority set to 2 and the discharge destination set to HCS (High Capacity Stacker).

  When the print job as shown in FIG. 10 is registered in the job queue, the calculation unit 36 calculates the estimated execution time of each print job, and based on the estimated execution time, the estimated end time of each print job is calculated. Are calculated respectively.

  Then, the rearrangement unit 37 extracts a print job that does not satisfy the desired completion time from the print jobs registered in the job queue. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the print job with the job IDs 003, 004, 005, and 007 does not satisfy the desired completion time. For example, for the print job with the job ID 003, since the priority is set to 1, the desired end time is 30 seconds as shown in FIG. 5, but in the case of the print order shown in FIG. The scheduled end time is 810 seconds. For this reason, the print job with the job ID 003 does not satisfy the desired completion time.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the rearrangement unit 37 extracts a print job having a priority of 1 from print jobs that do not satisfy the desired end time, and selects the extracted print job having a priority of 1. Move to the top of the job queue.

  Then, the calculation unit 36 calculates the scheduled end time again based on the execution order after the rearrangement process is performed. The rearrangement unit 37 also extracts a print job that does not satisfy the desired completion time from print jobs registered in the job queue.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the print job with job IDs 004, 005, and 007 does not satisfy the desired completion time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the rearrangement unit 37 extracts a print job with a priority of 2 (job ID = 004) from among print jobs whose end time is not satisfied, and the extracted priority is 2. Is moved to the next position of the print job with the priority of 1.

  Here, since the discharge destination of the print job whose job ID is 001 currently being executed and the discharge destination of the print job whose job order has been moved (job ID = 004) are the same, the mixing prevention measure execution unit 39 An anti-mixing measure is executed in which the interrupt timing of the print job whose job ID is 004 whose execution order has been changed is changed from sheet to set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the rearrangement unit 37 sets the print job (job ID = 007) to the next position of the print job with job ID 004 when there is another print job with priority 2. Move.

  Then, the calculation unit 36 calculates the scheduled end time again based on the execution order after the rearrangement process is performed. The rearrangement unit 37 also extracts a print job that does not satisfy the desired completion time from print jobs registered in the job queue.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, the print job with the job ID 005 does not satisfy the desired end time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the rearrangement unit 37 moves the print job with the priority 3 (job ID = 005) to the next position of the print job currently being executed. Then, the calculation unit 36 calculates the scheduled end time again based on the execution order after the rearrangement process is performed.

  Finally, the notification unit 35 notifies the display unit 19 and the terminal device 30 of the execution order after the rearrangement process ends and the print job that does not satisfy the desired completion time. In the example shown in FIG. 14, since the print job with the job ID 003 has priority 1, the desired end time is 30 seconds, but the actual expected end time is 150 seconds, so the desired end time is satisfied. Not. Also, since the print jobs with job IDs 004 and 007 have priority 2, the desired completion time is 120 seconds, but the actual expected completion times are 190 seconds and 220 seconds, respectively, so the desired completion time is satisfied. It has not been.

  Therefore, in the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the notification unit 35 warns the terminal device 30 and the display unit 19 that the print job having the job IDs 003, 004, and 007 does not satisfy the desired completion time.

  Note that the notification unit 35 executes the execution order after the rearrangement process is completed by sending a print job that does not satisfy the desired completion time by the rearrangement process to the terminal device 30 or an administrator at another location by e-mail. Notifications and warnings are also possible.

  Here, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is described using a case where another print job is registered in the job queue of the print job storage unit 33 while the first print job is being executed. If the first print job in the execution order is not executed and another print job is registered in the job queue of the print job storage unit 33, an interrupt process for the currently executing print job is performed. Similar processing is performed except that is not performed.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the desired end time is set in advance corresponding to the priority, and the desired end time of each print job is set by setting the priority of the print job by the priority setting unit 38. However, the desired end time may be used instead of the desired end time. Here, the desired end time is the time at which the user wants to end the print job processing at the latest. In this case, the calculation unit 36 calculates a scheduled end time at which each print job ends based on the predicted execution time of each print job and the execution order of the print jobs. Then, the interrupt execution unit 29 and the rearrangement unit 37 execute the processing described above using the scheduled end time and the desired end time instead of the scheduled end time and the desired end time.

  Specifically, the rearrangement unit 37 wants to end the scheduled end time calculated by the calculation unit 36 later than the preset end desired time and is currently being executed or the execution order is higher than the first print job. When there is a print job with an earlier time, the execution order of the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 33 so that this print job is currently being executed or is executed with priority over the first print job. Sort by.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 10 including the image forming unit 34 has been described. However, the present invention does not include the image forming unit 34 such as a print server. The present invention can be similarly applied to an image processing apparatus and an image processing system including such an image processing apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 in an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific method by which an execution time calculation unit calculates an estimated execution time for each print job. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a priority, completion | finish desired time, and job interruption timing. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a print control operation of a print control unit 31 in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the rearrangement process (step S107) in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the discharge destination check process (step S204) in FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of end time notification processing (step S110) in FIG. 6; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job stored in a print job storage unit 33. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a print job rearrangement process is performed. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a print job rearrangement process is performed. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a print job rearrangement process is performed. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a print job rearrangement process is performed.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming apparatus 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage Device 14 Communication Interface (IF)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 User interface (UI) apparatus 16 Scanner 17 Print engine 18 Control bus 19 Display part 20 Network 29 Interrupt execution part 30 Terminal apparatus 31 Print control part 32 Operation part 33 Print job storage part 34 Image formation part 35 Notification part 36 Calculation part 37 Sorting section 38 Priority setting section 39 Mixing prevention measure execution section 40 Paper post-processing apparatus group 41 Stacker 42 Tape binder 43 Binder 44 Puncher 45 Tamper 46 Folder 51, 52 Paper feeding apparatus S101 to S110 Step S201 to S205 Step S301 to S305 Steps S401 to S403

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing print processing requests waiting to be executed;
A setting means for setting a desired end time for finishing the processing for each print processing request;
When a print process request other than the print process request currently being executed is stored in the storage unit , the remaining execution time of the print process request currently being executed, and the print process request stored in the storage unit is executed A predicted execution time that is a time required for each print processing request is calculated for each print processing request, and each print processing request is calculated based on the calculated predicted execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests. A calculation means for calculating each scheduled end time at which the processing request ends;
If there is a print processing request that is longer than the desired end time set by the setting means and shorter than the print processing request that is currently being executed , the current end of execution is calculated. Interrupt execution means for temporarily stopping the print processing request and interrupting the print processing request with respect to the currently executing print processing request,
An image forming apparatus. Priority setting means for setting a priority for each print processing request;
The interrupt execution means is currently executing a print processing request having a higher priority than the priority of the currently executed print processing request among the print processing requests whose scheduled end time is longer than the desired end time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is executed by interrupting the print processing request. If the output destination of the print processing request currently being executed is the same as the output destination of the print processing request to be executed in preference to the print processing request currently being executed, a sorting process is performed so that the processing results of the two print processing requests can be divided. Sorting means to perform;
If the output destination of the print processing request currently being executed is the same as the output destination of the print processing request executed prior to the currently executing print processing request, the print processing executed prior to the currently executing print processing request The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interrupt timing adjustment unit that adjusts a timing at which the request is interrupted with respect to a currently executed print processing request.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify a scheduled end time of each print processing request after the interrupt processing by the interrupt execution unit. 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, even after the interrupt processing by the interrupt execution unit, if there is a print processing request that does not satisfy the desired completion time set by the setting unit, the notification unit notifies the fact. Storage means for storing print processing requests waiting to be executed;
A setting means for setting a desired end time for each print processing request, which is a time at which processing is to be ended at the latest,
When a print process request other than the print process request currently being executed is stored in the storage unit , the remaining execution time of the print process request currently being executed, and the print process request stored in the storage unit is executed A predicted execution time that is a time required for each print processing request is calculated for each print processing request, and each print processing request is calculated based on the calculated predicted execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests. A calculation means for calculating a scheduled end time at which the processing request ends;
If the scheduled end time calculated by the calculating means is the slower than desired completion time set by the setting means, and the desired completion time than the printing process currently executing requests exist earlier print processing request, the current execution Interrupt execution means for temporarily stopping the print processing request and interrupting the print processing request with respect to the currently executing print processing request,
An image forming apparatus. Storage means for storing print processing requests waiting to be executed;
A setting means for setting a desired end time for finishing the processing for each print processing request;
When a print process request other than the print process request currently being executed is stored in the storage unit , the remaining execution time of the print process request currently being executed, and the print process request stored in the storage unit is executed A predicted execution time that is a time required for each print processing request is calculated for each print processing request, and each print processing request is calculated based on the calculated predicted execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests. A calculation means for calculating each scheduled end time at which the processing request ends;
If there is a print processing request that is longer than the desired end time set by the setting means and shorter than the print processing request that is currently being executed , the current end of execution is calculated. Interrupt execution means for temporarily stopping the print processing request and interrupting the print processing request with respect to the currently executing print processing request,
An image forming system. When print processing requests other than the currently executing print processing request are stored, the remaining execution time of the currently executing print processing request and the estimated execution time that is required when executing the pending print processing request Calculating a time for each print processing request;
Calculating each estimated end time of each print processing request based on the calculated estimated execution time and remaining execution time of each print processing request and the execution order of the print processing requests;
If there is a print processing request for which the calculated scheduled end time is longer than the desired end time for which the preset processing is desired to be completed and the end time is shorter than the currently executing print processing request , A program for causing a computer to execute a step of temporarily stopping a print processing request and interrupting and executing the print processing request with respect to a currently executed print processing request.

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