JP6428576B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for notifying an accurate scheduled job end time.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers and multifunction peripherals are connected to a plurality of computers via a network such as a LAN, and can be shared by a plurality of computers. In such an image forming apparatus, there are cases where jobs are concentrated and transmitted at a time from a plurality of computers, in which case it takes time until the printing of the last accepted job is completed. I need it. As a result, even if the last user who sent the job goes to the image forming apparatus to pick up the printed matter, it is necessary to wait until the print processing of the job of another user is completed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 completes a job being executed or waiting in each printing apparatus in a printing system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses (corresponding to image forming apparatuses) and a host apparatus such as a computer are connected via a network. It is shown that the time until is always calculated, and the print completion time based on the calculation result is transmitted to the host device.

JP 11-203096 A

  In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like, the estimated end time of a job is calculated based on the number of printed sheets necessary for executing the job. However, the estimated job end time calculated based only on the number of printed sheets is not accurate.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and can accurately calculate the scheduled job end time when the job execution is completed and notify the computer that has transmitted the job of the accurate estimated job end time. The purpose is to.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of computers via a network,
A job management unit that receives and spools each job received from the plurality of computers, and manages each job;
An image forming unit that performs image formation based on the job;
A control unit that sequentially processes each job managed by the job management unit,
When the job management unit receives a new job from any one of the plurality of computers, the control unit prints the number of prints necessary for execution of the new job and the printing of the image forming apparatus. A computer that has calculated the scheduled end time of the new job from the speed and the scheduled end time of the spooled job, and has transmitted the calculated scheduled end time to the new job. Notify
A paper feed unit for feeding paper toward the image forming unit;
A paper remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining number of sheets stored in the paper feeding unit;
The control unit compares the remaining number of sheets detected by the remaining sheet amount detecting unit with the number of printed sheets necessary for executing the standby job, and the remaining number of sheets is greater than the necessary number of printed sheets. When it is determined that there are few, at least one of the computer that has transmitted the waiting job or the computer that has transmitted the new job is notified of information indicating that it is necessary to supply paper,
Further, the control unit is such that the remaining number of sheets detected by the remaining sheet amount detecting unit is a value within a certain range from a predetermined maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in the sheet feeding unit. When the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state in which paper feeding to the paper feeding unit is possible when it is determined that the number of prints required for execution of the standby job is smaller, the standby At least one of the computer that sent the job and the computer that sent the new job,
Further, the control unit analyzes the contents of each job managed by the job management unit, extracts a job that is not accompanied by processing by the image forming unit, and a required time required for processing the extracted job And when it is determined that the calculated required time has reached a predetermined time, the time point at which execution of the processing of the extracted job is started is determined as the time when the paper feeding is possible. At that time, at least one of the computer that has sent the waiting job or the computer that has sent the new job is notified of a paper refill message,
The control unit further controls to continue the processing of the job even when the paper feeding unit is opened and closed from the main body of the image forming apparatus during the processing of the job .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to calculate an accurate estimated end time of a job, and to notify the computer that has transmitted the job of the accurately calculated estimated end time of the job. As a result, the user who newly sent the job can accurately grasp the end time of his job, so that the image can be displayed without waiting in front of the image forming apparatus until the print processing of the job of the other user is completed. It is possible to go to the forming apparatus to obtain a printed material, which improves user convenience.

1 is a front sectional view showing a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of notification processing of a scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the notification process of the scheduled end time of a job when a job is canceled. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a job end scheduled time notification process performed by the image forming apparatus. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of notification processing of a scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment of a job end scheduled time notification process performed by the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 11 that includes an operation unit 47, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, and the like.

  The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as an image forming operation execution instruction and a document reading operation execution instruction from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473. The display unit 473 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) having a touch panel function.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 performs a document reading operation, the document reading unit 5 optically reads a document fed by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the document placing glass 161, Generate image data. Image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in a built-in HDD or a network-connected computer.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation, it is based on image data generated by the document reading operation, image data received from a computer connected to a network, image data stored in a built-in HDD, or the like. Then, the image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on a sheet P as a recording medium fed from the sheet feeding unit 14. When performing color printing, the magenta image forming unit 12M, the cyan image forming unit 12C, the yellow image forming unit 12Y, and the black image forming unit 12Bk of the image forming unit 12 respectively A toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 121 by charging, exposure, and development processes based on an image composed of each color component constituting data, and the toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 125 by the primary transfer roller 126. Let them transcribe.

  The toner images of the respective colors transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 125 are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 125 with the transfer timing adjusted to form a color toner image. The secondary transfer roller 210 passes the toner image of the color formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 from the paper supply unit 14 through the conveyance path 190 at a nip N between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the driving roller 125a. Transfer is performed on the conveyed paper P. Thereafter, the fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the paper P to the paper P by thermocompression bonding. The sheet P on which the color image has been formed after the fixing process is completed is discharged to the discharge tray 151.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when performing double-sided printing, the sheet P on which an image is formed on one side by the image forming unit 12 is nipped by the discharge roller pair 159, and then the sheet P is loaded. The sheet is switched back by the discharge roller pair 159 and sent to the reverse conveyance path 195, and is conveyed again to the upstream area in the conveyance direction of the paper P with respect to the nip portion N and the fixing unit 13 by the conveyance roller pair 19. As a result, an image is formed on the other side of the sheet by the image forming unit 12.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM, a ROM, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and controls overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a reading mechanism 163 (see FIG. 1) having a light irradiation unit, a CCD sensor, and the like under the control of the control unit 10. The document reading unit 5 reads an image from the document by irradiating the document with the light irradiating unit and receiving the reflected light with a CCD sensor.

  The image processing unit 31 performs image processing on the image data of the image read by the document reading unit 5 as necessary. For example, the image processing unit 31 performs predetermined image processing such as shading correction in order to improve the quality after the image read by the document reading unit 5 is formed by the image forming unit 12.

  The image memory 32 is an area for temporarily storing document image data obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5 and temporarily storing data to be printed by the image forming unit 12.

  The image forming unit 12 forms an image such as print data read by the document reading unit 5 and print data received from the computer 200 connected to the network.

  The operation unit 47 receives instructions from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473.

  The display unit 473 displays various displays such as an operation screen, a preview screen, and a job status confirmation screen when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal operation mode. On the other hand, the display unit 473 is turned off when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the sleep mode.

  The facsimile communication unit 71 includes an unillustrated encoding / decoding unit, modulation / demodulation unit, and NCU (Network Control Unit), and performs facsimile transmission using a public telephone network.

  The network interface unit 91 includes a communication module such as a LAN board, and transmits / receives various data to / from the computer 200 in the local area via a LAN connected to the network interface unit 91. A plurality of computers 200 can be connected to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The HDD 92 is a large-capacity storage device that stores document images and the like read by the document reading unit 5.

  The driving motor 70 is a driving source that applies a rotational driving force to each rotating member of the image forming unit 12, the conveyance roller pair 19 and the like.

  The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 and a job management unit 101.

  The control unit 100 includes a document reading unit 5, a document feeding unit 6, an image processing unit 31, an image memory 32, an image forming unit 12, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 71, a network interface unit 91, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 92. Etc., and drive control of these parts is performed.

  The job management unit 101 receives a job transmitted from the computer 200 and manages the job by determining the print order of the job. A job is composed of print data and a series of processing instructions for the print data.

  In addition, the control unit 100 executes each job managed by the job management unit 101 in accordance with the printing order determined by the job management unit 101. Then, when the job management unit 101 receives a new job from the computer 200, the control unit 100 calculates a scheduled end time at which the execution of the job ends. At this time, the control unit 100 calculates the scheduled end time of the new job from the number of printed sheets required to execute the new job, the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 1, and the scheduled end time of the waiting job. Then, the control unit 100 notifies the calculated end time of the new job to the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job. Receiving the notification, the computer 200 can notify the user of the scheduled end time of the job by, for example, popping up on the display.

  For example, when there is no waiting job, the control unit 100 is necessary for executing the new job from the number of prints necessary for executing the new job and the printing speed (PPM: Page Per Minute) of the image forming apparatus 1. Calculate the estimated end time. For example, if the number of prints of a new job is n and the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 1 is m, the control unit 100 calculates that n / m minutes are required from the execution of the job to the end. The control unit 100 sets the time of the end timing at which the job is expected to end n / m minutes after the time of starting printing the first page of the job as the scheduled end time of the job.

  Further, when there is a waiting job whose estimated end time is calculated as described above, the control unit 100 has already calculated the estimated end time of each job. The scheduled end time of the new job is calculated by adding the scheduled end time of the new job calculated from the number of printed new jobs and the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 1 to the scheduled end time.

  The remaining paper amount detection sensor 95 is an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, for example. The remaining paper amount detection sensor 95 emits light to the paper P by the light emitting unit from above the loaded paper P in the paper feeding cassette of the paper feeding unit 14, and from this light emission point, the paper P The time until the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit is output to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 is accommodated in the paper feed cassette based on the time until the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit and the preset thickness of the sheet P. The number of sheets P, that is, the remaining amount of sheets is calculated. That is, the control unit 100 detects the remaining amount of paper using the output from the remaining paper amount detection sensor 95. Therefore, the control unit 100 and the remaining paper amount detection sensor 95 are an example of the remaining paper amount detection unit in the claims.

  Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of notification processing of a scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment of the notification processing of the scheduled end time of the job by the image forming apparatus 1.

  When a new job is transmitted from the computer 200, the job management unit 101 receives the new job and registers it in the print queue (S11).

  The control unit 100 determines the new job from the number of prints required for execution of the new job received by the job management unit 101, the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 1, and the scheduled end time of the waiting job as described above. Is calculated (S12).

Then, the control unit 100 notifies the scheduled end time of the new job to the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job via the network interface unit 91 (S 14 ).

  Next, recalculation processing of the scheduled end time of each job when another job waiting is canceled will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the notification processing of the scheduled end time of the job when the job is canceled.

  When another job waiting is canceled, the scheduled end time of the job whose printing order is later than that of the canceled job is earlier. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 100 recalculates the scheduled end time of the job whose scheduled end time is earlier.

  When a cancellation of another job waiting is received from the computer 200, the job management unit 101 accepts the cancellation and deletes the job to be canceled from the print queue (S21).

  For each job whose printing order is later than the canceled job, the control unit 100 prints the number of prints necessary for the execution of each job accepted by the job management unit 101 and the printing of the image forming apparatus 1. From the speed and the scheduled end time of the waiting job, the scheduled end time of each job is recalculated (S22).

  For example, if there are three jobs registered as the print queue and the second job is canceled in the state where the first job is being executed, it is necessary to execute the second job. The estimated end time of printing is subtracted from the estimated end time of the second job, and the time obtained by subtracting the estimated end time of the second job, that is, the expected end time of the first job, is scheduled to end the third job. By adding the time, the estimated end time of the third job whose printing order is later than the canceled job is recalculated.

  Then, the control unit 100 notifies the scheduled end time of the new job recalculated in S22 to the computer 200 that has transmitted the job whose estimated end time is recalculated (S23).

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of notification processing of a scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the notification processing of the scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the notification processing of the scheduled end time of the job shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, along with the calculation of the estimated end time of the new job, the control unit 100 has enough paper P used in the job print processing in the paper feeding unit 14. You may be made to check whether it remains in. In the second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment described above, a confirmation process of the remaining number of sheets is added to the notification process of the scheduled end time of the job.

  When a new job is transmitted from the computer 200, the job management unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the new job and registers it in the print queue (S11).

  The control unit 100 schedules the end of the new job based on the number of prints necessary for execution of the new job received by the job management unit 101, the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 1, and the scheduled end time of other waiting jobs. Time is calculated (S12).

  In addition, the control unit 100 calculates the remaining amount of paper at this time point calculated based on the output from the remaining paper amount detection sensor 95, that is, the number of remaining sheets of paper stored in the paper feeding unit 14, and other waiting states. And the number of printed sheets necessary for execution of all the jobs including the above-mentioned job and the new job are determined, and it is determined that the remaining number of sheets in the paper supply unit 14 is smaller than the number of printed sheets necessary for executing all the jobs. (YES in S13), the network interface unit 91 is notified of information indicating that it is necessary to replenish paper to the computer 200 that has transmitted another job on standby, and the new job is transmitted. The sending computer 200 is notified of information indicating that it is necessary to replenish paper, together with the scheduled end time of the new job (S15). As described above, when the number of remaining sheets of the image forming apparatus 1 is smaller than the number of printed sheets necessary for executing the waiting job, the sheet is supplied to each computer 200 that has transmitted a new job and another waiting job. By notifying the user, it is possible to prompt the user waiting for printing to supply paper.

  In S15, the computer 200 that has transmitted the waiting job and the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job are notified of information indicating that paper supply is necessary. Information indicating that the sheet needs to be replenished may be notified to at least one of the computer 200 that has transmitted the job and the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job. This also prompts the user of the computer 200 who has notified the information indicating that the paper needs to be supplied, to supply the paper.

  On the other hand, if the number of remaining sheets of the image forming apparatus 1 is larger than the number of prints of the waiting job (NO in S13), the control unit 100 does not notify any computer 200 of the above-mentioned sheet replenishment. The computer 200 that has transmitted the new job is notified of the scheduled end time of the new job (S14).

  Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of notification processing of a scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the notification processing of the estimated job end time by the image forming apparatus 1. In the third embodiment, the description of the same processing as in the second embodiment is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, in addition to the processing of the second embodiment, the following processing is further performed. The control unit 100 notifies the computer 200 that has transmitted another job on standby that the paper supply is necessary, and notifies the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job that the scheduled end time of the new job and the necessity of paper supply are present. When (S15), the remaining number of sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit 14 detected in S13 is within a certain range (for example, the maximum number of sheets) from the predetermined maximum number (for example, 500 sheets). It is determined whether or not the value is within a range of 10 sheets less than the maximum number of sheets (S16).

  Here, when the control unit 100 determines that the remaining number of sheets detected in S13 is a value within a certain range from the predetermined maximum number (YES in S16), the job management unit 101 determines. When the managed jobs are sequentially executed, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 can be ready for paper feeding (S17). If NO in S16, the process ends.

  As processing in S <b> 17, the control unit 100 first analyzes the contents of each job managed by the job management unit 101, and extracts a job that does not involve processing by the image forming unit 12 (printing operation here). Examples of jobs that do not involve processing by the image forming unit 12 include scan jobs and fax transmission jobs. If there is no job that does not involve processing by the image forming unit 12 and the extraction cannot be performed, the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot be in a paper feedable state (NO in S17). If NO in S17, the process ends.

  When the control unit 100 can extract a job that does not involve processing by the image forming unit 12, the control unit 100 calculates a required time required for processing the extracted job. For example, when the extracted job is a scan job, the control unit 100 calculates a time required to complete the job based on the reading speed and the number of read originals by the original reading unit 5. In addition, when the extracted job is a fax transmission job, the control unit 100 calculates the time required to complete the job based on the reading speed of the original reading unit 5, the number of originals to be read, and the required fax transmission time. . Note that when the control unit 100 extracts a plurality of jobs that are not accompanied by processing by the image forming unit 12 and have the execution order continuous, the total time required to complete each job is calculated as the required time. Time.

  If the control unit 100 determines that the calculated required time has not reached a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds), the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 cannot be in a paper feedable state. (NO in S17).

  On the other hand, when determining that the calculated required time has reached a predetermined time, the control unit 100 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 can be in a paper feedable state (YES in S17).

  The control unit 100 also allows the image forming apparatus 1 to feed the paper even when the execution time of the extracted job is after the remaining number of sheets is insufficient due to execution of a job accompanied by processing by the image forming unit 12. It may be determined that it cannot be possible (NO in S17).

  If YES in S <b> 17, the control unit 100 starts executing the processing of each job managed by the job management unit 101, and executes the extracted job processing when sequentially processing each job. Thus, it is determined that the image forming apparatus 1 is ready to feed (YES in S18). Then, the control unit 100 starts the execution of the processing of the extracted job with respect to the computer 200 that has transmitted another job waiting and the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job. A message that prompts the user to replenish paper is sent (S19).

  In this case, the control unit 100 notifies at least one of the computer 200 that has transmitted the waiting job or the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job, a message that prompts the user to replenish paper. Also good. This also provides the user with a motivation to replenish paper.

  Even after the notification in S19, the control unit 100 continues the processing of each job being executed without interruption even when the paper feeding unit 14 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 11. As a result, the user can replenish the paper into the paper supply unit 14 during job execution.

  As a result, even when the paper P is full in the paper feed unit 14, if the number of remaining papers in the paper feed unit 14 is insufficient to execute the job, the job completion time is notified to the user and each job is completed. The user is motivated to replenish the paper in the paper feed unit 14 while performing the execution as smoothly as possible, and the maximum number of papers that can be stored in the paper feed unit 14 as long as the user replenishes the paper. It is possible to perform a printing operation by one or a plurality of jobs that require a larger number of sheets without stopping job processing by the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, the control unit 100 adds a new job to the job management unit 101 and adds the number of prints necessary for execution of the new job, so that the remaining number of sheets in the paper supply unit 14 is in a standby state. When it is determined that the number of printed sheets is less than that required for execution of all jobs, the computer that has transmitted the new job may be notified of a message prompting the user to replenish paper in S19.

  According to this, since a user who has input a job that has caused a shortage of paper is urged to replenish paper, a situation in which a user who has input another job that has not caused a shortage of paper does not replenish the paper does not occur.

Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of notification processing of a scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of notification processing of a scheduled job end time by the image forming apparatus 1.

In the fourth embodiment, in the job end scheduled time notification process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the toner used in the job printing process (image forming process) is calculated along with the calculation of the scheduled end time of the new job. It may be confirmed whether or not it remains in the toner container (not shown). The fourth embodiment is a flowchart in which the remaining toner amount confirmation process is added to the notification process of the scheduled end time of the job in addition to the first embodiment.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. When a new job is transmitted from the computer 200, the job management unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the new job and registers it in the print queue (S11).

  Based on the number of prints necessary for execution of the new job received by the job management unit 101, the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 1, and the scheduled end time of another waiting job, the control unit 100 determines the new job. The scheduled end time is calculated (S12).

Further, the control unit 100 compares the remaining amount of toner in the developing device of the image forming unit 12 with the amount of toner necessary for executing all of the new job and the standby job, and determines the toner of the developing device. If the remaining amount is determined to less than the amount of toner required for the execution of the said all job (YES in S 24), via the network interface unit 91, a computer 200 that has transmitted the other jobs waiting Information indicating that it is necessary to replenish toner is notified, and the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job indicates that it is necessary to replenish toner together with the scheduled end time of the new job. Information is notified (S 25 ).

  For detecting the toner remaining amount in the developing device, a known detection method based on a signal from a toner remaining amount detecting sensor or the like attached to the developing device can be applied. For calculating the amount of toner necessary for job execution, for example, a known toner amount calculation method such as the number of dots constituting the print data to be processed by the job and the required toner amount based on the resolution is applied. Is done.

  As described above, when the remaining amount of toner stored in the developing device is smaller than the toner amount necessary for all the jobs, the computer 200 that has been on standby and has transmitted a new job is notified of toner supply. Thus, it is possible to prompt the user waiting for printing to supply toner.

  In S22, the computer 200 that has transmitted the waiting job and the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job are notified of information indicating that toner replenishment is required. Information indicating that the toner needs to be replenished may be notified to at least one of the computer 200 that has sent the job and the computer 200 that has sent the new job. This also prompts the user of the computer 200 that has notified the information indicating that the toner needs to be replenished to replenish the toner.

  On the other hand, if the remaining amount of toner in the developing device is equal to or greater than the amount of toner necessary for execution of the waiting job (NO in S21), the control unit 100 does not notify any computer 200 of the toner supply. Then, the computer 200 that has transmitted the new job is notified of the scheduled end time of the new job (S14).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately calculate an accurate estimated end time of a job and notify the computer 200 that has transmitted the job of the accurate estimated end time of the job. As a result, the user who sent the job at the end can accurately grasp the end time of the user's job, so that the image can be displayed without waiting in front of the image forming apparatus until another user's job print processing is completed. It is possible to go to the forming apparatus to obtain a printed material, which improves user convenience.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a new job, the image forming apparatus 1 calculates the estimated end time of the new job and promptly notifies the transmission source computer 200 of the estimated end time of the new job. However, information indicating the end of the job may be further notified to the transmission source computer 200 just before or after the end of the new job. On the image forming apparatus 1 side, the control unit 100 may display a display of paper supply or toner supply on the display unit 473 in conjunction with notification of paper supply or toner supply.

  Further, although an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a multifunction peripheral, this is merely an example, and other image forming apparatuses such as a printer may be used.

  The configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 7 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration and processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 100 Control part 101 Job management part 95 Paper remaining amount detection sensor

Claims (3)

An image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of computers via a network,
A job management unit that receives and spools each job received from the plurality of computers, and manages each job;
An image forming unit that performs image formation based on the job;
A control unit that sequentially processes each job managed by the job management unit,
When the job management unit receives a new job from any one of the plurality of computers, the control unit prints the number of prints necessary for execution of the new job and the printing of the image forming apparatus. A computer that has calculated the scheduled end time of the new job from the speed and the scheduled end time of the spooled job, and has transmitted the calculated scheduled end time to the new job. Notify
A paper feed unit for feeding paper toward the image forming unit;
A paper remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining number of sheets stored in the paper feeding unit;
The control unit compares the remaining number of sheets detected by the remaining sheet amount detecting unit with the number of printed sheets necessary for executing the standby job, and the remaining number of sheets is greater than the necessary number of printed sheets. When it is determined that there are few, at least one of the computer that has transmitted the waiting job or the computer that has transmitted the new job is notified of information indicating that it is necessary to supply paper,
Further, the control unit is such that the remaining number of sheets detected by the remaining sheet amount detecting unit is a value within a certain range from a predetermined maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in the sheet feeding unit. When the image forming apparatus is in a predetermined state in which paper feeding to the paper feeding unit is possible when it is determined that the number of prints required for execution of the standby job is smaller, the standby At least one of the computer that sent the job and the computer that sent the new job,
Further, the control unit analyzes the contents of each job managed by the job management unit, extracts a job that is not accompanied by processing by the image forming unit, and a required time required for processing the extracted job And when it is determined that the calculated required time has reached a predetermined time, the time point at which execution of the processing of the extracted job is started is determined as the time when the paper feeding is possible. At that time, at least one of the computer that has sent the waiting job or the computer that has sent the new job is notified of a paper refill message,
The control unit further controls to continue processing of the job even when the paper feeding unit is opened and closed from the main body of the image forming apparatus during processing of the job .   When the waiting job managed by the job management unit is canceled, the control unit recalculates the scheduled end time of the new job, and the recalculated scheduled end time is calculated as the new scheduled end time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus notifies the computer that transmitted the job again. The control unit adds the number of prints necessary for execution of the new job when the new job is added, so that the remaining number of sheets in the paper supply unit is necessary for execution of all waiting jobs. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the number of printed sheets has become smaller than the number of printed sheets, a paper replenishment message is notified to a computer that has transmitted the new job .