JP6525209B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to images forming device.

  An image forming apparatus specifies a print startable range according to the number of print output sheets, and starts printing when it is determined that the mobile terminal has moved to the print start possible range (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2015-166152, A

  However, in the above-described technology, even if the user carrying the mobile terminal moves within the print startable area, it does not necessarily move directly toward the image forming apparatus 2; Sometimes, it does not immediately go to the installation place of the image forming apparatus in order to collect the printed matter. In addition, even if the linear distance from the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus is short, the moving path from the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus may be long, and the above-described technology may not start printing at an appropriate timing. In that case, the printed matter is left in the image forming apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, the printed material is aimed at obtaining be that images forming device less likely to be left in the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that receives a job request from a portable terminal device and executes a print job according to the received job request, and includes a job management unit and a terminal tracking unit. The terminal tracking unit repeatedly specifies the current position of the portable terminal device that has transmitted the job request. The job management unit predicts the required printing time of the print job based on (a) the job request, and (b) based on the current position of the mobile terminal device, from the current position of the mobile terminal device at the current time. The moving time to the image forming apparatus is specified, (c) it is determined whether the specified moving time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) the specified moving time is not less than the required printing time In this case, the print job is not immediately executed but is put in a standby state, and (d2) the print job is executed when it is determined that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time. And it has the feature in any one of the following (A)-(E). (A) The job management unit predicts the travel time based on the travel path and travel time of the mobile terminal device identified in the past. (B) If the job management unit determines that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time, and if there is a print job being executed, the specified movement time is the same as that of the print job being executed. If it is shorter than the moving time from the current position of the portable terminal device that transmitted the job request to the image forming apparatus, the print job in progress is interrupted, and the print job is immediately executed according to the received job request. (C) When the required printing time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the job management unit immediately executes printing for a predetermined number of sheets in the print job, and the transfer time requires printing of the remaining number of printed sheets in the print job Start printing the rest when it is less than time. (D) When the number of discharge destinations of the printed matter is one, the job management unit receives another job request until the movement time becomes less than a predetermined value after the printing is completed, the print job by another job request To delay the execution of (E) Measure the actual travel time from the position of the portable terminal when the job request is received to the image forming apparatus, and measure the travel time for a predetermined time or more than the standard time based on the shortest path The system further comprises a warning unit that outputs a warning if it is long.

  According to the present invention, the possibility of the printed matter being left in the image forming apparatus is reduced.

  The above or other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configurations of the mobile terminal 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 in the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Embodiment 1

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of users carry portable terminal devices 1 such as smartphones, respectively, and an image forming apparatus 2 (a multi-function device, a copier, etc.) ) Is placed. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a print job request can be transmitted from the mobile terminal device 1 to the image forming apparatus 2.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configurations of the mobile terminal 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 in FIG.

  The mobile terminal device 1 is, for example, a portable device such as a smartphone, and includes a wireless communication device 11, a position detection device 12, a display device 13, an input device 14, a storage device 15, an arithmetic processing device 16, and the like.

  The wireless communication device 11 is an internal device that performs data communication according to a predetermined wireless communication standard such as a wireless local area network (LAN) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The position detection device 12 is an internal device that detects the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System).

  The display device 13 is an internal device such as a liquid crystal display that displays an operation screen and the like to the user. The input device 14 is an internal device such as a touch panel that detects a user operation.

  The storage device 15 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk. The storage device 15 stores a program 21 and the like.

  The arithmetic processing unit 16 is a computer having a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like, and loads the program 21 into the RAM and executes the program by the CPU. To realize.

  The driver 22 transmits a job request for a print job to the image forming apparatus 2 using the wireless communication apparatus 11 or the like.

  Further, the driver 22 notifies the image forming apparatus 2 of the current position of the mobile terminal 1 obtained from the position detection apparatus 12 using the wireless communication apparatus 11 or the like. The driver 22 notifies the current position to the image forming apparatus 2 in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 2, and after transmitting the job request, periodically and autonomously until the print job of the job request is completed. The current position is notified to the image forming apparatus 2 or the like.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 2 is a multifunction machine or the like used by a plurality of registered users, and the printing apparatus 31, the image reading apparatus 32, the operation panel 33, the wireless communication apparatus 34, and the wired communication apparatus And a storage unit 36 and a controller 37.

  The printing device 31 is an internal device that prints an image one page at a time on a printing sheet in the electrophotographic method based on print image data.

  The image reading device 32 is an internal device that reads a document image from a document and generates image data (that is, scan data).

  The operation panel 33 is disposed on the surface of the case of the image forming apparatus 2 and has a display device for displaying various information to the user, and an input device for receiving a user operation. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display device. A key switch, a touch panel or the like is used as the input device.

  The wireless communication device 34 is an internal device that performs data communication according to a predetermined wireless communication standard such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wired communication device 35 is a circuit that is connected to a network such as a wired LAN and performs data communication with other devices connected to the network. When the image forming device 2 communicates with the portable terminal device 1, the image forming device 2 may directly communicate with the portable terminal device 1 by the wireless communication device 34 or through a relay device (not shown). Communication may be performed by the wireless communication device 34 or the wired communication device 35.

  The storage device 36 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk. The storage device 36 stores a program 41 and the like.

  The controller 37 includes a computer, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like, and controls various devices in the image forming apparatus 2 and performs various data processing. The controller 37 operates as a job management unit 42, a terminal tracking unit 43, and a warning unit 44 by executing the program 41 on a computer.

  The job management unit 42 receives a job request using the wireless communication device 34 or the wired communication device 35, and is instructed by the received job request using an internal device such as the printing device 31 or the image reading device 32. Execute a print job (such as a print job).

  The job management unit 42 predicts the print required time of the print job based on (a) the received job request, and (b) the mobile terminal device at the present time based on the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 that transmitted the job request. The movement time from the current position of 1 to the image forming apparatus 2 is specified, and (c) it repeatedly determines whether the specified movement time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) the specified movement time requires printing If it is not the time or less, the print job is not executed immediately, but the print job is put on standby, and (d2) the print job is executed when it is determined that the specified transfer time is less than the required printing time.

  The job management unit 42 specifies a movement route using map information indicating a passage at a base (a floor of an office or the like), an arrangement position of the image forming apparatus 2 and the like, and moves along the movement route. The movement time may be predicted. In that case, the map information is stored in the storage device 36.

  Also, the job management unit 42 stores the past travel route and travel time of each user as a log in the storage device 36 or the like, and predicts the travel time based on the past travel route and travel time. It is also good.

  In the first embodiment, when the job management unit 42 determines that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time, when there is a print job in execution, the specified movement time indicates the print job in execution. If it is shorter than the moving time from the current position of the portable terminal 1 to which the job request has been sent to the image forming apparatus 2, the print job in progress is interrupted and the print job is immediately executed according to the received job request. In that case, the job management unit 42 resumes the interrupted print job after the print job based on the received job request is completed.

  However, if the current transfer time for the above-mentioned print job under execution is less than the predetermined value, the job management unit 42 does not interrupt the above-mentioned print job under execution, but the above-mentioned print under execution After completion of the job, a print job based on the received job request may be executed.

  The terminal tracking unit 43 repeatedly specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 that has transmitted the job request received by the job management unit 42. That is, the terminal tracking unit 43 communicates with the driver 22 of the mobile terminal device 1 using the wireless communication device 34 or the wired communication device 35, and repeatedly receives the notification indicating the current position of the mobile terminal device 1, thereby The current position of the terminal device 1 is continuously identified.

  The warning unit 44 measures the actual moving time from the position of the portable terminal 1 when the job request is received to the image forming apparatus 2, and the measured moving time is a predetermined time from the standard time based on the shortest route. If the length is longer than the above, a warning is output to the operation panel 33 or the portable terminal device 1. The warning is output to the user from the operation panel 33 or the portable terminal device 1 as a voice message or a display message. The warning unit 44 may output a warning to the operation panel 33 or the portable terminal device 1 when the average value of the measured travel times is longer than a standard time based on the shortest path by a predetermined time or more. Further, the above-mentioned standard time is set in consideration of the average number of printed sheets of each user, the distance of the shortest path from the seat of each user to the image forming apparatus 2, and the like. Furthermore, when the current position of the portable terminal device 1 does not change for a predetermined time or more in the vicinity of a predetermined place on the route (for example, the seat of the boss), the warning unit 44 does not output the above warning. It is also good.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 2 in the first embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus 2, the job management unit 42 monitors whether or not a job request from the portable terminal device 1 has been received (step S1), and when the job request is received from the portable terminal device 1, the job request is The required printing time for executing the print job is predicted (step S2). For example, the job management unit 42 calculates the required time until the start of printing of the first page, and the product of the number of printed sheets specified from the job request and the printing time per sheet as the required printing time.

  Also, the job management unit 42 identifies the portable terminal device 1 that is the transmission source of the job request, and uses the terminal tracking unit 43 to identify the current position of the identified portable terminal device 1. The movement time from the current position of the image forming apparatus to the installation position of the image forming apparatus 2 is predicted (step S3). For example, the job management unit 42 calculates the moving time described above based on the distance between the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 and the installation position of the image forming device 2 and a predetermined moving speed. In addition, as this movement speed, a default value may be used and the average movement speed of measurement may be used. Further, the installation position of the image forming apparatus 2 is stored in advance in the storage device 36 as map information or the like, and the job management unit 42 reads the information of the installation position of the image forming apparatus 2 from the storage device 36 Identify the installation position of 2.

  Then, the job management unit 42 determines whether the current movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time (step S4).

  If the moving time at the current time is not equal to or less than the required printing time, the job management unit 42 returns to step S3 to specify again the current position of the portable terminal 1 and start the image forming device 2 from the current position of the portable terminal 1. The movement time to the installation position is predicted, and it is determined again whether the current movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time.

  On the other hand, if the current movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time, the job management unit 42 determines whether there is a job being executed (step S5).

  If the current movement time is equal to or less than the print required time, and there is no job being executed, the job management unit 42 immediately executes the print job of the received job request (step S6).

  On the other hand, when there is a job being executed when the current movement time is equal to or less than the print required time, the job management unit 42 is executing the movement time for the portable terminal device 1 that transmitted the received job request. It is determined whether it is shorter than the movement time of the portable terminal device 1 that has sent the job request of the job (step S7).

  If the moving time for the portable terminal device 1 that has transmitted the received job request is shorter than the moving time for the portable terminal device 1 that has transmitted the job request for the job being executed, the job management unit 42 executes the print job being executed. Are interrupted (step S8), and the print job of the received job request is immediately executed (step S6).

  On the other hand, if the movement time of the portable terminal device 1 that has transmitted the received job request is not shorter than the movement time of the portable terminal device 1 that has transmitted the job request of the job being executed, the job management unit 42 is executing The print job of the received job request is put in a standby state without interrupting the print job of (step S9), and the print job of the received job request is immediately executed after the print job in progress is completed (step S6).

  Then, when the print job of the received job request is completed, the job management unit 42 determines whether there is an interrupted print job (at step S8) (step S10), and if there is an interrupted print job, The print job is resumed (step S11).

  The warning unit 44 starts counting when the job request is received in step S1, and the above-mentioned moving time becomes less than the predetermined value (that is, the moving time becomes substantially zero, and the user collects the printed matter) The time) until it can be regarded as a thing is measured as a measured value of the moving time, and the measured value of the moving time is associated with the mobile terminal device 1 and stored. Then, as described above, the warning unit 44 outputs a warning to the operation panel 33 or the portable terminal device 1 when the measured value of the movement time (or the average value thereof) is longer than the standard time by a predetermined time or more.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the terminal tracking unit 43 repeatedly specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device 1 that has transmitted the job request. The job management unit 42 (a) predicts the print required time of the print job based on the job request, (b) forms an image from the current position of the mobile terminal 1 at the present time based on the current position of the mobile terminal 1 Specify the transfer time to the device 2, (c) determine whether the specified transfer time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) if the specified transfer time is not less than the required print time, print job (D2) If it is determined that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time, a print job is executed.

  As a result, the print job is started so that the print job is just completed when the user arrives at the installation site of the image forming apparatus 2, so the waiting time for the printed matter is small and the printed matter is left in the image forming apparatus Less likely.

Second Embodiment

  In the second embodiment, when there are a plurality of print jobs in the standby state, the job management unit 42 changes the moving time by a predetermined fluctuation (for example, 2 meters) or more for a print job among the plurality of print jobs in the standby state. When the period not being continued continues for a predetermined time or more, the print job is not executed even if the transfer time for the print job becomes less than the print required time, and the transfer time for the job changes over a predetermined fluctuation range Run that print job on

  The other configuration and operation of the image forming system according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the print job of another user is preferentially executed over the print job of the user who has not moved toward the image forming apparatus 2 due to some kind of business. That is, even if a print job of a user who does not move toward the image forming apparatus 2 is executed due to some use, there is a high possibility that the printed material is not immediately collected, and the printed material of the user moving toward the image forming apparatus 2 Is likely to be recovered immediately. Therefore, the print job of the user moving toward the image forming apparatus 2 is preferentially executed.

Third Embodiment

  In the third embodiment, when the required printing time is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the job management unit 42 immediately executes printing for the predetermined number of sheets in the print job, and identifies the required printing time for the remaining unprinted number of printed sheets. After that, when the above-mentioned movement time becomes equal to or less than the required printing time of the remaining number of print sheets in the print job, the remaining printing is started.

  For example, the predetermined value is set based on the above-described standard time or the like. If the required printing time is longer than the above-mentioned standard time, the above-mentioned predetermined number of preceding printings are executed.

  The other configuration and operation of the image forming system according to the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the predetermined number of sheets are printed in advance, the required printing time of the remaining number of printed sheets becomes shorter than the required printing time of the total number of printed sheets, and the user can It is easy to start the print job so that the print job is completed according to the time of arrival at the second installation location.

Fourth Embodiment

  In the fourth embodiment, the job management unit 42 monitors the current transfer time and the remaining print required time for the print job being executed. Then, when the moving time for the print job being executed increases and the moving time for the print job being executed is longer than the remaining print required time, the job managing unit 42 is executing when there is another print job in the standby state. Interrupt the print job and execute another print job on standby.

  The other configuration and operation of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of any of the first to third embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the user is moving toward the image forming apparatus 2 and another business event occurs, the user moves away from the image forming apparatus 2. , Another print job is executed preferentially. That is, since the user moving away from the image forming apparatus 2 is likely not to immediately collect the printed matter, the print job of the user different from the print job of such user is preferentially executed.

Embodiment 5

  In the fifth embodiment, when there is one discharge destination (e.g., discharge tray) of the printed matter, the job management unit 42 continues until the above-described movement time becomes less than the predetermined value after printing is completed (that is, the movement time is substantially Becomes zero, until the user can consider that the printed matter has been collected), and even if another job request is accepted, the execution of the print job by the other job request is delayed.

  In that case, the warning unit 44 may output a warning indicating a delay in the execution of the print job to the portable terminal 1 or the operation panel 33 which has transmitted another job request.

  The other configuration and operation of the image forming system according to the fifth embodiment are the same as those of any of the first to fourth embodiments, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, printed materials of a plurality of users do not have to be mixedly mounted at the discharge destination.

  Note that various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing the intended advantages. That is, such changes and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the claims.

  For example, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, when the print job is interrupted and another print job is executed, the discharge destination of the print job of the print job to be interrupted if there are a plurality of discharge destinations such as a sorter. A different output destination may be designated as the output destination of the printed matter of another print job.

  In any of the first to fifth embodiments, when the print job is interrupted and another print job is executed, the warning unit 44 has only one discharge destination, and the printed matter of the print job to be interrupted, When it is determined that the printed matter of another print job is mixedly mounted at the discharge destination, a warning may be output to the operation panel 33 or the portable terminal device 1.

  In any of the first to fifth embodiments, the printing is performed even if the above-mentioned travel time is less than the predetermined value (that is, even if the travel time is substantially zero and it can be regarded that the user has recovered the printed matter) When the job is not completed, the warning unit 44 specifies the remaining print required time of the print job, and when the remaining print required time exceeds the predetermined value, the operation panel 33 or the portable terminal device 1 A warning may be output.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus that can be used by a plurality of users.

1 Mobile Terminal Device 2 Image Forming Device 42 Job Management Unit 43 Terminal Tracking Unit 44 Warning Unit

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus that receives a job request from a portable terminal device and executes a print job according to the received job request,
Job management department,
And a terminal tracking unit,
The terminal tracking unit repeatedly specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the job request,
The job management unit predicts the required printing time of the print job based on (a) the job request, and (b) based on the current position of the mobile terminal device, from the current position of the mobile terminal device at the current time. The moving time to the image forming apparatus is specified, (c) it is determined whether the specified moving time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) the specified moving time is not less than the required printing time In the case where the print job is not immediately executed, it is put in a standby state, and (d2) the print job is executed when it is determined that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time.
The job management unit images forming device you characterized in that predicting the travel time based on the moving path and the moving time of the portable terminal device identified in the past. In an image forming apparatus that receives a job request from a portable terminal device and executes a print job according to the received job request,
Job management department,
And a terminal tracking unit,
The terminal tracking unit repeatedly specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the job request,
The job management unit predicts the required printing time of the print job based on (a) the job request, and (b) based on the current position of the mobile terminal device, from the current position of the mobile terminal device at the current time. The moving time to the image forming apparatus is specified, (c) it is determined whether the specified moving time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) the specified moving time is not less than the required printing time In the case where the print job is not immediately executed, it is put in a standby state, and (d2) the print job is executed when it is determined that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time.
When the job management unit determines that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time, when there is a print job being executed, the specified movement time indicates a job request for the print job being executed. If it is shorter than the moving time from the current position of the portable terminal device to the image forming apparatus, the print job being executed is interrupted, and the print job is immediately executed according to the received job request. that images forming device. In an image forming apparatus that receives a job request from a portable terminal device and executes a print job according to the received job request,
Job management department,
And a terminal tracking unit,
The terminal tracking unit repeatedly specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the job request,
The job management unit predicts the required printing time of the print job based on (a) the job request, and (b) based on the current position of the mobile terminal device, from the current position of the mobile terminal device at the current time. The moving time to the image forming apparatus is specified, (c) it is determined whether the specified moving time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) the specified moving time is not less than the required printing time In the case where the print job is not immediately executed, it is put in a standby state, and (d2) the print job is executed when it is determined that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time.
When the required printing time is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the job management unit immediately executes printing for a predetermined number of sheets in the print job, and the movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time of the remaining number of printed sheets in the print job when it is, the remaining starting images forming device characterized in that the printing. In an image forming apparatus that receives a job request from a portable terminal device and executes a print job according to the received job request,
Job management department,
And a terminal tracking unit,
The terminal tracking unit repeatedly specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the job request,
The job management unit predicts the required printing time of the print job based on (a) the job request, and (b) based on the current position of the mobile terminal device, from the current position of the mobile terminal device at the current time. The moving time to the image forming apparatus is specified, (c) it is determined whether the specified moving time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) the specified moving time is not less than the required printing time In the case where the print job is not immediately executed, it is put in a standby state, and (d2) the print job is executed when it is determined that the specified movement time is equal to or less than the required printing time.
The job management unit executes the print job according to another job request when another job request is received until the movement time becomes less than a predetermined value after completion of printing, when there is one discharge destination of the printed matter. images forming device you wherein the delaying. In an image forming apparatus that receives a job request from a portable terminal device and executes a print job according to the received job request,
Job management department,
Terminal tracking unit,
The actual moving time from the position of the portable terminal when the job request is received to the actual image forming apparatus is measured, and the measured moving time is longer than the standard time based on the shortest path by a predetermined time or more. Has a warning unit that outputs a warning ,
The terminal tracking unit repeatedly specifies the current position of the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the job request,
The job management unit predicts the required printing time of the print job based on (a) the job request, and (b) based on the current position of the mobile terminal device, from the current position of the mobile terminal device at the current time. The moving time to the image forming apparatus is specified, (c) it is determined whether the specified moving time is less than the required printing time, and (d1) the specified moving time is not less than the required printing time If, as a stand-by state the print job immediately without performing shall be the said (d2) if said travel time identified was determined to be less than or equal to the time necessary for printing, performing the print job image Imaging device.

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