JPH11284780A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image forming device easy for an operator to use by changing the printing order of each job based on the operation finishing time or the operating time of a job so as to efficiently execute plural jobs in spite of the stoppage of a device accompanying a set time. SOLUTION: The printing order of each job is changed based on the operation finishing time or the operating time of the job. In the case of inputting time in this device, an operation button 810d for instructing the input starting of time is depressed and up-down input buttons 810f and 810g are continually operated. In the case of inputting minutes, an operation button 810e instructing the input starting of minutes is depressed and the up-down input buttons 810f and 810g are continually operated. After setting time like this, an operation button 810h is pressed to register the set time as the operation finishing time of a machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral thereof. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been known an image forming apparatus equipped with a relatively large-capacity memory and sequentially printing stored image data. In such image formation, since a plurality of stored jobs can be processed continuously, there is an advantage that the operation rate of the apparatus is increased and the overall processing time can be reduced.

As an example of such an image forming apparatus, as disclosed in JP-A-4-306059 and JP-A-5-75772, in a digital copying machine having an image reading device, the reading operation and storage of a plurality of originals are performed. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image processing apparatus that controls the printing operation of image data independently.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, print processing of each job is executed in the order in which the originals are read, that is, in the order in which the originals are registered.

In the conventional image forming apparatus, the operating time or the end time of the image forming apparatus is set, and the operation of the image forming apparatus is performed after the set operating time elapses or when the set end time is reached. It is known to stop. As a method of stopping this operation, a method of turning off the power of the apparatus and a method of shifting to an energy saving mode (a mode in which the regulated temperature of fixing is reduced or a display is turned off to suppress power consumption) are known.

[0006]

If an image forming apparatus for sequentially printing a plurality of jobs as described above is provided with a function for automatically stopping the operation of the apparatus based on the time as described above, Such a problem occurs.

Since many jobs are sequentially printed,
There is a problem in that a stop time occurs during print processing of a job, and the apparatus stops.

Further, since a plurality of registered jobs are printed in the order in which they are registered, if the apparatus is stopped while a job having a long processing time is being printed, the subsequent print waiting jobs will not be executed. There is a problem that the job cannot be executed, and as a result, many unprocessed jobs remain.

Further, when the apparatus is stopped in a state where there is an unprocessed job, there is a problem that it is impossible to know what job has not been processed. In particular, when many unprocessed jobs remain, there is a problem that the operator is not limited to one and it is more difficult to understand what the unprocessed job was.

[0010] Further, even when the apparatus is currently in the operating state and a new job can be registered, the operator has already registered many jobs, so the operator has to start a new job within the time until the apparatus stops. There is a problem that printing of a special job does not end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can execute a plurality of jobs efficiently even if the image forming apparatus is stopped due to a set time. It is intended to provide a device.

[0012]

An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of jobs can be registered, and a multi-job function for sequentially printing each job in a predetermined order is provided. Setting means for setting an operation time or an operation end time, and changing an order of print processing of each job based on the operation time or the operation end time set by the setting means and the processing time required for processing of each job. Processing order control means.

[0013] In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect,
The processing order control unit calculates a remaining operation time from the operation time or the operation end time, and changes a print processing order of each job based on the remaining operation time and a processing time required for processing each job. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a multi-job function capable of registering a plurality of jobs and performing print processing of each job in a predetermined order. A stop control unit for stopping the operation of the forming apparatus; and, when the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped by the stop control unit, if there is a job for which processing has not been completed, information on the unprocessed job is printed out. Unprocessed job information output means.

In the image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect, the information relating to the unprocessed job is an operation mode relating to the job and a registration number of the job.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the stop of the operation of the image forming apparatus by the stop control means is a power-off of the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the stop of the operation of the image forming apparatus by the stop control means is a setting of the power saving mode of the image forming apparatus.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a multi-job function capable of registering a plurality of jobs and performing print processing of each job in a predetermined order. Setting means for setting the time, the stop control means for stopping the operation of the image forming apparatus at the time or time set by the setting means, the operation time or operation end time set by the setting means, and each job Processing order control means for changing the order of the print processing of each job based on the processing time required for the processing, and when the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped by the stop control means, In some cases, there is an unprocessed job information output unit that prints out information on the unprocessed job.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a multi-job function capable of registering a plurality of jobs and performing a printing process for each job in a predetermined order, and the operation time or the operation end time of the image forming apparatus. Based on the operation time or operation end time set by the setting unit, the processing time required for processing the registered job, and the time required for processing a job to be newly registered. Registration control means for controlling whether to permit the registration of the new job.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a copying machine 1 scans a document and converts the image signal into an image signal. The image signal processing unit 20 processes an image signal sent from the scanning system 10. A memory unit 30 for storing and sending an image signal to the print processing unit 40; a print processing unit 40 for driving a semiconductor laser 61 based on the image signal sent from the memory unit 30;
A laser optical system 60 for guiding the laser light from the photoreceptor 71 onto the photoreceptor 71, an image forming system 7 for developing a latent image formed on the photoreceptor 71 by exposure to the laser light, and transferring and fixing the latent image on paper.
0, an operation panel 800 to be described later, an automatic document feeder 500 that transports documents one by one on a document glass and reverses the front and back of the document as necessary, and a finisher 600 for sorting and processing discharged sheets. Have been.

Here, the scanning system 10 and the image signal processing unit 2
The reading unit 2 is constituted by 0 and the like, and the printer unit 3 is constituted by the print processing unit 40, the laser optical system 60, the image forming system 70 and the like. SW1 is a switch for supplying power to the digital copying machine 1.

The reading section 2 reads a document placed on the document glass 19 and generates image data corresponding to each pixel of the document image. Exposure lamp 12 and first mirror 13a
Scanner 11 and second and third mirrors 13b having
The second scanner 14 having the scan motor M
By the drive of No. 2, it is moved in the directions of arrows b and b '(sub-scanning direction). At this time, the light of the exposure lamp 12 is
The mirror 13a, 13b, 13
c, guided to the line sensor 16 via the lens 15.
Line sensor 16 is a direction perpendicular to the paper surface (main scanning direction)
A large number of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged, and image data corresponding to each pixel is output in units of lines at a resolution of, for example, 400 dpi based on the reflected light of the original document, and the first and second scanners 11 and 14 are output. , Image data for one original is obtained. The home position sensor S
E3 is a sensor for detecting that the first scanner 11 is at the home position.

The image data output from the line sensor 16 is processed by the image signal processing unit 20 and then transmitted to the memory unit 30. The memory unit 30 compresses and temporarily stores the received image data, decompresses the stored image data, and sends the image data to the print processing unit 40 of the printer 3. At this time, editing processing such as image rotation is performed as necessary.

Next, the printer section 3 will be described. The print processing unit 40 controls the laser optical system 60 based on the image data received from the memory unit 30. The laser optical system 60 is modulated (ON,
OFF) The semiconductor laser 61 includes a semiconductor laser 61 that emits a controlled laser beam, a polygon mirror 62 for scanning the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 61 onto the photosensitive drum 71, an fθ lens 63, and mirrors 64a and 64b. .

Around the photosensitive drum 71 which is driven to rotate, a charging charger 72, a developing unit 73, a transfer charger 74, a separation charger 75, a cleaner 76, and an eraser lamp 77 are arranged along the rotation direction. A toner image is formed according to a known electrophotographic process, and is transferred onto a sheet. On the other hand, the paper is supplied to the paper feed cassettes 81a, 81
b is fed by paper feed rollers 82a and 82b, conveyed by conveyance rollers,
Is transferred to the position of the transfer charger 74. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer charger 74 is sent to the finisher 600 via the conveyance belt 85, the fixing device 86, the post-fixing roller 87, and the discharge roller 94.
These various rollers and the photoconductor 71 are driven by the main motor M1.

In the vicinity of the paper feed cassettes 81a and 81b, paper size detection sensors SE1 and SE2 for detecting the size of the paper stored in each cassette, and the paper storage state (whether the paper is empty or not) ) Are disposed.

A paper detection sensor for detecting the paper conveyance state and timing is provided in the paper passage path. By detecting the state of these paper detection sensors, an abnormality in the paper passage system such as a paper jam is detected. To detect. In FIG. 1, 10P in front of the timing roller as a paper detection sensor,
11P provided near the conveyance belt 85, 12P provided after the post-fixing roller 87, and SE92 provided behind the discharge roller 94 are provided. Note that the paper jam detection method itself is a well-known matter, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which four sensors are arranged as sheet detection sensors, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of sensors can be freely increased or decreased according to the detection accuracy.

Further, the printer section has a function of performing switchback conveyance for double-sided copying and reverse discharge. The switchback transport mechanism that achieves this function is
Path switching claw 91, transport roller 92, reversing roller 93
And so on.

In the single-sided mode, the sheet is sent to the finisher 600 without passing through the switchback transport mechanism, or after being fed into the switchback transport path including the transport roller 92 and the reversing roller 93, the paper is reversed. It may be sent to the finisher 600.

In the case of the double-side mode, the sheet is sent to the switchback conveyance path by switching the switching claw 91, and is conveyed by the conveyance roller and the reversing roller. When the sensor SE91 detects the passage of the rear end of the sheet, the reversing roller 93 is driven to be inverted, and the sheet is sent to the horizontal transport unit. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed by the horizontal conveying rollers 88a, 88b, 88c, temporarily waited by the timing roller 84, and sent to the transfer section. At this time, when a plurality of sheets are continuously fed, the conveyance is controlled at a predetermined sheet interval so that the sheets from the sheet cassette and the sheets from the horizontal conveyance path do not overlap. Since the length of the paper transport path is constant, the number of sheets stored in the circulation path including the reverse transport path and the horizontal transport path varies depending on the size of the paper.

Next, the automatic document feeder 500 will be described. The automatic document feeder 500 automatically transports the documents set on the document tray 510 one by one onto the document glass 19, and discharges the documents to the document discharge tray 511 after scanning by the scanning system 10.

More specifically, one or a plurality of originals whose reading surfaces are set upward on the original feed tray 510 are regulated by the side regulating plate. Paper feed roller 501 sequentially from the original
Is fed by At this time, the original is separated from the separation roller 502.
After being separated by the separation pad 503 and fed one by one by the intermediate roller 504, after being detected by the registration sensor SE <b> 51 for detecting the document feeding timing and the document width size sensor SE <b> 53 for detecting the document width, the registration roller 505 is used. , The inclination of the document is corrected.

Further, the original is conveyed by the original conveying belt 506, and immediately after the rear end of the original has passed the original scale 512, the original conveying belt 506 is rotated slightly backward and stopped. As a result, the rear end of the original abuts against the end surface of the original scale 512 and is stopped at an accurate position on the original glass 19. At this time, the next original is sent to the registration rollers 505 in order to shorten the time for feeding the next original.

After the original on the original glass 19 is read by the scanning system 10, the original is conveyed leftward by the conveyor belt 506, the conveyance direction is changed by the reversing roller 507, and then discharged above the switching claw 508. The sheet is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 511 by a roller 509.

In the case of a double-sided original, the original on which the image on the first side has been read is changed in the transport direction by the reversing roller 507, and is again stopped at the reading position on the original glass 19 by switching the switching claw 508. You. Then, after the image on the second surface is read, the sheet ejection tray 511 is operated in the same manner as described above.
Is discharged.

Next, the finisher 600 will be described. The finisher 600 is an apparatus that automatically performs processing such as sorting and stapling, and is attached to a side surface of the copying machine 1. The finisher 600 includes a staple storage tray 610 and a tray 6 with an elevator function.
30, staple unit 620, switching claw 602,
It is composed of transport rollers 601, 603, 604, 605, 606 and the like.

The operation of the finisher 600 will be described below. When the staple mode is set, the paper fed to the finisher 600 is sequentially conveyed by the conveyance rollers 601 and 603 and sent to the staple storage tray 610. When sheets are stored in the staple storage tray 610 by the number of originals, the sheets are sent to the staple unit 620 as a sheet bundle in a stacked state and stapled. The sheet bundle stapled by the stapling unit 620 is transported by the transport roller 60.
5 and 606, the tray 6 with the elevator function
It is discharged to 30.

On the other hand, when the staple mode is not set, the paper fed to the finisher 600 has its transport path switched by the switching claw 602, and is transported by the transport rollers 604, 605, and 606, and the tray with the elevator function is set. 630.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel 800 of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. The operation panel 800 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 801 for displaying various states and setting modes, a numeric keypad 802 for inputting numerical conditions such as the number of copies and a magnification, and a clear key 803 for returning numerical conditions to standard values. A panel reset key 804 for initializing a copy mode, a stop key 805 for instructing interruption of a copy operation, a start key 806 for instructing start of a copy operation, and selectively selecting a sort mode and a non-sort mode. A sort mode setting key 807 for setting, LEDs 807a and 807b for displaying that sort mode and non-sort mode are set,
A staple mode setting key 808 for setting the staple mode, an LED 808a for displaying that the staple mode is set, and a registration for registering the read one or a plurality of original groups in the memory as one job. A key 809 is arranged. Here, when the sort mode is set, one document is printed and output one by one, and one
The copies of the set are ejected in a state where a plurality of copies are overlapped.
When the non-sort mode is set, one document is ejected in a state where a plurality of copies overlap each other.

Further, the liquid crystal touch panel 801 has a paper empty display indicating that the paper stored in each cassette has run out, a jam display notifying that a paper jam has occurred, and a trouble alerting an abnormal state such as motor drive failure or fixing heater burnout. A display such as a display is performed.

The digital copying machine 1 of this embodiment temporarily stores the read image data in a memory, reads out the image data from the memory, and prints the image data. Therefore, even if the previous job (original group) is being printed, the next original group can be read if reading of the previous original group is completed, and a plurality of jobs can be stored as a whole. Is possible. In other words, a plurality of print jobs can be reserved. At this time, the reading of the next document group is started by the start key 806, the copy mode is set after reading, and the registration is performed as a job by pressing the registration key 809. The registered job stores the read image data together with the copy mode such as the number of copies, the magnification, and the paper size. After the previously registered job is completed, printing is automatically executed.

The job stored in the memory unit 30 is not limited to the job based on the document reading described above, but may be a job sent as image data or print data from an external device such as a computer. In this case, one or a plurality of image data or print data is automatically registered as one job without operating the registration key 809. Note that the external device is not limited to the above-described computer, and a network printer or an image reading device may be connected as another external device, or an external device such as a facsimile device connected via a modem and a public telephone line. It may be a device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting the operation end time of the machine (digital copying machine 1). This setting screen is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 80 on the operation panel 800 in FIG.
1 is displayed. The setting screen includes a message 810a for the operator and a time display 8 for the input time.
10b, minute display 810c, operation buttons 810d, 810e, 810f, 810g for inputting time, operation button 810h for supporting time registration, and canceling the setting of the end time, that is, stopping the machine at the operation end time And an operation button 810j for instructing termination of this screen.

To input a time, the operation button 810d for instructing the start of the time input is pressed, and then the up / down input buttons 810f and 810g are operated. When inputting the minute, the operation button 81 for instructing the start of the minute input
0e, then up / down input button 810
f, operate 810 g. After the time is set in this way, by pressing the operation button 810h, the set time is registered as the operation end time of the machine. Pressing the operation button 810i cancels the registered operation end time.

When all the settings are completed in this way, the operation button 810j is pressed to return from this screen to the basic screen shown in FIG. When the operation button 810j is pressed without pressing the operation buttons 810h and 810i, the previously set time is maintained. In the initial state, the operation end time of the machine is not set.

In this embodiment, an example in which the operation end time of the machine is set and the machine is stopped has been described. However, the operation time of the machine, that is, the time from turning on the power to stopping the operation may be set. good.

In this embodiment, the operation end time of the machine is set from the operation panel. However, the operation end time may be set by a control signal transmitted from a remote management device via a telephone line or the like. . In this case, since the operation end times of the plurality of machines are set by the management device, the operation times of many machines can be easily managed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are circuit block diagrams showing the configuration of the control unit 100 of the digital copying machine 1. FIG. The control unit 100 is composed mainly of seven CPUs,
The whole is controlled while transmitting and receiving information between CPUs via / O. These CPUs 1 to 7 (101 to 10)
7) includes a ROM 111 storing each program.
117 and RA that is a work area for program execution
M121 to M127 are provided.

The CPU 1 (101) operates the operation panel 800
And signals from various keys to I / O
131, and display data for various displays is output through the I / O 141.

The CPU 2 (102)
In addition to controlling various types of image processing of 0, drive control of the scanning system 10 and lighting control of the exposure lamp 12 are performed.

A CPU 3 (103) is a CPU provided in the memory unit 30. The CPU 3 (103) stores image data from the image signal processing unit 20 in an image memory 304 (described later with reference to FIG. 7), and reads and prints the image data. The transfer to the unit 40 is controlled.

The CPU 4 (104) includes a print processing unit 40,
Each control of the laser optical system 60 and the image forming system 70 is performed. More specifically, the print processing unit 40 controls the semiconductor laser 61 to be turned on and off based on the sent image data. In the laser optical system, the rotation of the polygon mirror 62 is controlled. The image forming system 70 controls the operation of each part of the image forming system based on various input information. Drive control of the main motor M1 is also performed based on a signal from the CPU.
The drive is controlled by the motor control unit 155 through O144.

The CPU 4 (104) manages various states in the printer unit 3. Specifically, the detection data of the paper size detection sensors SE1 and SE2 is taken in through the I / O 134, and the paper size is managed. Similarly, detection data of the sheet state detection sensors 10E and 11E is taken in, and whether or not the sheet is in an empty state is managed. Also, the paper detection sensors 10P, 11P, 1
The detection data from the 2P is taken in, and the occurrence state of the paper jam at each sensor position is managed.

The CPU 5 (105) manages various data for adjusting timing between CPUs and setting operation modes. Further, a clock IC 118 for measuring time is connected to the CPU 5 in order to manage the operation time of the machine (digital copying machine 1).

The CPU 6 (106) controls the automatic document feeder 500. The CPU 6 (106) captures detection data of various sensors provided in the document transport path through the I / O 136, and drives the document through the I / O 146 for transporting the document. Control.

The CPU 7 (107) controls the finisher 6
00, the detection data from each sensor in the finisher 600 is fetched through the I / O 137, and the staple operation and the drive control of each transport roller are performed through the I / O 147.

Next, a detailed control block of the main part will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that blocks corresponding to those in FIG. 4 are denoted by common numbers.

FIG. 6 shows the reading section 2 and the image signal processing section 20.
It is a control block diagram of. First, the timing control unit 21
The image reading synchronization signal is supplied to each block.
The CCD 16 is a photoelectric conversion element in the line sensor 16 (see FIG. 1), and photoelectrically converts reflected light from a document to generate an electric signal based on document information. The generated signal is AMP
The signal is amplified and controlled by the unit 23 and converted into an 8-bit digital signal by the A / D converter 25. After that, the converted signal is output to the shading correction unit 26 by the optical system and the CC.
Processing for removing distortion due to D is performed.

Further, the corrected signal is supplied to the density converter 2
In step 7, processing for converting the reflection data into density data and correcting the gradation characteristics is performed. Thereafter, an electrical scaling process is performed in the main scanning direction based on the magnification information set by the electrical scaling unit 28. The signal subjected to the scaling processing is subjected to image editing processing in the editing processing section 29 and sent to the print processing section 40 and the memory unit section 30 as image data.

The image monitor memory unit 24 includes a CPU 2
The image data for one line is stored according to the instruction of (102). The stored data is used as shading correction processing in a shading correction unit as reference data.

Further, the CPU 2 controls each image processing block 2
Parameter setting to 6 to 29, scanner motor M2
It controls the scanning section 2 as a whole, such as scanning control by driving and communication with the CPU 5 (105).

Further, the CPU 2 (102) controls the operation of detecting the document size and the document direction. To determine whether or not the read image is a document, for example, the document cover 19 is mirror-finished, and the difference in the amount of reflected light between the document and the document cover is used. CPU2 (102) is CPU5
When the instruction of the document size detection operation is received from (105),
Performs preliminary scan control. At this time, the CPU 2 (10
2) moving the scanner 11 in the sub-scanning direction while monitoring the scanner position information from the scanner position sensor SEIR, detecting the document size and the document placement direction from the read image data and the monitor position information; The result is transmitted to the CPU 5 (105).

Further, the CPU 2 (102)
Based on the information on the set magnification sent from (105), when reading the original, the drive of the scanner motor M2 is controlled at a speed based on the set magnification.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the memory unit 30. The memory unit 30 includes a switching unit 301 for switching input and output of image data, and a CPU 3 (103).
, A binarization processing unit 302 for generating binary data based on parameter settings from a multi-port image memory 304 having a capacity of two A4 size pages at 400 dpi, a compression unit 311 which can operate independently, and a decompression unit A code processing unit 305 having a coding unit 312; a code memory 306 for storing compressed coded data; a rotation processing unit 307 for performing rotation processing of image data; and multi-valued data based on parameter settings from the CPU 3 (103). Multi-value processing section 30
8, a scaling unit 309 for performing electrical scaling, and a CPU 3 (103) for controlling the entire memory unit 30. Further, a CG 330 which is a character generation IC is connected to the CPU 3 (103) in order to perform desired printing.

When the image data is written to the image memory 304, the code processing unit 305 reads the data,
The data is compressed into code data and written into the code memory 306. Further, the code memory 30 is controlled by a command from the CPU 3 (103).
6, the code data is read out, decompressed into image data, and written into the image memory 304. Note that the compression unit 311 and the expansion unit 312 operate independently and in parallel with each other. Further, data is DMA-transferred between the code processing unit 305 and the code memory 306.

The expanded image data is stored in the image memory 304.
When one page has been developed, the image data is sent to the rotation processing unit 307 according to a command from the CPU 3 (103), and the image is rotated as necessary. Subsequently, the image data is converted from binary data to multi-valued data by the multi-value processing unit 308, and is electrically scaled in the main scanning and sub-scanning directions by the scaling unit 309 according to parameters from the CPU 3 (103). Is output.

The code memory 306 will be described in more detail. When the document image is temporarily stored as described above, the code memory 306 is managed by a management table MT1 provided in the RAM 123 (see FIG. 4). Details of the management table MT1 will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the management table MT1. When reading and compressing a document, it is necessary to manage image information on a job basis, so a plurality of pages are divided and stored in a job. As a table, a table (T
-1) and a table (T-
1) and

The job unit information (T-1) contains the job I
D, the registration state of the job, the storage location of the page management information, the designated number (the number of copies), the type of saving copy, and copy mode information such as staples are stored. Page management information (T
In -2), where the compressed (encoded) image data is stored is stored.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the relationship between the management table MT1 and the code memory 306.
The code memory 306 is divided into memory areas in units of 32 Kbytes in consideration of enabling simultaneous control of writing (at the time of reading an image) and reading (at the time of printing). , Compressed data (code data) for each page is stored.

The management table MT1 includes a code memory 30
Number indicating area 6, writing order (original reading order)
Page number PN of image data attached to each document,
The link information and the additional information with the preceding and succeeding memory areas are stored, and the code memory 306 is dynamically managed based on the information. The additional information includes information necessary for compression / expansion processing such as a compression method and a data length, a job registration number for managing one or a plurality of continuous originals (images) as one job, and the number of prints and magnification. Operation mode information and the like for each job are stored.

The "previous link" in the management table MT1 indicates the connection of each memory area in the forward direction. If this is "00", it means that it is the first area of the image data for one page. If it is other than “00”, it indicates that the area is connected to any area. "Back link" similarly indicates a connection in the backward direction, and "F
"F" indicates the last area of the image data for one page, and other than "FF" indicates the number of the area that follows.

The CPU 3 (103)
When reading and compressing image data from the control unit 305, the compression unit 311 is controlled and compressed while referring to the information in the management table MT 1, and is stored in the code memory 306. Also, when outputting image data, the image data is read from the code memory 306 by controlling the decompression unit 312 while referring to the information in the management table MT1.

The information of the management table MT1 is deleted when the information of the corresponding page is read out normally and the printing for the number of sheets set by the user is completed normally.

Next, the operation sequence of the digital copying machine 1 will be described focusing on the flow of request commands (Q), reports (A), and image data exchanged between the CPUs.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a memory writing operation, that is, an operation of writing image data read by scanning an original into a memory. In this behavior,
The read image data is transferred from the image signal processing unit 20 to the image memory 304 of the memory unit 30.

First, a CPU for controlling the entire sequence
5 (105) requests the CPU 3 (103) for memory preparation (memory preparation Q). In response, the CPU
3 (103) sets the bus connection state for transferring the image data from the image signal processing unit 20 to the image memory 304 to the internal hardware of the memory unit unit 30;
Mode setting for binarization processing, setting of a start address of a writing area in the image memory 304, setting of XY length information for encoding, and the like are performed.

When these settings are completed, the CPU 3 (1
03) notifies the CPU 5 (105) that the preparation of the memory unit 30 has been completed (memory preparation completion A). Subsequently, the CPU 5 (105) executes the CPU 3 (1
03), and requests the CPU 2 (102) to start reading (reading Q). In response, CPU 2 (1
02) instructs the internal document scanning control unit to start scanning (scan Q). When scanning of the document is started by the document scanning control unit and the scanner 11 reaches the image area,
An image is read according to the image processing mode set by U2 (102), and the read image data is transferred from the image signal processing unit 20 to the memory unit unit 30.

When the scanning of the original scanning control section is completed (scan end A), the CPU 2 (102) notifies the CPU 5 (105) that the reading is completed. At the same time, completion of reading is also notified from the CPU 3 (103) (reading completion A).

Subsequently, the CPU 5 (105)
A request is made to (103) to compress the image data (compression Q). In response to this, the CPU 3 (103) reads the address from the image memory 304, the XY length information,
Write address to code memory 306, compression unit 311
(For example, arithmetic coding system and MH system) are set, and each block is started. As a result, the image data is compressed, and the code data is stored in the code memory 3.
06. When the compression process is completed, the CPU 3
The completion of compression is notified from (103) to the CPU 5 (105) (compression completion A), and the memory write operation ends.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a memory read operation, that is, an operation of reading image data from a memory and printing it on paper based on the read image data. In this operation, the code data stored in the code memory 306 by the above-described memory write operation is read, decompressed, transferred to the print processing unit 40 as image data, and printed.

First, the CPU 5 (105)
It requests (103) to decompress the code data (decompression Q). In response to this, the CPU 3 (103) receives a read address from the code memory 306, a data amount, XY length information, a write address to the image memory 304,
The mode (eg, arithmetic coding system, MH system) of the decompression unit 312 is set, and each block is started. As a result, the code data is expanded, and the image data is stored in the image memory 306. When the decompression process is completed, the completion of the decompression is notified from the CPU 3 (103) to the CPU 5 (105) (decompression completion A).

When the decompression process is completed, the CPU 5 (10
5) is an image memory 304 for the CPU 3 (103).
A memory preparation request for reading image data from is sent (memory preparation Q). In response, CPU 3 (1
03), the image data from the image memory 304 to the print processing unit 4 to the internal hardware of the memory unit 30;
The setting of the bus connection state for transfer to 0, the setting of the parameters for the rotation processing, the setting of the start address of the read area to the image memory 304, and the like are performed.

When these settings are completed, the CPU 3 (1
03) notifies the CPU 5 (105) that the preparation of the memory unit 30 has been completed (memory preparation completion A). Subsequently, the CPU 5 (105)
3) Request the print processing unit 40 to start printing (Print Q). In response to this, the print processing unit 40 sends a paper feed report to notify the CPU 5 (105) of the paper transport state (paper feed A), and then prints the image data read from the image memory 304. Processing unit 40
To be printed.

When the printing is completed, the CPU 3 (10
3) The print processing unit 40 notifies the CPU 5 (105) of a print completion report (print completion Q), and the print processing unit 40 sends an ejection completion report (eject A). The CPU 5 (105) that has received these reports, if necessary,
03) is given a memory clear request.

Next, the operation control of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 12 shows a CPU for controlling the operation panel.
1 is a main flowchart of Step 101 (101).

When the power is turned on, first, the initial settings of the RAM and the registers are performed (# 11). Subsequently, an internal timer that defines the length of one routine is set (#
12), a key input process for receiving various key operations is executed (# 13). Thereafter, display data is set and displayed based on the input key information and the state of the digital copying machine (# 14). In # 15, other processing is performed. The subroutine of the machine operation end time setting process of FIG. 16 described later is executed in this other process. In # 16, the process waits for the end of the internal timer, and in # 12
Is repeated. Further, an interrupt process is performed at an appropriate timing to communicate with another CPU.

FIG. 13 is a main flowchart of the CPU 3 for controlling the memory unit 30.

When the power is turned on, first, initial settings such as a RAM and a register are performed (# 31). Then another CP
A command is received from U (# 32), and CP
A status signal indicating the state of U3 is transmitted to another CPU (# 33). In # 34, a process of writing image data into the image memory 304, encoding the image data in the image memory, and storing the encoded image data in the code memory 306 is performed. In # 35, a compression control process for encoding the image data sent from the image memory 304 is performed.
In 6, the decompression control process for converting the encoded data from the code memory 306 into the original image data is performed.

Further, in # 37, the coded data stored in the code memory 306 is read out, decompressed and expanded in the image memory 304, and the image data is sent from the image memory 304 to the print processing unit 40. In # 38, other processes related to the memory unit 30 are performed, and # 3
The processing from step 2 is repeated. The subroutine of the job registration process of FIG. 17 described later is executed in this other process.

FIG. 14 shows a CP which controls the printer unit 3.
It is a main flowchart of U4.

When the power is turned on, the initial settings of the RAM and the registers are first performed (# 41), and then the internal timer for setting the length of one routine is set (# 41).
42).

Thereafter, control of processes such as a development / transfer system (# 43), control of a transport system such as paper feed / transport (# 44),
Control of a fixing system such as fixing temperature control (# 45) and control of a print processing unit such as emission control of a laser diode (# 46) are performed.

Further, in # 47, other controls in the printer section 3 are performed, and in # 48, the process returns to # 42 after waiting for the end of the internal timer, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

FIG. 15 is a main flowchart of the CPU 5 for adjusting the overall timing of the digital copying machine 1.

When the power is turned on, first, initial settings such as a RAM and a register are performed (# 51), and then, an internal timer for setting the length of one routine is set (# 51).
52).

Subsequently, an input data analysis process (# 53) for checking input data from another CPU, and a mode setting process (# 5) for setting various operation modes according to the operation contents.
4) reading processing relating to document reading and job registration (# 55), printing processing relating to the order of printing of jobs (# 56), and an output data set (# 57) that causes a set command to wait on a communication port. Execute the process. The reading process of # 55 will be described in detail in a subroutine of FIG. 18 described later. The print processing of # 56 is also described in FIG.
The subroutine will be described in detail.

Thereafter, in step # 58, other controls in the CPU 5 are performed, and in step # 59, the process returns to step # 52 after waiting for the end of the internal timer, and the subsequent processing is repeated. In the other processes of # 58, FIG.
The power off control subroutine and the additional print processing subroutine shown in FIG. 21 are also executed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a machine operation end time setting process, which is a subroutine of one of the other processes (# 15) in FIG.

First, in steps # 100 to # 110, processing for displaying the machine operation end time setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is performed. Specifically, the message 810a is displayed in # 100, and the respective displays 810b and 810c indicating the hours and minutes set as the operation end time are performed in # 105.
10, each operation button (810d, 810e, 810)
f, 810g, 810h, 810i, 810j).

Subsequently, it is checked at # 115 whether or not each of the operation buttons has been pressed, and the subsequent processing is executed according to the pressed operation button.

First, if it is determined in step # 115 that the operation button is not in a pressed state, the process returns and the present subroutine is terminated.

Next, at step # 115, the operation button 810
If it is determined that any one of d, 810e, 810f, and 810g has been pressed, the input value corresponding to the operation button pressed in # 120 is set as the operation end time setting value.
The information is displayed on the display units 810b and 810c. Thereafter, this subroutine ends.

Next, at # 115, registration button 810h
If it is determined that is pressed, in # 125, # 1
The time data corresponding to the time input and set in 20 is registered as the operation end time. Thereafter, the button-on flag is set at # 130, and the present subroutine ends. This button flag is a flag for judging whether or not another button has been pressed at the stage before the end button 810j described later is pressed.

Next, at # 115, a stop button 810i
When it is determined that is pressed, the set value of the operation end time set in # 135 is canceled, that is, cleared, and the operation end time control of stopping the machine at the operation end time is not performed. Thereafter, the button-on flag is set at # 130, and the present subroutine ends.

Next, at # 115, an end button 810j
If it is determined that is pressed, the screen is displayed at # 140 in FIG.
Is performed to return to the basic screen shown in FIG. Then, # 14
It is determined at 5 whether or not the button-on flag is set, and if it is set, the button-on flag is reset at # 150. If it is determined in step # 145 that the button-on flag has not been set, the process proceeds to step # 155.
Then, the previously registered time data is registered again. Thereby, when there is no operation of the operation button, the previous operation end time is maintained. Thereafter, in step # 160, a process of transmitting the data of the set end time to another CPU is performed, and the present subroutine ends.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a job registration process in another process (# 38) in FIG. 13, and controls registration of a new job.

First, in # 300, an output processing time which is a time required for outputting a newly read job is calculated.
Substitute for parameter X. The processing time is calculated based on, for example, the number of documents, the designated number of copies, and the average processing time per sheet. Subsequently, in # 310, the remaining operation time of the digital copying machine 1 is calculated and substituted into the parameter Y.
Here, for example, the remaining operation time is calculated by subtracting the current time from the operation end time. Next, in # 320,
The output processing time of each registered job is calculated (if it has already been calculated, the value is called), and the total output processing time which is the sum of all the registered jobs is calculated and substituted into the parameter Z. In step # 330, YZ operation is performed using the above parameters, and the calculation result is substituted into the parameter P. This calculation result is the time that can be assigned to the newly read job.

In step # 340, the parameter P and Y are compared. Processing time X of newly read job
Is smaller than the time P that can be assigned to this job, the read image is registered at # 350 and registered as a new job. Thereafter, this subroutine ends.

If No in # 340, in # 360, the display unit 801 in FIG. 2 informs the operator that the read image cannot be registered as a job. This display is performed by sending a signal to the CPU 1 and processing by the CPU 1. Thereafter, in # 370, the read image is canceled, that is, erased from the memory, and the present subroutine ends.

With the above processing, whether to register a new job is determined based on the operation end time (or the operation time), the processing time required for processing a new job, and the processing time required for processing a registered job. Can be controlled.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the reading process (# 55) in FIG.

First, in # 500, it is checked whether or not there is a document. If there is an original at # 500, use # 5
It is determined at 10 whether or not the document is currently being read. If the document is being read, the reading sequence control is performed at # 550. The reading sequence control is performed by the CPU 2 and the CPU 3 and the commands and reports described above (see FIG. 10).
, The plurality of originals are compressed in page units, and the data is sequentially registered in the management table MT1 and the code memory.

At step # 510, if reading is not being performed,
At 520, whether or not there is a read start request, ie, C
It is determined whether a read start request has been received from PU1. If there is no reading start request in # 520, this subroutine is terminated as it is, and if it is, the processing after # 530 is performed. In step # 530, the read job ID is updated. In step # 540, "reading" is set, and the above-described read sequence control of step # 550 is executed. Thereafter, this subroutine ends.

If there is no original in # 560, # 560
It is determined whether or not reading is being performed, and if not, the subroutine is terminated. If the reading is being performed in # 560, the reading of the original has been completed.
At 0, data indicating the end of job registration is set in the management table, and the reading is canceled at # 580, and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the print processing (# 56) in FIG. In this routine, a job related to printing is read and switched.

First, in # 600, it is determined whether or not printing is in progress. If printing is not in progress, whether or not there is an unprocessed job in # 610, that is, there is a registered job that has not been printed yet. It is determined whether or not.

If there is no unprocessed job in # 610,
At 655, the printing is canceled (the flag indicating that printing is being performed). If there is an unprocessed job in # 610, # 6
At 15, the processing time required for outputting the job in the next reservation order is calculated, and the calculated processing time is substituted for the parameter A. Here, the processing time is calculated from the copy mode, the number of output copies, the number of documents, and the like set for the job.
Subsequently, in # 620, the remaining time of the operation time of the machine (digital copying machine 1) is called, and the value is referred to as parameter B.
Substitute for The remaining operation time is calculated in # 730 of a power-off control subroutine in FIG. 20, which will be described later.

In step # 625, the parameters A and B are compared. When the parameter A is larger than B, that is, when the next job is not completed before the operation end time of the machine, the process of # 630 is performed. In step # 630, a job that can be completed within the time B (the remaining operating time) is selected from jobs other than the next job based on the job reservation order. Then, the job ID of the selected job is set as the current job.
Here, the current job refers to a job for which print work is to be performed at present. Subsequently, in # 635, # 6
In step 30, it is determined whether there is a corresponding job. If not, the printing in step # 655 is canceled. If there is a corresponding job in # 635, "printing" is set in # 645, and print sequence control is executed in # 650. In the print sequence control, CPU3 and CPU4,
By transmitting and receiving commands and reports as shown in the memory read operation of FIG. 11, image data corresponding to the current job ID is sequentially read from the management table and the code memory in page units, decompressed, and printed. Execute

In step # 625, when the parameter A is not larger than B, that is, when the print processing of the job in the next reservation order is completed within the remaining operating time, in step # 640,
Set the job in the next reservation order as the current job.
After that, the processes of # 645 and # 650 described above are performed, and this subroutine ends.

When printing is being performed in # 600, #
At 605, it is determined whether or not the number of all current jobs has been completed.
The following processing is performed. If all of the processes have not been completed in step # 605, the subroutine is completed.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the order is switched when the processing time of the next job does not end within the remaining operating time has been described. However, the switching timing of the job order is not limited to this. When a predetermined time comes before the operation end time of the machine, control for switching the job order may be performed so that a job with a short processing time is preferentially printed.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart relating to power-off control, which is a subroutine of another process (# 58) in FIG.

First, at # 700, the operation end time is called. The operation end time is, for example, a time set on the operation panel as shown in the present embodiment. This data is transmitted to the CPU 5 via the communication line. Subsequently, in # 710, the current time is read. This is because the clock IC 118 connected to the CPU 5
This is performed by reading the time data from.

Next, in # 720, it is confirmed whether the current time has not reached the operation end time.
If it has not reached, in # 730, the remaining operation time is calculated from the operation end time and the current time. This time is used in # 620 of the print processing shown in FIG. 19 as described above. Subsequently, in step # 740, the power-off request is cleared, and the present subroutine ends.

If the current time has reached the operation end time in # 720, a process for issuing a power-off request command is performed in # 750. By sending this command, the power supply control unit (not shown) performs a process of turning off the power of the digital copying machine 1. Since this technique is known per se, its description is omitted.

In this embodiment, as an example of stopping the apparatus, an example in which the power is completely turned off at the operation end time is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the apparatus may be stopped in the power saving mode after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation end time or power-on. The power saving mode is a mode in which the display on the panel is turned off, the temperature of the fixing device is lowered, and the energy consumption is suppressed to make the device stand by.

FIG. 21 shows another processing (#) in FIG.
58 is a flowchart of additional print processing in one subroutine of (58). This processing is for notifying the operator who registered the unprocessed job that the print processing has been stopped or interrupted when there is an unprocessed job for which the print processing has not been completed at the time when the operation end time of the machine has come. Processing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, information indicating the contents of the canceled or interrupted job is printed together with information indicating that the job has not been completed. This printing is executed using a character generator CG 330 connected to the CPU 3 as shown in FIG.

First, in # 800, it is determined whether or not the power is to be turned off soon, that is, whether or not the operation end time is reached within a predetermined short time. If Yes in # 800, #
At 820, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed job. If there is an unprocessed job, the copy mode set for the unprocessed job is read, and C is printed in order to print the data.
A print processing request is issued to PU5. In response to this, the CPU 5 performs the printing illustrated in FIG. 22 in the print processing subroutine (# 56). On the other hand, # 800, #
In the case of No at 820, this subroutine is terminated as it is.

FIG. 22 is a print example of the additional printing in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 221 denotes a portion for displaying a message to the operator, which is printed to indicate that the job has not been completed. Reference numeral 222 denotes a portion for displaying information of an unprocessed job. In this example, the registration number of the job and the copy mode are printed as an example. The information indicating the content of the job may be other information as long as the content of the job is known, for example, indicating the device to which the data of the job has been transmitted.

[0132]

As described above, according to the present invention, the printing order of each job is changed based on the operation end time or the operation time of the job. There is an effect that the number of processing jobs can be reduced. Further, the stop time during the print processing of the job and the stop of the apparatus can be reduced.

Further, even if the apparatus is stopped in a state where there is an unprocessed job, the information indicating the content of the job is printed so that the unoperated operator can determine which job the unprocessed job is. You can check if it is.

Further, even when the apparatus is currently in the operating state and a new job can be registered, since many jobs have already been registered, the operator has to start a new job within the time until the apparatus is stopped. If printing of a new job is not completed, registration of a new job can be prohibited. This allows
The inconvenience of the operator noticing that the job cannot be performed only at the stop time can be solved.

As described above, when an image forming apparatus capable of registering a plurality of jobs is provided with a function of stopping the image forming apparatus based on a predetermined operation end time or operation time, the user can easily use the image forming apparatus. Image forming apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation panel diagram of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting screen of an operation end time on an operation panel of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control unit in the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control unit in the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a reading unit 2 and an image signal processing unit 20.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the memory unit 30.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a management table MT1.

FIG. 9 shows a job management table MT1 and a code memory 30.
6 is a diagram showing a relationship with No. 6. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic sequence of a memory writing operation, that is, an operation of writing image data read by scanning a document into a memory.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a memory read operation, that is, an operation of reading image data from a memory and printing on paper based on the read image data.

FIG. 12 shows a CPU 1 (101) for controlling the operation panel.
5 is a main flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a CPU 3 that controls the memory unit 30.
5 is a main flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a main flowchart of a CPU 4 for controlling the printer unit 3;

FIG. 15 is a main flowchart of the CPU 5 for adjusting the overall timing of the digital copying machine 1;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a machine operation end time setting process in one subroutine among other processes in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a job registration process in one subroutine of other processes in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a reading process in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine of a print process in FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart related to a power-off control in one subroutine of other processing in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an additional printing process in one subroutine of other processes in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a print example of additional printing in FIG. 21;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copying machine 2 Reading part 3 Printer part 20 Image signal processing part 30 Memory unit part 304 Image memory 306 Code memory

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a multi-job function capable of registering a plurality of jobs and sequentially printing each job in a predetermined order, the operation time or the operation end time of the image forming apparatus being set. Setting means, and processing order control means for changing the order of print processing of each job based on the operation time or operation end time set by the setting means and the processing time required for processing each job. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The processing order control means calculates a remaining operation time from the operation time or the operation end time, and prints each job based on the remaining operation time and a processing time required for processing each job. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the order of processing is changed. 3. An image forming apparatus having a multi-job function capable of registering a plurality of jobs and sequentially performing print processing of each job in a predetermined order. A stop control unit for stopping the operation; and an unprocessed job for printing out information on the unprocessed job when there is a job that has not been processed when the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped by the stop control unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an information output unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information relating to the unprocessed job is an operation mode relating to the job and a registration number of the job. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stop of the operation of the image forming apparatus by the stop control means is a power off of the image forming apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stopping of the operation of the image forming apparatus by the stop control unit is a setting of a power saving mode of the image forming apparatus. 7. An image forming apparatus having a multi-job function capable of registering a plurality of jobs and sequentially performing print processing of each job in a predetermined order, sets an operation time or an operation end time of the image forming apparatus. A setting unit, a stop control unit that stops the operation of the image forming apparatus at a time or a time set by the setting unit, an operation time or an operation end time set by the setting unit, and processing of each job. A processing order control unit that changes the order of print processing of each job based on a required processing time; and a case where there is a job whose processing has not been completed when the operation of the image forming apparatus is stopped by the stop control unit. And an unprocessed job information output unit that prints out information on the unprocessed job. 8. In an image forming apparatus having a multi-job function capable of registering a plurality of jobs and sequentially performing print processing of each job in a predetermined order, an operation time or an operation end time of the image forming apparatus is set. Setting means, based on the operation time or operation end time set by the setting means, the processing time required for processing the registered job, and the time required for processing a job to be newly registered, And a registration control unit for controlling whether to permit registration of a special job.