JP5264685B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-function machine 100 which, when performing printing per the number of copies, allows the standby time thereof from the finish of the output of a predetermined copy of printed matter to the start of the output of a subsequent copy of the printed matter to be set appropriately, according to the time required for a post-processing performed by a user. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an instruction-receiving means 510, which upon the receipt of instruction to print a plurality of copies of the printed matter, receives a starting instruction for outputting the subsequent copy of the printed matter or a restarting instruction for outputting of the subsequent copy of the printed matter, when outputting of the subsequent copy of the printed matter is temporarily stopped, after the outputting of the predetermined copy of the printed matter is finished, and transmits the starting instruction or the restarting instruction to a drive means; and a standby time changing means 511 which upon reception of the start instruction, causes a standby time storage means 509 to store as a new standby time, the time starting from the time at which the outputting of the predetermined copy of the printed matter is finished, to the point of time at which the starting instruction is received; and upon the receipt of the restarting instruction, makes the standby time storage means 509 store the time, from the point of time at which the outputting of the predetermined copy of the printed matter is finished to the time at which the restarting instruction is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, or a printer, and more specifically, when printing is performed in units of copies, a waiting time from the completion of output of a predetermined printed matter to the start of output of the next printed matter. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately setting according to the time required for user post-processing.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer, an image reading unit reads an image from a document to acquire image information, while taking out the sheets stored in a sheet feeding cassette one by one and transporting them to the image forming unit. Image data (image information) obtained by the image reading unit is formed on the paper surface.

  By the way, in such an image forming apparatus, there are cases in which a document composed of a plurality of pages is partly (partial number), and a plurality of parts (a plurality of parts) are continuously printed. As described above, when continuously printing a plurality of copies, if each portion is printed continuously without interruption, it is not possible to distinguish each portion, resulting in inconvenience in sorting and the like.

  Therefore, when printing a plurality of copies continuously, each time the printing of a predetermined copy is completed, the printed paper is manually removed from the discharge tray and sorted to distinguish each copy, It is desirable that a time required for processing (hereinafter referred to as post-processing) such as stapling, attaching a clip, or attaching a cover is secured.

  In order to ensure the time required for such post-processing, each part is not printed without a break, but when printing of a predetermined part is completed, a predetermined time (discharged paper) considering the time required for post-processing of this part is taken. It is necessary to perform intermittent (intermittent) printing in which printing of the next part is started after waiting for the interval time and standby time (hereinafter referred to as standby time) to elapse.

  Therefore, in the conventional technology, when printing a document composed of a plurality of pages by the number of copies, the waiting time between the end of printing of a predetermined copy and the start of printing of the next copy is increased. There has been proposed one that can secure the time required for processing (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2004-258257 A

  However, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, although the waiting time between the end of printing of a predetermined part and the start of printing of the next part can be secured, the waiting time can be ensured. No consideration is given to how to properly set. That is, in the case of the prior art, if the standby time is set to be longer than the time required for the post-processing, the loss time other than the time required for the post-processing is increased, so that the printing efficiency is lowered and the convenience is impaired. .

  In addition, for individual users, the time required for post-processing such as sorting work of each unit varies in terms of familiarity, ability, etc., so it is not preferable to set the waiting time uniformly.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. When printing a plurality of copies, the user can set a waiting time in consideration of the time required for post-processing each time printing of a predetermined portion is completed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be set appropriately in accordance with the individuality of the image, and has improved printing efficiency, post-processing efficiency, and convenience as compared with the prior art.

To solve the above problems, in order to achieve the purpose, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, upon receiving a print instruction multiple portions from Yu chromatography The output of printed material of a given part is completed It is assumed that the image forming apparatus outputs a printed material for each predetermined copy by starting output of the next predetermined printed material when a predetermined standby time has elapsed.

  The number of copies (number of copies) is a unit of a printed material including a number of printed materials corresponding to the number of originals from which image data is read.

The image forming apparatus includes a standby time storage unit that stores the standby time. Further, the image forming apparatus receives a print instruction multiple portions, after the output of the printed material of a given part is completed, the start instruction of the print output of the next predetermined parts, or printed material output of the next predetermined parts The printer includes an instruction receiving unit that receives from the user an instruction to resume printing output when the printer is temporarily stopped, and transmits the start instruction or the restart instruction to a driving unit that controls printing output. In addition, when the instruction receiving unit receives the start instruction, the image forming apparatus determines the time from when the printed output of a predetermined part is completed to the time when the start instruction is received to the next predetermined part . The waiting time storage means stores a new waiting time after the output of the printed matter is completed, and when the instruction receiving means accepts the restart instruction, the restart is performed from the time when the output of the printed matter of the predetermined part is completed. comprising the waiting time changing hands stage to be stored in the waiting time memory means the time until the time of accepting the instruction as new waiting time above.

With this configuration, every time output of a printed product of a predetermined part is completed, a waiting time is set based on the user's operation in consideration of the time required for post-processing necessary for the printed material. In accordance with the capability, it is possible to appropriately adjust the start point of output of the next predetermined printed matter. Therefore, useless waiting time (loss time) caused by setting the waiting time uniquely can be reduced as much as possible. In addition, for users who are unfamiliar with the post-processing, the waiting time is prolonged corresponding to the time required for the post-processing of the user, so that the user has a sense of urgency that the post-processing must be advanced quickly. Post-processing can be performed at a pace without feeling, and efficient post-processing as a whole is executed for each predetermined number of copies . As a result, it is possible to increase the printing efficiency and post-processing efficiency as compared with the prior art, and to further improve convenience.

  Further, the waiting time changing means can be configured to delete the new waiting time stored in the waiting time storage means when the output of a plurality of copies is completed.

  With this configuration, when a subsequent user inputs a print instruction for a plurality of copies, a new standby is performed corresponding to the time required for the subsequent user's post-processing without being affected by the standby time set by the previous user. The time is set, and it becomes possible to set the waiting time for each user according to the work ability of the user.

According to the present invention, when printing a plurality of copies, each time printing of a predetermined copy is completed, a waiting time is newly set corresponding to the time required for post-processing performed on the printed matter of the copy. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the output start of the printed matter of the next predetermined portion in accordance with the work ability for the user's post-processing, and an image forming apparatus with improved printing efficiency, post-processing efficiency, and convenience than before It becomes possible to provide.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the image reading part which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of control system hardware of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the time chart which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating that the standby | waiting time which concerns on embodiment of this invention is set for every copy according to the time which an individual user requires post-processing.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multifunction machine including a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax machine, and the like.

  As an example, the operation of the image forming apparatus when providing a document copy function using a multifunction peripheral (when executing copy processing) will be briefly described.

  When the user prints, for example, a document P using the multifunction device 100, the document P is placed on the document table 101 or the mounting table 102 shown in FIG. 1 and the operation unit 103 provided near the document table 101 is operated. Print instructions. When the instruction is given, printing is performed by operating the following units (drive units).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 104 and a platen cover 105 that is attached above the main body 104. A document table 101 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 104, and the document table 101 is opened and closed by a platen cover 105. The platen cover 105 is provided with an automatic document feeder 106, a placement table 102, and a sheet discharge table 107.

  The automatic document feeder 106 includes a document conveyance path 108 formed in the platen cover 105, a pickup roller 109 and conveyance rollers 110A and 110B provided in the platen cover 105, and the like. The document conveyance path 108 is a document conveyance path that leads from the mounting table 102 to the paper discharge table 107 via a reading position X where reading is performed by the image reading unit 111 provided in the main body 104.

  The automatic document feeder 106 pulls out documents one by one from a plurality of documents placed on the table 102 to the inside of the conveyance path 108 by a pickup roller 109, and passes the document drawn by the conveyance rollers etc. through the reading position X. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 107 by the transport roller 110B. When the document passes through the reading position X, the document is read by the image reading unit 111.

  The image reading unit 111 is provided below the document table 101, and its details are shown in FIG. The image reading unit 111 includes a first light source 112 that illuminates the document table 102 in the scanning direction, a slit 113 that selectively allows light from the document table, and a mirror 114 that guides light from the document table. The movable carriage 115, the second movable carriage 117 including mirrors 116A and 116B that reflect the reflected light from the first movable carriage 115 again, and the lens group 118 that optically corrects the light guided by the mirror, An image sensor 119 that receives light corrected by the lens group 118, and an image data generator 120 that converts the light received by the image sensor 119 into an electrical signal and performs correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like as necessary. It consists of and.

  When reading a document on the automatic document feeder 106, the light source 112 moves to a position where the reading position X can be irradiated and emits light. Light from the light source 112 is reflected by a document that passes through the document table 101 and passes through the reading position X, and is guided to the image sensor 119 by the slit 113, mirrors 114, 116A, and 116B, and the lens group 118. The image sensor 119 converts the received light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the image data generation unit 120. The light received by the image sensor 119 is input to the image data generation unit 120 as analog electrical signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), where analog-digital conversion is performed. Digitized. Further, the image data generation unit 120 uses the sequentially converted digital signal as unit data, and generates image data including a plurality of unit data by performing correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like on the unit data.

  Further, the image reading unit 111 can read not only a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 106 but also a document placed on the document table 101. When reading the document placed on the document table 101, the first carriage 114 moves in the sub-scanning direction while emitting the light source 112, so that the optical path length from the light source 112 to the image sensor 119 is constant. The second moving carriage 117 moves in the direction of the image sensor 119 at a half speed of the first moving carriage 115.

  The image sensor 119 electrically outputs the light from the document placed on the document table 101 based on the light guided to the mirrors 114, 116 A, and 116 B, as in the case of the document conveyed to the automatic document feeder 106. The signal is converted into a signal, and based on this, the image data generation unit 120 generates image data and stores it in the storage unit 120B.

  An image forming unit 121 that prints image data is provided below the image reading unit 111 of the main body 104. Image data that can be printed by the image forming unit 121 is generated from the image data generating unit 120 as described above, or from a terminal such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and a network such as a LAN. Received via the interface.

  As a printing method performed by the image forming unit 121, an electrophotographic method is used. That is, the photosensitive drum 122 is uniformly charged by the charger 123, and then a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 122 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 122 with a laser 124, and toner is attached to the latent image by the developing device 125. In this method, a visual image is formed and the visible image is transferred to a transfer medium by a transfer roller.

  Note that in the image forming apparatus corresponding to the full-color image, the developing device (rotary developing device) 125 is rotated in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis configured in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A developing unit storing color toner is disposed at a position opposite to the photosensitive drum 122. In this state, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 122 is developed with toner stored in the developing device 125 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 126A. The developing unit 125 includes four developing units 125 (Y), (C), (M), and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), respectively. (K). By repeating the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 126A for each color, a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 126A.

  A transfer medium on which a visible image is printed, that is, a sheet, is placed on a sheet feeding tray such as a sheet feeding cassette 132, 133, or 134.

  When the image forming unit 121 performs printing, one transfer medium is pulled out from any one of the paper feed trays by using the pickup roller 135, and the transferred transfer medium is intermediate transfer belt by the transport roller 136 or the registration roller 137. It is fed between 126A and the transfer roller 126B.

  When the visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 126A is transferred to the transfer medium fed between the intermediate transfer belt 126A and the transfer roller 126B, the image forming unit 121 uses the conveyance belt 127 to fix the visible image. The transfer medium is sent to the fixing unit 128 (fixing device). The fixing unit 128 includes a heating roller 129 with a built-in heater and a pressure roller 130 pressed against the heating roller 129 with a predetermined pressure. When the transfer medium passes between the heating roller 129 and the pressure roller 130, the visible image is fixed to the transfer medium by heat and a pressing force to the transfer medium. The fixed transfer medium is discharged to a discharge tray 131.

  A side of the multifunction peripheral 100 is provided with a manual feed tray 138 configured to convey the placed paper between the intermediate transfer belt 126A and the transfer roller 126B. For example, when a predetermined size of paper is placed, a predetermined condition is input, and the start key is pressed, the conveyance roller 138A in the vicinity of the manual feed tray 138 rotates, and the paper on the manual feed tray 138 is intermediately transferred. It is conveyed to the belt 126A and the like. As described above, even if the sheet is a sheet other than the sheet in the sheet feed tray, the multi-function device 100 can transfer the visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 126A to the sheet.

  Through the above-described procedure, the multi-function device 100 provides a copy function to the user. The image reading means 503 is a means for executing reading of an image of the original P as image data after irradiating the light source 112 to the original P, and the image forming means is a means for performing an image forming process on the sheet based on the image data. Reference numeral 504 denotes image data storage means 505 as a means for storing image data (described later).

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the operation unit 103 according to the present invention.

  The user uses the operation unit 103 to input setting conditions for the image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting condition is input, a touch panel 301, a touch pen 302, and an operation key 303 provided in the operation unit 103 are used.

  The touch panel 301 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions. That is, by pressing an item in the setting screen displayed on the touch panel 301, a setting condition associated with the item is input. In addition, since the background color of the item is changed from white to gray in conjunction with the input setting condition, the input setting condition is confirmed by the background color of the item.

  A touch pen 302 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301. When the user touches the touch pen 301 with the tip of the touch pen 302, a sensor provided under the touch panel detects the touch destination. Since the tip of the touch pen is almost close to a point, the sensor detects, for example, the contact point in dot units (minimum unit). Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the position in the touch panel 301 is designated by a finger, the position designated by the touch pen can be designated more accurately.

  A setting screen designated by the touch pen 302 includes a predetermined number of item keys (selection item keys) displaying a preview image of a document generated from a read document image (image data) and a predetermined instruction (operation, condition). , Also called a setting item key). The user can select and press the displayed item key with the touch pen 302.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 303 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301, and for example, a numeric keypad 304, a start key 305, a clear key 306, a stop key 307, a reset key 308, and a power key 309 are provided. The numeric keypad 304 is used to input specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of control system hardware of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 404, and a driver 405 corresponding to each drive unit. They are connected by a bus 406. The CPU 401 uses, for example, the RAM 403 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like, and receives data and instructions from the driver 405 and the operation unit 103 (not shown) based on the execution result. The operation of each drive unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled. Further, each means (shown in FIG. 5) other than the driving unit described later is realized by the CPU 401 executing the program. The ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like store programs and data for realizing each means described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 6, when the multifunction peripheral 100 (image forming apparatus) of the present invention performs printing in units of copies, the output of the printed material of the next copy is started after the output of the printed material of the predetermined copy is completed. A procedure for setting the waiting time until the time required for the post-processing of the user will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the user places a plurality of documents on the automatic document feeder 106 and turns on the power of the multifunction peripheral 100, the display accepting unit 501 displays a copy setting screen regarding the copy function on the touch panel 301. (FIG. 6: S101).

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a copy setting screen 700 displayed on the touch panel.

  In the copy setting screen 700, as shown in FIG. 7A, a message “Can copy” 701 prompting the user to execute the copy function and a copy number display column for displaying the number of prints input by the user's operation. 702 and an item key 703 for receiving operation conditions related to various functions corresponding to paper selection, single-side / double-side setting, print density, print magnification, monochrome / color setting from the user. The item key 703 is displayed in a state where it can be pressed by the user pressing (selecting). When the copy setting screen 700 is displayed, the operation conditions related to various functions are displayed in a state where initial conditions (for example, “1” for the number of copies) set in advance by an administrator or the like are set.

  Here, it is assumed that the user wants to print six copies of a plurality of originals, sort out the printed matter for each copy, and then execute a process (post-processing) of attaching a cover prepared separately to the printed matter. To do. Therefore, when the user depresses (selects) the “6” key 304 a of the numeric keypad 304, the display receiving unit 501 changes the display of the copy number display column 702 from “1” to “6”.

  Next, when the user confirms the display “6 copies” in the copy number display column 702 and presses the start key 305, the display receiving unit 501 starts outputting the printed material with the set number of print copies “6”. The number of copies received from the user “6 copies” is notified to the driving means 502 that controls the output of the printed matter (FIG. 6: S102 YES). Upon receiving the notification, the driving unit 502 controls the image reading unit 503 and the image forming unit 504 to execute printing for each page constituting the first “part” (FIG. 6: S103).

  Specifically, when the driving unit 502 notifies the image reading unit 503 of an image reading instruction, the image reading unit 503 operates the automatic document feeder 106 to read an image of a plurality of documents. This is executed for each sheet, and the read image data is stored in the image data storage means 505. Further, the driving unit 502 notifies the image forming unit 504 of a print instruction for all the pages constituting the “part”, and the image forming unit 504 that has received the notification receives the image data stored in the image data storage unit 505. Based on the above, image formation for each page is started for the first partial number of printed materials (the first printed material, the first printed material).

  Further, the driving unit 502 notifies the copy determination unit 506 of the number of print copies received from the user “6 copies”, and determines whether the image forming unit 504 has performed printing of the number of print copies “6 copies”. Let

  The copy determination unit 506 monitors the image forming unit 504 to determine whether or not all pages constituting the currently printed “copy” have been printed for each page printed (FIG. 6: S104). . If all pages are printed as a result of the determination (FIG. 6: S104 YES), the counting unit 507 increments the count value from the initial value “0” by the unit number “1”, and the unit determining unit 506 Then, it is determined whether or not the count value matches the number of prints input by the user (FIG. 6: S105).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the user inputs “6 copies”. For example, even if the printing of the first portion is completed, all the “copies” have not yet been printed. In step S506, it is determined that the count value “1 copy” does not match “6 copies” (FIG. 6: S105 NO). As a result of the determination, the unit determination unit 506 causes the driving unit 502 to temporarily stop printing of the next “set” (without notifying the next “set” print instruction), and starts the timer 508 (timer reset). (FIG. 6: S106), the initial standby time T0 stored in the standby time storage means 509 is set in the timer 508 as the standby time. The standby time storage unit 509 stores an initial standby time T0 (for example, “3 minutes”) as a default value in advance by a user (such as an administrator).

  When the measurement time measured by the timer 508 is within the initial standby time T0 (FIG. 6: S107 NO), printing of the next “part” is not started (the part determination unit 506 sends the print instruction to the drive unit 502. Within this waiting time, the user will perform post-processing on the “copy” printed matter that has already been output.

  In addition, the copy determination unit 506 that has started the timer 508 notifies the instruction receiving unit 510 that printing of a certain “copy” has been completed. Receiving the instruction, the instruction receiving means 510 displays a start instruction receiving screen 704 on the touch panel 301 (FIG. 6: S108).

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a start instruction reception screen 704 displayed on the touch panel 301.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the start instruction reception screen 704 outputs a message “multiple copies are being printed” 705 indicating that the user is executing a plurality of print processes, and is output at this time. The current copy number display column 706 ("1 copy") indicating the number of print copies completed, the set copy number display column 707 ("6 copies") indicating the initial print copy number set by the user, and the currently set standby A setting standby time display field 708 (“3 minutes”) indicating a time and a current standby time display field 709 indicating a standby time elapsed at the present time (“0 minute 0 second if the start instruction reception screen 704 is displayed”) )), A message 710 prompting the user to start printing the next “copy” (output of the printed material of the second copy), and a “next copy start” key 711 for accepting the start command from the user, Is displayed That.

  A time point when the start instruction reception screen 704 is displayed will be described using a time chart.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart in the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9A, for example, when the output of the first printed material is completed at time ta, the unit determination unit 506 measures the elapsed time (measurement time) from the time ta using the timer 507. At time ta, the instruction receiving unit 510 receives a start instruction for outputting the second printed material from the user via the start instruction receiving screen 704.

  Here, at time T1 (T1 <T0) in which the measurement time of the timer 508 does not exceed the initial standby time T0 during the initial standby time T0 (FIG. 6: S107 NO), the user completes post-processing, When the “next copy start” key 711 (or the start key 305) on the start instruction reception screen 704 is pressed, the instruction reception unit 510 receives an instruction to start printing the next “copy” (FIG. 6: S108 YES), This is notified to the driving means 502. Upon receiving the notification, the driving unit 502 instructs the image forming unit 504 to start printing, and the next one copy is started. At this time, the instruction receiving unit 510 notifies the standby time changing unit 511 that the start of printing of the next “copy” is instructed within the initial standby time, and the standby time changing unit 511 receiving the notification The initial standby time T0 stored in the standby time storage unit 509 is updated to a time T1 (for example, “2 minutes”) measured by the timer 508 (the standby time storage unit using the time T1 as a new standby time). (FIG. 6: S109). As a result, the next standby time set in the timer 508 by the unit determination means 506 is a time T1 shorter than the initial standby time T0.

  The point in time when the instruction receiving unit 510 receives an instruction to start outputting the second printed matter will be described with reference to a time chart. For example, as shown in FIG. When an instruction to start outputting the printed material is received, a time period from the time ta when the output of the first printed material is completed to the time tc when the instruction to start outputting the second printed material is received corresponds to the time T1. The time T1 is stored in the standby time storage unit 509 as a new standby time.

  On the other hand, when the measurement time measured by the timer 508 reaches the initial standby time T0 (FIG. 6: S107 YES), the timer 508 transmits a time over signal to the unit determination means 506. Upon receiving the signal, the part determination unit 506 instructs the driving unit 502 to start the printing, and the driving unit 502 proceeds to the printing step of the next “part” (second copy) (FIG. 6: S103).

  The unit determination unit 506 that has instructed the driving unit 502 to start printing for the next “copy” notifies the instruction reception unit 510 of the fact. Upon receiving the notification, the instruction receiving unit 510 displays a pause instruction receiving screen on the touch panel 301 (FIG. 6: S110).

  FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of a pause instruction reception screen 800 displayed on the touch panel 301.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, the temporary stop instruction acceptance screen 800 includes a current copy number display column 801 (“1 copy”), a set copy number display column 802 (“6 copies”), and a printed matter currently being output. Message 804 indicating that the number of print copies is currently being output 803, a message 804 prompting the user to pause output of the printed matter currently being output, A “temporary stop” key 805 for accepting an instruction, a message 806 for prompting the user to resume the output of the paused printed matter, and a “restart” key 807 for accepting the resume instruction from the user are displayed. Is done.

  The point in time when the suspension instruction acceptance screen 800 is displayed will be described with reference to a time chart. As shown in FIG. 9B, for example, when the measurement time of the timer 508 exceeds the initial standby time T0 at time tb, the unit determination unit 506 However, it instructs the driving means 502 to output the second printed material at the time tb. Further, the instruction receiving unit 510 receives an instruction to pause the output of the second printed material from the user via the pause instruction receiving screen 800.

  Here, the time for the user to perform post-processing on the first “copy” printed material is not enough for the standby time (initial standby time T0), and each page constituting the next copy is printed. If the user presses the “temporary stop” key 805 (or the stop key 307) in the temporary stop instruction reception screen 800 in this state, the instruction reception means 510 causes the user to temporarily print the next “copy”. A stop instruction is accepted (FIG. 6: S104 NO → S110 YES), and a notification to that effect is sent to the drive means 502. Upon receiving the notification, the driving unit 502 transmits an instruction to stop printing to the image forming unit 504, whereby the image forming unit 504 stops in the middle of the currently printing “part”. . The instruction receiving means 510 continues to display the suspension instruction receiving screen 800 so as to be able to accept the pressing of the “restart” key 807 (FIG. 6: S111).

  When the instruction receiving unit 510 receives a pause instruction using a time chart, as shown in FIG. 9B, for example, when the instruction receiving unit 510 receives a pause instruction at time td, the driving unit 502 At the time td, the image forming unit 504 temporarily stops outputting the second printed matter. Even when the time point td has elapsed, the instruction receiving unit 510 receives a restart instruction from the user via the temporary stop instruction receiving screen 800.

  Now, the user executes post-processing for the first printed material, and when the post-processing is completed, the “restart” key 807 (or the start key 305) on the suspension instruction reception screen 800 is displayed. When the button is pressed, the instruction accepting unit 510 accepts an instruction to resume printing of the next “copy” (FIG. 6: S111 YES), and notifies the drive unit 502 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the driving unit 502 confirms that all the target “parts” are not printed, and resumes printing of the remaining pages of the “parts” that have been printed halfway to the image forming unit 504. I will let you. At this time, the instruction receiving unit 510 notifies the standby time changing unit 511 that an instruction to resume printing of the next “copy” is issued, and the standby time changing unit 511 that has received the notification receives the standby time storage unit. The initial standby time T0 stored in 509 is stored in the standby time storage means 509 as the new standby time, which is the current time T2 (T2> T0, for example, “4 minutes”) measured by the timer 508. (FIG. 6: S112). As a result, when printing of the next “part” is resumed, the standby time T2 stored in the standby time storage means 509 by the part determination means 506 is set in the timer 508 in the same manner as the start step of the timer 508. .

  The point in time when the instruction for resuming the output of the second copy is received will be described with reference to a time chart. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the instruction receiving means 510 resumes the output of the second copy of the output at time te. When the instruction is received, the time period from the time point ta when the output of the first printed material is completed to the time point te when the instruction to resume the output of the second printed material is received corresponds to the time T2, and the time T2 is a new time. The waiting time is stored in the waiting time storage means 509 as a waiting time.

  On the other hand, after the measurement time exceeds the initial standby time T0 (FIG. 6: S107 YES), the user does not press the “temporary stop” key 805 on the temporary stop instruction reception screen 800 (FIG. 6: S110 NO). Is completed (FIG. 6: S103 → S104 YES), at this time (when the second copy is finished), the standby time storage means 509 stores the previous standby time, that is, the initial value. The same time T0 as the waiting time T0 is stored, and the next waiting time is the same time as this time (FIG. 6: S105 NO → S106).

  The above-described procedure has been described for the case where the output of the second copy is completed after the output of the first print is completed. Is omitted.

  Now, when all the pages constituting the last “part” have been printed, the part determination means 506 confirms that all the “parts” have been printed (the count value counted by the counting means 507 is printed). If it is determined that the number of copies matches “6 copies”), the count value “6 copies” is returned to the initial value “0 copies”, the drive unit 502 is notified of this, and printing is completed (FIG. 6: S105 YES). . At this time, the copy determination unit 506 notifies the standby time changing unit 511 that printing has been completed, and the standby time changing unit 511 that has received the notification is a time other than the initial standby time T0 (eg, T1, T2). Is cleared (erased) from the standby time storage means 509 to return to the initial state (FIG. 6: S113). As a result, when the subsequent user inputs a plurality of print instructions, a new standby time corresponding to the time required for the post-processing of the subsequent user is not affected by the standby time set by the previous user. Will be set.

  When the user presses the “temporary stop” key 805 (or the stop key 307) for the purpose of canceling the printing operation itself (FIG. 6: S110 YES), the “restart” key 807 (or the start key 305) again. Will not be pressed. Accordingly, when the “temporary stop” key 805 is pressed (FIG. 6: S110 YES) and the “restart” key 907 is not pressed within a predetermined time (FIG. 6: S111 NO → S114 YES), the instruction receiving means 510 performs printing. The drive unit 502 may be notified of the completion, the drive unit 502 that has received the notification completes the printing itself, and the standby time changing unit 511 returns the standby time storage unit 509 to the initial state. No (FIG. 6: S113).

  As described above, every time output of a predetermined portion of printed matter is completed, it is possible to set an appropriate standby time corresponding to the time required for post-processing of each individual user.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that the standby time according to the embodiment of the present invention is appropriately set for each unit according to the time required for the post-processing of each user.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, assuming that there are three users (user A, user B, user C), when user A is accustomed to performing post-processing such as work for attaching a cover, S107NO → S108YES → S109 → S103 to S105NO → S106 → S107 (the first procedure) is repeated by trial and error, so that the initial standby time is “3 minutes” as shown by the solid line in FIG. In addition, the user A can execute post-processing while being updated as needed during a shorter standby time (for example, “2 minutes”).

  On the other hand, if user B is still unfamiliar with the execution of post-processing, try S104NO → S110YES → S111YES → S112 → S103 to S105NO → S106 to S107YES → S103 → S104 (second procedure) in FIG. By repeating it by mistake, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 10, the user B performs post-processing in a state updated to a standby time longer than the initial standby time “3 minutes” (for example, “4 minutes”). It becomes possible to execute.

  In addition, although user C is unfamiliar with the first post-processing, if he / she gets used to the post-processing by repeating the post-processing, the first procedure and the second procedure in FIG. As shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 10, the initial standby time is set to a longer standby time than the initial standby time “3 minutes”, but gradually becomes longer than the initial standby time “3 minutes”. The user C can execute post-processing while being updated at any time during a short waiting time.

  As described above, in the multi-function device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a print instruction for a plurality of copies is received, an output start instruction for the next copy or a next print output after the output of the print for a predetermined copy is completed. An instruction receiving unit 510 that receives from the user an instruction to resume printing output when the output of the printed matter is temporarily stopped, and transmits the start instruction or the restart instruction to a driving unit that controls the printing output. In addition, when the instruction receiving unit 510 receives the start instruction, the multi-function device 100 determines the time from when the printed output of a predetermined part is completed to the time when the start instruction is received, to the next printed part. When the instruction receiving unit 510 receives the restart instruction from the completion of the output of the print, when the instruction reception unit 510 receives the restart instruction, from the time when the output of the printed matter of the predetermined part is completed to the time when the restart instruction is received The waiting time changing means 511 is set for setting the waiting time as the new waiting time.

  With this configuration, every time output of a printed product of a predetermined part is completed, a waiting time is set based on the user's operation in consideration of the time required for post-processing necessary for the printed material. It is possible to appropriately adjust the start point of output of the next printed matter in accordance with the capability. For this reason, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the wasted loss time caused by the standby time being uniquely set. In addition, for users who are unfamiliar with the post-processing, the waiting time is prolonged corresponding to the time required for the post-processing of the user, so that the user has a sense of urgency that the post-processing must be advanced quickly. Post-processing can be performed at a pace without feeling, and efficient post-processing as a whole is executed for each number of copies. As a result, it is possible to increase the printing efficiency and post-processing efficiency as compared with the prior art, and to further improve convenience.

  In the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the initial standby time T0 is stored in advance in the standby time storage unit 509 as a default value. However, other configurations may be used. For example, the display accepting unit 501 may accept the waiting time from the user when accepting the number of copies of the setting condition from the user.

  In the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the user inputs the number of copies through the display receiving unit 501 and presses the start key, the unit determining unit 506 controls the driving unit 502 to control the predetermined number. Although the output of the next portion of printed matter is started when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the output of the printed portion of this portion is completed, other configurations may be used. For example, a standby time setting mode in which the output of the next printed matter is started when a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the output of the printed matter of the predetermined portion is completed, and the display receiving unit 501 When the standby time setting mode and the standby time desired by the user are received from the user, the unit determination unit 506 controls the driving unit 502 and the predetermined standby time has elapsed after the output of the printed matter of the predetermined unit is completed. At this point, the output of the next printed matter may be started. In the case of the configuration, the instruction receiving unit 510 and the standby time changing unit 511 described above are activated. With this configuration, for example, when a user does not require post-processing, such as when copying 100 copies of a document, unnecessary waiting time does not occur. A function can be provided.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the waiting time changing unit 511 receives the start instruction from the instruction receiving unit 510, the time from when the printed output of a predetermined part is completed to the time when the start instruction is received. The time is stored in the standby time storage unit 509 as a new standby time after the output of the printed material of the next part is completed, and when the instruction receiving unit 510 receives the restart instruction, the printed material of a predetermined part The time from the time when the output is completed to the time when the restart instruction is accepted is stored in the standby time storage unit 509 as the new standby time, but other configurations may be used. For example, when the output of a predetermined portion of printed matter is completed, when the copy determination unit 506 activates the timer 508, the standby time changing unit 511 receives a new standby in the timer 508 instead of the copy determination unit 506. You may comprise so that time may be set.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the copy determination unit 506 is configured to monitor the number of printed sheets of the image forming unit 504 in order to detect the completion of the output of the printed matter of the predetermined copy. Other configurations may be used. For example, a switch that is turned on / off in accordance with the weight of the number of discharged sheets (for example, the weight of one copy) is provided on the sheet discharge tray, and the section determination unit 506 receives a predetermined signal in response to an ON signal from the switch. It may be configured to monitor the start of printing that constitutes a part, and to monitor the completion of output of a printed matter of a predetermined part by an OFF signal of the switch.

  Further, in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the copy determination unit 506 determines that the output of the print of the predetermined copy is completed, a new setting is provided in the operation unit to prompt the user to perform post-processing. The sound generator may be used to emit a beep sound or turn on a light newly provided in the operation unit.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In this configuration, the program is read by the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus implements the respective units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a storage method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful not only for multi-function machines but also for copying machines, printers, and the like. When printing is performed in units of copies, the output of a predetermined copy is completed and the next copy is output. This is effective as an image forming apparatus that can appropriately set the waiting time until the output of the printed material starts according to the time required for the post-processing of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Multifunction apparatus 501 Display reception means 502 Drive means 503 Image reading means 504 Image formation means 505 Image data storage means 506 Part determination means 507 Count means 508 Timer 509 Standby time storage means 510 Instruction reception means 511 Standby time change means

Claims (2)

Upon receiving a print instruction multiple portions from a user, by initiating the output of the printed matter of the next predetermined part at the time when the output has passed a predetermined standby time after the completion of the printed matter of a predetermined part, predetermined In the image forming apparatus that outputs the printed matter for each of the copies ,
Standby time storage means for storing the standby time;
When receiving a print instruction multiple portions, after the output of the printed material of a given part is completed, the when the start instruction of the print output of the next predetermined section, or the printed material output of the next predetermined part is suspended An instruction receiving means for receiving a print output restart instruction from a user, and transmitting the start instruction or the restart instruction to a drive means for controlling the print output;
When the instruction accepting unit accepts the start instruction, the time from the time when the printed output of the predetermined part is completed to the time when the start instruction is received is the time after the output of the printed part of the next predetermined part is completed. The waiting time storage means stores the new waiting time as
When the instruction accepting unit accepts the resume instruction, the waiting time storage unit stores the time from when the output of the printed matter of a predetermined part is completed to when the resume instruction is accepted as the new waiting time. A waiting time changing means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standby time changing unit deletes the new standby time stored in the standby time storage unit when output of a plurality of copies is completed.

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