JP5311062B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs JOB printing and an image forming system that includes the image forming apparatus and a post-processing device that can perform post-processing on paper.

Image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, printers, and multifunction machines perform printing based on JOB. If desired, a post-processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus to punch or staple paper. Post-processing is performed.
The JOB is managed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus, and one or more JOBs can be reserved and managed in addition to the current JOB (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, the control unit of the image forming apparatus can monitor the operation state of the JOB and determine an error that may occur in the reserved JOB, and display this on the display unit to improve the workability of the operator. Proposals have been made.

For example, regarding the display during multi-job (reserved job), when an error occurs, the error-occurring job is selectively displayed as an executing job (see Patent Document 2), while the current (print) job error is being displayed (scan) When an error occurs in a job, an error display unit that displays an error for a current job and an error for a subsequent job by providing two error display portions having different sizes has been proposed (see Patent Document 3).
In addition, the status of a plurality of reserved copy jobs is displayed (see Patent Document 4), and when a reserved job is input, the absence of paper is predicted from the status of the current job and the reserved job (patent) In the case of an error that interferes with reserved JOB output at the time of printer output, there is a proposal that notifies the reserved job execution computer that an error has occurred (see Patent Document 6).

JP-A-8-55228 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-190896 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-313375 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-22872 JP 2000-287012 A JP 2005-88474 A

However, in the conventional apparatus, when an alarm / warning for a reserved subsequent job is detected during execution of a job, an alarm for a reserved job is issued to the operator when the current job being executed stops due to some stop factor. / Warning is not notified.
For this reason, the operator cancels the alarm for the reserved JOB at a stage where the JOB proceeds and executes the reserved JOB. Whenever an alarm / warning is notified and the operation is stopped, the operation for canceling is performed. I must. As a result, the operating rate of the system including the reserved job is reduced and the load on the operator is increased, and there is a problem in terms of production efficiency even in the light printing industry.

  The present invention has been made in the background of the above circumstances, and when a job being output is interrupted, it is possible to display the interruption of a reserved job, thereby preventing a reduction in the operating rate of the apparatus and the operator. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can reduce the burden on the image forming apparatus.

That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit that performs display, an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the device, and a control unit that manages JOB and controls execution of the JOB and display of the display unit. Prepared,
In response to the detection result of the abnormality detection unit, the control unit determines that there is an interruption factor that interrupts the currently executed job, or that it will occur in the future, and that the reservation job is different from the interruption factor. When it is determined that the interruption factor is present or will occur in the future, it is possible to display on the display unit the interruption of the reserved job while the current job is interrupted or being executed.

  The image forming system of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet, and an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the image forming apparatus as a first abnormality detection unit. A second abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the post-processing device, and the control unit manages the JOB and controls execution of the JOB and display of the display unit, and the first abnormality detection unit In addition, it is possible to receive the detection result of the second abnormality detection unit and to perform the display related to the interruption of JOB.

The display may be a display related to the interruption of the JOB being executed and a display related to the interruption of the reserved JOB. The display related to the interruption of the reserved JOB may be displayed simultaneously on the display unit together with the display related to the interruption of the JOB being executed, or one of them may be selected and displayed. The selection may be performed by an operator's operation, or may be automatically switched by control by the control unit.
As a display related to job interruption in the display unit, a warning display indicating a cause of interruption, a display for requesting the cancellation of the interruption factor, or the like can be performed. If an interruption occurs in the future, a display indicating the time of occurrence may be included. That is, according to the present invention, the display related to the interruption is not limited to a specific one, and it is only necessary for the operator to grasp that the interruption occurs at least.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of interruption factors in the reservation JOB, the display regarding the interruption can be sequentially switched and displayed. The switching may be performed automatically at a predetermined time or may be performed by an instruction from an operator. Further, a plurality of interruption factors may be displayed by list display.

Further, the display regarding the interruption may be performed for all the JOBs having the interruption factor, or may be performed for a part of the JOBs.
When the above-mentioned display is performed with some JOBs, only the designated JOB can be targeted. The designation of the JOB may be performed individually by the operation of the operator. For example, when JOB is reserved, whether or not the designation can be made may be set. Further, designation may be made according to the type of JOB (presence / absence of post-processing, type of post-processing, etc.). In the above-mentioned designation, the type of JOB designated in advance is set and stored in the nonvolatile memory of the control unit, etc., and is read out as necessary to determine whether or not to display a JOB having an interruption factor. Can do.

In addition, when the above-described display is performed for a part of JOBs, a JOB associated with the current JOB can be designated. The relevance of the JOB is recorded in the JOB information or the like, and the control unit that reads out the JOB information can determine whether or not to display the JOB having the interruption factor based on the relevance of the JOB.
Further, a JOB associated between JOBs can be designated as a JOB. In this case, it is not required to be associated with the current JOB.

  Further, when the above-mentioned display is performed with a part of JOBs, the above-mentioned display regarding interruption may be performed only with respect to a designated user, for example, a JOB regarding the same user. Some control units can manage JOBs for each user, and such a control unit can determine whether or not to perform the display related to the interruption depending on the user. In this case, the setting of the user who performs the display or the user who does not perform the display is stored in a nonvolatile memory or the like of the control unit, and is read out as necessary and compared with the user name of the job having the interruption factor. Whether or not display is possible can be determined. In this case, for example, it is possible to make settings such as targeting a job of the same user as the user related to the job being executed.

Further, when the above-mentioned display is performed with a part of JOB, the display related to the interruption can be performed only for the designated interruption factor. Some of the interrupting factors can be dealt with immediately by the operator, and others can not be dealt with immediately, and it is possible to set whether to display or not by classifying them. Further, the presence / absence of display can be set by classifying them into those that cannot be canceled without opening the device door and those that can be canceled without opening the device door.
The interruption factors may be specified individually, or the interruption factors may be grouped and specified for a specific group. These designations can be stored as setting data in the non-volatile memory of the control unit, read out as necessary, and used to determine whether or not the display is possible.

In addition, when determining that the interruption factor is released, the control unit can delete the display related to the interruption caused by the interruption factor. Even when the interruption factor is not canceled, a part or all of the display regarding the interruption may be deleted at the request of the operator. Thereby, the display regarding the interruption which an operator considers unnecessary is eliminated, and the display content can be simplified.
Further, when there is an interruption factor and the apparatus is stopped, when the interruption factor is canceled, the restart of the JOB output may be permitted. The resumption may be performed automatically by the control unit or may be executed after waiting for an operator's instruction.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the apparatus is suspended and stopped during the execution of the current job, it is possible to cancel the interruption factor of the subsequent reserved job in advance. In addition, there is an effect that time can be reduced.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention. Similarly, it is a functional block diagram. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement sequence at the time of abnormality occurrence in an image forming system. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the operation | movement sequence at the time of the conventional abnormality occurrence. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation | movement sequence at the time of abnormality generation in this invention. It is a figure which shows the concept of JOB execution in an image forming system, and the operation | movement concept at the time of the conventional abnormality occurrence. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation | movement concept at the time of abnormality generation in this invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the example of the display screen at the time of abnormality occurrence. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows a display procedure. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen at the time of abnormality occurrence. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the further another example of the display screen at the time of abnormality occurrence. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows a display procedure. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the example of a warning display setting screen. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a display procedure based on the warning display setting.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming system according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention, a first post-processing device 2 that punches paper as post-processing, and staples paper as post-processing. The second post-processing device 3 is sequentially connected along the paper transport direction.
The image forming apparatus 1 has a paper feed tray 14a that stores paper and prepares for paper feeding, and has an image processing unit 11 that forms an image on paper fed and conveyed from the paper feed tray 14a. ing. The paper on which the image has been formed is discharged to a first post-processing device 2 described later.
The first post-processing device 2 includes a punch unit 25 that can punch a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1, and punch scraps in the punch unit 25 are stored in a punch scrap box 25a. The first post-processing device 2 is provided with a paper discharge tray 29a that can discharge paper according to the selection. Otherwise, the paper is discharged to the second post-processing device 3 described later.
The second post-processing device 3 has a staple unit 35 that can staple the paper conveyed from the first post-processing device 2, and staples are supplied from the staple needle storage unit 35a. The second post-processing device 3 includes a paper discharge tray 39a from which paper is discharged.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control block of the image forming system, which will be described below.
The image forming apparatus 1, the first post-processing apparatus 2, and the second post-processing apparatus 3 are sequentially connected via a serial bus. The first post-processing device 2 has a punch function, and the second post-processing device 3 has a stapling function.

First, the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus control unit 10 that controls the entire image forming apparatus, an image processing unit 11, a display unit 12, a post-processing setting unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a first conveyance unit 15, and a second conveyance unit. 16, an abnormality detection unit 17 and a serial communication unit 18 are provided as main components.

  The image forming apparatus control unit 10 corresponds to the control unit of the present invention, and includes a CPU and a ROM that stores a program for operating the CPU, a RAM that temporarily stores data, an image memory that stores image data, an image A storage unit including a non-volatile memory that stores setting data, process control parameters, paper information, model information, and the like of the forming apparatus 1 is provided. The image forming apparatus control unit 10 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and calls the setting data registered in the nonvolatile memory to operate the image forming apparatus 1. Also, the JOB is managed to execute or reserve the JOB.

  Further, an image processing unit 11 is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 10 in a controllable manner. The image processing unit 11 is provided with an image reading unit (not shown) for acquiring image data from a document. The image reading unit includes a scanner unit, an automatic document feeder, and the like, and generates image data by reading a document. The image data may be acquired outside the image forming apparatus 1 and provided to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network, a recording medium, or the like. Further, the image processing unit 11 includes an image forming unit. In the image forming unit, for example, a photosensitive member is charged by a charger, a latent image is generated on the photosensitive member based on image data by an LD or the like, the latent image is developed by a developing unit, and this is transferred to a transfer unit. Then, the image is transferred to a sheet through the image forming device, and an image is formed and fixed by a fixing device.

  Further, a display unit 12 is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 10 in a controllable manner. The display unit 12 is controlled by the image forming apparatus control unit 10 to display appropriate information in the image forming apparatus 1. An operator can perform a predetermined operation on the image forming apparatus 1. In the display unit 12, display and operation may be performed independently, or an operation may be performed on a display screen like an LCD touch panel.

  Further, a post-processing setting unit 13 is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 10 in a controllable manner. In the post-processing setting unit 13, a post-processing mode performed on a sheet after image formation, that is, details of post-processing and post-processing. Selection of the processing device, punch position, number of bundles in staples, etc., and the number of copies are set. The post-processing setting unit 13 may be provided independently of the display unit 12 described above, or may be shared by the display unit 12. The contents set by the post-processing setting unit 13 are notified to the image forming apparatus control unit 10.

  A paper feed unit 14 is connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 10 in a controllable manner. The paper feed unit 14 includes the paper feed tray 14a that stores paper for image formation. The image forming apparatus control unit 10 selects a paper feed tray to be used, a paper feed timing, and a paper feed roller. Operations are controlled.

  Further, a first transport unit 15 and a second transport unit 16 are connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 10 in a controllable manner. The first transport unit 15 transports paper from the paper supply unit 14 to the image forming unit, and includes a transport path, transport rollers, and the like, and includes a paper transport interval (feed) controlled by the image forming apparatus control unit 10. Paper is transported at a paper interval. The second transport unit 16 transports the image-formed paper to the first post-processing device 2 in the subsequent stage, and transports the paper at a paper transport interval (discharge interval) controlled by the image forming device control unit 10. To do.

  The image forming apparatus control unit 10 is connected to an abnormality detection unit 17 that detects an abnormality of the image forming apparatus. The abnormality detection unit 17 can be configured by various sensors and the like, and detects a paper supply abnormality, a conveyance abnormality, an image processing abnormality, a display abnormality, a door opening abnormality in the image forming apparatus main body, and the like. The abnormality detection unit 17 also corresponds to a first abnormality detection unit in the image forming system of the present invention. The detection result of the abnormality detection unit 17 is notified to the image forming apparatus control unit 10, and based on the detection result, determination of abnormality, determination of whether or not to execute JOB, and the like are performed.

  In addition, a serial communication unit 18 is controllably connected to the image forming apparatus control unit 10, and the serial communication unit 18 is connected to the upstream serial communication unit 26 of the first post-processing device 2 in the subsequent stage and a serial bus. It is connected. Communication with the first post-processing apparatus 2 in the subsequent stage is possible via the serial communication unit 18, and information on the model of the image forming apparatus 1, production information (paper conveyance interval, etc.), information on JOB (post-processing mode, (Number of transported sheets, separation information) and the like are notified. In addition, the first post-processing device 2 receives information about the first post-processing device 2 (connection position, productivity (paper conveyance interval, time required for post-processing, etc.), device status information, and the first post-processing device 2. Thus, the device status information of the second post-processing device 3 is notified.

Next, the first post-processing device 2 will be described.
The post-processing device 2 includes a post-processing device control unit 20 that controls the entire post-processing device, a first transport unit 21, a second transport unit 22, a third transport unit 23, a punch unit 25 as a post-processing unit, The main configuration includes a serial communication unit 26, a downstream serial communication unit 28, an abnormality detection unit 27 for detecting an abnormality in the first post-processing apparatus 2, and a discharge unit 29 including a discharge tray 29a.

  The post-processing device control unit 20 corresponds to post-processing device control means, and includes a ROM that stores a CPU and a program for operating the CPU, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and setting data for the first post-processing device 2. And a storage unit including a nonvolatile memory storing process control parameters, model information, and the like. The post-processing device control unit 20 controls the entire first post-processing device 2 and calls the setting data registered in the non-volatile memory to operate the first post-processing device 2. Further, the post-processing apparatus control unit 20 punches the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 based on the information related to the execution JOB notified from the image forming apparatus 1 (post-processing mode, number of conveyed sheets, separation information, etc.). The unit 25 is controlled to perform predetermined post-processing.

  A first transport unit 21 is connected to the post-processing device control unit 20 in a controllable manner. The first transport unit 21 is a unit that transports the paper transported from the image forming apparatus 1 to a punch unit 25 or a paper discharge tray 29a, which will be described later, and includes a transport path, transport rollers, and the like, and a post-processing device. A sheet is conveyed at a sheet conveyance interval controlled by the control unit 20. The second transport unit 22 transports the paper from the punch unit 25 through the paper discharge unit 29 to the second post-processing device 3 at a paper transport interval controlled by the post-processing device control unit 20. The third transport unit 23 transports the paper from the first transport unit 21 to the second transport unit 22 without using the punch unit 25.

  The punch unit 25 provides a predetermined punch hole at a predetermined position on the sheet conveyed by the first conveying unit 21 based on JOB information notified from the image forming apparatus. In the case where punching is not performed on the paper, the paper can be transported from the first transport unit 21 to the second transport unit 22 as it is. The punched waste is accommodated in the punch waste accommodating portion 25a.

  The post-processing device control unit 20 is connected to an abnormality detection unit 27 that detects an abnormality of the second post-processing device 2, and the abnormality detection unit 27 can be configured by various sensors. A paper feed abnormality, a conveyance abnormality, a punch section 25 abnormality, a door opening abnormality in the second post-processing apparatus main body, and the like are detected. The abnormality detection unit 27 corresponds to a second abnormality detection unit in the image forming system of the present invention. The detection result of the abnormality detection unit 27 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus control unit 10, and the image forming apparatus control unit 10 performs determination of abnormality, determination of whether or not JOB can be executed, and the like based on the detection result.

The post-processing device control unit 20 is connected to the upstream serial communication unit 26 and the downstream serial communication unit 28 in a controllable manner. The serial communication unit 26 is connected to the serial communication unit 18 of the upstream image forming apparatus 1. The downstream serial communication unit 28 is connected to the upstream serial communication unit 36 of the downstream second post-processing device 3 described later by a serial bus. Communication with the preceding image forming apparatus 1 is possible via the preceding-stage serial communication unit 26, and information on paper conveyance from the image forming apparatus 1, conveyance timing information, and JOB (post-processing setting contents, number of conveyance sheets, Receive notifications such as delimiter information). Further, the apparatus information of the first post-processing apparatus 2, the apparatus information of the second post-processing apparatus 3 via the first post-processing apparatus 2, and the like are notified to the image forming apparatus 1.
Further, communication with the second post-processing apparatus 3 in the subsequent stage is possible via the serial communication unit 28 for the subsequent stage, and information on paper conveyance from the image forming apparatus 1, conveyance timing information, and JOB (post-processing setting contents) , The number of sheets conveyed, separation information) and the like are notified to the second post-processing device 3 via the first post-processing device 2. In addition, device information of the second post-processing device 3 is notified to the first post-processing device 2.

Next, the second post-processing device 3 will be described.
The second post-processing device 3 includes a post-processing device control unit 30 that controls the entire post-processing device, a first transport unit 31, a second transport unit 32, a third transport unit 33, and a staple unit 35 as a post-processing unit. A front serial communication unit 36, an abnormality detection unit 37, a rear serial communication unit 38, and a discharge unit 39 are provided as main components.

  The post-processing device control unit 30 is a nonvolatile memory that stores a CPU and a ROM that stores a program for operating the CPU, a RAM that performs primary storage of data, setting data of the second post-processing device 3, process control parameters, model information, and the like. A storage unit such as a memory is provided. The post-processing device control unit 30 controls the entire second post-processing device 3 and calls the setting data registered in the non-volatile memory to operate the second post-processing device 3. In addition, the post-processing device control unit 30 applies a sheet of paper conveyed from the first post-processing device 2 based on information (post-processing mode, number of conveyed sheets, separation information, etc.) regarding the execution job notified from the image forming apparatus 1. The stapling unit 35 is controlled to perform predetermined post-processing.

  A first transport unit 31 is connected to the post-processing device control unit 30 in a controllable manner. The first transport unit 31 is a unit that transports a sheet transported from the first post-treatment device 2 to a staple unit 35 described later, and includes a transport path, a transport roller, and the like, and is controlled by the post-processing device control unit 30. The paper is conveyed at a paper conveyance interval. The second transport unit 32 transports paper from the stapling unit 35 to the discharge unit 39, and includes a transport path, transport rollers, and the like. The second transport unit 32 feeds the paper at a paper transport interval controlled by the post-processing device control unit 30. Transport. The discharge unit 39 is provided with a discharge tray 39a. The third transport unit 33 is means for transporting paper from the first transport unit 31 to the second transport unit 32 without going through the stapling unit 35, and includes a transport path, transport rollers, and the like, and the post-processing device control unit 30. The paper is transported at a paper transport interval controlled by.

  The stapling unit 35 performs stapling on the paper conveyed by the first conveying unit 31, and the configuration thereof can be configured by a known one. Staple needles are accommodated in the staple needle accommodating portion 35a. In addition, when the stapling process is not performed on the paper, the paper is directly transported to the second transport unit 32 by the third transport unit 33.

  The post-processing device control unit 30 is connected to an abnormality detection unit 37 that detects an abnormality of the second post-processing device 3, and the abnormality detection unit 37 can be configured by various sensors. An abnormality in paper feeding, an abnormality in conveyance, an abnormality in the staple unit 35, an abnormality in opening the door in the second post-processing apparatus main body, and the like are detected. The abnormality detection unit 37, together with the abnormality detection unit 27, constitutes a second abnormality detection unit in the image forming system of the present invention. The detection result of the abnormality detection unit 37 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus control unit 10, and the image forming apparatus control unit 10 performs determination of abnormality, determination of whether or not to execute JOB, and the like based on the detection result.

  The post-processing device control unit 30 is connected to the pre-stage serial communication unit 36 and the post-stage serial communication unit 38 in a controllable manner, and the pre-stage serial communication unit 36 is connected to the post-stage serial communication unit 36 of the pre-stage first post-processing device 2. The post-serial communication unit 38 is connected to the communication unit 28 via a serial bus, and is used when a post-processing device is connected to the post-stage. Communication with the first post-processing apparatus 2 in the previous stage is possible via the serial communication unit 36 in the preceding stage, and information on paper conveyance information, conveyance timing information, and JOB from the first post-processing apparatus 2 (post-processing setting contents) , The number of transported sheets, separation information). Further, the first post-processing device 2 is notified of the device information of the second post-processing device 3, the device information of the post-processing device in the subsequent stage via the second post-processing device 3, and the like.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a sequence diagram when the image forming system is loaded with JOB.
Note that the job execution unit, the abnormality determination unit, and the job availability determination unit in the drawing are included in the image forming apparatus control unit 10.
JOB is performed by input by operating the display unit 12 (panel in the figure) or input from a network via a controller (not shown).
When JOB1, 2, 3, etc. are input, it is determined whether or not JOB can be executed in the JOB availability determination unit. If it is determined in the state of the apparatus that JOB execution is possible, the JOB execution unit first starts executing JOB1. At this time, when JOB2, 3 and the like are input, these JOBs are reserved as JOB2 reservation and JOB3 reservation. When JOB1 ends, the reserved JOB is executed by the JOB execution unit according to the priority order. When the abnormality determination unit detects that an abnormality has occurred from the detection results of the abnormality detection units 17, 27, and 37 during operation of the apparatus, the job availability determination unit determines whether or not JOB can be continued. Judgment is made. In the figure, when abnormalities A and B occur, it is determined that the execution job can be continued. When the abnormality C occurs, if it is determined by the job availability determination unit that the execution job cannot be continued, the job execution unit notified of the determination result stops the job 1 being executed.

A conventional sequence for displaying a warning when an execution job is stopped based on the occurrence of an abnormality will be described with reference to FIG.
When the abnormality C occurs, the JOB execution unit stops the system and displays the occurrence of the abnormality C and the cancellation request on the display unit 12 (panel). When the abnormality determination unit determines that the abnormality C has been released, a restart possible display is displayed on the panel. When a restart instruction is given by the operator via the panel, the job availability determination unit receives the job 1 restart instruction and determines whether or not job 1 can be executed. When it is determined that the job can be executed, the determination result is notified to the job execution unit. The JOB execution unit restarts JOB1, and when JOB1 ends, sends a JOB1 end notification to the JOB availability determination unit. The JOB availability determination unit determines whether or not JOB2 can be executed upon completion of JOB1. At this time, if it is determined that the next job 2 cannot be executed due to the abnormality B, the job enable / disable determining unit notifies the job executing unit that the job 2 cannot be executed. In response to this, the JOB execution unit stops the system and displays the occurrence of abnormality B and the cancellation request on the panel. When it is determined that the abnormality B has been released by the abnormality determination unit, a restart possible display is performed on the panel. Thereafter, as in the case of the occurrence of abnormality C, JOB2 can be restarted by an operator instruction.
As described above, conventionally, a stop state due to an abnormality occurs every time JOB is executed, and the operation rate of the apparatus is greatly reduced.

Next, the sequence of the present invention example will be described with reference to FIG.
When the abnormality C occurs, the system is stopped by the JOB execution unit as in the conventional case. At this time, in the example of the present invention, in addition to the abnormality C, the abnormality A and B are also displayed on the panel.
Thereafter, when the abnormality C is canceled, the display regarding the abnormality C is deleted on the panel, and the display regarding the abnormality A and B is performed. Thereafter, when the abnormality B is canceled, the display relating to the abnormality B is deleted on the panel, and the display relating to the abnormality A is made. Further, when the abnormality A is canceled thereafter, the display relating to the abnormality is deleted on the panel, and a display indicating that restart is possible is made.

When a restart instruction is given by the operator via the panel, a job 1 restart instruction is notified to the job availability determination unit. When the job availability determination unit determines that job 1 is executable, the job execution unit notifies the job execution unit. In response to the notification, the JOB execution unit restarts JOB1. When JOB1 ends, the JOB execution unit notifies JOB1 availability determination unit of the end of JOB1 based on the determination that there is a next JOB. Upon receiving the notification, the job availability determination unit determines whether or not the reservation job can be executed. Since the abnormality B has already been canceled as described above, the job availability determination unit determines whether the next job can be executed and notifies the job execution unit that the job can be executed. Upon receiving the notification, the JOB execution unit executes JOB2, which is the next JOB. When JOB2 ends, the JOB execution unit notifies JOB2 end determination unit JOB2 completion based on the determination that there is a next JOB. Upon receiving the notification, the job availability determination unit determines whether or not the next reserved job can be executed. Since the abnormality has already been canceled as described above, the job availability determination unit determines whether the next job can be executed and notifies the job execution unit that the job can be executed. Upon receiving the notification, the JOB execution unit executes the next JOB, JOB3.
The JOB execution unit stops the system when it is determined that there is no next JOB along with the end of JOB3.
As described above, according to the present invention, when the current job is interrupted, the interruption factor of the reserved job can be easily eliminated, and the operating rate of the apparatus can be greatly improved.

Next, a specific example in which an interruption factor occurs in each JOB will be described with reference to FIG.
First, FIG. 6A shows the concept of an example of the reservation state of JOB.
In this example, JOBs are input in the order of JOB1 → JOB2 → JOB3..., And the system is in a state of executing JOB1. In the currently executed JOB1, the discharge tray 1 is selected as the discharge destination, and no punch is set. In the reserved JOB2, the discharge tray 2 is not punched, and in the reserved JOB3, the discharge tray 2 is punched. It is assumed that “Yes” is set. After that, JOB4 is reserved.

In such an example, even if the door of the second post-processing device 3 (FNS2) is opened during execution of JOB1, there is no failure with respect to JOB1, so JOB1 is continuously executed. In this state, when a failure occurs in the job 1 being executed (for example, a paper jam (JAM)), the job 1 is interrupted and a display requesting the release of the failure is performed.
6B to 6D show a state in which JAM is generated in the image forming apparatus 1, punch scraps are full in the first post-processing apparatus 2, and the door is open in the second post-processing apparatus 3. An example of a conventional display method is shown.
In FIG. 6B, since the continuous execution is impossible due to the JAM generated in the currently executed JOB1, the display unit displays the interruption factor. In addition, JOB2 and JOB3 cannot be continuously executed by this JAM. Further, JOB2 and 3 cannot be continuously executed by opening the FNS2 door, and JOB2 can be continuously executed even when the punch waste bin is full. In JOB3, continuous execution becomes impossible when the punch waste box is full. However, these are not displayed on the display unit by the conventional display method.

  For this reason, after JAM is released and JOB1 is continuously executed and finished, at the start of JOB2, as shown in FIG. 6C, JOB2 cannot be executed because the door of FNS2 is open, and the system Stops. At this time, the FNS2 door is opened and cannot be continuously executed, and a display requesting that the door be closed is displayed.

Even after the FNS2 door, which is an obstacle to JOB2, is closed and JOB2 is continuously executed and finished, JOB3 is executed when punch waste is full at the start of JOB3 as shown in FIG. 6 (d). Failure to do so will cause the system to stop again and prompt the user to discard punch scraps.
As described above, according to the conventional display method, only an interruption warning display for an execution job is performed. Therefore, when the display guidance is followed, the system stops for each job.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the present invention. When an execution job is stopped for some reason, if any warning is generated in all jobs including the reserved job, an execution job warning is displayed. At the same time, it is displayed on the display section that some kind of warning has occurred in the reservation job.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the display unit cannot continuously execute the current JOB1 based on JAM, cannot continuously execute the reserved JOB2 by opening the FNS2 door, It is displayed that continuous execution is not possible. At this time, by eliminating each factor, the job can be executed without stopping the operation of the apparatus later.

Next, examples of display contents on the display unit will be described below.
FIG. 8 shows transition states of the warning display screens 120 to 122 and the restart instruction screen 123 in the display unit 12.
In each of the warning display screens 120 to 122 and the restart instruction screen 123, the image forming apparatus 1, the first post-processing apparatus 2, and the second post-processing apparatus 3 constituting the system are schematically shown. In 122, the part which becomes an interruption factor is displayed by the star. The warning display screen 120 indicates that the interruption factor 120 a exists in the image forming apparatus 1, and the warning display screen 121 indicates that the interruption factor 121 a exists in the first post-processing apparatus 2, and the warning display screen 122. This shows that the interruption factor 122 a exists in the second post-processing device 3. In the restart instruction screen 123, all the interruption factors in each device are deleted, and the start button 123a is displayed to be operable for the restart instruction.

  The warning display screens 120 to 122 may be sequentially switched and displayed by the operator's selection, or the display may be switched at predetermined intervals by the control of the control unit. The resumption instruction screen 123 may be displayed when all of the interruption factors are resolved.

Next, the procedure for selecting the warning display screen will be described with reference to FIG.
With the start of the display process, it is determined whether or not the operation has been completed (step s1). If the operation has not been completed (step s1, NO), the display process relating to the interruption is terminated because the apparatus is operating. If the operation has ended (step s1, YES), it is determined whether or not the operation has ended normally (step s2). If it is a normal end (step s2, YES), the next job is accepted and displayed (step s3). If it is not a normal end (step s2, NO), it is determined whether or not the abnormality that caused the stop has been canceled (step s4). If the abnormality of the stop factor is not released (step s4, NO), the abnormality that causes the stop is displayed (step s5), and the display process is terminated.

  If the abnormality of the stop factor is released (step s4, YES), it is determined whether or not the current job is abnormal (step s6). If there is an abnormality in the current job (step s6, abnormality is present), an abnormality display is performed for the current job (step s7), and the display process is terminated. If there is no abnormality in the current job (step s6, no abnormality), it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the reserved job (step s8). If there is an abnormality in the reserved job (step s8, abnormal), an abnormality is displayed for the reserved job (step s9), and the display process is terminated. If there is no abnormality in the reserved job (step s8, no abnormality), a restart possible display is performed (step s10), and the display process is terminated.

Next, another example of display contents on the display unit will be described with reference to FIG.
In this example, a list is displayed as a warning display, and the warning display screen is configured by a warning list screen 130. In the warning list screen 130, a warning display selection button for displaying a warning for each interruption factor is displayed. In this example, a warning display selection button 131 indicating a paper jam and a warning display selection button 132 indicating the opening of a door are displayed. In addition, a warning display selection button 133 indicating that the punch scrap is full is displayed according to the order of JOB. These display selection buttons can be pushed, and when any one of the warning display selection buttons is pushed, the corresponding detail screen is displayed. The detailed warning display screen 1310 displayed by the push of the warning display selection button 131 shows the outline of the system and the display of the location where the interruption factor is generated (in this example, the image forming apparatus). The next JOB button 1311 and the return button 1312 is displayed so that it can be pushed.

The detailed warning display screen 1320 displayed by pressing the warning display selection button 132 shows an overview of the system and the location of the cause of interruption (in this example, the second post-processing device), and the next job button 1321 A return button 1322 is displayed so that it can be pushed.
The detailed warning display screen 1330 displayed by the push button of the warning display selection button 133 shows the outline of the system and the location of the cause of the interruption (in this example, the first post-processing device), and the return button 1332 is a push button. It is displayed as possible.
When the next JOB buttons 1311 and 1321 are pressed, detailed warning display screens for the next JOB are sequentially displayed. That is, when the next JOB button 1311 is pressed, a transition is made to the warning details screen 1320, and when the next JOB button 1321 is pressed, the transition is made to the warning details screen 1330. When the return buttons 1312, 1322, and 1332 are pressed, the warning list screen 130 is displayed again. In addition, when the failure that causes the interruption is resolved, the corresponding warning display column can be deleted from the warning list screen. Further, when the failure that causes the interruption is resolved while the warning detail screen is displayed, the display can be switched to the detailed warning display screen for the next JOB in the same manner as when the next JOB button is pushed.

When displaying the reservation factor of the reserved job in conjunction with the interruption factor of the current job, the current job can be continued without canceling the interruption factor even in the display of the reserved job. It is also possible to provide it. This example will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, a part of the warning list screen shown in FIG. 10 is changed, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
For example, the display skip buttons 1323 and 1333 are displayed on the warning details screens 1320 and 1330 so that they can be pushed. When the display skip button is pressed and the return button is pressed, the warning display selection button is deleted from the warning list screen. In the figure, the warning display selection button 132 is deleted because the display skip button 1323 is pushed. After all the warnings displayed on the button disappear, transition to a state where restart is permitted. The interruption due to the opening of the door can be easily resolved, and the operation rate of the apparatus is improved when priority is given to restarting JOB over restarting JOB after all the interruption factors are resolved.

The procedure for performing the warning display screen switching process shown in FIG. 10 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
Along with the start of the display process, it is determined whether or not the operation is finished (step sa1). If the operation has not ended (step sa1, NO), the display processing relating to the interruption ends because the apparatus is in operation. If the operation has ended (step sa1, YES), it is determined whether or not the operation has ended normally (step sa2). If it is normal termination (step sa2, YES), the next job is accepted and displayed (step sa3), and the display processing related to the interruption is terminated. If it is not a normal end (step sa2, NO), it is determined whether or not the abnormality that caused the stop has been canceled (step sa4). If the abnormality of the stop factor has not been released (step sa4, NO), the abnormality that becomes the stop factor is selected and displayed (step sa5), and if the abnormality of the stop factor has been released (step sa4, YES), the step Both sa5 are skipped and the process proceeds to step sa6.

  In step sa6, it is determined whether or not the current job is abnormal. If there is an abnormality in the current job (step sa6, abnormal), an error selection display is performed for the current job (step sa7). If there is no abnormality in the current job (step sa6, no abnormality), step sa7 is skipped, In either case, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the reserved job (step sa8). If there is an abnormality in the reserved job (step sa8, abnormal), an abnormal selection display is performed for the reserved job (step sa9). If there is no abnormality in the reserved job (step sa8, no abnormality), step sa9 is skipped. Also, the presence / absence of abnormality related to the abnormality selection display is determined (step sa10). If there is an abnormality (step sa10, abnormality present), a list of abnormalities is displayed (step sa11). If there is no abnormality (step sa10, no abnormality), a restart possible display is performed (step sa12), and display processing is performed. finish.

In the above description, it has been described on the premise that all JOBs are subject to display when there is an interruption factor. However, in the present invention, display regarding interruption may be performed for some JOBs. Good.
FIG. 13 shows a warning display setting screen 140 for specifying a job to be displayed.
On the warning display setting screen 140, a “Yes” button 141 and a “No” button 142 for selecting whether or not to display a warning for reserved jobs are displayed in an operable manner, and are further displayed as warning targets. Reservation JOBNo. “Yes” button 143, “No” button for selecting whether or not to specify, “Yes” button 145 for selecting whether or not the target of warning display is limited to the job of the same user, A “do” button 146 and a “do” button 147 and a “do not” button 148 for selecting whether to limit by the type of warning are displayed in an operable manner.

In the above description, if the reservation job warning display is not displayed by pressing the “No” button 142, the warning display for the current job is performed as in the current state, and the warning display for the reservation job is not performed. And the reservation JOBNo. All of the JOB limitation and warning designation of the same user are invalid or cannot be set.
When the “Yes” button 141 is pressed to select the reservation JOB warning display, the reservation JOBNo. It is possible to set JOB limitation and warning designation for the same user.
By pressing the “No” button 144, the reservation JOBNo. When “None” is selected, a warning can be displayed for all reservation jobs being reserved. On the other hand, the “Yes” button 143 is pressed to select JOBNo. When designation is selected, the designated No. in the reservation JOB is displayed. It becomes the object of display only about. JOBNo. Can be specified on the warning display screen described above.

  Next, when “Do not limit the same user JOB” is selected by the push button of the “No” button 146, JOBs related to all reserved users are displayed. On the other hand, when the same user JOB restriction is selected by the push button of the “Yes” button 145, the warning display screen described above is limited to only warnings for the same user JOB as the current JOB.

If the user does not specify a warning by pressing the “No” button 148, all warnings being reserved are displayed. On the other hand, when the “Yes” button 147 is pressed and the warning designation is selected, only the designated warning is displayed on the warning display screen described above.
It should be noted that a plurality of limitations can be selected, and a display that satisfies all the selected conditions may be displayed.

Next, the procedure for the above setting will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, a determination is made as to whether or not to make a reservation job abnormality determination (step sb1). Whether or not to perform abnormality determination is set by the above-mentioned “Yes” button 141 and “No” button 142. If a setting is made not to make a reservation job abnormality determination (step sb1, invalid), the process ends. When the setting for determining whether or not the reservation job is abnormal is made (step sb1, valid), the job No. It is determined whether or not the specified setting has been made. JOBNo. Whether or not the designation is made is set by the above-mentioned “Yes” button 143 and “No” button 144. JOBNo. When the designated setting is made (step sb2, valid), the designated JOBNo. Whether or not there is a warning is determined (step sb3). If there is no warning, the process ends (step sb3, no), and if there is a warning, the designated JOBNo. Is displayed (step sb4), and the process is terminated.

  JOBNo. If the designated setting has not been made (step sb2, invalid), it is determined whether the same user designated setting has been made (step sb5). Whether or not the same user designation is performed is set by the “Yes” button 145 and the “No” button 146 described above. If the same user designation is set (step sb5, valid), the job presence / absence judgment of the job designated by the same user is performed (step sb6). If there is no warning, the process is terminated (step sb6, no), and the warning is issued. If there is, a warning is displayed for the same user JOB (step sb7), and the process is terminated.

  If the same user designation is not set (step sb5, invalid), a determination is made as to whether or not a designated warning limitation is set (step sb8). Whether or not to limit the specified warning is set by the “Yes” button 147 and the “No” button 148 described above. If the specified warning is limited (step sb8, valid), the presence / absence determination of the specified warning is performed (step sb9). If there is no warning, the process ends (step sb9, none), and if there is a warning, the specified warning is given. Is displayed (step sb10), and the process is terminated. If the designated warning limitation is not set (step sb8, invalid), the process is terminated.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to description of the said embodiment, A suitable change is possible unless it deviates from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 1st post-processing apparatus 3 2nd post-processing apparatus 10 Image forming apparatus control part 12 Display part 17 Abnormality detection part 27 Abnormality detection part 37 Abnormality detection part

Claims (20)

A display unit that performs display, an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the device, and a control unit that manages JOB and controls execution of the JOB and display of the display unit,
In response to the detection result of the abnormality detection unit, the control unit determines that there is an interruption factor that interrupts the currently executed job, or that it will occur in the future, and that the reservation job is different from the interruption factor. When it is determined that the interruption factor actually exists or will occur in the future, it is possible to display on the display unit the interruption of the reserved job during the interruption or execution of the current job. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit a display relating to interruption of an ongoing job and a display relating to interruption of a reserved job.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a warning display as a display regarding the interruption.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a display for requesting cancellation of the interruption factor as the display relating to the interruption.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the display related to the interruption only for a designated JOB.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the designated job is a job associated with a current job.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the designated JOB is a JOB associated between JOBs.   8. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of managing JOB for each user, and performs the display related to interruption only for a JOB related to a designated user. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the designated user is the same user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the display related to the interruption only for the designated interruption factor.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sequentially switches and displays the display related to interruption for a plurality of interruption factors.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit sequentially switches the display regarding the interruption from an upstream side in a sheet conveyance direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit automatically performs the switching within a predetermined time.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit performs the switching according to an instruction from an operator.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit switches the display according to elimination of the interruption factor.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the display of a plurality of interruption factors by a list display.   17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when determining that the interruption factor is released, the control unit can delete a display related to the interruption caused by the interruption factor.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit can delete a part or all of the display related to interruption according to an instruction of an operator.   19. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the job is interrupted and it is determined that the interrupt factor of the current job and the reserved job has been canceled, the control unit permits the restart of the job output. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet, and an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the image forming apparatus as a first abnormality detection unit. A second abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the post-processing device, and the control unit manages the JOB and controls execution of the JOB and display of the display unit, and the first abnormality detection unit An image forming system characterized in that the display relating to the interruption of JOB can be performed in response to the detection result of the second abnormality detection unit.

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