Image forming apparatus, long-size print job execution method, and long-size pring job execution program

Abstract

To prevent a long-size recording medium on which an image is formed from getting dirty.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus acquires, from the outside, a long-size print job in which processing of forming an image on a long-size recording medium is defined (S01), determines whether an operator is present in a detection area (S02, S05), when determining that the operator is present in the detection area, executes the long-size print job (S07), and when determining that the operator is not present in the detection area, does not execute the long-size print job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a method for executing a long print job, and a program for executing a long print job, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a long print job, a method for executing a long print job executed by the image forming apparatus, and a long job execution program for causing a computer that controls the image forming apparatus to execute the method for executing a long print job.

[0002] In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) capable of forming an image on a long sheet of paper have been known. A long sheet of paper is a sheet of paper having a length in the longitudinal direction exceeding 487 mm. For example, there is an MFP capable of forming an image on a long sheet of paper having a length in the longitudinal direction of 1200 mm or more. When an image is formed on a long sheet of paper by an image forming apparatus, the long sheet of paper on which the image has been formed may fall from the image forming apparatus to the floor, thereby soiling the long sheet of paper.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-120306 describes an image forming apparatus that guides a long sheet of paper on which an image has been formed to a paper discharge tray and stops while holding it with a paper discharge roller, or stops while holding the long sheet of paper with a reversing roller in a reversing path.

[0004] However, when the length of the long sheet of paper is greater than the length of the reversing path, the paper cannot be held in the reversing path. Further, when the length of the long sheet of paper is longer than the length from the paper discharge roller to the floor surface, the long sheet of paper comes into contact with the floor surface. For this reason, there is a problem that the long sheet of paper on which the image has been formed may be soiled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] This invention is made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of this invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a long recording medium on which an image is formed from being soiled.

[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a method for executing a long print job capable of preventing a long recording medium on which an image is formed from being soiled.

[0008] Still another object of this invention is to provide a program for executing a long print job capable of preventing a long recording medium on which an image is formed from being soiled.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] According to an aspect of this invention for achieving the above-described object, an image forming apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires from the outside a long print job defining a process of forming an image on a long recording medium, a job execution unit that executes the long print job, and a determination unit that determines whether an operator exists in a predetermined working range with respect to the main body. The job execution unit executes the long print job when it is determined that an operator exists in the working range, and does not execute the long print job when it is determined that no operator exists in the working range.

[0010] According to another aspect of this invention, a method for executing a long print job causes an image forming apparatus to execute an acquisition step of acquiring from the outside a long print job defining a process of forming an image on a long recording medium, a job execution step of executing the long print job, and a determination step of determining whether an operator exists in a predetermined working range with respect to the main body. The job execution step includes a step of executing the long print job when it is determined that an operator exists in the working range, and a step of not executing the long print job when it is determined that no operator exists in the working range.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a long print job execution program causes a computer that controls an image forming apparatus to execute an acquisition step of acquiring from the outside a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long recording medium, a job execution step of executing the long print job, and a determination step of determining whether an operator exists within a predetermined working range with respect to the main body. The job execution step includes a step of executing the long print job when it is determined that an operator exists within the working range, and a step of not executing the long print job when it is determined that no operator exists within the working range.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall outline of an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes one or more MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 100, 100A and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 200. Here, a case where the image forming system 1 includes two MFPs 100, 100A and one PC 200 will be described as an example, but the number of each is not limited. The image forming system 1 may include one or more PCs 200 and MFPs 100, 100A.

[0015] The PC 200 is an example of an information processing device and is a general computer. Therefore, since the hardware configuration and functions of the PC 200 are well-known, the description thereof will not be repeated here. The MFPs 100, 100A are examples of image forming devices. Each of the MFPs 100, 100A and the PC 200 is connected to the network 3. For this reason, the MFPs 100, 100A and the PC 200 can communicate with each other.

[0016] The network 3 is a local area network (LAN). Note that the network 3 is not limited to a LAN and may be a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet.

[0017] Driver programs for controlling each of the MFPs 100, 100A are installed in the PC 200. For this reason, the PC 200 can transmit image data to any of the MFPs 100, 100A and cause the MFPs 100, 100A to form an image of the image data on a recording medium such as paper.

[0018] In this embodiment, MFPs 100 and 100A basically have the same hardware configuration and functions. Therefore, in the following description, MFP 100 will be described as an example unless otherwise specified. MFP 100 has a function of forming an image on a long recording medium. The long recording medium is a sheet of paper with a length in the longitudinal direction exceeding 487 mm. Note that the material of the recording medium is not limited to paper and may be a sheet such as an OHP film. Here, the long sheet of paper will be described by taking, for example, the case where the length in the longitudinal direction is 1200 mm or more. Note that MFPs 100 and 100A may have different hardware configurations and functions as long as they can execute the long print job received from PC 200.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the MFP in this embodiment. MFP 100 includes an automatic document feeder 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, and an operation panel 160. The document reading unit 130 reads a document. The automatic document feeder 120 conveys the document to the document reading unit 130. The image forming unit 140 forms an image on a sheet of paper or the like based on the image data. The image data includes the image data included in the long print job and the image data output by the document reading unit 130 after reading the document. The paper feeding unit 150 supplies paper to the image forming unit 140. The operation panel 160 is a user interface that provides information to the user or accepts operations input by the user.

[0020] The automatic document feeder 120 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document tray one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the document reading unit 130. The automatic document feeder 120 discharges the document on which the image formed on the document has been read by the document reading unit 130 to the document discharge tray. The document reading unit 130 includes a light source that irradiates light on the document conveyed to the document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives the light reflected by the document, and scans the document image according to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data, which is an electrical signal, and outputs it to the image forming unit 140.

[0021] The paper feeding unit 150 includes a manually insertable tray 154 that can be opened and closed. In FIG. 2, the manually insertable tray 154 in the closed state is shown. The paper feeding unit 150 conveys the paper stored in the paper feeding tray or the paper placed on the manually insertable tray 154 to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 forms an image by a well-known electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 140 forms an image on the paper conveyed by the paper feeding unit 150, and discharges the paper with the image formed thereon to the paper discharge tray 159.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a partial internal configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 3, inside the MFP 100, a main conveyance path 41 indicated by a thick dotted line is formed so as to basically extend in the vertical direction. The main conveyance path 41 is a path for guiding the recording medium conveyed from the paper feeding unit 150 through the image forming unit 140 to the paper discharge tray 159. In the main conveyance path 41 of this example, a lower end portion 43 on the opposite side of the upper end portion 13 located above the image forming unit 140 constitutes a paper receiving inlet from the paper feeding unit 150. Also, the upper end portion 13 of the main conveyance path 41 constitutes a discharge port for discharging the paper after image formation to the paper discharge tray 159. A paper discharge roller 15 is provided at the upper end portion 13 of the main conveyance path 41. The lower end portion 43 of the main conveyance path 41 is connected to a plurality of sub-conveyance paths SP1, SP2, SP3 of the paper feeding unit 150 described later.

[0023] The paper feeding unit 150 includes three paper feeding trays 151, 152, 153 and a manual feed tray 154. The three paper feeding trays 151, 152, 153 are stacked and arranged in this order from top to bottom. The manual feed tray 154 is provided on the side wall 11 of the MFP 100 and is located below the image forming unit 140. As shown by the thick dashed line in Fig. 3, in the paper feeding unit 150, a sub-conveying path SP1 extending from the paper feeding tray 151 located at the upper stage among the three paper feeding trays 151, 152, 153 to the lower end 43 of the main conveying path 41 is formed. Also, a sub-conveying path SP2 extending from the manual feed tray 154 to the lower end 43 of the main conveying path 41 is formed. Further, two sub-conveying paths 152a, 153a extending from the paper feeding trays 152, 153 located at the middle and lower stages among the three paper feeding trays 151, 152, 153 respectively to the lower end 43 of the main conveying path 41 are formed. The portions of a predetermined length from the lower end 43 of the main conveying path 41 of each of the two sub-conveying paths 152a, 153a are a sub-conveying path SP3 shared by the two sub-conveying paths 152a, 153a.

[0024] Corresponding to the paper feeding tray 151, a pickup roller 151p and a paper feeding roller 151r are provided. The paper feeding roller 151r is provided on the sub-conveying path SP1. Corresponding to the paper feeding tray 152, a pickup roller 152p and a paper feeding roller 152r are provided. The paper feeding roller 152r is provided on the sub-conveying path 152a. Corresponding to the paper feeding tray 153, a pickup roller 153p and a paper feeding roller 153r are provided. The paper feeding roller 153r is provided on the sub-conveying path 153a. Corresponding to the manual feed tray 154, a pickup roller 154p and a paper feeding roller 154r are provided. The paper feeding roller 154r is provided on the sub-conveying path SP2. Since the operations of taking out and conveying the recording medium from each of the paper feeding trays 151, 152, 153 and the manual feed tray 154 are the same, here, the paper feeding tray 151 will be described as an example.

[0025] The paper feed tray 151 stores one or more recording media in a stacked state. The paper feed tray 151 has a lift-up mechanism that pushes up one or more recording media stored therein upward. The pickup roller 151p is biased downward by an elastic member such as a spring. For this reason, the pickup roller 151p abuts on the uppermost recording medium of one or more recording media stored in the paper feed tray 151 from above and presses the recording medium from above. When the pickup roller 151p rotates, the uppermost recording medium is sent out to the sub-conveying path SP1 by the frictional force between the recording medium and the pickup roller 151p. The recording medium sent out to the sub-conveying path SP1 is supplied to the main conveying path 41 by the paper feed roller 151r as a recording medium.

[0026] Due to the rotation of the pickup roller 151p, the uppermost recording medium of one or more recording media stored in the paper feed tray 151 is sent out to the sub-conveying path SP1 by the friction with the pickup roller 151p. During this period, since the second recording medium overlapping the uppermost recording medium receives a frictional force from the uppermost recording medium, the second recording medium may be conveyed together with the uppermost recording medium. To prevent this, a separating roller is arranged at a position facing the pickup roller 151p. The separating roller contacts the second recording medium. The biasing force of the pickup roller 151p is adjusted so that the frictional force between the pickup roller 151p and the uppermost recording medium and the frictional force between the separating roller and the second recording medium are greater than the frictional force between the uppermost recording medium and the second recording medium.

[0027] The manual feed tray 154 is loaded with one or more recording media stacked thereon. The pickup roller 154p is biased downward by an elastic member such as a spring. For this reason, the pickup roller 154p abuts on the uppermost recording media among the one or more recording media placed on the manual feed tray 154 from above, and presses the recording media from above. When the pickup roller 154p rotates, the uppermost recording media is fed out to the sub-conveying path SP2 by the frictional force between the pickup roller 154p and the recording media. The recording media fed out to the sub-conveying path SP2 is supplied to the main conveying path 41 by the paper feed roller 154r.

[0028] In the MFP 100, at the time of image formation, the tray in which the recording media to be image-formed is stored is selected as the target tray from among the three paper feed trays 151, 152, 153 and the manual feed tray 154. The pickup roller and the paper feed roller corresponding to the tray selected as the target tray among the three paper feed trays 151, 152, 153 and the manual feed tray 154 operate. Thereby, the recording media is supplied from the tray selected as the target tray to the main conveying path 41 through any one of the sub-conveying paths SP1, SP2, SP3.

[0029] The image forming unit 140 includes image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black respectively. When at least one of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K is driven, an image is formed on the recording media. When all of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K are driven, a full-color image is formed. Print data for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is input to the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K respectively. Since only the colors of the toners handled by the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21K are different, the image forming unit 21Y for forming a yellow image will be described here.

[0030] The image forming unit 21Y includes an exposure head into which yellow printing data is input, a photosensitive drum (image carrier), a charging charger, a developing unit, and a transfer roller 23Y. The exposure head emits laser light according to the received printing data (electrical signal). The emitted laser light is one-dimensionally scanned by a polygon mirror included in the exposure head to expose the photosensitive drum. The direction in which the photosensitive drum is one-dimensionally scanned is the main scanning direction. The photosensitive drum is charged by the charging charger and then irradiated with the laser light emitted by the exposure head. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum. Subsequently, toner is placed on the electrostatic latent image by the developing unit to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 27 by the transfer roller 23Y.

[0031] On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 27 is suspended by the driving roller 24 and the roller 24A so as not to be slack. When the driving roller 24 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the intermediate transfer belt 27 rotates counterclockwise in the figure at a predetermined speed. As the intermediate transfer belt 27 rotates, the roller 24A rotates counterclockwise.

[0032] Thereby, the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K transfer toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 27 in order. The timing at which each of the image forming units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K transfers a toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 27 is adjusted by detecting a reference mark attached to the intermediate transfer belt 27. Thereby, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 27.

[0033] In the main conveyance path 41, a timing roller 45, a transfer roller 47, and a fixing roller 49 are arranged at intervals in this order from the lower end portion 43 to the upper end portion 13. The recording medium supplied from the paper feeding unit 150 to the main conveyance path 41 is sent to the timing roller 45.

[0034] The timing roller 45 adjusts the conveyance state of the recording medium in the main conveyance path 41 so that the recording medium reaches the transfer roller 47 at the timing when the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 27 reaches the transfer roller 47. The recording medium conveyed by the timing roller 45 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 27 by the transfer roller 47. By charging the transfer roller 47, the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 27 are transferred to the recording medium. The charge amount of the transfer roller 47 is adjusted to a value suitable for the basis weight of the recording medium by controlling the voltage applied to the transfer roller 47 by the CPU 111.

[0035] The recording medium onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing roller 49 and heated by the fixing roller 49. Thereby, the toner is melted and fixed to the recording medium. Thereafter, the recording medium after image formation is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 159 from the upper end portion 13 of the main conveyance path 41 by the paper discharge roller 15. The temperature of the fixing roller 49 is adjusted to a value suitable for the basis weight of the recording medium by being controlled by the CPU 111.

[0036] The paper discharge tray 159 and the manual feed tray 154 are arranged with the main conveyance path 41 therebetween. The paper discharge tray 159 and the manual feed tray 154 are respectively arranged on two opposite side surfaces of the main body of the MFP 100. Here, the manual feed tray 154 is arranged on the left side surface, and the paper discharge tray 159 is arranged on the right side surface.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of the manual feed tray of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 4, the upper part shows the state before the extension tray 155 is attached to the MFP 100, the middle part shows the state after the extension tray 155 is attached to the MFP 100, and the lower part shows the state in which the long sheet 300 is placed on the extension tray 155 of the MFP 100. Referring to the upper part, a manual feed tray 154 is provided on the side wall 11 of the MFP 100. The user fits the extension tray 155 into the manual feed tray 154 with the manual feed tray 154 of the MFP 100 in the open state. Thereby, as shown in the middle part, the extension tray 155 is fixed to the manual feed tray 154. The extension tray 155 has a placement surface on which the recording medium is placed, and is fitted from above the manual feed tray 154 in a state where the placement surface is parallel to the placement surface of the manual feed tray 154. The extension tray 155 has a longer length of the placement surface for placing paper than the manual feed tray 154. The lower part shows the state in which the long sheet 300 is placed on the extension tray 155. One end of the long sheet 300 is in contact with and fixed to the pickup roller 154p of the MFP 100. Also, a part of the long sheet is supported by the placement surface of the extension tray 155, and the other part hangs downward from the end of the extension tray 155. The other end of the long sheet 300 opposite to the end in contact with the pickup roller 154p does not contact the floor surface.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a paper discharge tray portion of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 5, a state in which a long sheet 300 on which an image has been formed is being discharged onto the paper discharge tray 159 is shown. The paper discharge tray 159 extends from the upper end portion 13 of the main conveyance path 41 in the conveyance direction of the long sheet 300. The distance from the upper end portion 13 of the main conveyance path 41 to the other end portion on the side opposite to the upper end portion 13 in the conveyance direction of the paper discharge tray 159 is shorter than the length of the long sheet 300. The long sheet 300 is discharged in order from the upper end portion 13 of the main conveyance path 41. While the length of the portion of the long sheet 300 discharged from the main conveyance path 41 is equal to or less than the length of the paper discharge tray 159, the long sheet 300 is supported by the paper discharge tray 159. When the length of the portion of the long sheet 300 discharged from the main conveyance path 41 becomes larger than the length of the paper discharge tray 159, a part of the long sheet 300 is located outside the paper discharge tray 159. When the long sheet 300 is discharged from the main conveyance path 41, a part of the long sheet 300 is supported above the paper discharge tray 159, but due to the weight of the portion of the long sheet 300 located outside the paper discharge tray 159, the long sheet 300 falls to the floor surface. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, it is necessary for the operator to manually receive the long sheet 300 discharged onto the paper discharge tray 159.

[0039] Also, a human presence sensor 117 is disposed on a side wall 12 of a housing that houses the document reading unit 130 of the MFP 100. The side wall 12 faces the side wall 11 provided with the manual feed tray 154. The human presence sensor 117 is disposed on a surface of the side wall 12 opposite to the surface facing the side wall 11. The human presence sensor 117 is disposed above the paper discharge tray 159 and on the side opposite to the manual feed tray 154 with respect to the paper discharge tray 159. The human presence sensor 117 has a detection area in a direction opposite to the paper discharge tray 159 and the manual feed tray 154 with respect to the side wall 12.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 6, the MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110. The main circuit 110 includes a CPU 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM 113, a RAM 114, an HDD 115, a facsimile unit 116, a human sensor 117, and an external storage device 118. The HDD 115 is a large-capacity storage device. A solid state drive (SSD) may be used instead of the HDD 115. The CPU 111 is connected to an automatic document feeder 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, and an operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 100.

[0041] The facsimile unit 116 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN. Also, the facsimile unit 116 receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 115 and converts it into printable print data by the image forming unit 140 and outputs it to the image forming unit 140. Thereby, the image forming unit 140 forms an image on paper using the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 116. Also, the facsimile unit 116 converts the data stored in the HDD 115 into facsimile data and transmits it to a facsimile device connected to the PSTN.

[0042] The communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting the MFP 100 to the network 3. The communication I / F unit 112 communicates with the PC 200 connected to the network 3 using a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

[0043] The ROM 113 stores the programs executed by the CPU 111 or the data necessary for executing those programs. The RAM 114 is used as a working area when the CPU 111 executes programs. Also, the RAM 114 temporarily stores the read images continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

[0044] The operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface of the MFP 100. The operation panel 160 includes a display unit 161 and an operation unit 163. The display unit 161 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD), and displays instruction menus for the user, information regarding the acquired image data, and the like. Note that instead of the LCD, an organic EL display or the like may be used as long as it is a device that can display images.

[0045] The operation unit 163 includes a touch panel 165 and a hard key unit 167. The touch panel 165 is a capacitance type. Note that the touch panel 165 is not limited to the capacitance type, and other types such as a resistive film type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, and an electromagnetic induction type can be used. The hard key unit 167 includes a plurality of hard keys. The hard keys are, for example, contact switches.

[0046] The CPU 111 executes a printing job. When the CPU 111 executes a printing job, it generates image data. The printing job includes the image data and the image formation conditions for forming an image. The size of the long paper is set as the image formation conditions for forming an image on the long paper. Hereinafter, a printing job including the image formation conditions indicating forming an image on the long paper is referred to as a long print job.

[0047] The CPU 111 executes image processing on the image data. The CPU 111 outputs the image data after the image processing to the image forming unit 140, and causes the image forming unit 140 to form an image of the image data on paper. The image data is, for example, raster data. The image data included in the print job may be data in bitmap format or application data. The application data is data generated by a computer executing an application program. The CPU 111 outputs the image data included in the print job to the image forming unit 140 according to the image forming conditions included in the print job.

[0048] The human presence sensor 117 is disposed on the right side surface where the paper discharge tray 159 of the main body is disposed. The detection area of the human presence sensor 117 is predetermined. The detection area is an area indicating a range in which the human presence sensor 117 can detect a person. The human presence sensor 117 is, for example, an infrared sensor. The human presence sensor 117 receives infrared rays emitted by a person and detects the presence or absence of a person from the amount of received light. The detection area is determined by the sensitivity of the human presence sensor 117. The detection area is determined by the distance and angular range from the human presence sensor 117. The detection area of the human presence sensor 117 is in a range of a predetermined distance in a direction away from the MFP 100 from the right side surface provided with the paper discharge tray 159 of the MFP 100.

[0049] The external storage device 118 is controlled by the CPU 111, and a CD-ROM 119 is mounted thereon. In the present embodiment, an example in which the CPU 111 executes a program stored in the ROM 113 will be described. Note that the CPU 111 may control the external storage device 118 to read out a program for the CPU 111 to execute from the CD-ROM 119, store the read program in the RAM 102, and execute it.

[0050] Note that the recording medium for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the CD-ROM 119, and media such as flexible disks, cassette tapes, optical disks (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC cards, optical cards, mask ROMs, semiconductor memories such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), etc. may also be used. Further, the CPU 111 may load the program stored in the HDD 115 into the RAM 114 and execute it on the CPU 111. The program stored in the HDD 115 includes a program downloaded by the CPU 111 from a computer connected to the Internet, or a program written to the HDD 115 by a computer connected to the Internet. The program referred to here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, etc.

[0051] In the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, a user operating the PC 200 generates a long print job including image data for long print, and causes the MFP 100 to execute the long print job. In this case, a driver program for controlling the MFP 100 is executed on the PC 200. The user of the PC 200 inputs settings related to the long print job according to the setting screen displayed when the PC 200 executes the driver program. Thereby, the PC 200 generates a long print job and transmits the long print job to the MFP 100.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen. The setting screen is a screen displayed on the PC 200 when the PC 200 executes a driver program. Referring to FIG. 7, the setting screen includes an area for setting the document size and an area for setting the paper feed tray. In order to generate a long print job, a value of "irregular size", which indicates that the paper is a long sheet, is set in the area for setting the document size, and a value of "hand feed" indicating the hand feed tray 154 is set in the area for setting the hand feed tray.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of the CPU included in the MFP according to the present embodiment. The functions shown in FIG. 8 may be realized by hardware. Further, the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100 may execute a long print job execution program stored in the ROM 113, the HDD 115, or the CD-ROM 119 to be realized by the CPU 111.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 8, the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100 includes an operation reception unit 51, an acquisition unit 53, a detection unit 55, a determination unit 57, and a job execution unit 59. The operation reception unit 51 controls the operation panel 160 and receives an operation input by the user to the operation unit 163. The operation reception unit 51 outputs the received operation to the acquisition unit 53 and the job execution unit 59.

[0055] The acquisition unit 53 acquires a long print job. When the communication I / F unit 112 receives a long print job from the PC 200, the received long print job is acquired. Further, when the user operates the operation unit 163 and inputs a long print job to the operation unit 163, the long print job input by the user is acquired. The acquisition unit 53 outputs the acquired long print job to the job execution unit 59 in response to the acquisition of the long print job. Actually, the long print job is stored in the RAM 114.

[0056] The detection unit 55 controls the human presence sensor 117 and detects a person present in the detection area of the human presence sensor 117. The detection unit 55 outputs a detection signal indicating whether a person is present in the detection area to the determination unit 57. The detection signal is either an ON signal indicating that a person is present in the detection area or an OFF signal indicating that no person is present in the detection area.

[0057] Based on the output of the human presence sensor 117, the determination unit 57 determines whether an operator is present in the detection area of the human presence sensor 117. Here, the operator refers to a person related to the long print job. The operator includes the person who operates the PC 200 to instruct the MFP 100 to execute the long print job. Also, the operator includes the user who assists the instructing person. The assistant is the person who receives the long paper on which an image is formed after the long print job is executed upon receiving a request from the instructing person.

[0058] The detection area of the human presence sensor 117 is the right side where the paper discharge tray 159 is provided in the main body of the MFP 100. When a person is continuously detected by the human presence sensor 117 for a predetermined time, the determination unit 57 determines that an operator is present in the detection area. The determination unit 57 does not determine that an operator is present in the detection area until a predetermined time has elapsed since the time when a person is detected by the human presence sensor 117. When a person is continuously detected by the human presence sensor 117 for a predetermined time from the time when a person is detected by the human presence sensor 117, the determination unit 57 determines that an operator who is an assistant is present in the detection area. A person who is not located continuously in the detection area for a predetermined time is likely to be a person passing through the detection area.

[0059] The job execution unit 59 executes the long print job input from the acquisition unit 53 when the determination unit 57 determines that an operator is present in the detection area. Even when the long print job is input from the acquisition unit 53, the job execution unit 59 does not execute the long print job when the determination unit 57 determines that no operator is present in the detection area.

[0060] When the job execution unit 59 executes a long print job, it controls the image forming unit 140 and the paper feeding unit 150 to form an image of the image data included in the long print job on the long paper 300 according to the image forming conditions included in the long print job. Specifically, the job execution unit 59 controls the paper feeding unit 150 to convey the long paper 300 placed on the manual feed tray 154 to the paper discharge tray 159 via the image forming unit 140. Further, the job execution unit 59 controls the image forming unit 140 to form an image of the image data included in the long print job on the long paper 300 according to the image forming conditions.

[0061] When the job execution unit 59 does not execute the long print job when the long print job is acquired, it executes the long print job in response to the determination by the determination unit 57 that a person exists in the detection area after the long print job is acquired. For example, a user operating the PC 200 may generate a long print job on the PC 200 and transmit the long print job from the PC 200 to the MFP 100. In this case, at the time when the long print job is transmitted from the PC 200 to the MFP 100, the long print job is not executed in the MFP 100. Thereafter, when the user moves to the location where the MFP 100 is placed and enters the detection area, the MFP 100 executes the long print job. Also, there may be a case where the user moves to the detection area after operating the operation panel 160 to instruct the execution of the long print job on the MFP 100. In this case, since the operation panel 160 is arranged on the front surface of the MFP 100, the user is not located in the detection area, and thus the long print job is not executed in the MFP 100 at the time when the user instructs the execution of the long print job. Thereafter, when the user moves to the detection area and enters the detection area, the MFP 100 executes the long print job. Therefore, the user can receive the long paper 300 on which the image is formed because the long print job instructed by the user is automatically executed by the MFP 100.

[0062] When it is determined that an operator exists in the detection area when a long print job is input, and the operator existing in the detection area continues to exist for a predetermined time, the job execution unit 59 executes the long print job.

[0063] For example, a user operating the PC200 may generate a long print job on the PC200 and request an assistant to receive the long paper output by the MFP100 before sending the long print job from the PC200 to the MFP100. In this case, before the MFP100 receives the long print job, the assistant exists in the detection area of the MFP100. Therefore, when the long print job is sent from the PC200 to the MFP100, since the assistant exists in the detection area, the assistant can receive the long paper on which the image formed by executing the long print job by the MFP100 is formed.

[0064] On the other hand, even when it is determined that an operator exists in the detection area when a long print job is input, if the operator existing in the detection area does not continue to exist for a predetermined time, the job execution unit 59 does not execute the long print job. When the operator easily located in the detection area does not continue to exist for a predetermined time, the probability that the operator is an assistant is low and there is a possibility that the operator is a passerby. For this reason, the MFP100 is prevented from executing the long print job, and the long paper on which the image is formed is prevented from falling to the floor.

[0065] Furthermore, when the job execution unit 59 determines that an operator is present in the detection area even when a long print job is input, if the time when the long print job is acquired is during the operation period, the long print job is not executed. The operation period is the period during which the operation panel 160 accepts an operation input by the user. The operation period starts when the operation panel 160 accepts an operation input by the user. When a predetermined period has elapsed since the operation panel 160 last accepted an operation, or when a job generated according to the operation accepted by the operation panel 160 is executed and the job ends, the operation period ends. The case where a user other than the user who generated the long print job on the PC 200 operates the MFP 100 corresponds to the operation period. During the operation period, the long print job can be prevented from being executed so that the MFP 100 can be operated by another user.

[0066] In response to determining that an operator is present in the detection area after the operation period has ended, the job execution unit 59 executes the previously received long print job. As a result, when the user who generated the long print job on the PC 200 moves to the location where the MFP 100 is placed and enters the detection area, the MFP 100 executes the long print job. For this reason, the user can receive the long paper on which the image is formed because the long print job instructed by the user is automatically executed by the MFP 100.

[0067] Furthermore, when the job execution unit 59 does not execute the long print job when the long print job is input, in response to the operation panel 160 accepting a predetermined operation input by the user, the previously input long print job is executed. When the user who generated the long print job on the PC 200 moves to the location where the MFP 100 is placed and inputs a predetermined operation to the operation panel 160, the MFP 100 executes the long print job. For this reason, the user can cause the MFP 100 to execute the long print job instructed by the user at an arbitrary timing.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction screen. The print instruction screen is a screen displayed on the display unit 161 when the user operates the operation panel 160 of the MFP 100. For example, it is displayed after the user generates a long print job using the PC 200 and transmits the long print job from the PC 200 to the MFP 100.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 9, the print instruction screen includes an area where a list of print jobs is displayed, a button represented by the character "SELECT", and a button represented by the character "PRINT". The instructor indicates the identification information of the long print job from among the identification information of the print jobs displayed in the area where the list of print jobs is displayed, and if the "SELECT" button is indicated, the long print job is selected as the processing target. When the button represented by the character "PRINT" is indicated by the instructor in a state where the long print job is selected as the processing target, the long print job is executed. Therefore, the instructor can cause the MFP 100 to execute the long print job instructed by the instructor at an arbitrary timing.

[0070] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of long print job execution processing. The long print job execution processing is processing executed by the CPU 111 of the MFP 100 by executing a long print job execution program stored in the ROM 113, HDD 115, or CD-ROM 119 of the MFP 100.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 10, the CPU 111 of the MFP 100 determines whether a long print job has been acquired. When the communication I / F unit 112 receives a long print job from the PC 200, or when a long print job is set based on an operation input by the user to the operation panel 160, the long print job is acquired. It waits until the long print job is acquired (NO in step S01), and if the long print job is acquired (YES in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02.

[0072] In step S02, it is determined whether a person is detected in the detection area. If a person is detected, the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S05. In step S03, it is determined whether it is an operation period. If it is an operation period during which the operation panel 160 is being operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S04; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S09. In step S04, it is determined whether the operation job has ended. The operation job is a printing job generated according to the operations received by the operation panel 160 during the operation period. The operation job is executed, and it is determined whether the operation job has ended. The process waits until the operation job ends (NO in step S04), and if the operation job ends (YES in step S04), the process proceeds to step S05.

[0073] In step S05, it is determined whether a person is detected in the detection area. If a person is detected, the process proceeds to step S06; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S06, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the long print job was acquired in step S01. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S07; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S07, the long print job is executed and the process ends.

[0074] In step S08, it is determined whether a print instruction operation has been received. When the user selects the long print job acquired in step S01 on the print instruction screen displayed on the operation panel 160 and instructs printing, the print instruction operation is input to the operation panel 160. If the print instruction operation is received, the process proceeds to step S07; otherwise, the process returns to step S05. In step S07, the long print job is executed and the process ends.

[0075] In step S09, it is determined whether a person has been continuously detected since a predetermined time ago. If an ON signal has been continuously input from the human sensor 117 since a time before the time when detection was made in the detection area in step S02, the process proceeds to step S07; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S07, a long print job is executed and the process ends. In step S10, it is determined whether the person has not been detected within the detection range. The system waits until the person is not detected (NO in step S10), and when the person is not detected (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S05.

[0076] <Modification Example> (1) Instead of the human sensor 117, a sensor such as a camera separate from the main body of the MFP 100 may be used. In this case, the camera is arranged at a position where the imaging range is the detection area of the MFP 100. By analyzing the image captured by the camera and output from the detection area, a person present in the detection area is detected. When analyzing the image output by the camera, it is possible to determine whether the same person has continuously existed in the detection area for a predetermined time.

[0077] (2) Based on the image captured by the camera, the determination unit 57 may determine that an operator exists in the detection area when the same person is continuously detected for a predetermined time.

[0078] As described above, the MFP 100 in the present embodiment acquires, from the outside, a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long sheet of paper 300, determines whether an operator is present in the detection area of the human presence sensor 117, and executes the long print job when it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, but does not execute the long print job when it is determined that no operator is present in the detection area. Since the long print job is executed when it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, the long sheet of paper on which the image is formed is received by the operator. Further, when it is determined that no operator is present in the detection area, the long print job is not executed, so that the long sheet of paper 300 on which the image is formed does not come into contact with the floor surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the long recording medium on which the image is formed from being soiled.

[0079] In addition, the human presence sensor 117 provided in the MFP 100 is disposed on the right side surface of the main body of the MFP 100, and the detection area is an area within a predetermined distance from the paper discharge tray 159 in the direction in which the paper discharge tray 159 discharges the long sheet of paper 300. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether there is an operator who receives the long sheet of paper 300 on which the image is formed.

[0080] Further, when the MFP 100 does not execute the long print job when the long print job is acquired, the MFP 100 executes the long print job in response to the determination by the human presence sensor 117 that an operator is present in the detection area after the long print job is acquired. Therefore, if the instructor moves to the detection area after inputting the long print job, the long print job automatically starts, so that the long sheet of paper 300 on which the image is formed can be received.

[0081] When the MFP100 receives a long print job, if an operator is determined to be present in the detection area even when the long print job is received, but the operator who was present in the detection area has not continued to be present for a predetermined time, the long print job is not executed. Since a person who has not been present for more than the predetermined time has a low probability of being an operator, there is a possibility that a long recording medium will not be received. Therefore, by preventing the long print job from being executed, the long paper 300 can surely be received by the operator.

[0082] When the MFP100 obtains a long print job, if the time when the long print job is obtained is during the operation period even when an operator is determined to be present in the detection area, the long print job is not executed. When an operation is accepted at the time when the long print job is obtained, there is a high probability that the operator is different from the person who input the long print job. Therefore, since the long job is not executed, the operator can be made to continue the operation.

[0083] When it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area after the operation period has ended, the MFP100 executes a long print job. Considering the person present in the detection area after the operation by the operator as an operator, the print job is executed. Therefore, if the instructing person moves to the detection area after inputting the long print job, the long print job will be automatically executed, so that a long recording medium on which an image has been formed can be received.

[0084] When the MFP100 does not execute a long print job when the long print job is received, the MFP100 executes the long print job in response to the reception of a predetermined operation input by the instructing person. Therefore, the instructing person can cause the MFP100 to execute the long print job at an arbitrary timing after inputting the long print job.

[0085] When the human presence sensor 117 continuously detects a person for a predetermined time, MFP100 determines that an operator is present. When a person is continuously detected in the detection area for a predetermined time, it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, so a person passing through the detection area can be excluded. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented.

[0086] When the same person is continuously detected for a predetermined time by analyzing an image captured by the human presence sensor 117 or a camera, MFP100 determines that an operator is present in the detection area. A person passing through the detection area can be excluded. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented.

[0087] Since MFP100 incorporates the human presence sensor 117 into the main body, the configuration of the apparatus can be made compact.

[0088] MFP100 has a camera separate from the main body, and detects a person by analyzing an image captured by the camera with the imaging range of the camera as the detection area. Therefore, the detection area can be set flexibly.

[0089] <Summary of the Embodiment> (Item 1) Acquisition means for acquiring from the outside a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long recording medium, Job execution means for executing the long print job, Judgment means for judging whether an operator is present in the detection area, and The job execution means executes the long print job when it is judged that an operator is present in the detection area, and does not execute the long print job when it is judged that an operator is not present in the detection area, an image forming apparatus.

[0090] According to this aspect, when it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, a long print job is executed, and thus a long recording medium on which an image is formed is received by the operator. Further, when it is determined that no operator is present in the detection area, the long print job is not executed, so that the long recording medium on which the image is formed does not contact the floor surface. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the long recording medium on which the image is formed from being soiled.

[0091] (Item 2) The image forming apparatus further includes a paper discharge unit that discharges the long recording medium on which the image is formed. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1, wherein the detection area is an area within a predetermined distance from the paper discharge unit in a direction in which the paper discharge unit discharges the long recording medium.

[0092] According to this aspect, it is determined whether an operator is present in an area within a predetermined distance from the paper discharge unit in a direction in which the paper discharge unit discharges the long recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether an operator who receives the long recording medium on which the image is formed is present.

[0093] (Item 3) The job execution means according to Item 1 or 2, wherein when the long print job is not executed at the time when the long print job is acquired, the long print job is executed in response to a determination that an operator is present in the detection area after the long print job is acquired.

[0094] According to this aspect, the long print job is executed in response to a determination that an operator is present in the detection area after the long print job is acquired. Therefore, if the user moves to the detection area after inputting the long print job, the user can receive the long recording medium on which the image is formed.

[0095] (Item 4) The job execution means does not execute the long print job when, even if it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area when the long print job is received, the operator present in the detection area has not continuously existed for a predetermined time, for the image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

[0096] According to this aspect, when a long print job is received, if an operator is present in the detection area but the operator has not continuously existed for a predetermined time, the long print job is not executed. A person who does not continuously exist for a predetermined time or more has a low probability of being an operator, so there is a possibility that a long recording medium will not be received. Therefore, by not executing the long print job, the long recording medium can be surely received by the operator.

[0097] (Item 5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4, further comprising operation reception means for receiving an operation input by a user. The job execution means does not execute the long print job when, even if it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area when the long print job is acquired, the time when the long print job is acquired is within the operation period during which the operation is received by the operation reception means.

[0098] According to this aspect, when a long print job is acquired, if an operator is present in the detection area but it is within the operation period, the long print job is not executed. When an operation is being received at the time when the long print job is acquired, there is a high probability that the operator is different from the person who input the long print job. Therefore, since the long job is not executed, the operator can be made to continue the operation.

[0099] (Item 6) The job execution means of the image forming apparatus according to Item 5 executes the long print job in response to determining that an operator is present in the detection area after the operation period has ended.

[0100] According to this aspect, in response to determining that an operator is present in the detection area after the operation period has ended, a long print job is executed. After the operation by the operator ends, a person present in the detection area is regarded as an operator, and the print job is executed. Therefore, if the user moves to the detection area after inputting a long print job, the user can receive a long recording medium on which an image has been formed.

[0101] (Clause 7) If the job execution means does not execute the long print job when the long print job is received, the job execution means executes the long print job in response to receiving a predetermined operation input by the user. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6.

[0102] According to this aspect, the user can execute the long print job at an arbitrary timing after inputting the long print job.

[0103] (Clause 8) The image forming apparatus further includes detection means for detecting a person located in the detection area. If the determination means continuously detects a person by the detection means for a predetermined time, the determination means determines that an operator is present in the detection area. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Clauses 1 to 7.

[0104] According to this aspect, if a person is continuously detected in the detection area for a predetermined time, it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, so that a person passing through the detection area can be excluded. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented.

[0105] (Clause 9) If the determination means continuously detects the same person by the detection means for a predetermined time, the determination means determines that an operator is present in the detection area. The image forming apparatus according to Clause 8.

[0106] According to this aspect, if the same person is continuously detected in the detection area for a predetermined time, it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, so that a person passing through the detection area can be excluded. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented.

[0107] (Item 10) The detection means is the image forming apparatus according to Item 8, which is built into the main body.

[0108] According to this aspect, since the detection means is built into the main body, the configuration of the apparatus can be made compact.

[0109] (Item 11) The detection means is a separate body from the main body and is arranged outside the main body, which is the image forming apparatus according to Item 8.

[0110] According to this aspect, since the detection means is a separate body from the main body and is arranged outside the main body, the detection area can be set flexibly.

[0111] (Item 12) An acquisition step of acquiring from the outside a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long recording medium, A job execution step of executing the long print job, A determination step of determining whether or not an operator is present in a detection area predetermined based on the main body is executed by the image forming apparatus, The job execution step includes a step of executing the long print job when it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, and A step of not executing the long print job when it is determined that no operator is present in the detection area, which is a long print job execution method.

[0112] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a long print job execution method capable of preventing a long recording medium on which an image is formed from being soiled.

[0113] (Item 13) An acquisition step of acquiring from the outside a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long recording medium, A job execution step of executing the long print job, A determination step of determining whether or not an operator is present in a detection area predetermined based on the main body is executed by a computer that controls the image forming apparatus, When it is determined that an operator exists in the detection area, the job execution step is to execute the long print job, and When it is determined that no operator exists in the detection area, the long print job execution program includes a step of not executing the long print job.

[0114] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a long print job execution program that can prevent a long recording medium on which an image is formed from being soiled.

[0115] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0116] 1 Image forming system, 3 Network, 100, 100A MFP, 102 RAM, 111 CPU, 112 Communication I / F section, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 HDD, 116 Facsimile section, 117 Human presence sensor, 118 External storage device, 119 CD-ROM, 120 Automatic document feeder, 130 Document reading section, 140 Image forming section, 150 Paper feeding section, 151, 152, 153 Paper feeding trays, 154 Manual feed tray, 154p Pickup roller, 154r Paper feeding roller, 155 Extension tray, 159 Paper discharge tray, 160 Operation panel, 161 Display section, 163 Operation section, 165 Touch panel, 167 Hard key section, 300 Long paper, 11, 12 Side walls, 13 Upper end portion, 15 Paper discharge roller, 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K Image forming units, 27 Intermediate transfer belt, 45 Timing roller, 47 Transfer roller, 49 Fixing roller, 51 Operation reception section, 53 Acquisition section, 55 Detection section, 57 Judgment section, 59 Job execution section.

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring from the outside a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long recording medium; A job execution means for executing the long print job; A determination means for determining whether an operator exists in a detection area, and The job execution means executes the long print job when it is determined that an operator exists in the detection area, and does not execute the long print job when it is determined that no operator exists in the detection area. An image forming apparatus.

2. Further comprising a paper discharge unit for discharging the long recording medium on which an image is formed, and The detection area is an area within a predetermined distance from the paper discharge unit in a direction in which the long recording medium is discharged to the paper discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When the job execution means does not execute the long print job at the time when the long print job is acquired, in response to determining that an operator exists in the detection area after the long print job is acquired, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which executes the long print job.

4. Even when it is determined that an operator exists in the detection area at the time when the long print job is acquired, if the operator existing in the detection area does not continue to exist for a predetermined time, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which does not execute the long print job.

5. Further comprising an operation reception means for receiving an operation input by a user, and When the job execution means determines that an operator exists in the detection area at the time when the long print job is acquired, if the time when the long print job is acquired is within an operation period during which the operation is received by the operation reception means, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which does not execute the long print job.

6. The job execution means executes the long print job in response to determining that an operator exists in the detection area after the operation period ends. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. When the job execution means does not execute the long print job at the time when the long print job is received, in response to receiving a predetermined operation input by a user, the long print job is executed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The image forming apparatus further includes detection means for detecting a person located in the detection area. The determination means determines that an operator is present in the detection area when a person is continuously detected by the detection means for a predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The determination means determines that an operator is present in the detection area when the same person is continuously detected by the detection means for a predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The detection means is built in the main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

11. The detection means is separate from the main body and is arranged outside the main body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

12. An acquisition step of acquiring from the outside a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long recording medium; A job execution step of executing the long print job; A determination step of determining whether an operator is present in a detection area predetermined with respect to the main body. The image forming apparatus is caused to execute. The job execution step includes a step of executing the long print job when it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, and A step of not executing the long print job when it is determined that no operator is present in the detection area. A long print job execution method.

13. An acquisition step of acquiring from the outside a long print job that defines a process of forming an image on a long recording medium; A job execution step of executing the long print job; A determination step of determining whether an operator is present in a detection area predetermined with respect to the main body. A computer that controls the image forming apparatus is caused to execute. The job execution step includes a step of executing the long print job when it is determined that an operator is present in the detection area, and A step of not executing the long print job when it is determined that no operator is present in the detection area. A long print job execution program.

Images