Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and program

Abstract

In an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, the objective is to prevent page loss in the event of a jam occurring in the post-processing apparatus. [Solution] An image forming system 100 comprising an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing device 20, comprising: an acquisition unit (CPU 11) that acquires information about jams that occur in the post-processing device during job execution; and a control unit (CPU 11) that determines, according to the information acquired by the acquisition unit, whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred.

Description

Technical Field

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[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, post-processing such as binding is performed on the paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus by the post-processing apparatus.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 1 describes that when a jam occurs in an image forming system, the image forming apparatus acquires information regarding the page on which the jam has occurred and executes recovery printing from the page on which the jam has occurred.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an image forming system including a post-processing apparatus as described above, when a jam occurs in the post-processing apparatus, there are cases where the image forming apparatus cannot acquire information regarding the page on which the jam has occurred from the post-processing apparatus. In this case, since the page on which the jam has occurred is unknown, the image forming apparatus will execute incorrect recovery printing.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to prevent misprinting when a jam occurs in a post-processing apparatus in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the image forming system according to the present invention is: In an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, An acquisition unit that acquires information about jams that occurred in the post-processing unit during job execution, The system includes a control unit that determines, in accordance with the information acquired from the acquisition unit, whether or not to perform a control process regarding whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred.

[0008] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is In an image forming apparatus connected to a post-processing device, An acquisition unit that obtains information about jams that occurred during job execution, The system includes a control unit that determines, in accordance with the information acquired from the acquisition unit, whether or not to perform a control process regarding whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred.

[0009] Furthermore, the program according to the present invention is A computer for an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, An acquisition unit that obtains information about jams that occurred during job execution. This unit functions as a control unit that determines whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred, based on the information acquired from the acquisition unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, in an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, it is possible to prevent page loss when a jam occurs in the post-processing apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 3]It is a flowchart of the recovery process. [Figure 4] It is an image diagram of a single job and jam occurrence. [Figure 5] It is an image diagram of a concatenated job and jam occurrence.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0013] [Outline of the Image Forming System] First, the configuration of the image forming system 100 will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the image forming system 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming system 100. The image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10 that performs image forming processing on a sheet P, and a post-processing apparatus 20 that performs post-processing on the sheet P on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0014] [Image Forming Apparatus] The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet P according to image forming conditions received from an information processing terminal such as an external PC (Personal Computer) via a communication network. The image forming apparatus 10 discharges the sheet P after image formation to the post-processing apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (RandomAccess Unit) 13, a storage unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming unit 16, an operation unit 17, a display unit 18, a communication I / F (InterFace) 19, and the like.

[0015] The CPU 11 reads out the program stored in the ROM 12 and expands it in the RAM 13, and controls the operations of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 in cooperation with the expanded program. The ROM 12 is composed of a non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores a system program, various processing programs executable on the system program, various data, and the like. The RAM 13 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and forms a work area for temporarily storing programs read from the ROM 12, input or output data, parameters, and the like in various processes executed by the CPU 11.

[0016] The CPU 11 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a jam that occurred in the post-processing device 20 during the execution of a job. The information regarding a jam that occurred in the post-processing device 20 may or may not include information regarding the page on which the jam occurred in addition to the jam occurrence information (information indicating that a jam has occurred). When the information regarding the page on which the jam occurred is included, for example, it is the case when the post-processing device 20 in-house manufactured by the same manufacturer as the manufacturer that manufactured the image forming apparatus 10 is used for the image forming apparatus 10. At this time, since the manufacturer that manufactured the image forming apparatus 10 manufactures the post-processing device 20 in consideration of the connection to the image forming apparatus 10, when a jam occurs in the post-processing device 20, basically, in addition to the jam occurrence information, information regarding the page on which the jam occurred is included. On the other hand, when the information regarding the page on which the jam occurred is not included, for example, it is the case when a post-processing device 20 of a product manufactured by another company that is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 in a state close to offline is used in a post-processing device 20 such as an external finisher after sending out New Year's cards. In such a case, the information regarding the jam does not include information regarding the page. Note that the information regarding a jam that occurred in the image forming apparatus 10 includes information regarding the page on which the jam occurred. Also, the information regarding a jam includes information regarding the location where the jam occurred. The location where the jam occurred is, for example, the image forming apparatus 10, the post-processing device 20, or the like.

[0017] The CPU 11 functions as a control unit that determines whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred, based on the information acquired from the acquisition unit. Specifically, the CPU 11, acting as a control unit, will perform recovery printing if the jam information includes information about the page where the jam occurred. Conversely, the CPU 11, acting as a control unit, will not perform recovery printing if the jam information does not include information about the page where the jam occurred. In this case, in addition to the examples mentioned above, the information regarding the jam may also include information regarding the job. The information regarding the job may be, for example, a job that performs banding, and based on the information that it is a job that performs banding and the jam occurrence information, or the information that it is a job that performs banding and the information regarding the location of the jam, recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred may be prevented. Specifically, if the CPU 11 is a job that performs banding and has acquired jam occurrence information, it may prevent recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred. Also, if the CPU 11 is a job that performs banding and the location of the jam is the post-processing device 20, it may prevent recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred. In this case, there may be no distinction between when the jam occurs in the image forming apparatus 10 and when the jam occurs in the post-processing device 20, and if the jam occurs in a job that uses a banding machine, recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred may be prevented regardless of where the jam occurred. Furthermore, the information regarding jams may also include information regarding the post-processing device 20. The information regarding the post-processing device 20 may be, for example, the management number or identification number of an external finisher such as a banding machine, and recovery printing from the jammed page may be prevented based on the management number or identification number of the external finisher such as a banding machine and the jam occurrence information, or the management number or identification number of the external finisher such as a banding machine and information regarding the location of the jam. Specifically, if the post-processing device 20 is a post-processing device capable of obtaining information regarding the jammed page, the CPU 11 may perform recovery printing from the jammed page. Also, if the post-processing device 20 is a post-processing device capable of obtaining information regarding the jammed page, the CPU 11 may not perform recovery printing from the jammed page. Furthermore, in this case, without distinguishing between cases where a jam occurred in the image forming apparatus 10 and cases where a jam occurred in the post-processing device 20, if it is clear from the identification number of the post-processing device 20 that a banding machine is to be used, recovery printing from the jammed page may be uniformly prevented regardless of where the jam occurred.

[0018] The storage unit 14 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or non-volatile semiconductor memory, and stores various types of data.

[0019] The paper feeding unit 15 is equipped with multiple paper trays T1 to T3 capable of storing paper P of different sizes, types (paper varieties), basis weights, etc., and supplies the paper P stored in the set paper trays T1 to T3 to the image forming unit 16.

[0020] The image forming unit 16 forms an image on the paper P. The image forming unit 16 charges the photoreceptor in the charging unit, scans the photoreceptor with a laser beam emitted by the exposure unit based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image, develops the electrostatic latent image with toner in the developing unit, transfers the toner image to the paper P in the transfer unit, and fixes the toner image to the paper P in the fixing unit (fuser).

[0021] The operation unit 17 consists of a touch panel and various keys stacked on the display unit 18, which will be described later. The operation unit 17 outputs operation signals input via touch operation or key operation to the CPU 11.

[0022] The display unit 18 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various screens.

[0023] The communication interface 19 consists of a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, etc., and transmits and receives data between the post-processing unit 20, a PC, etc.

[0024] [Post-processing equipment] The post-processing device 20 is located downstream of the image forming apparatus 10 in the paper transport direction and performs post-processing on the paper transported from the image forming apparatus 10. The post-processing unit 20 includes a CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, storage unit 24, communication interface 25, post-processing unit 26, and the like.

[0025] The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are the same as the CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13, except that the CPU 21 controls the post-processing unit 20.

[0026] The CPU 21 transmits information about jams that occurred in the post-processing device 20 to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication interface 25.

[0027] The storage unit 24 is composed of an HDD, non-volatile semiconductor memory, etc., and stores various types of data.

[0028] The communication interface 25 consists of a NIC, modem, etc., and transmits and receives data between the image forming apparatus 10, a PC, etc.

[0029] The post-processing unit 26 performs post-processing on the paper P transported from the image forming apparatus 10. This post-processing includes, for example, an inline trimmer connected inline to the image forming apparatus 10 to cut the paper, an inline laminator to laminate the paper, saddle stitching, stapling, folding, perforating, creasing, foil stamping, varnishing, and various binding methods.

[0030] [Recovery process] Figure 3 illustrates the flow of the recovery process executed in CPU 11. First, the CPU 11 obtains information about jams from the image forming apparatus 10 or from the post-processing device 20 via the communication interface 19 (step S1).

[0031] Next, the CPU 11 determines, based on the information regarding the jam, whether the jam occurred in the post-processing unit 20 (step S2). If the CPU 11 determines that the jam occurred in the post-processing unit 20 (step S2; YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S3 of the recovery process. If the CPU 11 determines that the jam did not occur in the post-processing unit 20 (step S2; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S6 of the recovery process.

[0032] Next, CPU 11 determines whether the jam information includes page information (step S3). If CPU 11 determines that it does not (step S3; YES), CPU 11 proceeds to step S4 of the recovery process. If CPU 11 determines that it does include page information (step S3; NO), CPU 11 proceeds to step S6 of the recovery process.

[0033] Next, CPU 11 cancels any unoutput jobs from the job where the jam occurred (step S4). Specifically, CPU 11 cancels all jobs up to the last job in the chain where the jam occurred. In the example in Figure 4, it cancels the incomplete output portion P12 of the incomplete output job J11. In the example in Figure 5, it cancels the incomplete output portion P22 of the incomplete output job J22 and the unexecuted output job J23. Furthermore, jobs that have already been output from the image forming apparatus 10 are deleted immediately upon output, so there is no need to cancel them.

[0034] Next, the CPU 11 executes the predetermined print operation (step S5) and terminates the recovery process. A "specified print job" refers, for example, to the print job immediately following a job that experienced a jam. A specified print job, for example, is a recovery print from the first page of a job where a jam occurred. In the specified printing method described above, recovery printing is performed from the first page, so no pages are missing.

[0035] Next, the CPU 11 performs a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred (step S6), and then terminates the recovery process. Specifically, the CPU 11 continues printing from the page where the jam occurred, based on the page information included in the jam information obtained in step S1.

[0036] This prevents missing pages from occurring even if the jam information does not include page information, thus preventing missing pages when jam occurs in the post-processing device.

[0037] [others]

[0038] In the above example, the predetermined printing is automatically performed in step S5, but this is not limited to that. For example, step S5 may not be executed automatically, and the user may manually perform the specified print job. In this case, for example, if the CPU 11 cannot confirm the manual submission of the job related to the specified print job at the start of job cancellation or after cancellation (start of step S4), it may display a message on the display unit 18 prompting the user to submit the job. Furthermore, if step S5 is not executed automatically, and the normal recovery print in step S6 is executed automatically, the CPU 11 may display a message on the display unit 18 indicating that manual job submission is not required when performing a normal recovery print. This prevents the user from accidentally submitting and executing extra jobs. In other words, the CPU 11 may decide what to display on the display unit 18 depending on the information regarding the jam.

[0039] Furthermore, while the above example shows canceling all unoutputted jobs in step S4 where a jam occurred, the process is not limited to this. For jobs that do not need to be canceled, CPU 11 does not need to cancel them. Copy jobs are an example of jobs that do not need to be canceled. In this case, since copy jobs do not require data retransmission, CPU 11 does not need to cancel copy jobs. Furthermore, S4 is not necessarily required, and the job may be moved to S5 without being canceled. Specifically, if the next job after the jammed job is to be printed as a predetermined print job, or if recovery printing is to be performed from the first page of the jammed job, the recovery printing may be interrupted. In this case, by implementing control to output to a different tray from the paper already printed before the jam occurred, it becomes possible to avoid confusing the paper already printed before the jam with the interrupted recovery printing.

[0040] Furthermore, if the information regarding the jam is in any of the following cases: Case 1: Information about the jam occurrence and information about the job; Case 2: Information about the jam occurrence location and information about the job; Case 3: Information about the jam occurrence and information about the post-processing device; or Case 4: Information about the jam occurrence location and information about the post-processing device, then at least one step in S2 and S3 can be skipped. This is because, in Cases 2 and 4, it is possible to determine whether the jam occurrence location in S2 is a post-processing device at the time the information about the jam is obtained in S1, and in Cases 1 and 3, it is possible to determine whether the post-processing device in S3 is capable of obtaining page information at the time the information about the jam is obtained in S1.

[0041] Furthermore, the above explanation does not mention the number of copies to be printed, and describes it as a job to print one copy, but it is not limited to this. The job may be a job that prints multiple copies. In this case, if the jam information does not include page information, the CPU 11 should perform a recovery print starting from the first page of the section where the jam occurred.

[0042] [effect] As described above, the image forming system 100 comprises an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing device 20, and includes an acquisition unit (CPU 11) that acquires information about jams that occur in the post-processing device during job execution. The image forming system 100 also includes a control unit (CPU 11) that determines, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred. Therefore, if jam occurs in the post-processing device, it is possible to prevent pages from falling out.

[0043] For example, missing pages like those shown in Figures 4 and 5 are prevented. Figures 4 and 5 are used to illustrate the concepts of jobs and jam occurrences. Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram of a single job and a jam occurring. Job J11, which is an incomplete output job, is a job in which the output from the image forming apparatus is incomplete. Job J12, which is a job in which post-processing is performed by a post-processing device, is included in Job J11, which is an incomplete output job. For example, if a jam (JAM1) occurs in the post-processing device within the completed output portion P11 from the perspective of the image forming apparatus, and information about the jammed page is not acquired, then in recovery printing, the incomplete output portion P12 will be executed as the recovery print, resulting in missing pages. The image forming system 100 can prevent such missing pages.

[0044] Figure 5 is an illustrative diagram of a linked job consisting of multiple jobs and the occurrence of a jam. The same applies to linked jobs; job J20 is a linked job consisting of multiple jobs: output completed job J21, output incomplete job J22, and output not performed job J23. Output completed job J21 is a job whose output from the image forming apparatus has been completed. Output incomplete job J22 is a job whose output from the image forming apparatus is incomplete. Output not performed job J23 is a job whose output has not been performed by the image forming apparatus. Post-processing execution job J24 is a job which performs post-processing in the post-processing apparatus and is included in output incomplete job J23. For example, if a jam (JAM2) occurs within the completed output portion P21 of an incomplete output job J22, and information about the page where the jam occurred cannot be obtained, recovery printing will execute the incomplete output portion P22 and the portion of the unexecuted job J23 as recovery printing, resulting in missing pages. The image forming system 100 can prevent such missing pages. If a jam occurs in the completed output job J21, it is considered completed from the perspective of the image forming apparatus, and therefore outside the control of the image forming apparatus 10, making recovery impossible. However, if a jam occurs in the unexecuted output job J23, it occurs within the image forming apparatus, so information about the jammed page is obtained, and recovery printing is performed correctly.

[0045] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10, which is connected to the post-processing device 20, includes an acquisition unit (CPU 11) that acquires information about jams that occur in the post-processing device during job execution. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a control unit (CPU 11) that determines, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred. Therefore, if jam occurs in the post-processing device, it is possible to prevent pages from falling out.

[0046] Furthermore, the program causes the computer of the image forming system 100, which includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing device 20, to function as an acquisition unit (CPU 11) that acquires information about jams that occur in the post-processing device during job execution. The program also causes the computer of the image forming system 100 to function as a control unit (CPU 11) that determines whether or not to perform recovery printing from the jammed page, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Therefore, if jam occurs in the post-processing device, it is possible to prevent pages from falling out.

[0047] The descriptions in the above embodiments are examples of the image forming system according to the present invention, and are not limited thereto. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each part constituting the image forming system can also be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0048] Furthermore, although the above embodiments described the case in which paper P is used as the sheet, the material of the sheet is not limited to paper, but may be a sheet-like resin or the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 10 Image forming apparatus 11. CPU (Acquisition unit, Control unit) 20 Post-processing equipment 26 Post-processing 100 Image Forming Systems

Claims

1. In an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, An acquisition unit that acquires information about jams that occurred in the post-processing unit during job execution, An image forming system comprising: a control unit that determines, in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition unit, a control unit that determines a control process regarding whether or not to perform recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred.

2. If the information relating to the jam includes information relating to the post-processing device, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines, in accordance with the information on the post-processing device acquired by the acquisition unit, a control process regarding whether or not to perform recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred.

3. Based on the information regarding the post-processing device acquired by the acquisition unit, the control unit, If the post-processing device is capable of obtaining information about the page where the jam occurred, then the recovery print is performed. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the post-processing device is a post-processing device that is not capable of obtaining information about the page where the jam occurred, the recovery printing is not performed.

4. If the information regarding the jam includes information regarding the job, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines, in accordance with the information on the job acquired by the acquisition unit, a control process regarding whether or not to perform recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred.

5. If the information relating to the jam includes information relating to the location where the jam was produced, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines, in accordance with the information regarding the location of the jam acquired by the acquisition unit, a control process regarding whether or not to perform recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred.

6. The control unit, if the information includes information about the page where the jam occurred, causes the recovery print to be executed. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein if the information does not include information about the page where the jam occurred, the recovery print is not performed.

7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, if the information does not include information relating to the page where the jam occurred, does not perform the recovery print and instead executes the next job.

8. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, if the information does not include information about the page where the jam occurred, causes the control unit to perform recovery printing from the first page of the job where the jam occurred.

9. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the job is a plurality of jobs.

10. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the display to the display unit according to the information acquired from the acquisition unit.

11. In an image forming apparatus connected to a post-processing device, An acquisition unit that acquires information about jams that occurred in the post-processing unit during job execution, An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that determines, in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition unit, a control unit that determines a control process regarding whether or not to perform recovery printing from the page where the jam occurred.

12. A computer for an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus, An acquisition unit that acquires information about jams that occurred in the post-processing unit during job execution. A program that functions as a control unit that determines whether or not to perform a control process regarding whether or not to perform a recovery print from the page where the jam occurred, in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Images