JP7022353B2 - Image forming device, control method of image forming device, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus that executes an interrupt job, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a program.

Conventionally, various image forming devices have been proposed in which execution of an image forming job is stopped and an interrupt job is executed. For example, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 stops the execution of the print job and hides the display of the interrupt key when the operation of the interrupt key is detected during the execution of the print job. When the image forming apparatus detects the operation of the start key, the image forming apparatus starts copying as a first interrupt job. When the copy (first interrupt job) has been read, the image forming apparatus returns the display state of the interrupt key and starts accepting another interrupt job.

JP-A-2002-344678 (paragraphs 0140, 0152, FIG. 9)

In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the acceptance of new interrupt jobs is restricted by hiding the interrupt keys on the touch panel in response to the operation for the interrupt keys displayed on the touch panel. On the other hand, the start key is a hard key and can be operated. However, if the start key can be operated with the interrupt key hidden in order to limit the acceptance of new interrupt jobs, what kind of operation will the image forming device perform when the start key is operated in this state? It's hard for users to understand. As a result, when the user operates the start key, the image forming apparatus may perform an operation not intended by the user, which impairs usability.

The present application has been proposed in view of the above problems, and provides an image forming apparatus, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a program capable of improving usability in limiting the acceptance of interrupt jobs. With the goal.

The present application includes a user interface having a stop key, a start key, an image forming unit, and a control unit, and the control unit controls the image forming unit when receiving an execution instruction of an image forming job. Then, an image forming process for forming an image related to the image forming job on a sheet, a stop process for putting the image forming process into a stopped state when an operation of the stop key is received while the image forming process is being executed, and the above-mentioned An image forming apparatus that starts an interrupt job when an operation of the start key is received during execution of the stop processing, controls the image forming unit, and executes an interrupt processing for forming an image related to the interrupt job on a sheet. The first display process and the first display process, wherein the control unit controls the user interface and displays information indicating that the operation by the stop key can be accepted while the interrupt process is being executed. (1) Discloses an image forming apparatus that controls the user interface and executes a second display process of displaying information indicating that acceptance of an operation by the start key is restricted during the execution of the display process. ..

In addition, the techniques disclosed herein can be implemented in various forms. For example, it is useful not only to implement the image forming apparatus as described above, but also to implement it as a control method and a program of the image forming apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus or the like according to the present application, when limiting a new interrupt job, it is displayed that the operation of the stop key can be accepted, and that the acceptance of the operation by the start key is restricted. Therefore, although the operation of the stop key is possible, the user can recognize that the operation of the start key is restricted. As a result, it is possible to suppress the image forming apparatus from performing an operation not intended by the user by operating the start key.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the MFP. It is a figure which shows the home screen which displays on the touch panel. It is a figure which shows the function cancellation screen. It is a figure which shows the function effective screen. It is a figure which shows the standby screen. It is a flowchart which shows the content of interrupt key detection processing. It is a figure which shows the state of a job when the interrupt function is enabled and when it is canceled. It is a state transition diagram which shows the state of a touch panel in interrupt control. It is a state transition diagram which shows the state of a touch panel in interrupt control. It is a flowchart which shows the content of interrupt control when the copy icon is touch-operated. It is a flowchart which shows the content of interrupt control when the copy icon is touch-operated. It is a figure which shows the stop screen. It is a figure which shows the error screen. It is a figure which shows the memory error screen. It is a figure which shows the 1st cancellation confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the continuous interrupt error screen. It is a figure which shows the 2nd release confirmation screen. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the home key control when the home key is pressed.

Hereinafter, the MFP 1 which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP 1.

(1. MFP configuration)
The MFP 1 is a multifunction device having a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a CPU 12, a RAM 13, a memory 15, a printing unit 16, an image reading unit 17, a FAX communication unit 18, a user interface 20, a network interface 24, and the like. These CPUs 12 and the like are connected to each other by a bus 11. Further, the MFP 1 includes a power supply 25 that supplies electric power from a commercial power source. The power supply 25 includes a power cord and a power supply circuit (bridge diode, smoothing circuit, etc.), generates a DC power supply from a commercial power supply, and supplies power to each part of the MFP 1 by a power supply line.

The memory 15 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as NVRAM. The storage unit included in the image forming apparatus of the present application is not limited to NVRAM, but may be a volatile RAM, a ROM, an HDD, an external storage device (USB memory or the like) connected to the MFP1, or a storage unit in combination thereof. .. Further, the storage unit may be a file server or the like connected via the network interface 24. Further, the storage unit may be a storage medium that can be read by a computer. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitional medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes recording media such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electric signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a signal medium that can be read by a computer, which is a kind of medium that can be read by a computer, but is a storage that can be read by a non-transitory computer. Not included in the medium.

The memory 15 stores various programs such as the control program 31. The control program 31 is a program that comprehensively controls each part of the MFP 1. The CPU 12 executes the control program 31 and controls each unit connected by the bus 11 while temporarily storing the executed processing result in the RAM 13. Further, the authentication DB (abbreviation of database) 33 is stored in the memory 15. The details of the authentication DB 33 will be described later. In the following description, the MFP 1 that executes the control program 31 and the like on the CPU 12 may be simply described by the device name. For example, the description "the CPU 12 accepts the operation input to the touch panel 21" may mean "the CPU 12 accepts the operation input to the touch panel 21 by executing the control program 31 and controlling the touch panel 21". be.

The printing unit 16 prints an image on a sheet (paper, OHP, etc.) under the control of the CPU 12. The printing unit 16 has a photoconductor drum 37 and a toner cartridge 38 that supplies toner to the photoconductor drum 37. The surface of the photoconductor drum 37 is charged by a charger (not shown) and then exposed by irradiation with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image. The toner cartridge 38 supplies the toner carried on the developing roller (not shown) to the electrostatic latent image on the exposed photoconductor drum 37 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image of the photoconductor drum 37 is transferred to the sheet, and the toner image is thermally fixed to the transferred sheet to print the image on the sheet by an electrophotographic method. The printing unit 16 is not limited to the configuration in which printing is performed by the electrophotographic method, and may be configured to perform printing by another method, for example, an inkjet method.

The image reading unit 17 includes a platen (not shown) and an image sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device). The platen is, for example, an automatic document feeder (ADF). The image reading unit 17 reads the image of the original by CIS or the like while transporting the original set on the platen by ADF, and generates image data. The manuscript stand may be a so-called flatbed type manuscript stand. Further, the FAX communication unit 18 transmits / receives FAX data to / from another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line.

The user interface 20 has a touch panel 21 and a hard key 22. The touch panel 21 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, a light source such as an LED that irradiates light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel, a contact sensing film attached to the surface of the liquid crystal panel, and the like. The user interface 20 displays, for example, various setting screens, operating states of devices, and the like on the touch panel 21 based on the control of the CPU 12. Further, the user interface 20 transmits a signal corresponding to the operation input to the touch panel 21 and the hard key 22 to the CPU 12. For example, the hard key 22 of the present embodiment is provided with a home key 39. The CPU 12 changes the display of the touch panel 21 according to the operation input to the home key 39. The MFP 1 of the present embodiment includes a touch panel 21 that also serves as a display unit and an operation unit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid crystal screen having only a display function may be provided instead of the touch panel 21.

The network interface 24 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, and is connected to a router or the like via a LAN cable (not shown). The user can send various jobs (print job 35, etc.) from the PC to the MFP 1 by operating the PC connected to the network interface 24. The MFP 1 stores various jobs received from the PC in the memory 15, and executes printing processing, fax transmission processing, and the like based on the various jobs. The device for transmitting a job to the MFP 1 is not limited to a PC, and may be, for example, a mobile terminal capable of wireless communication with the MFP 1. Therefore, as the communication method of the network interface 24, not only wired communication but also wireless communication can be adopted.

(2. Touch panel 21 display, security function)
Next, the display and the security function of the touch panel 21 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a home screen 41 displayed on the touch panel 21. For example, the CPU 12 displays the home screen 41 on the touch panel 21 as an initial screen after the power of the MFP 1 is turned on, the control program 31 is executed, and the system is started. Further, when the CPU 12 detects that the home key 39 is pressed, for example, the home screen 41 is displayed on the touch panel 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 12 displays the FAX icon 42, the copy icon 43, the scan icon 44, the setting icon 45, and the user display field 47 on the home screen 41. When the CPU 12 detects a touch operation of any one of the FAX icon 42, the copy icon 43, and the scan icon 44, the CPU 12 displays a screen for executing each function of the FAX function, the copy function, and the scanner function. When the CPU 12 detects, for example, the touch operation of the copy icon 43, the CPU 12 displays a screen for executing the copy function shown in FIG. Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the setting icon 45, the CPU 12 displays a setting screen (not shown) capable of making various settings for the MFP 1.

Here, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment has a security function of performing login authentication based on an operation input to the user interface 20. In the authentication DB 33 of the memory 15, for example, data associated with a user name of a login user who can log in to the MFP 1, a login password, an authority of each user, and the like are stored. The authority of each user here is an authority to execute each function such as a print function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax function. By changing the authentication DB 33, the system administrator can set the user and authority to allow login.

In the user display field 47 of the home screen 41 of FIG. 2, a public user is displayed as the current user name. This public user view shows a logout status where no one is logged in. In this state, the MFP 1 can be used even by a user who is not registered in the authentication DB 33. Further, when the CPU 12 detects a touch operation on the user display field 47, the CPU 12 displays a screen for selecting a user name and a screen for inputting a login password (not shown). When the selected user name and the entered password match the data of the authentication DB 33, the CPU 12 displays the standby screen 61 shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 12 may display the login user name on the standby screen 61.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 12 displays, for example, the FAX icon 42, the copy icon 43, and the scan icon 44 on the standby screen 61. By touching each icon on the standby screen 61, the user can use the function according to the authority set in the authentication DB 33. For example, when a user who is set only to execute the copy function logs in, the CPU 12 enables only the touch operation for the copy icon 43 and disables the touch operation for other icons (FAX icon 42, scan icon 44). do. As a result, the execution authority of each of the public user and the logged-in user can be restricted. Further, the MFP 1 can switch between a state in which the above-mentioned security function is enabled and a state in which the security function is canceled. For example, when the security function is canceled, the CPU 12 does not display a screen for performing login authentication even if it detects a touch operation in the user display field 47. The CPU 12 accepts an operation for the FAX icon 42 or the like on the home screen 41 according to the execution authority of the public user. That is, the same function is provided to all users. As will be described later, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment also uses the standby screen 61 shown in FIG. 5 as a screen to be displayed in interrupt control.

Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the copy icon 43 of FIG. 2, the CPU 12 displays the screen shown in FIG. The CPU 12 displays the screen shown in FIG. 3 as a screen for executing the copy function when the interrupt function described later is canceled, and displays the screen shown in FIG. 4 when the interrupt function is set. , Display as a screen to execute the copy function. Therefore, for convenience of explanation, the screen of FIG. 3 will be referred to as a function release screen 51, and the screen of FIG. 4 will be referred to as a function enable screen 52.

As shown in FIG. 3, the function release screen 51 displays a print setting key 53, a start key 56, a print number setting key 57, and an interrupt key 59. The CPU 12 accepts selections such as a copy magnification, a copy density, and a tray for supplying a sheet, based on an operation input for each item displayed on the print setting key 53. The types and arrangements of the display items shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are examples.

Further, the start key 56 has a monochrome copy start key 54 for receiving an instruction to start monochrome copying and a color copy start key 55 for receiving an instruction to start color copying. When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the monochrome copy start key 54, the CPU 12 reads the document set in the image reading unit 17 and executes monochrome copying by the printing unit 16. Similarly, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the color copy start key 55, the CPU 12 controls the image reading unit 17 and the printing unit 16 to execute color copying. When the CPU 12 detects a touch operation of the monochrome copy start key 54 or the color copy start key 55 in a state where the interrupt function described later is canceled, the CPU 12 accepts and executes a monochrome copy or color copy copy job. Further, when the CPU 12 detects a touch operation such as the monochrome copy start key 54 in the state where the interrupt function is enabled, the CPU 12 accepts the copy job as an interrupt job. The details of the interrupt job will be described later.

Further, the CPU 12 accepts a change in the number of copies based on a touch operation on the plus key or the minus key displayed on the print number setting key 57. Further, the CPU 12 switches between the enabled state and the released state of the interrupt function based on the touch operation on the interrupt key 59.

FIG. 6 shows the contents of the interrupt key detection process for executing control according to the touch operation of the interrupt key 59. The CPU 12 starts the process shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the power of the MFP 1 is turned on, the system of the MFP 1 is activated, and the operation input to the touch panel 21 can be accepted. Alternatively, when the CPU 12 starts displaying the function release screen 51 or the function enable screen 52, the process shown in FIG. 6 starts.

First, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 is detected in the step 11 of FIG. 6 (hereinafter, simply referred to as S) 11. The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the determination process of S11 until the interrupt key 59 is touch-operated (S11: NO). Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 (S11: YES), the CPU 12 executes the display switching process of the interrupt key 59 and the process of enabling or canceling the interrupt function (S13). When the CPU 12 executes S13, the CPU 12 executes the process from S11 again. Therefore, when the process shown in FIG. 6 is started, the CPU 12 executes the display switching of the interrupt key 59 and the switching of the interrupt function each time the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 is detected. The processing content shown in FIG. 6 is an example. For example, the CPU 12 does not have to repeatedly execute the determination process of S11. The CPU 12 may execute S13 in response to the detection of the touch operation of the interrupt key 59. Further, the CPU 12 may end the process of FIG. 6 and start the process again from S11 without executing S11 after S13.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the interrupt function is canceled, the CPU 12 changes the color of the interrupt key 59 to white, for example. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 12 changes the color of the interrupt key 59 to a colored color (for example, blue) when the interrupt function is enabled. This makes it possible to clearly indicate to the user whether the interrupt function is enabled or canceled.

(3. Interrupt function)
Next, the interrupt function will be described. In the following description, as an example, the interrupt function will be described using the copy function execution screens (function release screen 51, function enable screen 52) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Further, on the function enable screen 52 of FIG. 4, the monochrome copy start key 54 and the color copy start key 55 are operated, a copy job is accepted as an interrupt job, and copying is performed based on the accepted interrupt job (hereinafter, referred to as interrupt copy). Explains the case of executing (there is). When the interrupt function is enabled, the CPU 12 temporarily stops the job being executed, accepts the interrupt job, and executes the accepted interrupt job. Note that the CPU 12 accepts a fax transmission or scan interrupt job on the execution screen of each function displayed after the fax icon 42 or scan icon 44 shown in FIG. 2 is touch-operated, as in the function cancellation screen 51 or the like. Is also good.

FIG. 7 shows the states of an interrupt job when the interrupt function is enabled and when it is canceled, and a job that is stopped due to an interrupt (hereinafter, may be referred to as a normal job). The job surrounded by one solid line in FIG. 7 indicates a waiting job, the job surrounded by two solid lines indicates a running job, and the job surrounded by a broken line completes execution. Shows the job that was done. S15 in FIG. 7 is a state in which the interrupt function is canceled, and normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 are sequentially accepted and executed from the previously accepted normal job JOB1. The normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 are jobs for instructing, for example, copying, scanning, fax transmission, etc. received by operating the touch panel 21. Alternatively, the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 are print jobs 35 and the like received from a PC or the like via the network interface 24.

In S15, for example, the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 on the function release screen 51 of FIG. 3 in a state where the print job 35 is received from the PC as the normal job JOB1 and printing is executed. The CPU 12 enables the interrupt function (S16). The CPU 12 stops the printing operation of the normal job JOB1 and stores the data related to the normal job JOB1 in the memory 15 (S16). The data related to the normal job JOB1 referred to here is data necessary for restarting the interrupted normal job JOB1 such as image data for which printing has not been completed and the number of pages for which printing has been completed. As shown in S16, the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 received before the interrupt function is enabled are in a state of being stopped and waiting for execution (a stopped state in which execution is stopped). In this stopped state, the CPU 12 stops the execution of the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2, but accepts a new normal job. For example, when the CPU 12 receives a new normal job (copy job, etc.) by operating the touch panel 21, or when a new normal job is received from a PC or the like via the network interface 24, the newly accepted normal job is used. , It is accumulated after the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 in the stopped state. Then, after the interrupt function is canceled, the CPU 12 executes the accumulated normal jobs in the accumulated order (first-come-first-served basis). For the specific normal job JOB1, the CPU 12 does not have to stop the execution of the normal job JOB1 even if the interrupt function is enabled (S16) while the normal job JOB1 is being executed. The specific normal job JOB1 referred to here is, for example, a FAX job received via the FAX communication unit 18, and is a FAX job including an instruction to be printed by the printing unit 16. In this case, the CPU 12 may continue the execution and complete the printing of the FAX job without stopping the execution of the FAX job (normal job JOB1). Further, the CPU 12 may enable the interrupt function after completing the execution of the FAX job. As a result, for a normal job JOB1 such as a FAX job, which is difficult to stop in the middle of execution, the interrupt function can be enabled after the execution is exceptionally completed.

Further, when the CPU 12 detects a touch operation of the monochrome copy start key 54 or the color copy start key 55 on the function enable screen 52 of FIG. 4 in the state where the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 of S16 are stopped, the interrupt copy interrupt job IJOB is detected. Is accepted (S17), and the accepted interrupt job IJOB is executed. In this way, when the interrupt function is enabled, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment stops the execution of the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 and executes the interrupt job IJOB.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59, the CPU 12 switches between the enabled state and the released state of the interrupt function. For example, if the CPU 12 detects a touch operation of the interrupt key 59 on the function enable screen 52 before accepting the interrupt job IJOB in the interrupt function enabled state, the interrupt function is canceled and the stopped normal job JOB1 is executed. Is restarted (S16 → S15). Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 on the function enable screen 52 during the execution of the interrupt job IJOB (during interrupt copy), the interrupt function is canceled and the execution of the interrupt job IJOB is normally completed. Execution of job JOB1 is resumed (S17 → S19). Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 again on the function release screen 51, the interrupt function is enabled and the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 are stopped again (S19 → S17). Further, when the execution of the interrupt job IJOB is completed with the interrupt function enabled, the CPU 12 maintains the stopped state of the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 (S17 → S18). When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 after completing the execution of the interrupt job IJOB, the CPU 12 cancels the interrupt function and resumes the execution of the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 (S18 → S15).

(4. Interrupt control)
Next, interrupt control by the MFP 1 of the present embodiment will be described. 8 and 9 show the state transition of the touch panel 21 in the interrupt control. 10 and 11 show the contents of interrupt control when the copy icon 43 is touch-operated. 10 and 11 show some control contents among the state transitions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The same applies to the home key control of FIG. 18, which will be described later. Further, in the following description, as an example, a case where the print job 35 is accepted from the PC as the normal job JOB1 and the interrupt job IJOB of the interrupt copy is accepted on the function cancellation screen 51 of FIG. 3 will be described.

For example, when the home screen 41 shown in FIG. 2 and the standby screen 61 after login shown in FIG. 5 are displayed, that is, when the copy icon 43 is displayed, the CPU 12 starts the control shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. .. First, in S21 of FIGS. 8 and 10, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the copy icon 43 has been touch-operated. The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the determination process of S21 until the copy icon 43 is touch-operated (S21: NO).

When the CPU 12 determines that the copy icon 43 has been touch-operated (S21: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the above-mentioned security function setting is enabled (S23). When the CPU 12 determines that the security function is invalid (S23: NO), the CPU 12 displays the function release screen 51 shown in FIG. 3 on the touch panel 21 (S25). On the other hand, when the CPU 12 determines that the security function is effective (S23: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the current user has the authority to execute the copy function (S27). When the CPU 12 determines that the user has the authority to execute the copy function (S27: YES), the CPU 12 executes S25. Further, if the CPU 12 makes a negative determination in S27 (S27: NO), the CPU 12 re-executes the process from S21. For example, when the CPU 12 is a public user who is not logged in and the copy execution authority is set as the execution authority of the public user of the authentication DB 33, the CPU 12 makes an affirmative judgment in S27. Further, if a specific user is logged in and the copy execution authority is not set for that user, the CPU 12 makes a negative determination in S27. In this case, the CPU 12 invalidates the operation for the copy icon 43 detected in S21.

Further, after executing S25, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the interrupt key 59 displayed on the function release screen 51 has been touch-operated (S29). The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the determination process of S29 until the interrupt key 59 is touch-operated (S29: NO). If the affirmative judgment is made in S29 (S29: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the normal job JOB1 is being executed, that is, whether or not there is a job that should be interrupted when the interrupt function is enabled (S31). ).

When the CPU 12 determines that the normal job JOB1 is being executed (S31: YES), the CPU 12 stops the running normal job JOB1, for example, the print job 35 that is received from the PC and is being executed (S35, S16 in FIG. 7). reference). Further, the CPU 12 displays the stop screen 63 shown in FIG. 12 on the touch panel 21 (S35). The CPU 12 displays, for example, on the stop screen 63 that printing is stopped and that the interrupt function is enabled after the stop. Further, the CPU 12 displays on the stop screen 63 that it takes a certain amount of time to stop printing. For example, printing with complicated settings made by the user may be difficult to stop during printing. Alternatively, it may be difficult to stop the fax reception process while receiving a plurality of pages. In the case of the normal job JOB1 where it is difficult to interrupt such execution, it becomes difficult to execute the interrupt job IJOB only after the execution of the normal job JOB1 is completed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 12 displays on the stop screen 63 that it takes time to stop the normal job JOB1 being executed. For example, the CPU 12 stops the printing operation of the normal job JOB1 after starting the execution of S35 until the process of storing the data necessary for restarting the normal job JOB1 is completed in the memory 15. The screen 63 is displayed. This makes it possible for the user to recognize that the transition to the state in which the interrupt function is enabled is in progress. The CPU 12 may display the stop screen 63 of FIG. 12 on the touch panel 21 instead of the function release screen 51 of FIG. 3, or may display the stop screen 63 on the front surface of the function release screen 51.

When the CPU 12 completes the stop work of the normal job JOB1, the function effective screen 52 of FIG. 4 is displayed on the touch panel 21 (S33). The CPU 12 changes the display of the interrupt key 59 (for example, changes to a colored key) (S33). As a result, the MFP1 is in a state in which the interrupt function is enabled (see S16, S17, and S18 in FIG. 7).

Further, when an error is detected while the normal job JOB1 is stopped in S35, the CPU 12 may display an error screen 64 (see FIG. 13) (S37 in FIG. 8). For example, if a paper jam occurs while the normal job JOB1 is stopped, it is difficult to execute the interrupt job IJOB even if it is enabled unless the interrupt function is enabled after the paper jam is cleared. Therefore, the CPU 12 displays a message indicating that the interrupt function could not be enabled or that the error should be canceled on the error screen 64 together with the close key 64A. When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the close key 64A on the error screen 64, the function release screen 51 is displayed (S39 in FIG. 8). Then, the CPU 12 displays detailed information on the error such as the position of the paper jam on the touch panel 21. As a result, the user can take an appropriate response to the error, clear the error, and then operate the interrupt function again. The display contents of the messages and keys shown on the screens of FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 and later described later are examples. For example, the CPU 12 may display the close key as a cancel key.

On the other hand, when the CPU 12 determines in S31 of FIG. 10 that the normal job JOB1 is not being executed (S31: NO), the function effective screen 52 of FIG. 4 is displayed on the touch panel 21 without displaying the stop screen 63 of FIG. Display (S33). After executing S33, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the start key 56 (monochrome copy start key 54 or color copy start key 55) of the function effective screen 52 has been touch-operated (S41). When the CPU 12 determines that the start key 56 has been touch-operated (S41: YES), the CPU 12 accepts the interrupt copy as the interrupt job IJOB, and executes the interrupt copy in S43 and subsequent steps of FIG.

Further, if the CPU 12 makes a negative determination in S41, it determines whether or not the interrupt function is effective (S45). The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the determination process of S41 while the interrupt function is valid (S45: YES). Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 while the function valid screen 52 is displayed, the CPU 12 cancels the interrupt function (S13 in FIG. 6). When the CPU 12 makes a negative determination in S45 of FIG. 10 (S45: NO), the processing from S25 is started and the function cancellation screen 51 of FIG. 3 is displayed (S47 of FIG. 8).

Here, for example, when the CPU 12 detects a touch operation of the start key 56 on the function effective screen 52, the CPU 12 secures a storage area required for interrupt copy processing in the RAM 13. When it is difficult to secure the storage area in the RAM 13, the CPU 12 displays the memory error screen 65 shown in FIG. 14 (S49 in FIG. 8). For example, when the CPU 12 accepts an interrupt copy that consumes a larger storage area such as a large number of color copies, it becomes difficult to secure the storage area of the RAM 13. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 12 displays a message on the memory error screen 65 together with the OK key 65A that the RAM 13 is full and the interrupt copy cannot be executed and that the interrupt function should be canceled once. When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the OK key 65A, the memory error screen 65 is erased and the function effective screen 52 is displayed (S51 in FIG. 8). The CPU 12 may reserve a storage area in the RAM 13 in advance for executing monochrome copy or single-sided copy as an interrupt copy from the time the system is started. As a result, it is possible to secure the execution of monochrome copy or single-sided copy as interrupt copy. For example, as shown in the memory error screen 65 of FIG. 14, the CPU 12 may display a message that execution is possible if it is monochrome or single-sided copy.

Further, when the CPU 12 detects that the home key 39 (see FIG. 1) is pressed while the function valid screen 52 is displayed, the CPU 12 displays the first release confirmation screen 67 shown in FIG. 15 (S53 in FIG. 8). .. The CPU 12 displays a message confirming whether the interrupt function may be canceled and the standby process may be resumed, the YES key 67A, and the NO key 67B on the first cancellation confirmation screen 67. When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the YES key 67A, the first release confirmation screen 67 is erased and the home screen 41 is displayed on the touch panel 21 (S55 in FIG. 8). The CPU 12 cancels the interrupt function and resumes the execution of the waiting normal job JOB1. As a result, when the memory error screen 65 is displayed, the user operates the home key 39 to cancel the interrupt function and execute the stopped normal job JOB1 to increase the free space of the RAM 13. be able to. Then, after eliminating the memory error, the interrupt copy can be executed again.

When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the NO key 67B on the first release confirmation screen 67, the CPU 12 erases the first release confirmation screen 67 and displays the function effective screen 52 (S57 in FIG. 8). In this case, the CPU 12 maintains the interrupt function in an effective state.

Further, the CPU 12 executes a counting process for counting the time during which the operation on the function effective screen 52 cannot be detected while the function effective screen 52 is displayed (S59 in FIG. 8). The CPU 12 displays the standby screen 61 of FIG. 5 when the count value obtained by counting the undetectable time reaches a predetermined value, that is, when the time during which the operation is not accepted has elapsed for a certain period of time (S59). This fixed time is, for example, 1 minute. The CPU 12 automatically cancels the interrupt function, displays the standby screen 61, and resumes the execution of the stopped normal job JOB1. When the CPU 12 completes the execution of all the stopped normal jobs JOB1, the home screen 41 is displayed (S61 in FIG. 8). Therefore, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment forcibly cancels the interrupt function when it is determined that the operation for the function enable screen 52 cannot be detected and the state in which the interrupt function is enabled is maintained for a certain period of time. As a result, when the user forgets to cancel the interrupt function, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the normal job JOB1 continues to be stopped for a long time. The CPU 12 may continue to display the function effective screen 52 until the operation on the function effective screen 52 is detected without counting the time during which the operation on the function effective screen 52 cannot be detected.

Further, the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the start key 56 on the function effective screen 52 (S41: YES), and when the storage area of the RAM 13 can be secured, the CPU 12 starts the interrupt copy reading process (S43 in FIGS. 9 and 11). ). The CPU 12 starts the reading process based on the set value set by the print setting key 53 of the function enable screen 52. Of the state transitions shown in FIG. 9, the portion surrounded by a broken line indicates the state transition during interrupt copy execution.

In S43, the CPU 12 conveys the originals one by one by the automatic document feeder of the image reading unit 17, reads the image of the original by CIS or the like, and generates image data. For example, the CPU 12 displays a screen on the touch panel 21 indicating that the scanning process is in progress while the scanning process of S43 is being executed, that is, until the scanning of all the originals is completed, and the interrupt key 59 or the like. The operation for the start key 56 is not accepted. Then, when the reading process of S43 is completed, the CPU 12 displays the function effective screen 52 on the touch panel 21 and starts the printing process while making the operation for the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 acceptable (FIG. FIG. 11 S61).

The CPU 12 may display the function valid screen 52 and accept operations for the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 even during the reading process of S43. In this case, the same processing as after the reading process (during the printing process) described later may be executed. For example, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59, the interrupt function may be canceled (S63, S73 in FIG. 11). Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the start key 56, the continuous interrupt error screen 69 (see FIG. 16), which will be described later, may be displayed (S69).

When the printing process is started in S61 of FIG. 11, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the interrupt key 59 has been touch-operated (S63). When the CPU 12 does not detect the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 (S63: NO), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the start key 56 has been touch-operated (S65). That is, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the start key 56 has been touch-operated again during printing of the interrupt copy (S65). When the CPU 12 does not detect the touch operation of the start key 56 (S65: NO), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the interrupt copy is completed (S71). When the CPU 12 determines that all printing has been completed and interrupt copying has been completed (S71: YES), the CPU 12 re-executes the processing from S41. In this case, as shown in S44 of FIGS. 8 and 9, the CPU 12 is in a state of newly accepting an interrupt copy while displaying the function valid screen 52 and enabling the interrupt function. The CPU 12 may notify the user of the completion of the interrupt copy by notifying the user of a sound or the like.

Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the start key 56 in S65 of FIG. 11 (S65: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the interrupt copy is completed (S67). When the CPU 12 determines that the interrupt copy is completed (S67: YES), the CPU 12 newly performs a copy job based on the set value set by the print setting key 53 (see FIG. 4) during the touch operation of the start key 56 detected in S65. Accept as an interrupt copy (interrupt job IJOB). The CPU 12 executes the read process of S43 and starts a new interrupt copy. In this case, the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the start key 56 when the interrupt copy is completed, and continuously starts the newly accepted interrupt copy (S44 → S43 in FIGS. 8 and 9). For example, if the user touches the start key 56 immediately after hearing the completion sound of the interrupt copy, the CPU 12 can immediately start a new interrupt copy.

Further, in S67 of FIG. 11, when the CPU 12 makes a negative determination (S67: NO), that is, when the operation of the start key 56 is detected during interrupt copying, the continuous interrupt error screen 69 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed (s). S69). The CPU 12 invalidates the touch operation command for the start key 56 detected in S65. For example, the CPU 12 may discard the interrupt job IJOB of the interrupt copy received in S65, or may not accept the operation input for the start key 56 as the interrupt job IJOB.

As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 12 displays a message indicating that interrupt copies cannot be continuously accepted on the continuous interrupt error screen 69 together with the OK key 69A. That is, the CPU 12 displays on the continuous interrupt error screen 69 that the acceptance of the operation by the start key 56 is restricted. The CPU 12 maintains the display of the continuous interrupt error screen 69 until the OK key 69A is touch-operated. When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the OK key 69A, the continuous interrupt error screen 69 is erased, the function valid screen 52 is displayed (S70 in FIG. 9), and S71 in FIG. 11 is executed. In this case, for example, when the interrupt copy is completed while the continuous interrupt error screen 69 is being displayed, the CPU 12 makes an affirmative determination in S71 (S71: YES) and executes the process from S41 again. The CPU 12 is ready to accept a new interrupt copy on the function valid screen 52. The CPU 12 may turn off the display of the continuous interrupt error screen 69 after a lapse of a certain period of time without waiting for the touch operation on the OK key 69A. Further, the display indicating that the acceptance of the operation by the start key 56 is restricted is not limited to the continuous interrupt error screen 69. For example, the CPU 12 may display the start key 56 in gray out and make it inoperable until the interrupt copy (interrupt job IJOB) is completed. Further, the CPU 12 may turn off the display of the start key 56 from the function activation screen 52.

Here, the CPU 12 displays the function effective screen 52 even after the printing process is started in S61 (see FIG. 9). While the interrupt copy print process is being executed, the CPU 12 stops the execution of the above-mentioned count process and the process of transitioning to the standby screen 61 (S59 in FIG. 8). Therefore, while the interrupt copy (interrupt job IJOB) is being executed, the CPU 12 does not automatically cancel the interrupt function even if the operation on the function valid screen 52 cannot be detected for a certain period of time.

As described above, even if the CPU 12 of the present embodiment detects the operation of the start key 56 during the execution of the interrupt copy, the acceptance of the operation is restricted (disabled) (S69). Therefore, when the print time of the interrupt copy is long, the user is likely to wait without operating the touch panel 21. Then, there is a possibility that a certain period of time has passed in the state of displaying the function effective screen 52. Therefore, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment improves usability by stopping the execution of the counting process and the like and stopping the automatic cancellation of the interrupt function while the interrupt copy is being executed.

Further, the CPU 12 limits the operation of the start key 56 while the interrupt copy is being executed, so that the number of interrupt copies (interrupt job IJOB) received at the same time is one. This facilitates the management of the interrupt job IJOB, eliminates the need to create a list of interrupt job IJOBs, and reduces the processing load of the CPU 12.

Further, in S63 of FIG. 11, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 (S63: YES), the CPU 12 performs a process of canceling the interrupt function (S73). As shown in S19 of FIG. 7, the CPU 12 reads necessary data from the memory 15 so that the normal job JOB1 can be started after the interrupt copy (interrupt job IJOB) is completed. After executing S73, the CPU 12 displays the function release screen 51 (S75) and determines whether or not the interrupt copy is completed (S77).

Therefore, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment enables the operation for the interrupt key 59 while executing the interrupt copy (S63: YES, S73), but limits the operation for the start key 56 (S69). The user can switch between the enabled state and the disabled state of the interrupt function during interrupt copying. For example, by maintaining the enabled state of the interrupt function, it is possible to prevent the printed matter of the interrupt copy from being mixed with the printed matter of the normal job JOB1 executed thereafter (S18 in FIG. 7). Further, by canceling the interrupt function, the normal job JOB1 can be started immediately after the interrupt copy (S19 in FIG. 7).

When the function release screen 51 is displayed in S75, the CPU 12 accepts a new normal job JOB1 on the function release screen 51. For example, when the CPU 12 detects a touch operation of the monochrome copy start key 54 on the function release screen 51 (S79 in FIG. 9), the CPU 12 accepts the monochrome copy copy job as a new normal job while the function release screen 51 is displayed. .. For example, in the example shown in S19 of FIG. 7, the newly accepted monochrome copy job is accumulated after the normal job JOB1 and the normal job JOB2, that is, is accepted as the last normal job to be executed.

When the CPU 12 detects that the home key 39 is pressed after accepting a new normal job, the CPU 12 displays a standby screen 61 (see FIG. 5) (S81 in FIG. 9). When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the copy icon 43 on the standby screen 61, the function release screen 51 is displayed again (S83).

Further, in S77 of FIG. 11, the CPU 12 repeatedly executes the determination process of S77 until it is determined that the interrupt copy is completed (S77: NO). When the CPU 12 has not completed the interrupt copy and does not detect the operation on the touch panel 21, the function release screen 51 or the standby screen 61 is displayed.

If the CPU 12 determines affirmatively in S77 (S77: YES), the CPU 12 re-executes the process from S29 in FIG. For example, when the interrupt copy is completed with the function cancellation screen 51 displayed, the CPU 12 starts the normal job JOB1 and maintains the state of displaying the function cancellation screen 51 (S85 in FIG. 9). When the CPU 12 detects that the home key 39 is pressed while the normal job JOB1 is being executed and the function release screen 51 is displayed, the CPU 12 displays the standby screen 61 (S87). When the CPU 12 completes the execution of all the normal jobs JOB1, the CPU 12 displays the home screen 41 (S89 in FIG. 9).

Further, for example, when the interrupt copy is completed while the standby screen 61 is displayed, the CPU 12 maintains the state of displaying the standby screen 61, and when the execution of all the stopped normal job JOB1 is completed, the home screen is displayed. 41 is displayed (S91 → S89 in FIG. 9). Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the interrupt key 59 while the interrupt copy is being executed and the function cancellation screen 51 is displayed, the function activation screen 52 is displayed again (S93 in FIG. 9). The CPU 12 re-enables the interrupt function (S19 → S17 in FIG. 7).

Next, the control when the home key 39 is pressed will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 18. For example, when the function release screen 51 or the function enable screen 52 is displayed on the touch panel 21, the CPU 12 starts the home key control shown in FIG.

First, in S101 of FIG. 18, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the home key 39 is pressed while the function release screen 51 or the function enable screen 52 is displayed. The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the determination process of S101 until the pressing of the home key 39 is detected (S101: NO). When the CPU 12 makes an affirmative determination in S101 (S101: YES), the CPU 12 determines whether or not the interrupt function is effective (S103).

When the CPU 12 determines that the interrupt function is not valid (S103: NO), it determines whether or not there is an executing or waiting (waiting) job (interrupt job IJOB or normal job JOB1, JOB2) (S105). ). When the CPU 12 determines that there is a job (S105: YES), the CPU 12 displays the standby screen 61 (S107, S81, S87 in FIG. 9). Further, when the CPU 12 determines that there is no job (S105: NO), the CPU 12 displays the home screen 41 (S109, S20 in FIG. 8). When the CPU 12 executes S107 or S109, the home key control shown in FIG. 18 ends.

Further, in S103, when the CPU 12 determines that the interrupt function is effective (S103: YES), the CPU 12 displays a screen asking whether to cancel the interrupt function (S111). For example, when the CPU 12 detects that the home key 39 is pressed while the interrupt copy is not executed and the function valid screen 52 is displayed, the first release confirmation screen 67 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed (FIG. 8). S53). Further, for example, when the pressing of the home key 39 is detected while the interrupt copy is being executed and the function valid screen 52 is displayed, the second release confirmation screen 71 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed (S113 in FIG. 9). .. As shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 12 displays a message inquiring whether the interrupt function may be canceled, a YES key 71A, and a NO key 71B on the second cancellation confirmation screen 71.

After executing S111 in FIG. 18, the CPU 12 determines whether or not a touch operation of the YES key (YES key 67A in FIG. 15 or YES key 71A in FIG. 17) is detected (S115). When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the YES key (S115: YES), the CPU 12 cancels the interrupt function (S117, S55 in FIG. 8, S119 in FIG. 9). Further, when the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the NO key (NO key 67B in FIG. 15 or NO key 71B in FIG. 17), it makes a negative determination in S115 (S115: NO). In this case, the CPU 12 maintains the enabled state of the interrupt function and displays the function enabled screen 52 (S121, S57 in FIG. 8, S123 in FIG. 9). The CPU 12 ends the control of FIG.

Further, the CPU 12 executes S105 after executing S117. When the CPU 12 makes an affirmative judgment in S105 (S105: YES), the CPU 12 displays the standby screen 61 (S107, S125 in FIG. 9). When the CPU 12 detects the touch operation of the YES key 71A of the second release confirmation screen 71 and displays the standby screen 61, and then detects the touch operation of the copy icon 43 of the standby screen 61 during the execution of interrupt copy, the CPU 12 determines that the touch operation of the copy icon 43 of the standby screen 61 is detected. The function release screen 51 is displayed (S127 in FIG. 9). Further, when the CPU 12 makes a negative determination in S105 (S105: NO), the home screen 41 is displayed (S109, S55 in FIG. 8). In this way, the CPU 12 of the present embodiment executes job control and touch panel 21 display control according to whether the interrupt function is enabled or canceled.

Incidentally, the MFP 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus. The CPU 12 is an example of a control unit. The printing unit 16 and the FAX communication unit 18 are examples of the image forming unit. The start key 56 (monochrome copy start key 54, color copy start key 55) is an example of a start key. The interrupt key 59 is an example of a stop key. The normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 are examples of image forming jobs.

(5. Effect)
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) When the CPU 12 of the MFP 1 of the present embodiment receives the execution instruction of the normal job JOB1, the process of S15 that controls the printing unit 16 to form an image related to the normal job JOB 1 on the sheet (an example of the image forming process). When the operation of the interrupt key 59 is received while S15 is being executed, the processing of S16 and S35 (an example of the stop processing) that puts the processing of S15 in the stop state and the operation of the start key 56 during the execution of the processing of S16 are performed. Upon receipt, the interrupt job IJOB is started, and the processes of S17, S43, and S61 (an example of the interrupt process) that control the printing unit 16 to form an image related to the interrupt job IJOB on the sheet are executed. The CPU 12 controls the user interface 20 during execution of the interrupt process to display information indicating that the operation by the interrupt key 59 can be accepted (process to color the interrupt key 59 on the function valid screen 52). , An example of the first display process) and the process of S69 that controls the user interface 20 while displaying the function enable screen 52 and displays information indicating that acceptance of operations by the start key 56 is restricted (first display process). 2 Example of display processing) and execution.

According to this, in limiting the new interrupt job IJOB, the CPU 12 displays that the operation of the interrupt key 59 can be accepted (see FIG. 4), and the acceptance of the operation by the start key 56 is restricted. Is displayed (see FIG. 16). Therefore, although the operation of the interrupt key 59 is possible, the user can recognize that the operation of the start key 56 is restricted. As a result, it is possible to suppress the MFP1 from executing an operation not intended by the user by operating the start key 56.

(2) Further, when the CPU 12 detects the operation of the start key 56 in the state of executing the interrupt copy, the error information (2) indicating that the reception of the operation by the start key 56 is restricted by controlling the user interface 20. The continuous interrupt error screen 69) is displayed (S69). According to this, by displaying the continuous interrupt error screen 69 on the touch panel 21, the user can be made to recognize that the interrupt job IJOB cannot be further accepted during the interrupt process.

(3) Further, the MFP 1 includes an image reading unit 17 that reads an image from a document. The interrupt job IJOB instructs the image reading unit 17 and the printing unit 16 to perform copy processing. When the interrupt job IJOB is started, the CPU 12 controls the image reading unit 17 to execute the process of S43 (an example of the reading process) of reading an image from the original. The CPU 12 controls the printing unit 16 to execute the process of S61 (an example of the second image forming process) of forming an image on the sheet based on the image read in the reading process. Then, the CPU 12 displays information indicating that the operation on the start key 56 is restricted from the start of the reading process of S43 to the completion of printing. According to this, until the printing of the previously accepted interrupt job IJOB is completed (S71: NO), the interrupt processing is completed by displaying the information indicating that the operation for the start key 56 is restricted (S69). It is possible to make the user recognize that the new interrupt job IJOB cannot be accepted until this is done.

(4) Further, the user interface 20 has a touch panel 21 for displaying the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56. In the state where the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 are displayed on the touch panel 21, the CPU 12 counts the time during which the operation for the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 is not accepted (an example of the count process) and the count process. When the count value reaches a predetermined value, the touch panel 21 is controlled to execute the process of S59 (an example of the transition process) of transitioning to the standby screen 61 in which the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 are not displayed. The CPU 12 stops the execution of the count process while the interrupt job IJOB is being executed.

According to this, when the count value counting the time when the operation for the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 is not accepted reaches a predetermined value, that is, when the time for not accepting the operation elapses for a certain time, the interrupt key 59 and the start key Hide 56. As a result, when the user leaves the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 displayed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which another user mistakenly operates the interrupt key 59 or the like. Further, during the execution of the interrupt job IJOB, the operation for the interrupt key 59 and the start key 56 can be accepted by maintaining the display state without executing the count process.

(5) Further, when the CPU 12 receives a command to cancel the interrupt function by the interrupt key 59 during the execution of the interrupt copy, the CPU 12 newly accepts the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 to be executed after the execution of the interrupt job IJOB is completed. (S75 → S79). According to this, by making it possible to accept the operation of the interrupt key 59, the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 executed after the completion of the interrupt job IJOB can be accepted during the interrupt copy.

(6) Further, when the CPU 12 receives a command to cancel the interrupt function by the interrupt key 59 during the execution of the interrupt job IJOB, the CPU 12 starts the execution of the normal job JOB1 according to the completion of the execution of the interrupt job IJOB (FIG. 6). 7 from S17 to S19). Further, if the CPU 12 does not receive the command to cancel the interrupt function by the interrupt key 59 during the execution of the interrupt job IJOB, the CPU 12 maintains the interrupt function even after the execution of the interrupt job IJOB is completed (S17 → S18).

For example, when the stopped normal job JOB1 is a job of another person, if the normal job JOB1 is started immediately after the interrupt job IJOB is completed, the printed matter may be mixed. On the other hand, for example, when the stopped normal job JOB1 is its own job, it may be desired to start the normal job JOB1 immediately after completing the interrupt job IJOB. Therefore, when the CPU 12 receives a command to cancel the interrupt function during the execution of the interrupt job IJOB, the CPU 12 continuously executes the normal job JOB1 to the interrupt job IJOB. Further, when the CPU 12 does not accept the cancellation of the interrupt function, the CPU 12 maintains the stopped state even after the execution of the interrupt job IJOB is completed. As a result, it is possible to receive an instruction as to whether the normal job JOB1 in the stopped state should be started or the stopped state should be maintained after the execution of the interrupt job IJOB is completed.

(6. Modification example)
Needless to say, the present application is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the key for enabling the interrupt function and the key for canceling the interrupt function may be separate keys.
Further, the start key 56 and the interrupt key 59 may be hard keys.
Further, the CPU 12 does not have to newly accept the normal jobs JOB1 and JOB2 to be executed after the interrupt copy during the interrupt copy.
Further, the CPU 12 may cancel the interrupt function as soon as the execution of the interrupt job IJOB is completed.
Further, in the above embodiment, the CPU 12 that executes a predetermined program is adopted as the control unit of the present application, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the control unit may be configured to operate by using, for example, processing by software and processing by hardware in combination.
Further, in the above embodiment, the MFP1 which is a multifunction device is adopted as the image forming apparatus of the present application, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus of the present application may be a printer apparatus or a fax apparatus having only a printing function.

1 MFP (image forming device), 12 CPU (control unit), 16 printing unit (image forming unit), 17 image reading unit (image reading unit), 18 FAX communication unit (image forming unit), 20 user interface, 21 touch panel (User interface), 54 monochrome copy start key (start key), 55 color start key (start key), 56 start key (start key), 59 interrupt key (stop key), JOB1, JOB2 normal job (image formation job) , IJOB interrupt job.

Claims (8)

A user interface with a stop key, a start key, and
Image forming part and
Control unit and
Equipped with
The control unit
Upon receiving the execution instruction of the image forming job, the image forming process that controls the image forming unit to form an image related to the image forming job on the sheet, and the image forming process.
When the operation of the stop key is received while the image formation process is being executed, the stop process for setting the image formation process to the stop state and the stop process.
When the operation of the start key is received during the execution of the stop process, the interrupt process is started, the image forming unit is controlled to form an image related to the interrupt job on the sheet, and the interrupt process is performed.
Is an image forming device that executes
The control unit
During the execution of the interrupt processing, the first display processing for controlling the user interface and displaying information indicating that the operation by the stop key can be accepted, and the first display processing.
A second display process that controls the user interface to display information indicating that acceptance of an operation by the start key is restricted during the execution of the first display process.
An image forming device that performs. The control unit
The first aspect of the present invention, wherein when the operation of the start key is detected in the second display process, the user interface is controlled to display error information indicating that acceptance of the operation by the start key is restricted. Image forming device. It also has an image reader that reads images from the original.
The interrupt job is
It is intended to instruct the copy process by the image reading unit and the image forming unit.
The control unit
When the interrupt job is started,
A reading process that controls the image reading unit to read an image from a document,
A second image forming process of controlling the image forming unit to form an image on a sheet based on the image read in the reading process.
The image forming according to claim 1 or 2, which displays information indicating that the operation with respect to the start key is restricted from the start of the reading process to the completion of the second image forming process. Device. The user interface is
It has a touch panel that displays the stop key and the start key.
The control unit
A count process for counting the time during which an operation for the stop key and the start key is not accepted while the stop key and the start key are displayed on the touch panel.
When the count value in the count process reaches a predetermined value, the touch panel is controlled to perform a transition process of transitioning to a screen that does not display the stop key and the start key.
And run
The control unit
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the execution of the counting process is stopped while the interrupt job is being executed. The control unit
Claim 1 is that when a command to release the stopped state of the image forming process is received by the stop key during the execution of the interrupt process, an image forming job to be executed after the execution of the interrupt job is completed is newly accepted. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4. The control unit
When the command to release the stop state of the image formation process is received by the stop key during the execution of the interrupt process, the execution of the image formation job is started according to the completion of the execution of the interrupt job.
If the command to release the stopped state of the image forming process is not received by the stop key during the execution of the interrupt process, the stopped state of the image forming job is maintained even after the execution of the interrupt job is completed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5. A user interface with a stop key, a start key, and
Image forming part and
Control unit and
Equipped with
The control unit
Upon receiving the execution instruction of the image forming job, the image forming process that controls the image forming unit to form an image related to the image forming job on the sheet, and the image forming process.
When the operation of the stop key is received while the image formation process is being executed, the stop process for setting the image formation process to the stop state and the stop process.
When the operation of the start key is received during the execution of the stop process, the interrupt process is started, the image forming unit is controlled to form an image related to the interrupt job on the sheet, and the interrupt process is performed.
Is a control method of an image forming apparatus that executes
A first display step of controlling the user interface during execution of the interrupt process to display information indicating that an operation by the stop key can be accepted.
A second display step of controlling the user interface to display information indicating that acceptance of an operation by the start key is restricted during the execution of the first display step.
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus including. A user interface with a stop key, a start key, and
Image forming part and
Control unit and
Equipped with
The control unit
Upon receiving the execution instruction of the image forming job, the image forming process that controls the image forming unit to form an image related to the image forming job on the sheet, and the image forming process.
When the operation of the stop key is received while the image formation process is being executed, the stop process for setting the image formation process to the stop state and the stop process.
When the operation of the start key is received during the execution of the stop process, the interrupt process is started, the image forming unit is controlled to form an image related to the interrupt job on the sheet, and the interrupt process is performed.
A program that causes a computer to control an image forming apparatus that executes
To the computer
During the execution of the interrupt processing, the first display processing for controlling the user interface and displaying information indicating that the operation by the stop key can be accepted, and the first display processing.
A second display process that controls the user interface to display information indicating that acceptance of an operation by the start key is restricted during the execution of the first display process.
A program that runs.

Images