Apparatus having a function of reserving a sheet feeding unit and information processing apparatus connected to the same

An apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor functioning to reserve a sheet feeding unit of an image forming apparatus and provide information indicating that the sheet feeding unit is reserved.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus having a function of reserving a sheet feeding unit and an information processing apparatus connected to the apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

Most image forming apparatuses include a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes, and are configured to enable sheets in different sizes or types to be loaded in the sheet feeding cassettes. This configuration enables a user to carry out a printing operation using a special sheet by loading it in a sheet feeding cassette and inputting a print job that specifies the sheet feeding cassette (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-181220).

In some cases, before the user executes the print job after loading the special sheet that the user wants to use in the sheet feeding cassette, a print job of another user was input first and the special sheet was accidentally used. One method of guarding against this situation from occurring is, for example, putting a notice on the image forming apparatus with the special sheet in the sheet feeding cassette that other users should refrain from using the image forming apparatus for a certain period of time. In the case of other users remotely using the image forming apparatus, this method is not effective.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor functioning to reserve a sheet feeding unit of an image forming apparatus and provide information indicating that the sheet feeding unit is reserved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described in the following description with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described. Examples of the image forming apparatus include, but are not limited to, a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and a multi-function peripheral including the functions provided by the printer, copying machine, and facsimile apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a function of forming images on sheets serving as a recording medium, i.e., a print function.

An image forming apparatus100illustrated inFIG.1Ais a multi-function peripheral that forms images on sheets. Examples of sheets include paper sheets, envelopes, plastic film sheet such as a sheet for an overhead projector (OHP), and a cloth sheet. Terms such as “paper” or “paper feeding” will be used in the following description and associated drawings, but are intended as references to a general sheet including a non-paper sheet unless otherwise specifically stated.

The image forming apparatus100includes a printer unit101, a scanner unit109, a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes102,103,104, and105, a manual feeding tray106, and sheet discharge trays107and108. The scanner unit109, as an image reading device, optically scans a document and converts it into electronic image information by a photoelectric conversion device employing a charge-coupled device (CCD). In the printer unit101, the printer engine110, which is an example of an image forming unit, forms an image on a sheet based on image information input from the scanner unit109, an external host computer, a data server, or other sources. Each of the sheet feeding cassettes102to105contains sheets therein, and the manual feeding tray106supports sheets stacked on its tray. The sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassettes102to105and the manual feeding tray106are fed to the printer engine110while being separated one-by-one by a sheet feeder unit (not illustrated). All of the sheet feeding cassettes102to105and the manual feeding tray106are examples of a sheet feeding deck that stores sheets to be fed to the image forming unit. The sheet with the image formed thereon by the printer engine110is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray107or the sheet discharge tray108. The sheet feeding cassettes102to105and manual feeding tray106can be collectively referred to as “sheet feeding units”.

As illustrated inFIG.1B, the printer engine110includes an electrophotographic image forming unit processing unit (PU). The image forming unit PU includes a photosensitive drum1, which is a drum-like photosensitive member, a charging device2, an exposure device3, a development device4, and a cleaning device6. In response to a request to start an image forming operation to the printer engine110, the charging device2evenly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum1and the exposure device3scans the photosensitive drum1with laser light, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the drum surface. The development device4develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying charged toner to the photosensitive drum1. The toner image borne on the photosensitive drum1is transferred onto the sheet by a transfer device5. The toner image transferred on the sheet is fixed onto the sheet by a fixing device7.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a print resource reservation system, which is an example of an exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus100is connected to a wired or wireless network, and communicates with an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC)200and a scheduler server205.

A printer driver202is installed in the PC200and generates a job for instructing the image forming apparatus100to form an image (hereinafter referred to as a print job). The printer driver202generates the print job written in a page description language (PDL) based on, for example, document data received from a document generation application in the PC200. PDL is an abbreviation for a page description language such as PostScript® (PS), Printer Command Language® (PCL), or Laser Beam Printer (LBP) Image Processing System® (LIPS). The PC200also includes a control unit such as a central processing unit (CPU), and a storage unit such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM) (a rewritable memory), and a hard disk drive (HDD) (not illustrated). The printer driver202transmits the generated print job to the image forming apparatus100.

The PC200includes a schedule management application204. The schedule management application204receives information stored by the scheduler server205, which will be described below, and displays it to a user via the PC200. That enables the user to access the scheduler server205via the schedule management application204.

The scheduler server205stores user information registered with an authentication system (not illustrated) and schedule information about each user, and includes a program that manages the schedule information about each user. As an example of the management of the schedule information, the schedule server205enables users to add a new schedule, change a schedule, and search and view the schedule information about another user.

The user in the scheduler server205is not limited to an individual person or a person having a shared PC, and can also include facilities such as a meeting room or a whiteboard. The schedule associated with facilities can be managed by setting individuals or persons having shared PCs as administrators of a particular facility. The image forming apparatus as the facility can also be registered as the user.

The details of the image forming apparatus100will now be described with reference toFIG.2. The image forming apparatus100includes a control unit219that controls a data reception unit213, an interpreter214, a renderer216, along with a storage unit220, and an image data storage unit217that temporarily or permanently store data. The image data transmitted from the PC200is stored after being converted into image data in a raster format by the data reception unit213, interpreter214, and renderer216. The image information read from the document by the above-described scanner unit109is also stored as the image data. The image data is transmitted to the printer engine110as video signals, and used in the image forming operation by the printer engine110.

The control unit219is a central processing unit that controls the image forming apparatus100, and reads out control programs stored in the storage unit220and executes them. In the following description, each step in a control process of the image forming apparatus100is performed by the control unit219unless otherwise specifically stated. The storage unit220, includes a ROM, a RAM, an HDD, and/or the like, and is used as a work memory when the control unit219runs control programs in addition to temporarily or permanently storing the control programs and the setting information about the image forming apparatus100.

The image forming apparatus100also includes a user interface (UI) screen218as a display unit that displays information. The display unit of the UI screen218includes a touch panel equipped with a software key function and an operation unit including hardware keys such as a numeric keypad and a print start button.

Details of the scheduler server205and the schedule management application204that displays the information according to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference toFIGS.3and4. A communication apparatus such as a PC or a smart-phone can confirm the information stored by the scheduler server205by operating the scheduler server205via the schedule management application204.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus100can be registered as one user, and can also be registered by print resource in the image forming apparatus100as one user. Print resources refer to, for example, the sheet feeding cassettes102to105and the manual feeding tray106, the sheet discharge trays107and108, the scanner unit109, and the printer engine110in the image forming apparatus100.

FIG.3illustrates a screen of the schedule management application204when the image forming apparatus100is registered by print resource.

First, each print resource is registered as a user, and a group “Multi Function Peripheral 01” is generated by setting a group name302, an alias name303that serves as an electronic mail address, and a name304of an administrator that manages the registered group on a user information setting screen301illustrated inFIG.3. The user information setting screen301is presented by displaying a screen generated by the schedule management application204on the PC200. Sheet Feeding Cassettes 1 to 4, Manual Feeding Tray, and Sheet Discharge Trays A and B are registered with the generated group as a member (a node) as each print resource user. In the present example, Multi-Function Peripheral 01, Sheet Feeding Cassettes 1 to 4, Manual Feeding Tray, and Sheet Discharge Trays A and B correspond to the image forming apparatus100, the sheet feeding cassettes102to105, the manual feeding tray106, and the sheet discharge trays107and108, respectively. Once the members are registered with the generated group, the username of each print resource and the electronic mail address corresponding to the username are displayed in a member list305, and each print resource can be operated as a member included in the image forming apparatus100. This enables the schedule to be managed by print resource in the image forming apparatus100instead of being managed for each image forming apparatus.

Next, a schedule confirmation screen401displayed by the schedule management application204will be described with reference toFIG.4. The current date and a calendar are displayed in a calendar screen402. A user list selected based on a search, a favorite, or the like is displayed in a user display screen403, and the schedule information for a user selected by the user's operation can be confirmed therein. Schedule information405for the user logged into the PC200and schedule information406for the user selected in the user display screen403are displayed in a schedule display screen404. In the present example, the username of the user logged into the PC200is “User 01” and Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 is selected. The schedule information displayed in the schedule display screen404can be changed by an operation performed by the user on the schedule confirmation screen401and the user display screen403. Schedule information for a plurality of users can also be displayed at the same time.

A first exemplary embodiment of reserving print resources will now be described.

A process in which print resources in the image forming apparatus100are reserved will be described with reference toFIGS.4,5, and6. The control unit of the PC200executes the schedule management application204and exchanges information with the scheduler server205via the schedule management application204to perform the process illustrated inFIG.6as described below. In the present example, Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 is reserved as a print resource. In addition, the user who performs a reservation operation is referred to as a reservation user, where the reservation user in the present exemplary embodiment is User 01.

Turning toFIG.6, at the start of the illustrated process, the print resource reservation system is in a state that the schedule management application204is started on the PC200and the schedule information405for User 01 alone is displayed on the schedule display screen404. In step S601, the scheduler server205receives an operation of the reservation user made via the schedule management application204, and displays the schedule of Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 of Multi Function Peripheral 01, which is the reservation target, at the specified date and time, thereby creating the state illustrated inFIG.4. On the display, User 01 can compare the user's own schedule and the schedule of Multi Function Peripheral 01 at the specified date and time.

In step S602, based on an operation performed by User 01, the scheduler server205displays a new reservation transmission screen501with Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 set as a transmission destination as illustrated inFIG.5. Examples of operations performed by User 01 include, but are not limited to, selecting the time to reserve in the schedule information406for Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 (the rectangular portion indicated by a dotted line in406inFIG.4). A reservation target name502, a reservation user name503, a reservation start date and time504and505, and a reservation end date and time506and507are displayed on the reservation transmission screen501. The reservation transmission screen501enables User 01 to change the reservation target and the reservation date and time via this screen.

In step S603, the scheduler server205receives new reservation information from the PC200via the schedule management application204. This is generated by User 01's selecting a reservation transmission button508in the reservation transmission screen501.

The above-described reservation information includes username information about User 01 that the scheduler server205saves as a “name of the user who makes the reservation” (the reservation user name503inFIG.5), username information about Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 as a “reserved print resource name” (the reservation target name502inFIG.5), and reservation time information input by User 01 as a “reservation time” (a date and time calculated based on the reservation start date and time504and505and the reservation end date and time506and507inFIG.5).

In step S604, the scheduler server205compares the reservation time information in the reservation information received in step S603and the schedule of Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 corresponding to this time information, and determines whether the schedule is open at the reservation time information for Sheet Feeding Cassette 1. More specifically, if User 01 transmits the reservation specifying the period from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock as the reservation time, the scheduler server205checks whether the schedule of Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 is open from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock. If the schedule is determined to be open (YES in step S604), the processing proceeds to step S605. Otherwise (NO in step S604), the processing proceeds to step S606.

If the schedule is determined to be open in step S604(YES in step S604), in step S605, the scheduler server205registers the reservation information with the schedule of Sheet Feeding Cassette 1.

If the schedule is determined to be unavailable in step S604(NO in step S604), in step S606, the scheduler server205notifies the reservation user that the reservation is unacceptable because the received new reservation information does not correspond to an open time of Sheet Feeding Cassette 1. The reservation operation then ends. Examples of the notification method include methods such as displaying a pop-up screen on the screen of the PC200and/or transmitting an electronic mail from the scheduler server205to User 01. After being notified that the reservation is unacceptable, User 01 can search for another open time of Sheet Feeding Cassette 1 and perform the reservation operation again on the schedule management application screen.

In step S607, the scheduler server205displays the schedule of the sheet feeding cassette102with the reservation information about User 01 added thereto on the PC200via the schedule management application204. The reservation operation then ends. As a result of the above-described processing, the reservation user can be notified that the reservation transmitted by the reservation user is accepted and also indicate the reservation user's own reservation information to users not present near the image forming apparatus100.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the scheduler server205and the image forming apparatus100are connected via interfaces207and212, thereby enabling exchange of the reservation information between the two.

A process in which the image forming apparatus100receives the reservation information from the scheduler server205and stores it into the storage unit220will now be described with reference toFIG.7. The control unit219of the image forming apparatus100executes programs stored in the storage unit220to implement the process described below.

In step S701, the image forming apparatus100determines whether a preset time has elapsed since the last time the image forming apparatus100confirmed the reservation. If the predetermined time is determined to have elapsed (YES in step S701), the processing proceeds to step S702. Otherwise (NO in step S701), the storage operation ends. In that case, the image forming apparatus100restarts the present process using, for example, an internal clock.

If the predetermined time is determined to have elapsed in step S701(YES in step S701), in step S702, the image forming apparatus100connects to the scheduler server205in order for the image forming apparatus100to begin communicating with the schedule server205.

In step S703, the image forming apparatus100receives reservation information stored after the time when the image forming apparatus100previously connected to the scheduler server205. The reservation information received by the image forming apparatus100includes the “name of the user who makes the reservation”, the “reserved print resource name”, and the “reserved time”.

In step S704, the image forming apparatus100converts the information representing the reservation information received in step S703into reservation information recognizable by the control unit219using a server information management table (not illustrated). The server information management table is a table used to convert information received from the scheduler server205into a content recognizable by the control unit219, and is stored in the storage unit220. In step S705, the image forming apparatus100stores the reservation information converted in step S704in a resource information management table (not illustrated) used to manage information about the print resource that is the reservation target.

An example of the resource information management table will be now be provided with reference to a resource information management table for the sheet feeding cassettes illustrated in Table 1 below. The resource information management table stores the settings regarding each sheet feeding cassette. A sheet size2002in the table indicates the size automatically detected by each sheet feeding deck when the sheet is loaded therein or set by a user. A sheet type2003indicates the sheet type set by the user, and a sheet remaining quantity2004indicates the remaining quantity detected by each sheet feeding deck on a scale of 1 to 4. A reservation user2005in the table indicates the name of the user who reserves the sheet feeding cassette, and a reservation time2006indicates the time for which the user registered as the reservation user2005reserves the target sheet feeding cassette. The sheet size indicates information usable to identify the length of the long side and the length of the short side of the sheet and the orientation of the sheet with respect to the sheet conveyance direction inside the image forming apparatus100. The sheet type indicates the classification based on a characteristic of the sheet other than the size, such as the material properties (e.g., the grammage, whether a surface treatment is applied to the sheet, the material, etc.), the form (e.g., index paper or a loose leaf), and the special purpose (e.g., an envelope) for the sheet. The characteristics of the sheet including the sheet size and the sheet type will be collectively referred to as attributes of the sheet.

In step S705, the image forming apparatus100stores information indicating the “name of the user who makes the reservation” and information indicating the “reserved time” into the reservation user2005and the reservation time2006, respectively, based on the reservation information. Blank fields in the reservation user2005and the reservation time2006in Table 1 indicate that the sheet feeding cassette is available for anyone. The processing then ends.

The above-described process enables the image forming apparatus100to store the received reservation information in a storage unit corresponding to the resource reserved on the scheduler server205.

TABLE 1Sheet Feeding Cassette Information ManagementTable after Reservation Information is StoredSheetResourceSheetSheetRemainingReservationReservationNameSizeTypeQuantityUserTime(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)SheetA3Coated25%USER 019:00-11:00FeedingPaperCassette102SheetA4Heavy100%FeedingPaperCassette2103SheetA3Plain50%FeedingPaperCassette1104SheetA4Plain100%FeedingPaperCassette1105Manual——0%FeedingTray106

As described above, a resource of the image forming apparatus100can be reserved using the scheduler server205, and, information for the reservation can be stored into the storage unit220of the image forming apparatus100.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, storing the reservation information from the schedule server205in the storage unit220in the image forming apparatus100enables the image forming apparatus100to refer to the reservation information. The image forming apparatus100is then able to perform exclusion processing on other users for a reserved print resource by referring to the information management table of the reserved print resource in the storage unit220in use of the image forming unit. The exclusion processing will be described in detail below.

FIG.8andFIG.9are flowcharts illustrating the exclusion processing on other users for the reserved print resource according to the present exemplary embodiment. The above-described processing for reserving the print resource is performed before the procedure inFIG.8is performed.

Turning toFIG.8, in step S801, the PC200performs printer driver processing to generate a print job, and outputs the print job to the image forming apparatus100. After the print job is input to the image forming apparatus100, in step S802, the image forming apparatus100performs page generation processing to generate image data corresponding to the print job. Then, in step S803, the image forming apparatus100performs the print processing of the print job.

The printer driver processing will now be described. The printer driver processing is started in response to the user of the PC200performing an operation of issuing an instruction to carry out printing by, for example, the document generation application. Document data indicating the content to be printed (e.g., a document, a graphic, or the like) is generated in advance using the document generation application.

The printer driver202performs setting processing for setting attribute information about the print job based on the user's operation. Examples of the attribute information include, but are not limited to, the size and the type of the sheet used in printing and the setting information about the sheet feeding cassette. A choice, such as an “automatic selection”, which leaves the selection to the image forming apparatus100, can be provided for sheet size and type and the setting of a sheet feeding cassette. The driver software sets information specifying the sheet size and type and the setting of a sheet feeding cassette based on the user's operation input on a print setting screen.

The printer driver202sets an owner name and a document name of the print job. The owner name refers to information for identifying the user that created the print job, and is the identification (ID) of the user currently logged into the PC200according to the present exemplary embodiment. The document name refers to information for identifying the data file, such as the document or the graphic to be printed, and is acquired from, for example, the application that generates the document data according to the present exemplary embodiment.

The printer driver202generates PDL data compatible with the PDL format based on the document data and various kinds of setting information. The PDL data includes page data indicating the content to be drawn on each page, and the setting information about the print job (e.g., the sheet size, the sheet type, the sheet feeding deck, the owner name, the document name, etc.). The page data is image information generated by the printer driver202based on the document data compatible with the PDL format. The generated PDL data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus100.

The page generation processing will now be described. The print job, which includes the page data as the image information compatible with the PDL format, transmitted from the PC200is received by the data reception unit213and temporarily stored. The page data is analyzed by the interpreter214and is converted into intermediate data. The setting information about the print job, such as the sheet size that is contained in the PDL data, is extracted through the analysis conducted by the interpreter214and is stored in the storage unit220by the control unit219. The renderer216then performs raster image processor (RIP) processing on the intermediate data and stores the result thereof into the image data storage unit217.

The print processing will be described with reference toFIG.9. After the print processing is started, in step S901, the control unit219initializes a parameter P indicating the page currently in process (the current sheet). The parameter P is an integer value satisfying P≥1. In step S902, the control unit219determines whether the parameter P is greater than a variable Pmax indicating the total number of pages (the number of sheets specified in the print job), and repeatedly performs the following processing (steps S903to S908) as long as the parameter P is P≤Pmax. The variable Pmax is extracted through the analysis of the PDL data and is stored in the storage unit220.

In step S903, the control unit219performs sheet feeding determination processing that acquires the information about the sheet feeding deck setting set in the printer driver processing from the storage unit220and determines whether the sheet can be fed from the specified sheet feeding deck. The sheet feeding determination processing will be now described in detail. If the sheet is determined to be able to be fed in the sheet feeding determination processing, then in step S904, a single sheet is fed. In step S905, the control unit219reads out the image data for the sheet currently in process from the image data storage unit217. In step S906, the control unit219converts the read image data into video data and transfers it to the printer engine110. Then, in step S907, the printer engine110performs the print processing (an image forming process) on the sheet based on the video data. After that, in step S908, the control unit219increments the parameter P. The process then returns to step S902.

If in step902, if the control unit219determines the parameter P is greater than Pmax, the print processing ends.

The sheet feeding determination processing of step S903) inFIG.9will now be described with reference to a flowchart inFIG.10for the sheet feeding cassette102set as the reservation target in the present exemplary embodiment as a description of the exclusion processing on other users for the print resource during the reservation time.

Turning toFIG.10, in step S1001, the control unit219acquires the setting information about the print job stored in the storage unit220in the page generation processing. The setting information about the print job includes, but is not limited to, the owner name of the job, the sheet size for the printing, the sheet type, and the setting information about the sheet feeding deck. Next, in step S1002, the control unit219acquires the sheet feeding deck information stored in the storage unit220. The sheet feeding deck information refers to information created by organizing the information stored in the management table for the sheet feeding cassettes indicated in the above-described Table 1.

In step S1003, the acquired sheet feeding deck information is copied as a sheet feeding deck candidate list, and is used to determine the sheet feeding deck that becomes a sheet feeding candidate in the subsequent processing. Next, in step S1004, the control unit219compares the reservation user recorded in association with each sheet feeding deck in the sheet feeding deck candidate list and the job owner acquired in step S1001. If there is a sheet feeding deck reserved by anyone other than the job owner, the sheet feeding deck in question is removed from the sheet feeding deck candidate list. For example, if the job owner is User 01 and the reservation condition with the sheet feeding decks is as indicated in Table 1, no sheet feeding deck is removed from the sheet feeding deck candidate list. If the job owner is anyone other than User 01, the sheet feeding cassette102is removed from the sheet feeding deck candidate list.

In step S1005, the control unit219refers to the sheet feeding deck setting information in the setting information about the print job acquired in step S1001, and removes the candidates other than the specified sheet feeding deck from the sheet feeding deck candidate list.

The sheet feeding deck setting information is information specified in the printer driver processing. If a specific sheet feeding deck is specified in the printer driver processing, the candidates other than the specified sheet feeding deck are removed from the sheet feeding deck candidate list. If the automatic selection is set, no sheet feeding deck is removed from the sheet feeding deck candidate list.

In step S1006, the control unit219selects an optimum sheet feeding deck from the sheet feeding decks remaining in the sheet feeding deck candidate list. More specifically, the control unit219searches the sheet feeding deck candidate list to determine whether there is a sheet feeding deck storing a sheet that matches the sheet size and the sheet type for the printing in the setting information about the print job.

In step S1007, a determination is made whether there is an optimum sheet feeding deck, i.e., the following processing is switched depending on the result of the search for the sheet feeding deck. If the intended sheet feeding deck is discovered (YES in step S1007), then in step S1008, the specific sheet feeding deck is determined. The sheet feeding determination processing then ends.

If the intended sheet feeding deck is not discovered in step S1007(NO in step S1007), then in step S1009, the control unit219displays a sheet unavailable error screen1101illustrated inFIG.11on the UI screen218of the image forming apparatus100. Information (the size and the type) about the sheet to continue the print job (1109) is displayed on the sheet unavailable error screen1101.

Operations that the user can perform at this time include, but are not limited to:a) clear the sheet unavailable error by loading the sheet indicated in the sheet information1109into any of the sheet feeding decks.b) forcibly continue the processing using a sheet different from the one indicated in the sheet information1109by selecting any of sheet feeding deck selection buttons1102to1106.c) cancel the print job by selecting a cancel button1107.
The control unit219waits for a user to perform one of the above-described operations.

In step S1010, a determination is made whether any change is made to the state of the sheet feeding deck. If a change is made (YES in step S1010), the processing returns to step S1002, taking into account that the sheet may have been loaded by the user, and the control unit219performs the processing for searching for the optimum sheet feeding deck again. If no change is made, then in step S1011, if an instruction issued from the user on the UI screen218is detected (YES in step S1011), the processing proceeds to step S1012. In step S1012, if any of the sheet feeding deck selection buttons1102to1106is selected (SHEET FEEDING DECK SPECIFIED), the process proceeds to step S1008and the processing then ends. If selection of the cancel button1107is detected in step S1012(CANCEL), the print processing ends. If no input is received in step S1011, the processing returns to step S1010.

As described above, the present configuration enables restricting users other than the “reserver” from using the sheet feeding deck with the aid of the processing for reserving the sheet feeding deck, preventing users other than the “reserver” from accidental use of the sheet through a reservation of a sheet feeding deck in which sheets including expensive sheets, such as coated paper, are loaded in advance.

A second exemplary embodiment will now be described. In the above-described embodiment, storage of the information about the reservation into the storage unit220in the image forming apparatus100enables the exclusion control on other users for the print resource during the reservation time.

In an environment where all users using an image forming apparatus100are permitted to make reservations, this can result in situations that prevent a user from making a reservation where many users have reserved print resources. This reduces the time when users without reservations can use the image forming apparatus.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, a configuration is provided that selects and grants a user reservation authorization, which enables a specific user to reserve a print resource. In the present exemplary embodiment, the scheduler server205provides the reservation information to the image forming apparatus100every time the scheduler server205receives a reservation and checks whether the reservation authorization is granted. The present exemplary embodiment also provides a method of providing the reservation information to the image forming apparatus100in response to when the scheduler server205receives a reservation.

FIGS.12A and12Bare flowcharts illustrating the procedure associated with a configuration that determines whether the user is granted the reservation authorization and then enables the user determined to be granted the reservation authorization to make reservations for print resources of the image forming apparatus in the present exemplary embodiment. In the present example, the sheet feeding cassette102is subject to reservation. Operations similar to steps S601to S604inFIG.6are performed in steps S1201to S1204inFIG.12A, and thus detailed descriptions of the steps are omitted herein. The process from steps S1205to S1213are described below.

If the schedule is determined to be open in step S1204(YES), in step S1205, the scheduler server205transmits a reservation addition notification indicating that the reservation information about the sheet feeding cassette102is received to the image forming apparatus100.

Next, in step S1206inFIG.12B, the image forming apparatus100receives the reservation addition notification transmitted from the scheduler server205.

In step S1207, the image forming apparatus100connects to the scheduler server205to establish communication between the image forming apparatus100and the scheduler server205.

In step S1208, the image forming apparatus100receives the reservation information corresponding to the reservation addition notification received in step S1205. At this time, the image forming apparatus100receives a single set of reservation information.

In step S1209, the image forming apparatus100converts the information representing the reservation information received in step S1203into the reservation information recognizable by the control unit219using the above-described server information management table.

In step S1210, the image forming apparatus100refers to a user information management table (Table 2) stored in the storage unit220and determines whether the user having the username attempting to make the reservation is granted the reservation authorization (2103). The user information management table stores information regarding users registered with the image forming apparatus100.

If the user is determined to be granted the reservation authorization (YES in step S1210), the processing proceeds to step S1211. If the user is determined not to be granted the reservation authorization (NO in step S1210), the processing proceeds to step S1212. The reservation authorization can be granted by a user having administrator privilege of the image forming apparatus100, which is indicated with YES in administrator privilege2102.

In step S1211, the image forming apparatus100stores the information converted based on the server information conversion table into the resource information management table for managing the information about the reserved print resource. More specifically, the image forming apparatus100performs an operation similar to the operation performed in step S705inFIG.7.

Then, in step S1213, the image forming apparatus100transmits a reservation completion notification to the scheduler server205. The process then proceeds to step S1214inFIG.12A.

In step S1212, the image forming apparatus100transmits a reservation failure notification to the scheduler server205. The reservation information is not be stored into the storage unit220. Thus, the image forming apparatus100transmits a notification to the scheduler server205regardless of whether the reservation information is stored into the storage unit220. The process then proceeds to step S1214.

In step S1214, the scheduler server205receives the reservation result from the image forming apparatus100. In step S1215, the scheduler server205determines whether the result is the completion or the failure. If the received result is determined to be the completion (COMPLETION), the processing proceeds to step S1216. If the received result is determined to be the failure (FAILURE), the processing proceeds to step S1217.

In step S1216, the scheduler server205registers the reservation information with the schedule of the sheet feeding cassette102.

Next, in step S1218, the schedule of the sheet feeding cassette102with the reservation information about the reservation user added thereto is displayed on the PC200via the schedule management application204. The process then ends. In step S1217, the scheduler server205notifies the reservation user that the received reservation information cannot be reserved. The process then ends.

Examples of the notification method include, but are not limited to, a method such as displaying a pop-up screen on the PC200and/or transmitting an electronic mail from the scheduler server205to the reservation user. After being notified that the reservation cannot be registered, the reservation user can search for another open time of the reservation target and perform the reservation operation again on the schedule management application screen.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the environment that a reservation user granted reservation authorization in advance is permitted to make reservations enables the reservation user to reserve print resources of the image forming apparatus100using the scheduler server205. In the present exemplary embodiment, since the reservation information is also stored in the storage unit220in the image forming apparatus100, the image forming apparatus100can also perform the exclusion control on other users for the print resource during the reservation time.

A third exemplary embodiment will now be described. According to the previous exemplary embodiments, the scheduler server205executed reserving print resources in the image forming apparatus100. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus100can execute reserving the print resources.FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating a reservation operation of the present exemplary embodiment. The scheduler server205corresponds to another apparatus in the present exemplary embodiment. The following is a description where the user (the username: User 01) performs an operation of loading the following special sheet in the sheet feeding cassette102and then reserving the sheet feeding cassette102:

sheet type: coated paper

First, User 01 loads the above-described special sheet into the sheet feeding cassette102. Then, User 01 operates the UI screen218of the image forming apparatus100to set the size and the type of the loaded sheet.

In step S1301, the control unit219of the image forming apparatus100displays a screen1401for conducting user authentication, as illustrated inFIG.14, on the UI screen218, and waits for an operation from the user. Input fields1402and1403for receiving a username and a password, a selection field1404for selecting a login destination, and a login button1405for determining an input and starting authentication processing are included on the screen1401for conducting the user authentication. In response to the detection of a selection of the login button1405, in step S1302, the control unit219performs the authentication processing based on the input information. If the authentication fails in step S1302, the process returns to step S1301. If the authentication is completed in step S1302(YES), then in step S1303, the control unit219displays a home screen1501illustrated inFIG.15on the UI screen218.

A button1502selected for the copy function to use, a button1503selected for the transmission function to use, and a button1504selected for the box function to use are located on the home screen1501. A button1505is a button for configuring various kinds of settings of the image forming apparatus100, and the setting button1505is also selected to set the size and the type of the sheet loaded by the above-described user User 01, and to reserve the sheet feeding deck.

In response to the detection of a selection of the various kinds of settings button1505, the control unit219of the image forming apparatus100displays a screen (not illustrated) enabling the user to select various setting items. In response to the control unit209detecting selection of a button for setting the sheet from among the various kinds of setting items, in step S1304, the control unit219displays a screen1601for setting the sheet that is illustrated inFIG.16.

Sheet feeding deck selection buttons1602to1606are displayed on the sheet setting screen1601, and the setting state of each sheet feeding deck is displayed at each of the buttons1602to1606. The sheet size2002, the sheet type2003, and the sheet remaining quantity2004of each of the sheet feeding cassettes in Table 1 are displayed at each of the buttons1602to1606. A button1607for changing the sheet type and buttons1608and1609for setting the sheet size to a special size, such as an envelope or a postcard, are located on the same screen, along with a reservation button1610. Setting button1607to1610are each operated after any of the above-described sheet feeding deck selection buttons1602to1606is selected.

Next, an operation when the button corresponding to the sheet feeding cassette102is selected and the sheet type setting button1607is selected will be described with reference toFIG.17andFIG.18. In response to the detection of a selection of the sheet type setting button1607, the control unit219of the image forming apparatus100displays a sheet type setting screen1701illustrated inFIG.17on the UI screen218. The control unit219then acquires the sheet type set to the selected sheet feeding deck (the sheet feeding cassette102in the present example) from the sheet feeding deck information stored in the storage unit220, and displays it.FIG.17illustrates a state where plain paper1(1702) is set. In addition to the plain paper1(1702), plain paper2(1703), heavy paper1(1704), heavy paper2(1705), coated paper (1706), and another type of sheet (1707) are also selectable via the sheet type setting screen1701. The user selects the sheet type and selects an OK button1708there. In response to selection of the OK button1708, the control unit219updates the above-described sheet feeding deck information, and completes the setting of the sheet type.

Next, an operation for reserving the sheet feeding deck will be described. In response to the control unit219of the image forming apparatus100detecting a selection of the reservation button1610with the button1602corresponding to the sheet feeding cassette102selected, in step S1305, the control unit219records the username of the current login user in the reservation user field of the sheet feeding deck information saved in the storage unit220. This finalizes the reservation of the sheet feeding cassette102by User 01. To cancel the reservation, the reservation button1110is pressed again, clearing the reservation user field in the sheet feeding deck information stored in the storage unit220.

The storage of the reservation information in the storage unit220in the third exemplary embodiment also enables the image forming apparatus100to perform the exclusion processing on other users like the processing illustrated inFIG.10, similar to the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment.

A fourth exemplary embodiment will now be described. Regarding the method for providing the reservation information to another apparatus, the reservation information is shared by being connected to the apparatus every time the predetermined time elapses in the above-described first exemplary embodiment. According to the second exemplary embodiment, the reservation information is shared by being connected to the apparatus every time the reservation is received. These two methods can be employed both when an apparatus that reserves print resources is the image forming apparatus100and when an apparatus that reserves print resources is the scheduler server205. Thus, either of these methods can also be employed in the third exemplary embodiment.

If an apparatus that reserves print resources is the scheduler server205, the print resource reservation system can also employ a method in which the image forming apparatus100connects to the scheduler server205in response to receiving a print job and acquires the reservation information.

FIGS.18and19are flowcharts illustrating a procedure according to the present exemplary embodiment where the image forming apparatus100inquires of the scheduler server205, acquires the reservation information, and determines whether the print job can be run. The sheet feeding cassette102is reserved similarly to the previous exemplary embodiments. The reservation operation is already performed on the scheduler server205as illustrated inFIG.6.FIG.18corresponds toFIG.10except that the process of acquiring the sheet feeding deck reservation information (step S1804) is added after the generation of the sheet feeding deck candidate list (step S1003) inFIG.10. As such, while the reference numbers inFIG.18differ from those inFIG.10, only step S1804will be referred to herein. In step S1804, the image forming apparatus100acquires the sheet feeding deck reservation information after generating the sheet feeding deck candidate list during the print processing.

Turning toFIG.19, in step S1901, the image forming apparatus100connects to the scheduler server205. Then, in step S1902, the scheduler server205transmits to the image forming apparatus100the reservation information about the sheet feeding cassettes and the sheet discharge trays grouped as the print resources of the image forming apparatus100.

In step S1903, the image forming apparatus100receives the reservation information from the scheduler server205. In step S1904, the image forming apparatus100converts the received reservation information into the reservation information recognizable by the control unit219using the server information management table.

In step S1905, the image forming apparatus100stores the converted information into the resource information management table in the storage unit220. The process then ends.

Returning toFIG.18, the remaining steps following step S1804are identical to steps S1004through step S1012inFIG.10and as such the detailed description of the remaining steps ofFIG.18are omitted herein.

The processing of the present exemplary embodiment enables the image forming apparatus100to access the scheduler server205to acquire the reservation information therefrom and store the reservation information into the storage unit220in response to receiving the print job.

Since the reservation information is also stored in the storage unit220in the image forming apparatus100in the present exemplary embodiment, the processing of the present exemplary embodiment also enables the image forming apparatus100to restrict the print jobs of another user using the reserved print resource during the reservation time.

The above-described exemplary embodiments have been described a print job being input from the printer driver202. Each of the above-described exemplary embodiments can be implemented using a copy job in place of a print job.

A main difference between a print job and a copy job is whether the page data read out from the image data storage unit217in step S905in the print processing is generated based on the data input from the printer driver202or generated by the scanner unit109. There is no difference between the print job and the copy job in the processing for reserving the print resource and the sheet feeding determination processing in step S903.

The above-described exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to the sheet feeding cassette102being reserved. In another exemplary embodiment, a similar operation can also be performed when the sheet discharge tray, the scanner, or the printer, which are print resources different from the sheet feeding cassette is reserved. In addition, exclusion processing on other users to be performed with a print resource different from the sheet feeding cassette being reserved can also be implemented.

The above-described configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus100and the scheduler server205are not seen to be limiting, and any configurations that enable practice of the present disclosure are applicable.

The configurations according to the above-described exemplary embodiments enable an image forming apparatus to prohibit other users from using special sheets when a special sheet is ready to be used on the image forming apparatus.

While exemplary embodiments have been described, these embodiments are not seen to be limiting. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-100276, filed Jun. 16, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.