Image forming apparatus capable of notifying uncollected printed matter, notification method

An image forming apparatus includes a control portion, a stop processing portion, a resumption processing portion, and a notification processing portion. The control portion, to which power supply is stopped when an operation mode of the image forming apparatus is a power-saving mode, measures an elapsed time until when printed matter processed according to the print job is collected. The stop processing portion, when the operation mode shifts to the power-saving mode, stops measurement of the elapsed time before power supply to the control portion is stopped. The resumption processing portion, if the printed matter exists in the sheet discharge portion when the operation mode shifts to a normal mode, resumes measurement of the elapsed time by the control portion. The notification processing portion, when the time measured by the control portion reaches a predetermined first reference time, notifies that the printed matter has not been collected.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-085263 filed on Apr. 26, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus configured to execute a print job that is transmitted from an external portion, and a notification method that is executed in the image forming apparatus.

There is known an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral configured to execute a print job that is transmitted from an external information processing apparatus. This type of image forming apparatus is known to notify that output printed matter has not been collected. For example, in this type of image forming apparatus, when an uncollected state of printed matter of a print job continues for longer than a predetermined period of time, it is notified to a transmission source of the print job that the printed matter has not been collected.

In addition, there is known an image forming apparatus that can shift its operation mode from a normal mode to a power-saving mode, in which less power is used than in the normal mode. Specifically, in the power-saving mode, power supply to some of the components of the image forming apparatus is stopped.

SUMMARY

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a sheet discharge portion, a control portion, a stop processing portion, a resumption processing portion, and a notification processing portion. The control portion, to which power supply is stopped when an operation mode of the image forming apparatus is a power-saving mode in which less power is used than a normal mode, measures an elapsed time that is a time period from when a print job transmitted from an external portion ends, until when printed matter processed according to the print job is collected from the sheet discharge portion. The stop processing portion is configured to, when the operation mode shifts from the normal mode to the power-saving mode, stop measurement of the elapsed time by the control portion before power supply to the control portion is stopped. The resumption processing portion is configured to, if the printed matter exists in the sheet discharge portion when the operation mode shifts from the power-saving mode to the normal mode, resume measurement of the elapsed time by the control portion. The notification processing portion is configured to, when the time measured by the control portion reaches a predetermined first reference time, notify a notification destination corresponding to a transmission source of the print job, that the printed matter has not been collected.

A notification method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is executed in an image forming apparatus comprising a sheet discharge portion, the image forming apparatus further comprising a control portion, to which power supply is stopped when an operation mode of the image forming apparatus is a power-saving mode in which less power is used than a normal mode, configured to measure an elapsed time that is a time period from when a print job transmitted from an external portion ends, until when printed matter processed according to the print job is collected from the sheet discharge portion. The notification method comprises a stopping step of, when the operation mode shifts from the normal mode to the power-saving mode, stopping measurement of the elapsed time by the control portion before power supply to the control portion is stopped, a resuming step of, if the printed matter exists in the sheet discharge portion when the operation mode shifts from the power-saving mode to the normal mode, resuming measurement of the elapsed time by the control portion, and a notifying step of, when the time measured by the control portion reaches a predetermined first reference time, notifying a notification destination corresponding to a transmission source of the print job, that the printed matter has not been collected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure and should not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[General Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus100]

With reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 3, a general configuration of an image forming apparatus100according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Here,FIG. 1is a front view showing a configuration of an outer appearance of the image forming apparatus100.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional diagram showing an inner configuration of the image forming apparatus100in a state where a sheet discharge device8has been removed therefrom. In addition,FIG. 3includes a two-dot chain line that separates the inside and outside of the image forming apparatus100.

The image forming apparatus100is a multifunctional peripheral having a plurality of functions, such as a scanning function for reading image data from a document sheet, a printing function for forming an image based on image data, a facsimile function, and a copying function. It is noted that the present disclosure may be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or a copier.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the image forming apparatus100includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)1, an image reading portion2, an image forming portion3, a sheet supplying portion4, a control portion5, an operation/display portion6, a storage portion7, the sheet discharge device8, a communication portion9, a human sensor10, and a power supply portion11.

The ADF1includes a document sheet setting portion, a plurality of conveyance rollers, a document sheet holder, and a sheet discharge portion. The ADF1is configured to convey, to the sheet discharge portion, a document sheet that is set in the document sheet setting portion.

The image reading portion2includes a document sheet table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD. The image reading portion2is configured to read image data from a document sheet that is placed on the document sheet table. In addition, the image reading portion2is configured to read image data from a document sheet that is conveyed by the ADF1.

The image forming portion3is configured to electrophotographically form an image based on the image data read by the image reading portion2. In addition, the image forming portion3may be configured to form an image based on image data input from an external information processing apparatus200(seeFIG. 3) such as a personal computer, via a communication network201(seeFIG. 3). Specifically, the image forming portion3includes a photoconductor drum, a charging roller, a laser scanning unit (LSU), a developing device, a transfer roller, a cleaning device, a fixing roller, a pressure roller, and a sheet discharge tray. It is noted that the image forming portion3may form an image by another image forming method, such as an ink jet method.

The sheet feeding portion4includes a sheet feeding cassette, a sheet conveyance path, and a plurality of conveyance rollers. The sheet feeding portion4supplies a sheet to the image forming portion3. On the sheet supplied from the sheet supplying portion4, the image forming portion3forms an image based on image data. In the image forming apparatus100, the sheet on which the image has been formed by the image forming portion3is conveyed to the sheet discharge device8instead of the sheet discharge tray.

As shown inFIG. 3, the control portion5includes control devices such as a CPU5A, a ROM5B, and a RAM5C. The CPU5A is a processor for executing various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM5B is a nonvolatile storage device in which information, such as a control program for the CPU5A to execute the various types of processing, is preliminarily stored. The RAM5C is a volatile storage device used as temporary storage memory (work area) for the various types of processing that are executed by the CPU5A. In the control portion5, various types of control programs, preliminarily stored in the ROM5B, are executed by the CPU5A. This allows for the image forming apparatus100to be integrally controlled by the control portion5. It is noted that the control portion5may be constituted by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC), and may be provided separately from a main control portion that integrally controls the image forming apparatus100.

The operation/display portion6includes a display portion such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various types of information in response to a control command from the control portion5, and an operation portion such as operation keys or a touch panel for inputting various types of information to the control portion5, in response to an operation by a user.

The storage portion7is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage portion7is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The sheet discharge device8includes a plurality of sheet discharge trays81, and a plurality of detection portions82of the same number as the sheet discharge trays81. As shown inFIG. 1, the plurality of sheet discharge trays81are juxtaposed along a vertical direction. The detection portions82are provided in correspondence to the sheet discharge trays81. The sheet discharge device8, according to a control command from the control portion5of the image forming apparatus100, discharges a sheet on which an image has been formed to a preset sheet discharge tray81, among the plurality of sheet discharge trays81. The detection portion82is an optical sensor or the like for detecting whether or not a sheet exists in the sheet discharge tray81corresponding to the detection portion82. Here, the sheet discharge tray81is an example of a sheet discharge portion according to the present disclosure.

The communication portion9is a communication interface for executing wired or wireless data communication with the external information processing apparatus200(seeFIG. 3) via the communication network201(seeFIG. 3).

The human sensor10is configured to detect whether or not a person exists on a front side of a housing of the image forming apparatus100. For example, the human sensor10is a pyroelectric infrared sensor for detecting, based on whether or not infrared rays emitted from a human body are detected, whether or not a person exists within a predetermined detection range.

The power supply portion11is configured to supply electric power from an external power source to the parts of the image forming apparatus100. For example, the power supply portion11is an AC-DC converter for converting an AC voltage of 100V that is supplied from the external power source, into a DC voltage of a predetermined voltage.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 3, the control portion5includes a first shift processing portion51, a print processing portion52, a measurement processing portion53, and a notification processing portion54. Specifically, the ROM5B of the control portion5is preliminarily stored with a notification control program for causing the CPU5A to execute a first notification control process (see flowchart inFIG. 4) and a second notification control process (see flowchart inFIG. 6), both described below. The CPU5A of the control portion5executes the notification control program stored in the ROM5B. With this configuration, the control portion5functions as the first shift processing portion51, the print processing portion52, the measurement processing portion53, and the notification processing portion54. It is noted that the notification control program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be installed from the recording medium to a storage device such as the storage portion7.

When a predetermined first shift condition is satisfied, the first shift processing portion51shifts an operation mode of the image forming apparatus100from a normal mode to a power-saving mode, in which less power is used compared to the normal mode.

Here, the first shift condition includes that a predetermined time period of no operation being performed on the operation/display portion6, has elapsed. In addition, the first shift condition includes that a change operation of the operation mode has been performed by a user on the operation/display portion6. In addition, the first shift condition includes that a power supply key, provided on the operation/display portion6or a side surface or the like of the housing of the image forming apparatus100, has been operated. In addition, the first shift condition includes that a detection state of the human sensor10has changed from a detected state where the existence of a person is detected, to an undetected state where the existence of a person is not detected. It is noted that the first shift condition may include some of the conditions described above, and may include a condition other than those described above.

Specifically, when the first shift condition has been satisfied, the first shift processing portion51stops power supply from the power supply portion11to predetermined power supply stop objects among the components of the image forming apparatus100. For example, the first shift processing portion51stops power supply to the power supply stop objects by inputting a control signal to the power supply portion11.

Here the power supply stop objects include, in addition to the image reading portion2and the image forming portion3, the control portion5. That is, in the image forming apparatus100, when the operation mode is in the power-saving mode, power supply to the control portion5is stopped. In addition, the power supply stop objects do not include the communication portion9and the human sensor10. That is, in the image forming apparatus100, even when the operation mode is in the power-saving mode, power supply to the communication portion9and human sensor10is uninterrupted.

The print processing portion52uses the image forming portion3, the sheet supplying portion4, and the sheet discharge device8to execute a print job of forming an image based on image data. Specifically, the print processing portion52executes the print job when the print job is transmitted from the external information processing apparatus200. In addition, the print processing portion52discharges printed matter to a sheet discharge tray81, among the plurality of sheet discharge trays81, that has been specified as a discharge place by information included in the print job.

The measurement processing portion53measures the time that elapses from when the print job executed by the print processing portion52ends, until when the printed matter processed according to the print job is collected from the sheet discharge tray81. The measurement processing portion53measures the elapsed time for each print job that is executed by the print processing portion52.

When the elapsed time measured by the measurement processing portion53reaches a predetermined first reference time, the notification processing portion54notifies, to a notification destination corresponding to a transmission source of the print job, that the printed matter has not been collected.

Here, the first reference time is a time period for determining whether or not the user of the information processing apparatus200has forgotten to collect the printed matter. That is, when the time measured by the measurement processing portion53reaches the first reference time, the image forming apparatus100determines that the user of the information processing apparatus200has forgotten to collect the printed matter, and notifies to the notification destination that the printed matter has not been collected.

For example, the first reference time is arbitrarily set by a user operation on the operation/display portion6or information processing apparatus200. For example, the first reference time is set to a time obtained by adding, to an arbitrary amount of time such as 30 minutes, the time needed for the user of the information processing apparatus200to move from an installed position of the information processing apparatus200to an installed position of the image forming apparatus100. It is noted that the first reference time may be set for each information processing apparatus200that is connected to the image forming apparatus100via the communication network201.

For example, when the time measured by the measurement processing portion53reaches the first reference time, the notification processing portion54notifies, to the information processing apparatus200that is the transmission source of the print job that corresponds to the measured time, that the printed matter has not been collected. For example, the notification processing portion54transmits, to the information processing apparatus200, a display command for displaying a message indicating that the printed matter has not been collected. It is noted that the notification destination may be an email address that is associated with the information processing apparatus200that is the transmission source of the print job.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 3, the communication portion9includes a second shift processing portion91. For example, the second shift processing portion91is constituted by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC, DSP) that is provided in the communication portion9. It is noted that the communication portion9includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and may use these control devices to function as the second shift processing portion91.

When a second shift condition is satisfied while the operation mode is in the power-saving mode, the second shift processing portion91shifts the operation mode from the power-saving mode to the normal mode.

Here, the second shift condition includes that a print job is received from the information processing apparatus200. In addition, the second shift condition includes that a detection state of the human sensor10has changed from the undetected state to the detected state. It is noted that the second shift condition may include some of the conditions described above, and may include a condition other than those described above.

Specifically, when the second shift condition is satisfied while the operation mode is in the power-saving mode, the second shift processing portion91resumes power supply from the power supply portion11to the power supply stop objects. For example, the second shift processing portion91resumes power supply to the power supply stop objects by inputting a control signal to the power supply portion11.

Meanwhile, in the image forming apparatus100, the control portion5is included among the power supply stop objects when the image forming apparatus100is in the power-saving mode. For this reason, when the image forming apparatus100shifts to the power-saving mode before the printed matter processed according to the print job has been collected, the image forming apparatus100is unable to measure how long the printed matter is in the uncollected state. As a solution to this issue, there is known a configuration that, when the operation mode shifts to the power-saving mode before the printed matter has been collected, notifies later, when the operation mode shifts to the normal mode is entered, that the printed matter has not been collected.

However, when it is notified after the shift to the normal mode that the printed matter has not been collected, the timing of the notification may be too early if a total time including the time from the end of the print job to when the operation mode shifts to the power-saving mode, and the time of how long the operation mode is in the power-saving mode, is shorter than the first reference time. When the notification timing of the uncollected printed matter is too early, the user may feel that the notification is a nuisance. As a solution to this issue, as described below, in the image forming apparatus100according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the operation mode shifts to the power-saving mode before the printed matter has been collected, it is possible to secure, during the time from when the print job ends until when the notification of the uncollected printed matter is transmitted, a time period that exceeds the first reference time.

Specifically, as shown inFIG. 3, the control portion5further includes a stop processing portion55, a resumption processing portion56, an obtainment processing portion57, a determination processing portion58, and a display processing portion59. The CPU5A of the control portion5executes the notification control program that is stored in the ROM5B. This allows for the control portion5to function as the stop processing portion55, the resumption processing portion56, the obtainment processing portion57, the determination processing portion58, and the display processing portion59.

When the operation mode of the image forming apparatus100shifts from the normal mode to the power-saving mode, the stop processing portion55, before the first shift processing portion51stops power supply to the control portion5, stops measurement of the elapsed time by the measurement processing portion53. Specifically, the stop processing portion55stops measurement of the elapsed time so that the measurement of the elapsed time can be resumed later.

For example, when the stop processing portion55stops measurement of the elapsed time by the measurement processing portion53, the stop processing portion55generates stop state information. The stop state information includes recognition information that indicates the print job for which elapsed time measurement is stopped, the elapsed time that is measured by the measurement processing portion53until when the measurement is stopped, and the time of day when the measurement is stopped. Then, the stop processing portion55stores the generated stop state information in the storage portion7.

If printed matter exists in the sheet discharge trays81when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus100shifts from the power-saving mode to the normal mode, the resumption processing portion56resumes measurement of the elapsed time by the measurement processing portion53.

Specifically, when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus100shifts from the power-saving mode to the normal mode, the resumption processing portion56determines whether or not the stop state information has been stored in the storage portion7.

Here, when the resumption processing portion56determines that the stop state information has been stored in the storage portion7, the resumption processing portion56determines, for each piece of stop state information that is stored in the storage portion7, whether or not the printed matter, processed according to the print job that corresponds to the stop state information, exists in the sheet discharge tray81. Specifically, the resumption processing portion56, by using the detection portion82corresponding to the sheet discharge tray81that is set as the discharge place by information included in the print job, determines whether or not the printed matter exists in the sheet discharge tray81.

When the resumption processing portion56determines that the printed matter processed according to the print job exists in the sheet discharge tray81, the resumption processing portion56resumes measurement of the elapsed time by the measurement processing portion53. Specifically, the resumption processing portion56uses the elapsed time included in the stop state information of the print job to resume measurement of the elapsed time by the measurement processing portion53. On the other hand, when the resumption processing portion56determines that the printed matter processed according to the print job does not exist in the sheet discharge tray81, the resumption processing portion56deletes the stop state information of the print job from the storage portion7.

When the resumption processing portion56resumes measurement of the elapsed time by the measurement processing portion53, the obtainment processing portion57obtains a stop time that is a time period from when the measurement of the elapsed time was stopped by the stop processing portion55, until when the measurement of the elapsed time is resumed by the resumption processing portion56.

Specifically, the obtainment processing portion57obtains the stop time based on the time of day when the measurement was stopped that is included in the stop state information, and the time of day when the measurement of the elapsed time is resumed by the resumption processing portion56.

When the stop time is obtained by the obtainment processing portion57, the notification processing portion54determines whether or not the stop time exceeds a predetermined second reference time. When the notification processing portion54determines that the stop time exceeds the second reference time, the notification processing portion54notifies the notification destination that the printed matter has not been collected. On the other hand, when the notification processing portion54determines that the stop time does not exceed the second reference time, the notification processing portion54waits to notify the notification destination until the time measured by the measurement processing portion53reaches the first reference time.

For example, the second reference time is a time obtained by subtracting, from the first reference time, the elapsed time included in the stop state information that is measured until when the measurement is stopped. It is noted that the second reference time may be the same time as the first reference time. In addition, the second reference time may be arbitrarily set by a user operation on the operation/display portion6or information processing apparatus200.

It is noted that the control portion5may not include the obtainment processing portion57. In this case, the notification processing portion54notifies the notification destination based only on the time measured by the measurement processing portion53.

When the detection portion82detects that the sheet discharge tray81, to which the printed matter processed according to the print job has been discharged, has changed from an existing state where the printed matter exists in the sheet discharge tray81, to a non-existing state where the printed matter does not exist in the sheet discharge tray81, the determination processing portion58determines whether or not the printed matter processed according to the print job has been collected.

For example, the determination processing portion58determines whether or not the printed matter has been collected based on how long the sheet discharge tray81that has been detected to have changed from the existing state to the non-existing state, is in the non-existing state, and whether or not an empty sheet discharge tray81is detected to have changed from the non-existing state to the existing state.

Specifically, the determination processing portion58determines that the printed matter has been collected when the sheet discharge tray81that has been detected to have changed from the existing state to the non-existing state, is in the non-existing state for a duration of time that exceeds a predetermined holding time, and during the duration, an empty sheet discharge tray81is not detected to have changed from the non-existing state to the existing state. On the other hand, the determination processing portion58determines that the printed matter has not been collected when the sheet discharge tray81that has been detected to have changed from the existing state to the non-existing state, is detected to be in the existing state before the holding time elapses from when the change from the existing state to the non-existing state was detected. In addition, when an empty sheet discharge tray81is detected to have changed from the non-existing state to the existing state before the holding time elapses, the determination processing portion58determines that the printed matter has not been collected.

Here, the holding time is a predetermined time period. For example, the holding time is an arbitrarily set time period between ten seconds and one minute. The holding time may be arbitrarily set by a user operation on the operation/display portion6.

The measurement processing portion53ends measurement of the elapsed time of the print job when the determination processing portion58determines that the printed matter processed according to the print job has been collected from the sheet discharge tray81. That is, the elapsed time is the time period from when the print job ends, until when the determination processing portion58determines that the printed matter has been collected from the sheet discharge tray81. In addition, when the stop state information corresponding to the print job, for which elapsed time measurement is stopped, is stored in the storage portion7, the measurement processing portion53deletes the stop state information from the storage portion7.

It is noted that the determination processing portion58may determine whether or not the printed matter has been collected based only on how long the sheet discharge tray81that has been detected to have changed from the existing state to the non-existing state, is in the non-existing state. Specifically, the determination processing portion58may determine that the printed matter has been collected when the sheet discharge tray81that has been detected to have changed from the existing state to the non-existing state, is in the non-existing state for a duration of time that exceeds holding time. In addition, the determination processing portion58may immediately determine that the printed matter has been collected upon detecting that the sheet discharge tray81, to which the printed matter processed according to the print job has been discharged, has changed from the existing state to the non-existing state.

In the case where the determination processing portion58determines that the printed matter processed according to the print job has not been collected, the display processing portion59displays a selection screen X10(seeFIG. 7) on the operation/display portion6when one or more other print jobs whose elapsed times are being measured and have the same discharge place as the print job, exist. Here, the selection screen X10is used for selecting one or more of the print jobs whose printed matter is determined by the determination processing portion58to be uncollected, and the one or more other print jobs whose elapsed times are being measured and have the same discharge place as the print job. The operation/display portion6is an example of a display portion according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7shows an example of the selection screen X10. The selection screen X10includes a message field X11, a print job display field X12, and an operation key X13.

The message field X11displays a message to the user. The message includes content that prompts a selection operation of selecting the print job whose printed matter has been collected.

The print job display field X12displays numbers, used to distinguish the print jobs whose elapsed times are being measured by the measurement processing portion53, listed together with information for identifying each of the print jobs. Specifically, the print job display field X12displays, as the information for identifying each print job, information that indicates the transmission source of the print job, information that indicates the name of the user that is associated with the transmission source, and the execution start time of the print job. It is noted that the information displayed in the print job display field X12for identifying the print job is not limited to what is described above, and may include other information, such as the name of the document that is being printed.

The print job display field X12includes operation reception fields X121to X123. The operation reception field X121corresponds to a first print job, the operation reception field X122corresponds to a second print job, and the operation reception field X123corresponds to a third print job. The selection operation is performed on the operation reception fields X121to X123. For example, the selection operation is a tap operation on one of the operation reception fields X121to X123. It is noted that the operation reception field X121shown inFIG. 7is denoted with a check symbol indicating that the selection operation has been performed on the operation reception field X121.

The operation key X13is used to confirm content of an operation on the selection screen X10.

When one or more print jobs are selected on the selection screen X10, the measurement processing portion53ends measurement of the elapsed time for the selected one or more print jobs.

It is noted that when displaying the selection screen X10, the display processing portion59may sound an alarm or perform voice guidance to direct the user's attention to the displayed selection screen X10. In addition, the control portion5may not include the display processing portion59.

Below, with reference toFIG. 4, a description is given of an example procedure of the first notification control process executed by the control portion5in the image forming apparatus100, and an example procedure of a notification method according to the present disclosure. Here, steps S11, S12. . . indicate the numbers of processing procedures (steps) executed by the control portion5. In addition, each time the print job is transmitted from the information processing apparatus200, the first notification control process is executed as a process corresponding to that print job.

First, in step S11, the control portion5determines whether or not the print job has ended.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the print job has ended (Yes in S11), the control portion5moves the process to step S12. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the print job has not ended (No in S11), the control portion5waits until it is determined in step S11that the print job has ended.

In step S12, the control portion5measures the elapsed time of the print job. It is noted that processing in step S13and after are executed in parallel with processing in step S12. Here, processing in step S12is executed by the measurement processing portion53of the control portion5.

In step S13, the control portion5determines whether or not the first shift condition has been satisfied.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the first shift condition has been satisfied (Yes in S13), the control portion5moves the process to step S131. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the first shift condition has not been satisfied (No in S13), the control portion5moves the process to step S14.

In step S131, the control portion5stops the measurement of the elapsed time in step S12. Here, processing in step S131is executed by the stop processing portion55of the control portion5.

For example, when stopping the measurement of the elapsed time in step S12, the control portion5generates stop state information including recognition information indicating the print job for which elapsed time measurement is stopped, the elapsed time measured by the measurement processing portion53until when the measurement is stopped, and the time of day when the measurement is stopped. Then, the control portion5stores the generated stop state information in the storage portion7.

In step S132, the control portion5shifts the operation mode of the image forming apparatus100from the normal mode to the power-saving mode. Here, processing in step S132is executed by the first shift processing portion51of the control portion5.

In step S14, the control portion5determines whether or not the elapsed time that is being measured in step S12has reached the first reference time.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the elapsed time being measured in step S12has reached the first reference time (Yes in S14), the control portion5moves the process to step S141. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the elapsed time being measured in step S12has not reached the first reference time (No in S14), the control portion5moves the process to step S15.

In step S141, the control portion5notifies that the printed matter processed according to the print job has not been collected. Here, processing in step S141is executed by the notification processing portion54of the control portion5.

In step S15, the control portion5determines whether or not the detection portion82has detected that the sheet discharge tray81, to which the printed matter processed according to the print job has been discharged, has changed from the existing state to the non-existing state.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the detection portion82has detected the change from the existing state to the non-existing state (Yes in S15), the control portion5moves the process to step S16. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the detection portion82has not detected the change from the existing state to the non-existing state (No in S15), the control portion5moves the process to step S13.

In step S16, the control portion5executes a collection judgement process described below.

In step S17, the control portion5determines whether or not it has been determined in the collection judgement process executed in step S16that the printed matter has been collected.

Here, when the control portion5determines that it has been judged in the collection judgement process that the printed matter has been collected (Yes in S17), the control portion5moves the process to step S21. In addition, when the control portion5determines that it has not been judged in the collection judgement process that the printed matter has been collected (No in S17), the control portion5moves the process to step S18.

In step S18, the control portion5determines whether or not another print job having the same discharge place as the print job, and whose elapsed time is being measured, exists.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the other print job exists (Yes in S18), the control portion5moves the process to step S19. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the other print job does not exist (No in S18), the control portion5moves the process to step S13.

In step S19, the control portion5displays the selection screen X10on the operation/display portion6. Here, processing in step S19is executed by the display processing portion59of the control portion5.

With this configuration, it is possible for the user to select, on the selection screen X10, the printed matter that the user has collected among a plurality of pieces of printed matter discharged to the sheet discharge tray81, and to prevent transmitting, to the notification destination that corresponds to the collected printed matter, a notification of uncollected printed matter.

In step S20, the control portion5determines whether or not the print job (the print job in execution that corresponds to the first notification control process) has been selected in the selection screen X10displayed in step S19.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the print job has been selected on the selection screen X10(Yes in S20), the control portion5moves the process to step S21. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the print job has not been selected on the selection screen X10(No in S20), the control portion5moves the process to step S13.

It is noted that when the selection operation has not been performed after a predetermined time period elapses after the selection screen X10is displayed, the control portion5may stop displaying the selection screen X10, and move the process to step S13.

In step S21, the control portion5ends the measurement of the elapsed time in step S12. Here, processing in step S21is executed by the measurement processing portion53of the control portion5.

It is noted that the first notification control process may not include the processing in steps S18to S20. In this case, the control portion5may move the process to step S13when it determines in step S17that it has been judged in the collection judgement process that the printed matter has not been collected.

In addition, the first notification control process may not include the processing in steps S16to S20. In this case, when the control portion5determines in step S15that the change from the existing state to the non-existing state has been detected, the control portion5may determine that the printed matter has been collected, and move the process to step S21.

Next, with reference toFIG. 5, a description is given of an example procedure of the collection judgement process that is executed in step S16of the first notification control process. Here, the collection judgement process is executed by the determination processing portion58of the control portion5.

First, in step S31, the control portion5determines whether or not an empty sheet discharge tray81has been detected to have changed from the non-existing state to the existing state.

Here, when the control portion5determines that an empty sheet discharge tray81has been detected to have changed from the non-existing state to the existing state (Yes in S31), the control portion5moves the process to step S311. In addition, when the control portion5determines that an empty sheet discharge tray81has not been detected to have changed from the non-existing state to the existing state in (No in S31), the control portion5moves the process to step S32.

In step S32, the control portion5determines whether or not the holding time has elapsed from when the collection judgement process was started.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the holding time has elapsed from when the collection judgement process was started (Yes in S32), the control portion5moves the process to step S33. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the holding time has not elapsed from when the collection judgement process was started (No in S32), the control portion5moves the process to step S31.

In step S33, the control portion5judges that the printed matter processed according to the print job has been collected.

In step S311, the control portion5judges that the printed matter processed according to the print job has not been collected.

As described above, in the collection judgement process, even when the sheet discharge tray81to which the printed matter has been discharged is detected to change from the existing state to the non-existing state, if the existing state is detected before the holding time elapses, it is judged that the printed matter has not been collected. With this configuration, for example, when the user of the image forming apparatus100mistakenly removes printed matter belonging to another user from the sheet discharge tray81, realizes his or her mistake, and returns the printed matter to the original sheet discharge tray81, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being judged as having been collected.

In addition, in the collection judgement process, even when the sheet discharge tray81to which the printed matter has been discharged is detected to change from the existing state to the non-existing state, if the existing state of another sheet discharge tray81is detected before the holding time elapses, it is judged that the printed matter has not been collected. With this configuration, for example, when the user of the image forming apparatus100mistakenly removes printed matter belonging to another user from the sheet discharge tray81, realizes his or her mistake, and returns the printed matter to another sheet discharge tray81, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being judged as having been collected.

Next, with reference toFIG. 6, a description is given of an example procedure of the second notification control process executed by the control portion5in the image forming apparatus100, and an example procedure of a notification method according to the present disclosure. Here, the second notification control process is executed when, after the processing in step S131of the first notification control process is executed, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus100shifts from the power-saving mode to the normal mode.

It is noted that when the operation mode shifts to the normal mode, the control portion5, based on whether or not the stop state information is stored in the storage portion7, determines whether or not the operation mode has shifted to the normal mode after the execution of the processing in step S131. In addition, the control portion5executes the second notification control process for each print job corresponding to the pieces of stop state information that are stored in the storage portion7.

First, in step S41, the control portion5determines whether or not the printed matter processed according to the print job exists in the sheet discharge tray81to which it has been discharged.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the printed matter exists in the sheet discharge tray81(Yes in S41), the control portion5moves the process to step S42. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the printed matter does not exist in the sheet discharge tray81(No in S41), the control portion5moves the process to step S52.

In step S42, the control portion5obtains the stop time that is a time period from when the processing in step S131of the first notification control process is executed, until the present time. Here, processing in step S42is executed by the obtainment processing portion57of the control portion5.

In step S43, the control portion5determines whether or not the stop time obtained in step S42exceeds the second reference time.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the stop time exceeds the second reference time (Yes in S43), the control portion5moves the process to step S431. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the stop time does not exceed the second reference time (No in S43), the control portion5moves the process to step S44.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the notification of the uncollected printed matter from being delayed, in comparison to the configuration that notifies the notification destination based only on the time measured by the measurement processing portion53, in the case where the time in the power-saving mode is long.

In step S431, the control portion5, similarly to step S141of the first notification control process, notifies that the printed matter processed according to the print job has not been collected.

In step S44, the control portion5resumes measurement of the elapsed time that was stopped in step S131of the first notification control process. Here, processing in step S44is executed by the resumption processing portion56of the control portion5.

In step S45, the control portion5, similarly to step S14of the first notification control process, determines whether or not the elapsed time that is being measured has reached the first reference time.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the elapsed time being measured has reached the first reference time (Yes in S45), the control portion5moves the process to step S431. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the elapsed time being measured has not reached the first reference time (No in S45), the control portion5moves the process to step S46.

In step S46, the control portion5, similarly to step S15of the first notification control process, determines whether or not the detection portion82has detected that the sheet discharge tray81, to which the printed matter processed according to the print job has been discharged, has changed from the existing state to the non-existing state.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the detection portion82has detected the change from the existing state to the non-existing state (Yes in S46), the control portion5moves the process to step S47. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the detection portion82has not detected the change from the existing state to the non-existing state (No in S46), the control portion5moves the process to step S45.

In step S47, the control portion5executes the collection judgement process. It is noted that the collection judgement process that is executed in step S47is the same process as the collection judgement process that is executed in step S16of the first notification control process.

In step S48, the control portion5, similarly to step S17of the first notification control process, the control portion5determines whether or not it has been judged in the collection judgement process executed in step S47that the printed matter has been collected.

Here, when the control portion5determines that it has been judged in the collection judgement process that the printed matter has been collected (Yes in S48), the control portion5moves the process to step S52. In addition, when the control portion5determines that it has not been judged in the collection judgement process that the printed matter has been collected (No in S48), the control portion5moves the process to step S49.

In step S49, the control portion5, similarly to step S18of the first notification control process, determines whether or not another print job having the same discharge place as the print job, and whose elapsed time is being measured, exists.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the other print job exists (Yes in S49), the control portion5moves the process to step S50. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the other print job does not exist (No in S49), the control portion5moves the process to step S45.

In step S50, the control portion5, similarly to step S19of the first notification control process, displays the selection screen X10on the operation/display portion6.

In step S51, the control portion5, similarly to step S20of the first notification control process, determines whether or not the print job (the print job in execution that corresponds to the second notification control process) has been selected in the selection screen X10displayed in step S50.

Here, when the control portion5determines that the print job has been selected on the selection screen X10(Yes in S51), the control portion5moves the process to step S52. In addition, when the control portion5determines that the print job has not been selected on the selection screen X10(No in S51), the control portion5moves the process to step S45.

In step S52, the control portion5ends the measurement of the elapsed time. In addition, the control portion5deletes the stop state information corresponding to the print job from the storage portion7. Here, processing in step S52is executed by the measurement processing portion53of the control portion5.

It is noted that the second notification control process may not include the processing in steps S49to S51. In this case, the control portion5may move the process to step S45when it determines in step S48that it has been judged in the collection judgement process that the printed matter has not been collected.

In addition, the second notification control process may not include the processing in steps S47to S51. In this case, when the control portion5determines in step S46that the change from the existing state to the non-existing state has been detected, the control portion5may determine that the printed matter has been collected, and move the process to step S52.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus100, when, during measurement of the elapsed time from the end of the print job to when the printed matter processed according to the print job is collected, the operation mode shifts to the power-saving mode, the measurement of the elapsed time is stopped before power supply to the control portion5is stopped. Then, when the operation mode shifts to the normal mode, the measurement of the elapsed time is resumed, and when the elapsed time reaches the first reference time, the notification of the uncollected printed matter is transmitted. Accordingly, even when the operation mode shifts to the power-saving mode before the printed matter is collected, it is possible to secure, during the time from when the print job ends until when the notification of the uncollected printed matter is transmitted, a time period that exceeds the first reference time.

It is noted that the image forming apparatus100may not include the sheet discharge device8. In this case, the printed matter processed according to the print job may be discharged to the sheet discharge tray of the image forming portion3. In addition, the sheet discharge tray may be provided with a sensor that is similar to the detection portion82.