IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an execution unit configured to execute a print job based on an execution instruction, an instruction reception unit configured to receive an instruction to make a reservation for at least one of a plurality of sheet feed units, and an identification unit configured to identify a sheet feed unit from the plurality of sheet feed units based on a setting for the received print job. Even with issuance of the execution instruction for a print job in which no specific setting is made and the sheet feed unit for which the reservation instruction is received is identified, the execution unit does not execute the print job, and the instruction reception unit sets a limitation on the reservation instruction to prevent an instruction to make reservations for all the sheet feed units from being issued.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method for the image forming apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

There is a technique for printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feed source that is designated by a user or is automatically designated based on sheet information from among a plurality of sheet feed sources included in an image forming apparatus (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-104614).

For example, after a user sets special paper, such as expensive paper, on one of a plurality of sheet feed sources of an image forming apparatus, another user different from the user that intends to use the set paper can perform printing on the paper using the sheet feed source for another purpose, resulting in waste of the special paper. To avoid this case, it is conceivable that a specific sheet feed source is put into a reserved state in such a manner that the sheet feed source can be used only for a specific job. In this case, if the user makes reservations for two or more sheet feed sources of the image forming apparatus, there is no sheet feed source available for print jobs other than the specific job, which makes it impossible to execute the print jobs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing issue, the present invention is directed to preventing all sheet feed sources from being reserved in reservation for a sheet feed source of an image forming apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of sheet feed units, a job reception unit configured to receive a print job, an execution unit configured to execute the received print job based on an execution instruction, an instruction reception unit configured to receive a reservation instruction to make a reservation for at least one sheet feed unit of the plurality of sheet feed units, and an identification unit configured to identify a sheet feed unit from the plurality of sheet feed units based on a setting for the received print job. In a case where issuance of the execution instruction for a print job in which no reservation setting is made and the sheet feed unit for which the reservation instruction is received by the instruction reception unit is identified, the execution unit is configured not to execute the print job. The instruction reception unit is configured to set a limitation on the reservation instruction to prevent an instruction to make a reservation for all the sheet feed units of the plurality of sheet feed units from being issued.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention encompassed by the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily deemed to be essential.

An image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Examples of the image forming apparatus include a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multi-function peripheral (MFP) including these functions, and the image forming apparatus has a function (printing function) of forming images on sheets as recording media.

An image forming apparatus100illustrated inFIG.1Ais an MFP that forms images on sheets. Examples of the sheets include paper, such as a sheet of paper and an envelope, a plastic film, such as a sheet for an overhead projector (OHP), and cloth. In the drawings and the descriptions below, the terms related to sheets, such as “sheet” and “sheet feed”, herein used generally indicate sheets including any type of sheets other than paper, unless otherwise specified.

The image forming apparatus100includes devices, such as a printer unit101, a scanner unit108, a plurality of sheet feed cassettes102,103,104, and105, a manual feed tray106, and a discharge tray107. The sheet feed cassettes102,103,104, and105and the manual feed tray106are hereinafter collectively referred to as a sheet feed source if there is no need to distinguish them from each other.

The scanner unit108functioning as an image reading device optically scans an original, and converts scanned data into electronic image information using a photoelectric conversion element of a charge-coupled device (CCD) system or the like. The printer unit101causes a printer engine110, which is an example of an image forming unit, to form an image on a sheet based on image information input from the scanner unit108or an external host computer. The sheet feed cassettes102to105each accommodate sheets, and the manual feed tray106supports sheets placed on the tray. The sheets held on the sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106are separated one by one and fed to the printer engine110by a sheet feed unit (not illustrated). The sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106are examples of a sheet feed source on which sheets to be supplied to the image forming unit are held. The sheets on which images are formed by the printer engine110are discharged onto the discharge tray107functioning as a discharge unit.

As illustrated inFIG.1B, the printer engine110includes an electrophotographic image formation unit PU. The image formation unit PU includes a photosensitive drum111as a drum-like photosensitive member, a charging device112, an exposure device113, a developing device114, and a cleaning device116. If a request for starting an image forming operation is issued to the printer engine110, the charging device112uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum111, and the exposure device113scans the surface of the photosensitive drum111with laser light and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum111. The developing device114supplies charged toner to the photosensitive drum111and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. The toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum111is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer device115. The toner image transferred onto the sheet is fixed to the sheet by a fixing device117of, for example, a heat fixing system.

Next, an image forming system including the image forming apparatus100will be described with reference toFIG.2.

The image forming apparatus100is connected to a wired or wireless network via a network interface (I/F)206, and communicates with an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer (PC)200.

A printer driver is installed on the PC200as driver software for generating a job (hereinafter referred to as a print job) to issue an image forming instruction to the image forming apparatus100. The printer driver generates a print job described in page description language (PDL) based on document data received from, for example, a document creation application on the PC200. Examples of the PDL include PostScript (PS), Printer Control Language (PCL), and Laser beam printer Image Processing System (LIPS)®. The PC200includes a control unit, such as a central processing unit (CPU), and storage units, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk drive (HDD). The printer driver transmits generated print jobs to the image forming apparatus100via a network.

The image forming apparatus100is controlled by a CPU202, and the CPU202operates based on programs stored in a RAM204. A ROM203is a boot ROM and stores system boot programs. A storage unit205stores system software, image data, programs for controlling operations of the image forming apparatus100, and the like. Programs stored in the storage unit205are loaded into the RAM204, and the CPU202controls operations of the image forming apparatus100based on the programs. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each step in a control process for the image forming apparatus100is executed by the CPU202.

An image processing unit209performs image processing on image data received via the network I/F206, and performs image processing on image data to be input to and output from a device I/F207. The image data transmitted from the PC200is converted into image data in a raster format by the image processing unit209, and the image data is stored in the storage unit205. The stored image data is transmitted as a video signal to the printer engine110via the device I/F207, and is used in the image forming operation by the printer engine110.

The image forming apparatus100also includes an operation display unit210that functions as a display unit that displays information for users and also functions as an input unit that receives instructions from users. The operation display unit210includes a screen display unit including a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), and an operation input unit including a touch panel that functions as software keys that are located on the display and operate based on a positional relationship between a location where an operation is performed and an operation target displayed on the display, and hardware keys, such as numeric keypads.

The CPU202of the image forming apparatus100controls a sheet feed unit208including the sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106. The sheet feed unit208will be described in detail below.

FIG.3is a block diagram illustrating detailed functions of the sheet feed unit208of the image forming apparatus100. The sheet feed unit208supplies sheets to the printer engine110. The CPU202controls the sheet feed cassettes1(102) to4(105) and the manual feed tray106in the sheet feed unit208to feed sheets from one of the sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106each functioning as a sheet feed source. The sheet feed cassettes (102,103) are provided with sheet stacking detection sensors (301,302), respectively, to detect the amount of paper stacked on the respective cassettes. This enables the CPU202to detect whether paper is not present on the currently-set sheet feed cassette, or detect the amount of paper placed on the sheet feed cassette in a range of about several levels. Similarly, the sheet feed cassettes (102,103) are provided with open/close detection sensors (304,305), respectively, to detect open/close states of the respective sheet feed cassettes. This enables the CPU202to detect the open/close states of the sheet feed cassettes in real time as an event from the open/close detection sensors. Although not illustrated inFIG.3, each of the sheet feed cassettes3(104) and4(105) is also provided with a sheet stacking detection sensor and an open/close detection sensor.

The manual feed tray106is provided with a tray sheet presence/absence detection sensor303to detect whether paper is placed on the tray. This enables the CPU202to detect paper placed on the manual feed tray106or no paper on the manual feed tray106after paper is removed from the manual feed tray106in real time as an event from the tray sheet presence/absence detection sensor303.

A procedure of image forming processing to be executed according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, sheet feed source reservation processing is performed before the image forming processing is executed. The sheet feed source reservation processing refers to processing for setting a limitation on the use of the sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106on which sheets to be used for image formation are placed. The sheet feed source reservation processing will be described in detail below. After that, the PC200generates a print job through printer driver processing, and outputs the generated print job to the image forming apparatus100. When the print job is input to the image forming apparatus100, the image forming apparatus100executes printer processing to process the print job. Next, each piece of processing will be described in detail.

(Sheet Feed Source Reservation Processing)

The sheet feed source reservation processing will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated inFIG.4. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user places the following special sheets on the sheet feed cassette102, and performs a reservation operation.Sheet Size: A4Sheet Type: Coated PaperFirst, the user places the above-described special sheets on the sheet feed cassette102.Then, the user operates the operation display unit210of the image forming apparatus100to set the size and type of the placed sheets.

In step S401, the CPU202of the image forming apparatus100causes the operation display unit210to display a home screen501illustrated inFIG.5, and waits for an operation from the user. On the home screen501, a button502to be selected to use a copy function, a button503to be selected to use a transmission function, and a button504to be selected to use a box function are arranged. A button505is a button to be selected to use a hold printing function. A settings button506is used to make various settings for the image forming apparatus100. Also, in setting the size and type of the sheets placed by the user and making a reservation for a sheet feed source, the settings button506is pressed. Upon detecting pressing of the settings button506, the CPU202of the image forming apparatus100displays a settings screen601illustrated inFIG.6for the user to select various setting items. On the settings screen601illustrated inFIG.6, a button602for making sheet settings, a button603for making a sheet feeding location reservation setting, which is a most characteristic feature of the present invention, and other buttons are arranged.

Upon detecting pressing of the button602from among the various setting items, in step S402, the CPU202displays a sheet settings screen701for making sheet settings as illustrated inFIG.7. On the sheet settings screen701, sheet feed source selection buttons702to706are displayed and a setting status of the corresponding sheet feed source is displayed on each of the sheet feed source selection buttons702to706. Display contents will be described below. On the sheet settings screen701, a button707for changing the sheet type and buttons708and709for setting sheet sizes for special paper, such as an envelope and a postcard, are also arranged. The buttons707to709are operated after any one of the sheet feed source selection buttons702to706is selected.

The display of each sheet feed source setting status will be described in detail. Each sheet feed source setting status is held as sheet feed source information in the storage unit205of the image forming apparatus100as indicated in the following Table 1. Sheet Size2802in Table 1 represents a size that is automatically detected or is set by the user when a sheet is placed on each sheet feed source. Sheet Type2803represents a sheet type set via the sheet type setting button707. Number of Remaining Sheets2804represents the number of remaining sheets detected on each sheet feed source in the range of five levels. Reserved State2805in Table 1 represents the reserved state of each sheet feed source, which is the most characteristic feature of the present invention, and is set via the sheet feeding location reservation setting button603to be described below. In the following Table 1, the reserved state (2805) fields for all the sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106are blank, which indicates that all the sheet feed cassettes are available for any user.

Next, an operation to be performed when a certain sheet feed source is selected (assuming herein that the button702corresponding to the sheet feed cassette102is selected) and the button707is pressed will be described. Upon detecting pressing of the button707, the CPU202of the image forming apparatus100causes the operation display unit210to display a sheet type setting screen (not illustrated), and waits for the user to select and determine the sheet type. When the user determines the sheet type (assuming herein that coated paper is selected), the CPU202updates the sheet feed source information with the determined sheet type, and completes the sheet type setting processing.

Next, an operation for making a reservation for a sheet feed source will be described. An operation for making a reservation for the sheet feed cassette102will now be described by way of example. To make a reservation for a sheet feed source, the button603for making the sheet feeding location reservation setting on the settings screen601described above is used. Upon detecting pressing of the button603for making the sheet feeding location reservation setting, in step S403, the CPU202causes the operation display unit210to display a sheet feeding location reservation setting screen1501illustrated inFIG.15.

On the sheet feeding location reservation setting screen1501, a button1502for turning on the reservation setting for each sheet feed source, and a button1503for turning off the reservation setting for each sheet feed source are displayed. A button1504for cancelling the reservation operation and a button1505for determining the reservation operation are also arranged. On the sheet feeding location reservation setting screen1501, the button1502corresponding to the sheet feed cassette102is selected, which indicates that the sheet feed cassette102is in the reserved state. Upon detecting that the button1505for determining the reservation operation is pressed by the user in this state, the CPU202records information indicating “reserved” on the Reserved State (2805) field in the sheet feed source information held in the storage unit205. This allows sheet feeding from the sheet feed cassette102only for a print job in which “use the reserved sheet feed source” is set in step S805to be described below. To cancel the reservation operation, the button1503for cancelling the reservation operation is pressed on the sheet feeding location reservation setting screen1501, to clear the information indicating the reserved state in the sheet feed source information held in the storage unit205. A detailed sheet feeding operation on the reserved sheet feed source will be described below in sheet feed determination processing. The reception of a reservation instruction illustrated inFIG.15is an example of an instruction reception configuration.

Table 2 indicates what changes are made to the sheet feed source information indicated in Table 1 through the change of the sheet type and the reservation processing.

Next, processing for setting a limitation on the sheet feeding location reservation operation will be described with reference toFIG.16.FIG.15described above illustrates a state where the reservation setting is made for only the sheet feed cassette102, whileFIG.16illustrates a state where the reservation buttons corresponding to all the sheet feed sources are selected. In this setting state, an OK button1605for determining the reservation operation is displayed in a hatch pattern, and the CPU202performs screen control processing to prevent the user from pressing the OK button1605. This is because if the user is allowed to put all the sheet feed sources into the reserved state at once, printing for print jobs in which settings using the printer driver as described below (settings for using sheets placed on the reserved sheet feed source) are not made cannot be executed.

More specifically, the screen control processing is performed to prevent such a state that printing of normal office documents cannot be executed from occurring.

WhileFIG.16illustrates an example of processing for setting a limitation on the reservation operation for all the sheet feed sources at once by displaying the OK button1605in a hatch pattern, there is another method for setting a limitation as described below.

FIG.17illustrates an example of processing for setting a limitation by displaying an error screen. Specifically, the OK button1605can be pressed in a state where the reservation buttons corresponding to all the sheet feed sources are selected. However, in this case, the CPU202performs screen control processing to prevent the reservation operation from being determined by displaying an error screen1701. On the error screen1701, an error reason1702and a back button1703for returning to a sheet feeding location reservation setting screen1601are displayed, and an error notification is issued. On the other hand, if the OK button1605is pressed on the sheet feeding location reservation setting screen1601with one or more sheet sources for which the reservation setting is not made, the CPU202determines the reservation operation without displaying the error screen1701. The error screen1701may be displayed when the OK button1605is selected, or may be displayed at a timing when the buttons1602corresponding to all the sheet feed sources are selected.

FIG.18illustrates another example of processing for setting a limitation in such a manner that the CPU202performs screen control processing to prevent the user from changing the reservation setting for the last sheet feed source that is not in the reserved state. For example, on a sheet feeding location reservation setting screen1801illustrated inFIG.18, reservation setting buttons1802to1805corresponding to the sheet feed cassettes102to105, respectively, are selected to put the sheet feed cassettes102to105into the reserved state. In this case, the CPU202performs screen control processing in such a manner that buttons1806and1807corresponding to the manual feed tray106that is not reserved and corresponds to the last sheet feed source are displayed in shaded patterns. As described above, if one of the plurality of sheet feed sources is not in the reserved state, the CPU202can prevent the reservation setting for the sheet feed source from being made. Examples of the configuration for preventing the reservation setting for the sheet feed source from being made include a configuration for displaying the button1806illustrated inFIG.18in a shaded pattern to prevent the button1806from being selected, a configuration for hiding the button1806, and a configuration in which the setting corresponding to the button1806to be selected is not reflected although the button1806can be selected. This prevents the user from changing the reservation setting. Consequently, the state in which all the sheet feed sources are put into the reserved state at once can be avoided. In other words, a limitation can be set on the user so that the user cannot issue an instruction to make reservations for all the sheet feed units. Moreover, even when an instruction to make reservations for all the plurality of sheet feed units is received, the reservation operation for all the plurality of sheet feed units is not executed based on the instruction.

Next, printer driver processing will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated inFIG.8. The following steps are carried out by a control unit, such as a CPU in the PC200, executing programs constituting the printer driver. The printer driver processing is started when the user of the PC200performs an operation to issue an instruction for executing printing on, for example, the document creation application. In step S801, document data indicating contents (document, figure, etc.) to be printed is generated in advance using the document creation application or the like.

In steps S802to S805, setting processing for setting attribute information for a print job is performed based on a user operation signal for the PC200. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.9, a print settings screen901for setting print conditions is displayed on the display of the PC200, so that the PC200is ready for receiving a user operation. A tab902indicates that a print settings screen is displayed.

A setting value for a sheet size is displayed on a sheet size setting field903. A setting value for a sheet type is displayed on a sheet type setting field904. A sheet feed source to be designated as a sheet feed source from which sheets are supplied is displayed on a sheet feed source setting field905. As the sheet size, an “original size” for designating a sheet size identical to the sheet size designated in document data, a standard size, such as “A4”, a user-defined size for which values are input by the user, and the like can be selected. As the sheet type, setting values for “plain paper1”, “plain paper2” with larger grammage than “plain paper1”, “coated paper”, and the like can be selected. As the sheet feed source, any one of the sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106can be selected. An option, such as “auto select”, for allowing the image forming apparatus100to perform selection processing may be provided for each sheet type and each sheet feed source. Further, a button906for setting ON/OFF for “use sheets placed on the reserved sheet feed source”, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, is displayed on the tab902. Turning “ON” the button906makes it possible to execute printing using the sheets placed on the reserved sheet feed source as described below.

The driver software makes settings for information for designating a sheet size, a sheet type, a sheet feed source from which sheets are fed, and use of the reserved sheet feed source based on the user operation signal transmitted via the print settings screen901.

Next, in steps S806and S807, the printer driver sets an owner name and a document name for the print job. The owner name is information for identifying the user that has created the print job. In the present embodiment, an identification (ID) for the user that has currently logged into the PC200is used as the owner name. The document name is information for identifying a data file of a document, a figure, or the like to be printed. For example, the document name is obtained from the application used to generate the document data.

In step S808, the printer driver generates PDL data based on a PDL format based on the document data and various settings information. The PDL data includes page data indicating drawing contents of each page and settings information (sheet size, sheet type, sheet feed source, owner name, document name, etc.) for the print job. The page data is image information generated by the printer driver from the document data based on the PDL format. In step S809, the generated PDL data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus100via a network.

When a signal indicating the PDL data reaches the image forming apparatus100, the CPU202of the image forming apparatus100starts printer processing. As illustrated inFIG.10, the printer processing roughly includes page generation processing (step S1001) for generating image data for each page, and print processing (step S1002) for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data.

First, the contents of page generation processing will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated inFIG.11. In step S1101, the print job transmitted from the PC200is temporarily stored in the storage unit205. The processing of step S1101is an example of the job reception configuration. For example, instead of using the configuration for receiving a print job, a configuration for receiving a copy processing setting and an execution instruction on the operation display unit210of the image forming apparatus100may be used as the job reception configuration. If PDL data is received, the reception of the print job (PDL data) may correspond to the reception of an instruction to execute the print job. Alternatively, an execution instruction for the received print job may be separately received by operation display unit210and the print job may be executed. The print job stored in the storage unit205includes page data as image information based on the PDL format. In step S1102, this page data is analyzed by the CPU202. In step S1103, the page data is converted into intermediate data. The intermediate data is a general term for drawing objects, such as bitmap data, run-length data, a trapezoid, a box, and bitmap data that has been subjected to high-speed boundary encoding, a background pattern, and a drawing logic for drawing an image in the raster format from the drawing objects and the background pattern. Setting information for the print job, such as a sheet size included in the PDL data, is extracted through analysis made by the CPU202, and is stored in the storage unit205.

In step S1104, the image processing unit209performs raster image processing (RIP) on the intermediate data and stores the intermediate data in the storage unit205. The RIP refers to processing for generating image data in the raster format based on image data, such as a vector image.

Next, the contents of print processing will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated inFIG.12. When the print processing is started, in step S1201, the CPU202resets a parameter P representing a page in process (current sheet). The parameter P is an integer value that satisfies P≥1. In step S1202, the CPU202determines whether the parameter P exceeds a variable Pmax representing a total number of pages (the number of sheets designated in the print job). As long as P≤max is satisfied, the CPU202repeatedly executes the subsequent processing (steps S1203to S1208). It is assumed that the variable Pmax is extracted through analysis of PDL data and is stored in the storage unit205.

In step S1203, the CPU202first obtains information about the sheet feed source setting (see step S804inFIG.8) by referring to the storage unit205, and performs sheet feed determination processing of determining whether sheets can be fed from the designated sheet feed source. The contents of the sheet feed determination processing will be described in detail below. When it is determined that sheets can be fed from the designated sheet feed source by the sheet feed determination processing, in step S1204, the sheets are fed one by one. In step S1205, the CPU202reads out image data on the sheets in process from the storage unit205. In step S1206, the image data is converted into video data and the video data is transferred to the printer engine110. In step S1207, the printer engine110executes print processing (image forming step) on the sheets based on the video data. In step S1208, the CPU202increments the parameter P.

If the image forming processing on the sheets corresponding to the total number of pages (Pmax) is completed (NO in step S1202), the print processing is completed.

Next, the sheet feed determination processing (step S1203) will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated inFIG.13. In the sheet feed determination processing, in step S1301, the CPU202first obtains print job setting information stored in the storage unit205in step S1102. The print job setting information includes a sheet size, a sheet type, sheet feed source setting information, and setting information indicating whether to use the reserved sheet feed source. Next, in step S1302, the CPU202obtains sheet feed source information stored in the storage unit205. The sheet feed source information is setting information about each sheet feed source indicated in Table 2 described above. In step S1303, the obtained sheet feed source information is copied to create a sheet feed source candidate list, which is used to determine a sheet feed source to be a sheet feed source candidate in the subsequent processing.

Next, in step S1304, the CPU202changes the subsequent operation depending on the settings for use of the reserved sheet feed source for the print job obtained in step S1301. If “use the reserved sheet feed source” is set in the job (YES in step S1304), the processing proceeds to step S1305. In step S1305, the order of the sheet feed sources is rearranged in such a manner that the “reserved” sheet feed source is placed at the top of the sheet feed source candidate list created in step S1303. Thus, the reserved sheet feed source can be preferentially selected in suitable sheet feed source selection processing (step S1308) to be described below.

On the other hand, if “use the reserved sheet feed source” is not set in the job (NO in step S1304), the processing proceeds to step S1306. In step S1306, the “reserved” sheet feed source in the reserved state (1805) is deleted from the sheet feed sources in the sheet feed source candidate list. For example, if “use the reserved sheet feed source” is not set in the print job as indicated by the sheet feed source reservation status in Table 2, the sheet feed cassette102is deleted from the sheet feed source candidate list. In the processing of step S1308, the sheet feed sources that are not in the “reserved” state may be excluded from candidates, instead of rearranging the sheet feed sources in order of priority.

On the other hand, if “use the reserved sheet feed source” is set in the print job, there is no sheet feed source to be deleted from the sheet feed source candidate list. This configuration allows sheet feeding from the sheet feed source in the reserved state (1805) to be performed only in the print job in which “use the reserved sheet feed source” is set.

Next, in step S1307, the CPU202refers to the sheet source setting information from the print job setting information obtained in step S1301and deletes the sheet feed sources other than the designated sheet feed source from the sheet feed source candidate list. The sheet feed source setting information is information designated on the sheet feed source setting field905. If a specific sheet feed source is designated on the sheet feed source setting field905, the sheet feed sources other than the designated sheet feed source are deleted from the sheet feed source candidate list, and if automatic selection is set, no sheet feed sources are deleted from the sheet feed source candidate list.

Next, in step S1308, the CPU202selects a suitable sheet feed source from the remaining sheet feed sources in the sheet feed source candidate list. Specifically, sheet feed sources on which sheets whose sheet size and sheet type are suitable for printing and are described in the print job setting information are held are searched for in order from the top sheet feed source in the sheet feed source candidate list. In step S1309, the subsequent processing is changed depending on the sheet feed source search result. If the suitable sheet feed source is found (YES in step S1309), the processing proceeds to step S1310. In step S1310, a notification indicating the found sheet feed source is transmitted to the subsequent step, and then the sheet feed determination processing is completed. The sheet feed source with the highest priority among the found sheet feed sources is set as the sheet feed source to be used for the print job.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the suitable sheet feed source is not found (NO in step S1309), the processing proceeds to step S1311. In step S1311, the CPU202displays an out-of-paper error screen1401illustrated inFIG.14on the operation display unit210of the image forming apparatus100. On the out-of-paper error screen1401, sheet information (size and type) used to continue the print job and a message1409indicating the sheet feed source on which the sheets can be placed are displayed. The sheet feed source candidate list obtained after the processing of step S1307is searched for the sheet feed source on which the sheets can be placed.

The same error screen may be displayed in step S1309any time when there is no suitable sheet feed source, or the error screen may be changed depending on conditions. For example, if the sheet feed source designated in the print job is a reserved sheet feed source with “use the reserved sheet feed source” not set in the print job, information indicating that the sheet feed source designated in the print job is reserved may be displayed. In this case, the message1409or the like may also be displayed. Further, if no sheet feed source is designated in the print job and all the sheet feed sources identified based on the sheet size designated in the print job are reserved sheet feed sources with “use the reserved sheet feed source” not set in the print job, another screen may be displayed. Specifically, the screen may include a message indicating that all the sheet feed sources for which the designated sheet size is stored are reserved. Also, in this case, the message1409or the like may also be displayed. Further, if the sheet feed source designated in the print job is a reserved sheet feed source and no sheets are placed on the sheet feed source with “use the reserved sheet feed source” set in the print job, the out-of-paper error screen1401illustrated inFIG.14may be displayed.

When the out-of-paper error screen1401illustrated inFIG.14is displayed, the user can perform one of the following operations:placing sheets of the sheet type (B4-size thick paper1inFIG.14) described in the message1409on the sheet feed source (cassette3inFIG.14) described in the message1409to clear the out-of-paper error;pressing one of sheet feed source selection buttons1402to1406to forcibly continue the processing using sheets and a sheet feed source that are different from the sheets and the sheet feed source designated in the message1409; andpressing a cancel button1407to cancel the print job.

The CPU202waits for the user to perform one of the above-described operations. If some change in the state of each sheet feed source is detected (YES in step S1312), the user may have placed sheets, and the processing returns to step S1302. In step S1302, the suitable sheet feed source search processing is performed again. The change in the state of each sheet feed source is, for example, a change in the sheet size of sheets placed on a specific sheet feed source, or a change in the size or type of sheets set for each sheet feed source.

If a user instruction is received from the operation display unit210(YES in step S1313), the processing proceeds to step S1314. In step S1314, processing to be subsequently performed is changed depending on the contents of the instruction. If one of the buttons1402to1406is selected, a notification indicating the selected sheet feed source is transmitted to the subsequent step (step S1310), and then the sheet feed determination processing is completed. On the other hand, if pressing of the cancel button1407is detected, the print processing itself is completed.

If it is determined that there is no suitable sheet feed source in step S1309(NO in step S1309), the execution of the print job may be cancelled. This makes it possible to prevent execution of the print job in which “use the reserved sheet feed source” is not designated and the sheet feed unit for which the reserved sheet feed source is designated is used.

When the print job in which “use the reserved sheet feed source” is not designated is executed through the processing illustrated inFIG.13described above, the reserved sheet feed source can be prevented from being automatically selected. Further, when the print job in which “use the reserved sheet feed source” is not designated is executed, an error notification can be displayed with the sheet feed source set in the print job as the reserved sheet feed source, making it possible to prevent the user from using the reserved sheet feed source by mistake. In other words, sheets to be used for a specific purpose is prevented from being used for another purpose. Further, since the sheet feed source reservation processing is performed independently of the print job execution processing, the reservation setting for each sheet feed source is not automatically cancelled even after the execution of the print job is completed, so that the served state of the sheet feed source can be maintained for a long period of time.

The screen control processing illustrated inFIG.16and the like makes it possible to prevent all the sheet feed sources from being reserved at once in the sheet feed source reservation processing.

A second embodiment will be described. While the first embodiment described above illustrates a method for preventing all the sheet feed sources from being reserved at once, in the second embodiment, a method will be described for setting a limitation on the reservation operation by setting an upper limit number of sheet feed sources that can be put into the reserved state in advance and performing the reservation operation based on the upper limit number.

A setting screen1901illustrated inFIG.19is a screen displayed on the operation display unit210when the CPU202detects pressing of the settings button506on the home screen501illustrated inFIG.5described above. The setting screen1901differs from the settings screen601described above in that a button1904for making advanced settings for setting a limitation on the sheet feed source reservation processing is arranged. The sheet feeding location reservation management button1904can be used only by an administrator of the image forming apparatus100. Upon detecting pressing of the sheet feeding location reservation management button1904, the CPU202causes the operation display unit210to display a screen2001for setting an upper limit number of sheet feed sources that can be put into the reserved state at once. An upper limit number is set from a pull-down menu2002on the screen2001.FIG.20illustrates an example where two sheet feed sources are set as the upper limit number. Processing for setting a limitation on the sheet feed source reservation operation in this setting example will be described with reference toFIG.21. In the example illustrated inFIG.16described above, the CPU202performs screen control processing to prevent the reservation operation for all the sheet feed sources from being determined by displaying the button1605in a hatch pattern when all the sheet feed sources are put into the reserved state at once. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, if the number of reserved sheet feed sources exceeds the upper limit number set on the pull-down menu2002, the CPU202performs screen control processing by displaying a button2106in a hatch pattern. On a screen2101illustrated inFIG.21, buttons2102,2103, and2104corresponding to the sheet feed cassettes102,103, and104, respectively, are selected to put the respective sheet feed cassettes into the reserved state. In this case, the number of sheet feed cassettes put into the reserved state exceeds the upper limit number. For this reason, the button2106for determining the reservation operation is displayed in a hatch pattern to prevent the button2106from being selected. This makes it possible to set a limitation on the sheet feed source reservation operation using the number of sheet feed sources set by the administrator of the image forming apparatus100as the upper limit number. Consequently, the sheet feed source for printing office documents can be secured.

The method for setting a limitation on the reservation operation as illustrated inFIGS.17and18according to the first embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment.

A third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, a method will be described for setting sheet feed sources that can be reserved in advance and setting a limitation on the sheet feed source reservation operation based on the setting, with reference toFIGS.22and23.

A sheet feeding location reservation management screen2201illustrated inFIG.22is a screen displayed on the operation display unit210when the CPU202detects pressing of the sheet feeding location reservation management button1904described above. On the sheet feeding location reservation management screen2201, setting buttons for allowing the reservation settings for the sheet feed cassettes102to105and the manual feed tray106, respectively, are arranged. For example, a setting button2202is a button to be set for allowing the reservation setting for the sheet feed cassette102. The administrator of the image forming apparatus100makes a setting as to whether to allow the reservation setting for the corresponding sheet feed source by selecting the setting button corresponding to the sheet feed source.

The management screen2201illustrates a state where the reservation settings for the sheet feed cassette102and the sheet feed cassette103are allowed. Processing for setting a limitation on the sheet feed source reservation operation in this setting example will be described with reference toFIG.23. In the example illustrated inFIG.16described above, the reservation ON/OFF setting buttons corresponding to all the sheet feed sources, respectively, are arranged, while in the example illustrated inFIG.23, the CPU202performs screen control processing in such a manner that only the setting buttons corresponding to the sheet feed cassettes102and103, respectively, for which the reservation setting is allowed are displayed on the management screen2201. This makes it possible to set a limitation on the reservation operation in such a manner that the reservation setting can be made for only the sheet feed sources that are allowed to be reserved by the administrator of the image forming apparatus100. Consequently, the sheet feed source for printing office documents can be secured. The ON/OFF button corresponding to each sheet feed source that is not allowed to be reserved may be displayed in a hatch pattern. Even when the button is selected, the setting corresponding to the button is not reflected.

The above-described configuration makes it possible to set a limitation on the reservation setting for each sheet feed source, preventing the user from making a reservation for an unfavorable sheet feed source in advance.

A fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, reservation control processing for allowing reservation settings for sheet feed sources other than a sheet feed source for use in printing office documents on condition that sheets for use in printing office documents are placed on the sheet feed source will be described with reference toFIGS.24to26.

A management screen2401illustrated inFIG.24is a screen displayed on the operation display unit210when the CPU202detects pressing of the sheet feeding location reservation management button1904described above. On the sheet feeding location reservation management screen2401, entry fields2402and2403for setting a sheet size and a sheet type, respectively, of sheets for use in printing office documents are arranged. The entry field2402is an entry field for setting a sheet size. Any one of sheet sizes in a size list (not illustrated) can be set in the entry field2404. The entry field2403is an entry field for setting a sheet type. One of sheet types in a sheet type list (not illustrated) can be set in the entry field2404. The administrator of the image forming apparatus100uses these two entry fields2402and2403to make sheet settings. On the management screen2401, A4-size plain paper1is set. Processing for setting a limitation on the sheet feed source reservation operation in this setting example will be described with reference toFIGS.25and26.

FIG.25illustrates an example where A4-size plain paper1that matches the size and type of sheets for use in printing office documents set on the sheet feeding location reservation management screen2401as described above is placed on the sheet feed cassette103as indicated by an area2502. The management screen2401indicates a state where a button2503for making a reservation for the sheet feed cassette102is pressed. However, the sheet feed cassette103is not in the reserved state, and thus a button2508for determining the reservation operation can be pressed.

On the other hand,FIG.26illustrates a state where the reservation setting is made for the sheet feed cassette102and for the sheet feed cassette103. In this case, the CPU202performs screen control processing to prevent a button2608for determining the reservation operation from being pressed. Thus, if at least one of the sheet feed sources on which sheets set on the sheet feeding location reservation management screen2401are placed is not in the not reserved state, the button for determining the reservation operation can be prevented from being pressed.

Consequently, at least one sheet feed source for printing office documents can be secured.

A fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, reservation control processing for a configuration example of the image forming apparatus100including only one sheet feed source will be described with reference toFIG.27.

In the example illustrated inFIG.16described above, if all the sheet feed sources are put into the reserved state at once, the CPU202performs screen control processing by displaying the OK button1605in a hatch pattern to prevent the reservation operation from being determined. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus100includes only one sheet feed source as illustrated inFIG.27, the CPU202exceptionally performs screen control processing in such a manner that a button2705for determining the reservation operation can be selected, without masking the button2705, even when the button2702for making a reservation for the sheet feed source is pressed, and the CPU202changes the setting. In this case, the sheet feed source for printing office documents cannot be secured. However, if the image forming apparatus100includes only one sheet feed source, the original purpose of preventing special print sheets for in-office printing from being used by mistake can be prioritized.

Other Embodiments

While the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is defined by the scope of the following claims.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-025859, filed Feb. 22, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.