Printing system for printing images on sheets in accordance with electrical image signals and control means adapted for use in such a printing system

Abstract: A printing system comprising at least one printer for printing images on sheets in accordance with electrical image signals to be fed to the printer, control means for feeding electrical image signals to the at least one printer and inputting means for receiving and feeding electrical image signals to the control means. The control means comprise operating means for inputting print orders relating to the electrical image signals to be fed to the at least one printer and display means adapted to display operating information. Means are also provided for generating order processing time signals relating to the estimated processing time for printing print orders by the at least one printer. The display means are also adapted to display a circle segment having an aperture angle whose value is determined by the order processing time signals. In a further embodiment an angular position of the circle segment is adjustable and its value is determined by a time signal corresponding to the actual time.

Description: The invention relates to a printing system comprising at least one printer for printing images on sheets in accordance with electrical image signals to be fed to the printer, control means for feeding the electrical image signals to the at least one printer, input means for receiving and feeding electrical image signals to the control means, the latter comprising operating means for inputting print orders relating to electrical image signals to be fed to the at least one printer and display means adapted to displaying operating information, wherein means are provided for generating order processing time signals relating to the estimated processing time for the printing of print orders by the at least one printer and wherein the control means generate a time signal corresponding to the actual time. US Patent 4 511 243 describes an automatic electro-photographic reproduction apparatus with a display which continuously shows in digital form both the actual estimated time still required for the print order in progress and the estimated end time at which the print order in progress will be ready. However, there is no display of a waiting time until, or of a time at which, it will be the tum of a print order for processing. US Patent 4 816 864 describes a programmable copying device provided with a plurality of collecting trays for documents for copying, wherein a document can comprise one or more sheets. Copying can be pre-programmed and then be carried out automatically for the various documents. The processing time for each document is calculated, after which all the calculated processing times are totalled and added to the current time. A display digitally shows the thus predicted time at which all the documents will have been processed. There is no display of any calculated time for processing a specifically offered document or a plurality of documents. US Patent 5 036 361 describes a reproduction apparatus wherein there is displayed for an order in progress not only continuously the time remaining for the processing of a print order in digital form, but also in an analogue form, by means of a graphic bar, the length of which corresponds to the percentage of the print order that has already been processed. In this case there is no graphic display of the expected duration or the end time. Moreover, the display relates only to one order. European Patent Application EP 0 468 762 describes a system for printing documents wherein the system is provided with a printer and a controller. The controller is adapted to receive print orders from a plurality of input stations. The print orders may have different priorities and be provided with a specified required end time by which they must be printed. On the basis of the specified priority and any specified required end time the controller determines the sequence in which the print orders are sent to the printer. In this case a display at the controller indicates digitally the calculated processing time for each print order and the specified or calculated end time of each print order. The user who has sent a print order also receives information concerning the end time of dealing with his print order. In this case the information is also displayed digitally. Also, the user has no opportunity of moving to a different printer. The printing system according to the invention as defined by claim 1 obviates the above disadvantages and to this end is characterised in that the display means are adapted to display a segment of a circle with an aperture angle the value of which is determined by the order processing time signals and with an angular position that is adjustable and the value of which is determined by the time signal. A graphic representation of this kind for the order processing time signals makes it much easier for a user to rapidly gain an idea of the values thereof. Not only does the size of the displayed area of the circle segment give a rapid visual impression of a period of time, but the shape also intuitively links up with an analogue clock and hence the interpretation is also obvious. This is in contrast, for example, with a bar diagram. The user now has no need to read text or numbers and even at a considerable distance can gain an idea of the values of the order processing time signals. Above that, in addition to a graphic indication of the duration of the order processing times there is also a graphic indication of times at which these orders will be ready. Another embodiment is characterised in that the display means are adapted to display hour and minute hands, the point of intersection of the longitudinal axes of which coincides with a point of intersection of the extensions of the straight sides of the circle segment and wherein the position of the hands is determined by the time signal. In this case there is an integration of an analogue clock indication with the means for displaying the order processing times. The user can now literally at a glance see all the required duration and time information of the print orders coupled with the actual time. Another embodiment is characterised in that the circle segment is divided up into a first and a second partial circle segment wherein the central aperture angle of the first partial circle segment is determined by the total estimated order processing time of print orders already introduced previously and still in progress and the aperture angle of the second partial circle segment is determined by the estimated order processing time of the last print order introduced. In this case the user can gain an idea of the size of his own print order in relation to the value of the total waiting time of the print orders already introduced beforehand. Another development of this embodiment is characterised in that the circle segment is divided into different partial circle segments each corresponding to a print order, wherein the value of a central aperture angle of a partial circle segment is determined by the order processing time of a print order corresponding to the partial circle segment. In this case the user is displayed not only the total waiting time but also the number and the individual waiting times of the separate print orders. A system operator will find an embodiment advantageous which is characterised in that the partial circle segments are arranged in sequence of the processing order of the corresponding print orders, the operating means are adapted to select a partial circle segment and shift the selected partial circle segment in the arrangement of partial circle segments wherein the processing sequence of the corresponding print orders is adapted to the new arrangement of the partial circle segments. By combining a graphic display of a queue of orders with a graphic manipulation of the sequence of orders in said queue, it is possible immediately to show the effect of such manipulation. In an embodiment in which the operating means are adapted to select a printer from a number of possible printers, a further advantageous development is characterised in that means are provided for determining the expected order processing times of the selected printer and generating selected order processing time signals corresponding to these order processing times and the display means are adapted to display the circle segment on the basis of these selected order processing time signals. In this way a user can, by reference to a waiting time graphically displayed for each selected printer, select a printer which can deal most rapidly with his print order. A variation of the above embodiment is characterised in that means are provided for determining the estimated order processing times of different printers and generating order processing time signals corresponding to these order processing times and the display means are adapted to simultaneously display the circle segment for each of the different printers. The user now sees at a glance the situation for various printers as regards waiting time and can select one of these printers on that basis. A further development hereof is characterised in that the control means are adapted to arrange the different printers in consecutive value of the estimated order processing time signals of the different printers, the display means are adapted to display each circle segment in the arrangement of the corresponding printers as determined by the control means. Since the printer having the shortest waiting time now corresponds to a first circle segment of a number of circle segments arranged in series, the user is already given a suggestion as to which printer he can best select. The printing system according to the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing one possible configuration of a printing system. Fig. 2 shows remote control means for a printing system. Fig. 3 shows local control means for a printing system. Fig. 4 shows in greater detail a first embodiment of display means of control means in accordance with the invention for a printing system and Figs. 5 to 8 show further details of the display means in accordance with subsequent constructions of the control means in accordance with the invention. Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a printing system consisting of a number of separate units interconnected by means of a network bus 101. The latter is suitable for conveying both electrical image signals and control signals between the units connected to the network bus 101. The units connected to the network bus 101 are a scanner 102, a first printer 103, a second printer 104, a first workstation 105, a second workstation 106, a system controller 107 and a combined scanner and printer combination 108. The scanner 102 is suitable for producing electrical image signals by scanning original sheets photoelectrically, for example by means of CCDs. The printers 103 and 104 are suitable for printing images on sheets from corresponding electrical image signals fed thereto. The printers 103 and 104 may, for example, be of the electrophotographic type with laser or LED exposure or of the inkjet type. The workstations 105 and 106 generate electrical image signals which can be produced other than by scanning. This may be image information stored in a digital storage medium, a word processor, or a CAD/CAM design station and the like. The users of a workstation usually do not have complete control over the printing system, but can file requests for printing electrical image signals supplied by them. A system controller 107, on the other hand, can offer a system operator the opportunity of controlling the entire printing system. The scanner and printer combination 108 also includes a scanner 109, a printer 110 and control means 111. These can both scan and print independently of the printing system, under the control of the control means 111, and also be controlled remotely by the workstations 105 and 106 or the system controller 107 and be provided with electrical image signals. Fig. 2 illustrates one possible embodiment of the workstations 105 and 106 and the system controller 107. The control means 202 connected to the network bus 101 are provided with display means in the form of a VDU 201 and operating means in the form of a keyboard 203. Fig. 3 illustrates one possible embodiment of the scanner and printer combination 108. It comprises a scanner 301, a printer 302, a sheet reservoir 303, a sheet delivery module 304, control modules 305 and display means 306. The latter comprise a display with keys (not shown in detail) for inputting operating orders. Fig. 4 shows in greater detail the display of the display means 201 and 306 of a control system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. If the display is in the form of a CRT or LCD screen, the information displayed thereon can be selected freely. In practice, the display shown in Fig. 4 will be a specific screen from a number of possible display screens. The display shown will be obtained for selecting a printer for printing a print order. The user or operator can enter what options he wishes to select from a selected printer. For this purpose the display shows an entry area 401 for the supply of plain paper or special sheets, an entry area 402 for selecting the paper format, an entry area 403 for finishing, an entry area 404 for the quantity of sheets for printing, a print start area 405 and a cancel area 406. The options displayed in these areas can be selected in various ways. For example, it is possible to use a mouse-controlled cursor, keys disposed next to the screen or, in the case of a touch screen, by touching the areas themselves. The printer option area 407 gives a list of selectable printers of the printing system. According to the invention, a graphic display is also shown, in the form of a coloured or shaded segment 408 of a circle, for the estimated waiting time before the printer selected in the printer option area 407 is available for the print order for execution. The waiting time is caused by previous print orders which may have been given by other users. An estimate of the expected total processing time can be given from this list by a suitable algorithm, e.g. based on the number of sheets for printing and the printer printing speed. The size of the central aperture angle a of the circle segment 408 is defined by the estimated waiting time in minutes divided by 60. In this case the maximum waiting time to be displayed is therefore 60 minutes. A first straight side 409 of the circle segment 408 coincides with a minute hand of an analogue clock, which is also displayed, with a dial 410 and a short hour hand 411. In these conditions the analogue clock indicates the actual time. The side 409 of the circle segment moves with the minute hand. The other straight side 412 of the circle segment 408, on the other hand, is positioned in a fixed position at the expected starting time when the print order can be started. Finally, the time corresponding to the circle segment 408 is also continuously displayed digitally in a display field 413 intended for the purpose. If a different printer is selected from the printer selection list 407, the value of the central aperture angle a of the circle segment 408 is automatically adapted to the waiting time for the printer then selected. The estimated waiting time can in fact vary with each printer, not only due to the supply to a specific printer but also the productivity of a printer. In the event of the expected waiting time being longer than 60 minutes, this can be displayed by the display field 413, either as the total number of minutes or as the number of complete hours. Alternatively, according to an embodiment shown in Fig. 5, it can be indicated by a circle segment 501, the first side 502 of which coincides with an hour hand of an analogue clock. The other straight side 503 is in this case positioned on the expected time in hours when the print order is due to start. In this case the maximum waiting time to be displayed is extended to twelve hours. The central aperture angle a of the circle segment 501 is in this case proportional to the waiting time in hours divided by 12. A combined embodiment is obtained by selecting the display shown in Fig. 4 in the case of a waiting time of less than 1 hour, and the display shown in Fig. 5 in the case of a waiting time in excess of 1 hour. Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment in which a first circle segment 601 displays the number of minutes remaining after deduction from the number of complete hours and a second circle segment 602 shows the number of complete hours modulo 12. As long as the waiting time is, for example, more than 2 hours, the circle segment 602 has a fixed aperture angle b of 2/12*360°. If the waiting time is less than 2 hours but more than 1 hour, the circle segment 602 has a fixed aperture angle b of 1/12*360°. The aperture angle a of the circle segment 601 is continuously defined by the number of minutes remaining after deduction from the number of complete hours of the waiting time. Fig. 7 shows a fourth embodiment with a first circle segment 701 and a second circle segment 702 which differ in colour or shading. The first circle segment 701 continuously indicates the waiting time in minutes before it is the turn of a print order newly introduced by the user. The second circle segment 702 indicates the processing time in minutes of an order newly introduced by the user. In this way a user can also obtain an idea of the expected processing time for his own print order. It should also be noted that one side of a circle segment need not necessarily be coupled to an hour or minute hand. In the case, for example, of pre-programmed print jobs in which a future period of time is reserved for a print job, this period is displayed by a circle segment detached from the minute or hour hand. Depending on the length of the expected processing times, it may be advantageous to adopt a 12-hour scale instead of a 24-hour scale, and vice versa. Fig. 8 shows a fifth embodiment in which each print order is allocated its own circle segment 801 - 806, the central aperture angle of which corresponds to the expected processing time of the corresponding print order. A user or system operator can then have an idea of the queue build-up of print orders. Another advantageous embodiment is obtained if an identification code identifying a print order is displayed at each circle segment 801 - 806 and the user or system operator can select a specific circle segment 801 - 806 and move it in the series of segments 801 - 806 so that the processing sequence of the print orders is adjusted accordingly. A further advantageous embodiment is obtained by displaying the processing sequences of print orders for more than one printer simultaneously. For instance, the display as shown in Fig. 4 will depict, next to each other, three dials 410 each corresponding to one of the three available printers. With displaying in each dial 410 the processing sequence of print orders such as illustrated in Fig. 8, it is further advantageous to be able to move a print order from one printer to another printer by simply selecting and dragging the corresponding circle segment from one dial to the other dial. The corresponding processing times are subsequently adapted to the new processing sequences. Fig. 9 shows a sixth embodiment with alternative circle segments 901 and 902 which do not cover the entire circle area 903. The circle segment 901, which continuously displays the number of minutes after deduction from the number of complete hours of the waiting time, is in this case limited to a strip along the edge of the circle area 903. It should be noted that in an extreme case the circle segment 901 is formed by just a part of the edge itself. The circle segment 902 indicating the whole number of hours of the waiting time is limited to an innermost part of the circle area 903. Other embodiments (not shown in detail) can be obtained by combinations of one or more of the embodiments described. Also, a simple embodiment can be obtained without an explicit hour and minute hand. For example, a seventh embodiment (not shown in detail in a drawing) is obtained wherein the above-mentioned circle segments of different printers are displayed simultaneously and next to one another in accordance with the order processing times expected per printer. This applies to all the above embodiments for the display of circle segments. An eighth embodiment, which is also not shown in the drawing, is obtained wherein the corresponding circle segments of different printers are displayed in sequence in accordance with the estimated order processing times for each printer. This display is effected in accordance with an arrangement based on the consecutive length of these order processing times. Finally it should be noted that the control means, instead of being specially designed, can also be constructed from general computers such as personal computers or generally available workstations which can function in the manner according to the invention simply by means of a specific control program.

Claims: A printing system comprising at least one printer (103, 104, 110) for printing images on sheets in accordance with electrical image signals to be fed to the printer, control means (107, 111, 202, 305) for feeding the electrical image signals to the at least one printer, input means for receiving and feeding electrical image signals to the control means, the latter comprising operating means (203, 306) for inputting print orders relating to electrical image signals to be fed to the at least one printer and display means (201, 306) adapted to displaying operating information, wherein means are provided for generating order processing time signals relating to the estimated processing start time for the printing of print orders by the at least one printer, and wherein the control means generate a time signal corresponding to the actual time characterised in that the display means are adapted to display a segment of a circle (408) with an aperture angle (α) the value of which is determined by the order processing time signal of a particular print order, and with an angular position (409) of the circle segment that is linked to one of the hands of a display of an analogue clock in said circle displaying the actual time. A printing system according to claim 1, characterised in that the display means are adapted to display hour (411) and minute hands, the point of intersection of the longitudinal axes of which coincides with a point of intersection of the extensions of the straight sides (409, 411) of the circle segment and wherein the position of the hands is determined by the time signal. A printing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circle segment is divided up into a first (701) and a second (702) partial circle segment wherein the aperture angle of the first partial circle segment is determined by the total estimated order processing time of print orders already introduced previously and still in progress and the aperture angle of the second partial circle segment is determined by the estimated order processing time of the last print order introduced. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the circle segment is divided into different partial circle segments (801-806) each corresponding to a print order, wherein the value of an aperture angle of a partial circle segment is determined by the order processing time of a print order corresponding to the partial circle segment. A printing system according to claim 4, characterised in that the partial circle segments (801-806) are arranged in sequence of processing the corresponding print orders, the operating means are adapted to select a partial circle segment and shift the selected partial circle segment in the arrangement of partial circle segments wherein the processing sequence of the corresponding print orders is adapted to the new arrangement of the partial circle segments. A printing system according to claim 5, characterised in that the operating means are adapted to select a number of possible printers (407), the display means are adapted to display, for each selected printer, the partial circle segments corresponding to the processing sequence of each printer, simultaneously and next to each other, the operating means are adapted to select a partial circle segment of a printer and move the selected partial circle segment to the arrangement of the partial circle segments of one of the other printers, and the processing sequence of the corresponding print orders is adapted to the new arrangement of the partial circle segments. A printing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating means are adapted to select a printer from a number of possible printers (407), characterised in that means are provided for determining the estimated order processing times of the selected printer and generating selected order processing time signals corresponding to these order processing times and the display means are adapted to display the circle segment on the basis of the selected order processing time signals. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that means are provided for determining the estimated order processing times of different printers and generating order processing time signals corresponding to these order processing times and the display means are adapted to simultaneously display the circle segment for each of the different printers. A printing system according to claim 8, characterised in that the control means are adapted to arrange the different printers in consecutive length of the estimated order processing time signals of the different printers, the display means are adapted to display each circle segment in the arrangement of the corresponding printers as determined by the control means. Control means suitable for use in a printing system according to any one of the preceding claims.

Inventors: STREEFKERK ABRAHAM JOHANNES, VAN DEN TILLAART ROBERTUS CORN, VERHAEGH ANDRE MATHIJS MARIE, STREEFKERK, ABRAHAM JOHANNES, VAN DEN TILLAART, ROBERTUS CORNELIS W. TH. M., VERHAEGH, ANDRE MATHIJS MARIE, Verhaegh, André Mathijs Marie
Applicants: OCE TECH BV, OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G06F3, G03G21, B41J29