Image processing apparatus that can execute interruption job efficiently

• US 5,740,497 A
• Filed: 12/12/1996
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Morikawa, Takeshi, Yamada, Tatsutoshi, Atsumi, Tomoyuki, Tanaka, Hiroharu, Nakamura, Hidenobu
• Primary Examiner(s): Moses, R. L.
• Application Number:
  US08/766,183
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 399/87, 399/144, 399/85, 399/9, 399/130, 399/38, 399/364, 358/296, 358/437
• US Class Current: 399/87
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/5012 Priority interrupt; Job recovery, e.g. after jamming or malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00915 Assigning priority to, or interrupting, a particular operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

In an image processing apparatus, determination is made whether an interruptive print wait state is attained during interruptive printing. When determination is made that the apparatus is in an interruptive print wait state, an interruption recover process is effected. Then, the apparatus returns to the normal mode prior to interruption. Thus, an image processing apparatus is provided that can have the waiting time caused by an interruption in the normal job reduced.

Claims

1. A copying apparatus that interrupts a first job during printing of the first job to allow printing by another interruption job, said copying apparatus comprising:

an input unit for optically reading out an original image and converting the same into image data of electrical signals,

a memory for storing said image data read out by said input unit,

a print unit for printing on a sheet according to the image data stored in said memory,

a detection unit for detecting a print wait state of said print unit when said interruption job is in progress,

a first control unit for restarting printing of the interrupted said first job when a print wait state is detected by said detection unit, and

a second control unit for interrupting printing of said restarted first job to initiate printing of the interruption job when cancel of a print wait state of the interruption job is detected by said detection unit.

2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection unit detects whether an original read in time period is longer than a print out time period.

3. The copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detection unit provides detection according to whether a mode for printing a plurality of original images on one sheet is selected for said interruption job.

4. The copying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said detection unit detects a print wait state according to generation of an error in printing of the interruption job in said print unit.

5. The copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said error in said print unit includes a sheet empty error.

6. An image formation apparatus that allows an interrupt process of a second job during execution of a first job, said image formation apparatus comprising:

an input unit for taking in image data corresponding to each said job,

a transfer unit for transferring said image data taken in by said input unit onto a memory in advance for printing,

a print unit for printing the image data transferred onto the memory by said transfer unit on a sheet,

an identification unit for identifying, during a standby period of a print unit of one of said first job and said second job during execution thereof, whether execution of the other of said first job and said second job is executable, and

a control unit for providing control such that said other job is executed simultaneous to said one job when identification is made that execution is possible by said identification unit.

7. The image formation apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a finisher for post-processing a printed sheet, wherein said identification unit identifies whether execution of another job is executable when one job in progress is executing said post-process by said finisher.

8. The image formation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control unit executes a process excluding the process by said finisher in execution of another job.

9. The image formation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said input unit includes an image scanner for optically reading an original image and converting the same into electrical signals, wherein said identification unit for identifying whether said other job is executable depending on whether the mode for printing a plurality of original images on one sheet is selected for said one job.

10. An image formation apparatus having a reservation function that allows registration of a plurality of jobs for image formation according to a set of image data, and that initiates a print operation of a second job continuous to termination of a print operation of a first job, said image formation apparatus comprising:

an input unit for entering image data and an operation mode at each job, and

a print unit for printing input image data on a sheet,

a detection unit for detecting feeding interval of sheets fed to said print unit, and

determination unit for determining whether a print operation of at least one sheet of the second job is allowed during the feeding interval of the first job detected by said detection unit, and

a controller for forming an image of said second job during image formation of said first job when determination is made that printing is allowed by said determination unit.

11. The image formation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a sheet having an image formed in said first job and a sheet having an image formed in said second job are discharged in different forms when said first and second jobs are simultaneously executed in parallel.

12. The image formation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said print unit includes a circulation path for duplex side to form an image on both sides of said sheet, and wherein said detection unit detects a time period from termination of image formation of a first side up to initiation of image formation of a second side.

13. The image formation apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a memory for storing a plurality of input image data,

wherein said print unit forms an image on said sheets according to the image data stored in said memory.

14. A print method of a copying apparatus that interrupts a first job during printing of said first job to allow printing by another interruption job, comprising the steps of:

optically reading out an original image to convert the same into image data of electrical signals,

storing said read image data into a memory,

printing on a sheet according to the image data stored in said memory,

detecting a print wait state of said print step during when the interruption job is in progress,

restarting said interrupted first job when said print wait state is detected, and

interrupting printing of said restarted first job to initiate printing of the interruption job when detection is made of cancel of a print wait state of said interruption job.

15. The print method of a copying apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a finishing step for applying a post-process on a printed sheet, and including the step of identifying that another job can be executed when one job in progress carries out a post-process.

16. An image formation apparatus method of an image formation apparatus having a reservation function that allows registration of a plurality of jobs for image formation according to one set of image data, and that initiates a print operation of a second job continuous to termination of a print operation of a first job, said method comprising the steps of:

entering image data and an operation mode at each job,

printing the input image data on a sheet,

detecting feeding interval of sheets fed to said print unit,

determining whether a print operation of at least one sheet of the second job is allowed during said detected feeding interval of the first job, and

forming an image of said second job during image formation of said first job when said determination result indicates that printing is allowed.