JP2009140116A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for executing a print job accompanied by the amount of a print output which is equal to or larger than a preliminarily set prescribed amount in a time zone when an operation rate is low, that is, a time zone which complies with the intention of a user as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus is configured to derive the operation rate of each past time zone concerning the image forming apparatus, and to store the operation rate of each time zone as history information, and when the amount of the print output related with a requested print job is equal to or larger than the preliminarily set prescribed amount (S2: Yes side), and when the operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is equal to or higher than the preliminarily set prescribed amount (S3: Yes side), to notify(display) the fact that the operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is high (S4), and a part or the whole of the history information (S7). Also, the execution start time of the print job may be automatically set based on the history information under the same conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, or a combination of these, and more particularly to a technique for effectively using a time zone with a low operating rate when the image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users. It is.

In image forming devices such as printers, copiers, and multi-function printers that are placed in an environment shared by multiple users, one user can execute a print job while another user executes the print job. I can't let you.
For this reason, when a single user occupies the image forming apparatus for a long time, for example, when executing a print job with 100 or more printed output sheets, the operation rate of the image forming apparatus is low or the working hours are low. It is desirable to use a time zone such as nighttime after completion. However, in this case, the user needs to wait for the time period before requesting a print job.
On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which the execution start time of a print job can be designated in advance. According to this configuration, since the user can make a reservation so that the print job is executed during a time period when the operation rate is low, it is not necessary to wait until that time period.
JP 2004-9368 A

However, there are few cases where the user accurately recognizes the time zone in which the operation rate of the image forming apparatus is high and the time zone in which the image forming apparatus is operating. For this reason, the user has to consider only the time slots that are clearly considered to have a low operation rate, such as nighttime after lunch break or working hours, as candidates for reservation time. However, it is not the user's intention to execute a print job during these time periods, and there is a strong demand to execute the print job during working hours as much as possible.
On the other hand, as described above, it is not desirable to execute a print job that occupies the image forming apparatus for a long time in a time zone in which the operation rate is high because it restricts the use of other users.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to perform a print job with a print output amount equal to or greater than a predetermined amount set in advance in a time zone in which the operation rate is low, Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be conveniently executed in a time zone that does not deviate from the user's intention as much as possible.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention derives an operation rate for each past time zone related to the image forming apparatus, stores the operation rate for each time zone as history information, and performs a requested printing. Execution of the print job when the print output amount relating to the job is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount set in advance and the operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is equal to or greater than a predetermined value set in advance. The image forming apparatus is configured to notify that the operation rate corresponding to the start time is high and a part or all of the history information.
According to the present invention, when a user tries to execute a print job with a print output amount equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, if the operation rate corresponding to the execution start time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the fact is indicated. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to postpone the print job, and it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus from being occupied for a long time during a high operation rate. Further, since the history information is notified, the user can accurately know the distribution of the operation rate in the image forming apparatus by looking at the notified history information, and based on this, the execution of the print job can be performed. Start time can be determined.

In particular, in a configuration further comprising execution start time manual setting means for setting the execution start time of the print job in accordance with a user operation, the execution start time of the print job is set by looking at the history information. Therefore, the print job can be executed at that time without waiting until the time when the print job is desired to be executed.
The operating rate may be, for example, an average value of operating rates for the same time period in a predetermined past period. The operating rate for each time period of the image forming apparatus is determined by the image forming apparatus. It may be different for each day of the week depending on the situation of the workplace where it is established. Therefore, the operating rate may be an average value of operating rates for the same time period on the same day of the week in a predetermined period in the past.

By the way, when notifying the history information, instead of all the history information, one or a plurality of time zones in which the operation rate is less than the predetermined value, or one or more in order from the lowest operation rate. It is desirable to notify only a part of the history information such as a time zone. In this way, it is possible to make it easy to see the display by notifying only the time period when the operating rate is low, and to facilitate the selection of the time period by the user.
Further, in a configuration further comprising an allowable range setting means for setting an allowable range of execution start time of the print job according to a user operation, the history information is set by the allowable range setting means when the history information is notified. It is desirable to notify one or more time zones in which the operating rate is less than the predetermined value within the allowable range, or one or more time zones in order from the lowest operating rate. Thus, the user can easily select a time zone in which it is desirable to execute the print job within the preset allowable range.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is required to derive an operation rate for each past time zone related to the image forming apparatus and store the operation rate for each time zone as history information. The history information when the print output amount related to the print job is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount set in advance and the operating rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is greater than or equal to a predetermined value set in advance. It is also conceivable that the image forming apparatus is configured to automatically set the execution start time of the print job based on the above.
As a result, when the user tries to execute a print job with a print output amount equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, if the history of the operation rate at the execution start time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the It is possible to automatically set an appropriate time as the execution start time of the print job, thereby saving the user from setting the execution start time of the print job.
Specifically, in a configuration including an allowable range setting unit that sets an allowable range of execution start time of the print job in accordance with a user operation, the time zone within the allowable range set by the allowable range setting unit is the most. It is conceivable to automatically set the time period when the operation rate is low as the execution start time of the print job.
Note that, as described above, the operating rate is an average operating rate for the same time period in the past predetermined period, or an average operating ratio for the same time period on the same day of the week in the past predetermined period.

According to the present invention, it is convenient to execute a print job with a print output amount equal to or greater than a predetermined amount set in advance in a time zone in which the operation rate is low and as far as possible from a user's intention. Can be planned.
Specifically, when the user tries to execute a print job with a print output amount equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, if the operation rate corresponding to the execution start time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the user is notified of that fact. This notification can prompt the user to postpone the print job and prevent the image forming apparatus from being occupied for a long time during a high operation rate. Further, since the history information is notified, the user can accurately know the distribution of the operation rate in the image forming apparatus by looking at the notified history information, and based on this, the execution of the print job can be performed. Start time can be determined.
Further, the present invention may be configured to automatically set the execution start time of the print job based on the history information. For example, it is possible to automatically set, as the execution start time of the print job, the time zone with the lowest operating rate in the time zone within the allowable range set by the user. Thereby, the trouble of the setting operation by the user can be omitted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of history information of the image forming apparatus X, and FIG. 3 is the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the procedure of the execution timing setting process executed in X, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example for prompting the change of the execution start time of the print job.
First, the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus X is installed in an environment shared by a plurality of users. For example, the image forming apparatus X is a printer device, a copier, or a complex machine thereof. Further, the image forming apparatus X includes various components included in a general electrophotographic image forming apparatus in addition to the components described here.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus X includes an operation display unit 1 such as a liquid crystal display and a touch panel for displaying various information and inputting operations in the image forming apparatus X, a document table, and an ADF (automatic conveying apparatus). The image reading unit 2 that reads the image of the original set on the image reading unit, the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 2, and an information processing device (not shown) connected via a communication network such as a LAN. The image processing unit 3 performs various image processing on the image data of the original document, and includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, a developing device, an exposure device (LSU), and the like. An image forming unit 4 that forms a toner image (developer image) on a sheet based on the image data of the original document, and a fixing device 5 that melts and fixes the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 4 on the sheet. The control unit 6 that controls the image forming apparatus X in an integrated manner, a history information storage unit 7 that stores history information that will be described later, and a clock circuit 8 that has a clock function that counts the time. ing.

The control unit 6 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like as calculation means, and the CPU executes execution timing setting processing (to be described later) according to a predetermined control program stored in the ROM (see the flowchart of FIG. 3). The image forming apparatus X is controlled by executing various processes such as the above. The various processing functions executed by the control unit 6 may be realized by a hardware configuration such as an electric circuit.
Further, the control unit 6 has an execution reservation function for setting the execution start time of a print job in accordance with a user operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The operation for setting the execution start time by the user is performed on the operation display unit 1 and the information processing apparatus (not shown). Here, the control unit 6 when realizing the execution reservation function corresponds to execution start time manual setting means.
With the execution reservation function, the user can specify a desired execution start time for the image forming apparatus X to execute a print job, and it is necessary to wait until that time before making a print job request. Disappears.

Further, the control unit 6 has an operation rate deriving function for deriving an operation rate for each past time zone related to the image forming apparatus X. Here, the control unit 6 when realizing the operating rate deriving function corresponds to operating rate deriving means. The operating rate is the ratio of the operating time of the image forming apparatus X per unit time. The operating time is, for example, a time during which image processing by the image processing unit 3 or image forming processing by the image forming unit 4 is executed, and does not include standby time.
In the present embodiment, as the operating rate, an average value of the operating rates for the same time period in the past month (an example of a predetermined period) (hereinafter referred to as “operating rate average”) is used. Here, an example of a method for deriving the average operation rate by the operation rate deriving function of the control unit 6 will be described.

First, the control unit 6 refers to the time indicated by the clock circuit 8 and calculates the total time of the operating time for every hour elapsed, and the ratio of the total time to one hour is calculated for the operating time period. Calculate as a rate. For example, if the operating time between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock is 30 minutes, the operating rate in the 10 o'clock time zone is 50%. The operation rate calculation method described here is merely an example, and for example, the operation rate every 30 minutes may be calculated.
The control unit 6 stores the operation rate calculated here in the history information storage unit 7 so that only the last one month in the past remains. Note that data older than one month is deleted.

And the said control part 6 calculates the operation rate average for every time zone based on the operation rate for every same time zone memorize | stored in the said log | history information storage part 7. FIG. Of course, the calculation target of the average operation rate is not limited to the past one month, and may be a predetermined period longer than or less than that. Further, it is conceivable that the timing for calculating the average operating rate is every day or every several hours. Or when one hour passes and the operation rate of that time zone is calculated, it is also conceivable to calculate the average operation rate by time zone for the past month only for that time zone.
After that, the control unit 6 stores the derived average operation rate for each time zone in the history information storage unit 7 (an example of a history information storage unit) as history information. The history information storage unit 7 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like. In addition, since the average operating rate for each time zone of the image forming apparatus X may vary greatly depending on the day of the week depending on the installation location of the image forming apparatus X, the clock circuit 8 has a function of recognizing the day of the week. It is also conceivable to calculate the average operating rate for the same time zone on the same day of the week for the past month and store it as the history information.
As described above, the history information about the past operating rate average regarding the image forming apparatus X derived by the operating rate deriving function of the control unit 6 and stored in the history information storage unit 7 is executed as described later. It is used in the timing setting process (see the flowchart in FIG. 3).

FIG. 2 shows an example of the history information stored in the history information storage unit 7.
The history information shown in FIG. 2 indicates that the average operating rate of the image forming apparatus X is relatively high in time zones such as 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock, 13 o'clock, 14 o'clock, and 16 o'clock, and relatively high in other time zones. It is low. On the other hand, the average utilization rate is abruptly low during time periods such as lunch break (12:00) and night (after 18:00). It can also be seen that the average utilization rate is relatively low during the 15:00 hours, even during lunch breaks and at night.
In a time zone when the average operation rate is high, for example, if a print job with a large number of print outputs is executed, the waiting time of other users becomes longer, so it is desirable to prevent the execution of such a print job. .
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus X, the operation rate average corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is obtained in advance by executing an execution timing setting process (see the flowchart of FIG. 3) described later by the control unit 6. When the threshold value K is equal to or greater than the set threshold value K (see FIG. 2), it is convenient for the print job that the image forming apparatus X is occupied for a long time not to be executed. For example, the threshold value K is set to about 60%. The threshold value K is stored in an internal memory of the control unit 6 or the like.

Hereinafter, an example of an execution timing setting process executed by the control unit 6 in the image forming apparatus X will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, S1, S2,... In the figure represent processing procedure (step) numbers.
In the following description, it is assumed that the history information shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the history information storage unit 7.
First, the control unit 6 determines whether or not a print job request has been made to the image forming apparatus X (S1). Specifically, the control unit 6 outputs a copy output to the image forming apparatus X when image data is input from an information processing apparatus (not shown) or to the operation display unit 1 of the image forming apparatus X. When an execution request is made, it is determined that a print job request has been made.
If it is determined that a print job request has been made (Yes in S1), the process proceeds to step S2. Until the print job is requested (No side of S1), the process waits in step S1.

In step S2, the control unit 6 determines whether the print output amount related to the print job is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount set in advance. Here, the process of step S2 is a process for detecting whether or not the print job occupies the image forming apparatus X for a long time.
Specifically, the print output amount is the number of prints or the amount of print data. For example, it is determined whether or not the number of print output sheets (an example of a print output amount) of the print job is 100 sheets (an example of a predetermined amount) or more.
If it is determined that the print output amount related to the print job is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount (Yes in S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined in step S2 that the print output amount related to the print job is less than the predetermined amount (No in S2), the print job of another user is executed even if the print job is executed. Therefore, the execution timing setting process is terminated, and the image forming apparatus X executes the print job as usual. The print job executed by the image forming apparatus X is not different from the conventional print job, and the description thereof is omitted here.

In step S3, based on the history information stored in the history information storage unit 7 by the control unit 6, whether the average operation rate corresponding to the print job execution start time is equal to or greater than the threshold value K. Is judged.
Specifically, if the execution start time of the print job is not set, the execution of the print job is started immediately. Therefore, in step S3, the current time indicated by the clock circuit 8 is handled. It is determined whether or not the average operating rate is equal to or greater than the threshold value K. If the execution start time of the print job is set in advance by the execution reservation function of the control unit 6, whether or not the average operation rate corresponding to the execution start time is greater than or equal to the threshold value K. To be judged.
Here, when it is determined that the average operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is less than the threshold K (No in S3), the influence on other users by the execution of the print job Therefore, the execution timing setting process is terminated, and the image forming apparatus X executes the print job as usual.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the average operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is equal to or greater than the threshold value K (Yes in S3), the execution of the print job has an effect on other users. It is assumed that it is large. Therefore, the control unit 6 shifts the process to step S4 and displays a warning that the operation rate at the execution start time (here, the current time) is high, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the control unit 6 displays the warning content by outputting the warning content data to the operation display unit 1 or the information processing apparatus (not shown). The display content in step S4 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4A as long as it can notify the user that the operation rate at the execution start time of the print job is high.
As a result, the user who has requested the print job can be prompted to postpone the print job, for example, and the long-term occupation of the image forming apparatus X can be prevented in a situation where the operation rate is high.

However, even in a situation where the operation rate is high, there may be a case where it is urgently desired to execute the print job.
Therefore, the control unit 6 performs a display for confirming whether or not to continue the execution of the print job as shown in FIG. 4A in the step S4, and in the subsequent step S5, Waiting for the user to select whether or not to execute the print job.
Here, when it is selected that the execution of the print job is to be continued by an operation input to the operation display unit 1 or the information processing apparatus (not shown) by the user (Yes side of S5), the execution is performed. The timing setting process is terminated, and the print job is executed as usual.
On the other hand, when it is selected not to continue execution of the print job (No side of S5), the process proceeds to step S6. As another embodiment, it is possible to forcibly prohibit execution of the print job without allowing the user to select whether or not to continue execution of the print job. In that case, the process of step S5 is omitted.

In step S <b> 6, the control unit 6 extracts a time zone in which the average operation rate is less than the threshold value K based on the history information (see FIG. 2) stored in the history information storage unit 7. Here, 12:00, 15:00, and 17:00 to 8:00 are extracted as time zones in which the average operation rate is less than the threshold value K.
And the said control part 6 performs the process for displaying on the said operation display part 1 or the said information processing apparatus (not shown) the time slot | zone extracted by said step S6 as a part of the said log | history information ( S7). Thus, the user can accurately recognize the time period when the average operation rate is low by referring to the display.

Here, when all of the time zones in which the average operation rate is less than the threshold value K is displayed, the time zone in the middle of the night is always displayed, but the print job execution start time is usually in the middle of the night. Often deviate significantly from the user's intentions. For this reason, displaying the midnight time zone is often useless, making it difficult to see the display.
Therefore, for example, it is desirable to display only one or a plurality of time zones included in a preset time such as the working hours of the workplace where the image forming apparatus X is installed.
Specifically, FIG. 4B shows a display example when the user requests to start execution of a print job at 10:00 when 9 to 18:00 is set as a display target. In FIG. 4 (b), only the print job execution start time after 10:00 and the display target time zones of 12:00, 15:00, and 17:00 are displayed as recommended execution start times. Of course, other time zones may be displayed by user operation. In the display in step S7, the average operation rate in the time zone may be displayed together with the time zone.

In addition, various other embodiments can be considered as the display processing in step S7.
For example, the plurality of time zones extracted in step S6 may be displayed in order from the lowest operating rate average. Further, only one time zone having the lowest average operation rate may be extracted and displayed.
Further, the control unit 6 has a function for setting an allowable range of the execution start time of the print job in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 1 or the information processing apparatus (not shown). In such a case, a time zone within an allowable range set each time by the function may be displayed. In this case, the control unit 6 for realizing the function corresponds to an allowable range setting unit. For example, when the user requests a print job, if the allowable start range of the print job is set to 13:00 to 16:00, the average operation rate is less than the threshold value K within the allowable range. It is conceivable to display one or a plurality of time zones in order from a certain one or a plurality of time zones, or from the one with the lowest operating rate average within the allowable range.
In addition, it is possible to display not only a part of the history information (extracted time zone) but also the whole history information (see, for example, FIG. 2) as another embodiment. . In this case, the extraction process in step S6 may be omitted.

By the way, when the user knows the time zone in which it is desirable to execute the print job from the display in step S7, the user then performs an operation for setting the time zone as the execution start time of the print job. .
Therefore, in the execution timing control process, the process for setting the execution start time of the print job is executed in a state where the display in step S7 is performed.
Specifically, when the recommended execution start time of 12:00, 15:00, and 17:00 is displayed in step S7 as shown in FIG. 4B, in the following step S8, the control unit 6 Processing for causing the user to select any one of 12:00, 15:00, and 17:00 as the execution start time is executed, and the selection operation is awaited (No in S8). Here, when the execution start time is selected by a user operation (Yes in S8), the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the execution reservation function of the control unit 9 sets the execution start time selected in step S8 as the execution start time of the print job.
Thereby, in the image forming apparatus X, when the time indicated by the clock circuit 8 becomes the time set in the step S9, the control unit 6 executes the print job.
Here, the case where the execution start time is selected from the display in step S7 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and numerical input using a keyboard or the like is also conceivable. If only one time zone with the lowest average operation rate is displayed in step S7, it may be inquired whether or not to execute the print job in that time zone.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention, the print output amount related to the requested print job is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount and corresponds to the execution start time of the print job. When the average operation rate is equal to or greater than the threshold value K, the fact that the average operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is high (see FIG. 4A) and stored in the history information storage unit 7 The user is notified by displaying part or all of the history information (see FIG. 4B). The said control part 6 when performing the notification process which concerns here corresponds to a notification means.
Therefore, if the print job occupies the image forming apparatus X for a long time and the waiting time of another user is prolonged, the user can postpone execution of the print job. Can be encouraged. In addition, since the history information is displayed, the user can accurately know the history of the past operation rate related to the image forming apparatus X. Thus, it is possible to find a time zone in which the average operation rate is relatively low in a time zone within working hours that does not deviate from the time, and to execute a print job in that time zone.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the execution timing setting process.
In this embodiment, as another example of the execution timing setting process (see FIG. 3) described in the above embodiment, the execution start time of the print job is automatically set in a time zone where the average operation rate is low. The case will be described.
In the execution timing setting process according to the example, in addition to the processes (steps S1 to S9) described in the above embodiment, processes of steps S11 to S14 described later are executed. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the process sequence similar to the said execution timing process (refer FIG. 3), and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

First, in step S11 executed after step S3, it is determined whether or not the print job requested in step S1 has an allowable range set in advance at the execution start time of the print job. Determined by the unit 6. Here, when it is determined that the allowable range is not set (No side of S11), the process proceeds to step S4.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the allowable range is set (Yes in S11), the process proceeds to step S12.
Here, it is assumed that the print job requested in step S1 is set to 13:00 to 16:00 as an allowable range of execution start time. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, based on the history information, the control unit 6 extracts a time zone in which the average operation rate is the lowest in the time zone within the allowable range. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, since the average operating rate is lowest at 15:00 in the range from 13:00 to 16:00, 15:00 is extracted.
Thereafter, in step S13, the control unit 6 sets 15:00 extracted in step S12 as the execution start time of the print job. As a result, when the time indicated by the clock circuit 8 comes to 15:00 set as the execution start time, the control unit 6 starts executing the print job.
In addition, after the execution start time is automatically set in step S13, the control unit 6 displays the execution start time on the operation display unit 1 and the information processing apparatus (not shown). The process is executed (S14). Thereby, the user who has requested the print job to the image forming apparatus X can know when the print job is executed.

As described above, in the execution timing setting process according to the present embodiment, the print output amount related to the requested print job is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount set in advance and corresponds to the execution start time of the print job. When the operating rate average is equal to or greater than the threshold value K, based on the history information stored in the history information storage unit 7, the time period in which the operating rate average is the lowest in the allowable time zone Are extracted and the time zone is automatically set as the execution start time of the print job. The said control part 6 when performing the process which concerns here corresponds to an execution start time automatic setting means.
Thus, the image forming apparatus X can execute the print job so as not to deviate significantly from the user's intention while considering the influence on other users.

In the present embodiment, the case where the time period with the lowest average operation rate is set as the execution start time in the time range within the allowable range has been described as an example, but the automatic setting method is not limited thereto. .
For example, even if the allowable range is not set, a time zone closest to the initial execution start time of the print job is automatically set as an execution start time among time zones in which the average operation rate is less than the threshold value K. It is also conceivable as another embodiment. In this case, the processing after step S11 and step S4 can be omitted.
In addition, when the user requests a print job, the work hours (from 9:00 to 18:00) of the workplace where the image forming apparatus X is installed are preset as initial values of the allowable range of execution start time. Even if the allowable range of the execution start time is not set, the time period in which the average operation rate is the lowest among the initially set work hours may be set as the execution start time. .

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram showing an example of history information of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of an execution timing setting process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example for prompting a change in the execution start time of a print job. The flowchart for demonstrating the other example of an execution timing setting process.

Explanation of symbols

1: Operation display unit 2: Image reading unit 3: Image processing unit 4: Image forming unit 5: Fixing device 6: Control unit 7: History information storage unit (an example of a history information storage unit)
8: Clock circuit S1, S2,...: Processing procedure (step) number X ... Image forming apparatus

Claims (8)

An operation rate deriving unit for deriving an operation rate of the image forming apparatus for each past time period;
History information storage means for storing, as history information, the operating rate for each time zone derived by the operating rate deriving unit;
When the print output amount relating to the requested print job is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount set in advance and the operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is equal to or larger than a predetermined value set in advance, Notification means for notifying that the operating rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is high, and a part or all of the history information stored in the history information storage means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an execution start time manual setting unit that sets an execution start time of the print job in accordance with a user operation.   The image according to claim 1, wherein the operating rate is an average operating rate for the same time period in the past predetermined period, or an operating rate average for the same time period on the same day of the week in the past predetermined period. Forming equipment.   When the notification means notifies the history information, it notifies one or more time zones in which the operating rate is less than the predetermined value, or one or more time zones in order from the lowest operating rate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Further comprising an allowable range setting means for setting an allowable range of the execution start time of the print job in accordance with a user operation,
When the notifying means notifies the history information, one or a plurality of time zones in which the operating rate is less than the predetermined value within the allowable range set by the allowable range setting unit, or the operating rate is low. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein one or a plurality of time zones are notified in order from one side. An operation rate deriving unit for deriving an operation rate of the image forming apparatus for each past time period;
History information storage means for storing, as history information, the operating rate for each time zone derived by the operating rate deriving unit;
When the print output amount relating to the requested print job is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount set in advance and the operation rate corresponding to the execution start time of the print job is equal to or larger than a predetermined value set in advance, Execution start time automatic setting means for automatically setting the execution start time of the print job based on the history information stored in the history information storage means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Further comprising an allowable range setting means for setting an allowable range of the execution start time of the print job in accordance with a user operation,
The execution start time automatic setting means sets a time zone in which the operation rate is lowest in a time zone within the allowable range set by the allowable range setting means as an execution start time of the print job. 6. The image forming apparatus according to 6.   The image according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the operating rate is an average operating rate for the same time period in the past predetermined period or an average operating ratio for the same time period on the same day of the week in the past predetermined period. Forming equipment.

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