Image forming apparatus configured to predict an event based on resource information

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: a schedule information generation unit that generates schedule information including an order of execution of received jobs; an acquisition unit that acquires resource information related to a resource used to execute a job; a prediction unit that predicts a timing of occurrence of an event that possibly occurs in the apparatus as the received jobs are executed in accordance with the order of execution on the basis of the schedule information and the resource information; a display information generation unit that generates display information for displaying a period of execution of the job to be executed and the timing of occurrence of the event along the same time axis, and for displaying a degree of influence of the event on execution of the job; and a display controller that controls display of the display information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a controller that executes a print job using a resource; and   at least one hardware processor and a memory storing instructions configured to implement:   a schedule information generator that generates schedule information of the print job to be executed;   an acquirer that acquires resource information related to paper used to execute the print job;   a predictor that predicts, based on the schedule information and the resource information, paper depletion that possibly occurs in the apparatus during the execution of the print job;   a display information generator that generates first display information for representing a period of execution of the print job, and second display information for representing a predicted paper depletion of which degree of influence on execution of the print job is equal to or higher than a certain degree;   a display controller that controls display of the first and second display information; wherein   the display controller judges, in a case the paper deletion of which degree of influence on the execution of the print job is equal to or higher than the certain degree is predicted, whether or not the second display information for representing the paper depletion is displayed.   
     
     
         2 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the memory storing instructions configured to further implement:
 a switcher that switches, in a case where the paper depletion occurs in a first paper tray during the execution of the print job, supply source of paper from the first paper tray to a second paper tray which satisfies a condition; and wherein   the display controller judges whether the second display information is displayed or not based on whether the switcher switches the source of paper or not.   
     
     
         3 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the display controller judges not to display the second display information regarding the first tray if the first tray is switched to the second tray by the switcher and the print job is not interrupted, due to the switching. 
     
     
         4 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , the memory storing instructions configured to further implement:
 a specifying unit that specifies a timing of execution of a process for preventing possible occurrence of the paper depletion, wherein the display information generation unit generates display information further including information for displaying the timing of execution specified by the specifying unit along the same time axis with the first display information.   
     
     
         5 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the display information generation unit generates display information including information indicating correspondence between the paper depletion and the timing of execution of the process for preventing possible occurrence of the paper depletion. 
     
     
         6 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the memory storing instructions configured to further implement:
 a display position reception unit that receives a display position of the timing of execution specified by the specifying unit, displayed by a display, and changed by a user.   
     
     
         7 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the memory storing instructions configured to further implement:
 an execution order reception unit that receives an order of execution of jobs displayed by a display and changed by a user.