JP2001058431A - Image forming apparatus and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly and efficiently perform printing by avoiding the release of the setting of a printing mode accompanied by the division of a job to the utmost at the time of generation of memory over. SOLUTION: When memory over is generated in a digital copier 100 or a print server 200, a printing job (print job, copy job) is divided to perform processing at any time and, at the time of division of the printing job, processing is performed without releasing the setting of double-side printing or Nin1. At the time of setting of double side printing, the printing job is divided so that the number of pages of a job other than a final job after division registration becomes as even number. At the time of setting of Nin1, the printing job is divided so that the number of pages of the job other than the final job after division registration becomes a multiple of a Nin1 setting number N. When a dividing position is adjusted, a counter for paginating is returned by adjustment quantity in matching relation to the dividing position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for processing a print job having a memory capacity greater than a memory capacity when a memory over occurs in an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a printer, when a large number of print jobs are stored in a memory or when the amount of image data included in one job (eg, the number of pages of a document) is reduced. In many cases, a phenomenon called memory over may occur. This memory over occurs because the total amount of image data of the print job that is permitted to be received is larger than the size of the image storage area that occupies most of the data storage area in the memory. And all the image data cannot fit in the memory. Such memory over can also occur in an image forming system in which a printer is used to share a printer on a network.

When such a memory over occurs,
Conventionally, the apparatus has been stopped, the mode setting of the print job has been changed (released) for printing, or the print job has been discarded.

A method of changing the mode setting and performing printing is based on the idea that a print job is divided and printed in order to efficiently process the print job when a memory overflow occurs. When a complicated editing function such as double-sided printing or Nin1 (a function of laying out N pages of image data on one page of output image data) is set, the user can cancel the printing and print it.
When a plurality of copies are set, it is canceled and only one copy is printed (for example, in the case where a plurality of pages and a plurality of copies are set to be sorted, see US Pat. 087, 979). The above-mentioned U.S. Patent Publication describes that the user can select whether to cancel the print mode setting (electronic sort) and try printing or cancel printing itself.

[0005]

However, if the memory itself is over, the apparatus itself stops or the print job is discarded, because the print job is not processed in the first place. There is a problem that a printing result of the image cannot be obtained.

Further, when printing is performed by changing the mode setting of a print job in which memory overflow has occurred, the print job can be processed to some extent efficiently by dividing and printing the print job as described above. However, since the designated print mode is always released, the print mode is always released even in a print mode (for example, double-sided printing or Nin1) in which printing is possible even if the print job is divided. There are certain limitations to the efficiency of

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. When the memory is over, the print mode setting accompanying the division of the job is avoided as much as possible. Can be performed reliably and efficiently,
It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus and system, an image forming method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for the method is recorded.

[0008]

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) In an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, input means for inputting a job in which an image output mode is set, storage means for storing the input job, and storage capacity shortage in the storage means Determining means for determining whether or not to execute the job, dividing means for dividing the input job into a plurality of jobs when it is determined that the storage capacity is insufficient, and selecting a job among image output forms set for the job. And a canceling / maintaining unit that cancels the setting of the image output mode that cannot be executed due to the division of the job and maintains the setting of the image output mode that can be executed even if the job is divided.

(2) The release / maintenance means maintains the setting of double-sided printing even if the job is divided among the image output modes set for the job.

(3) When double-sided printing is set for a job as an image output mode, the division unit adjusts the division position so that the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division becomes an even number.

(4) The canceling / maintaining means arranges N pages of image data in one page of output image data even if the job is divided among the image output forms set in the job. Maintain the processing settings.

(5) When Nin1 processing is set for a job as an image output mode, the dividing means adjusts the dividing position so that the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division becomes a multiple of N. .

(6) The image forming system according to the present invention comprises:
An input unit for inputting a job in which an image output mode is set; a storage unit for storing the input job; a determination unit for determining whether a storage capacity shortage occurs in the storage unit; If it is determined that the job will occur, the division unit that divides the input job into a plurality of jobs and the setting of the image output mode that cannot be executed due to the job division among the image output modes set for the job are canceled And a canceling / maintaining unit for maintaining the setting of the image output mode that can be executed even if the job is divided.

(7) In the image forming method according to the present invention, a step of inputting a job in which an image output form is set, a step of storing the input job, and a storage capacity of the apparatus for storing the input job A step of determining whether or not a shortage occurs; a step of dividing the input job into a plurality of jobs when it is determined that a storage capacity shortage occurs; Canceling the setting of the image output mode that cannot be executed due to the division of the job, and maintaining the setting of the image output form that can be executed even if the division of the job is performed.

(8) A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is a process for inputting a job in which an image output form is set, a process for storing the input job, and a device for storing the input job. A process for determining whether or not a storage capacity shortage occurs, a process for dividing an input job into a plurality of jobs when it is determined that a storage capacity shortage occurs, and an image output mode set for the job. Of canceling the setting of the image output mode that becomes unexecutable due to the division of the job, and maintaining the setting of the image output form that can be executed even after the division of the job. It is a recording of the program.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network computer system to which the present invention is applied.

In this system, the digital copying machine 10
0, a print server computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “print server”) 200, and a plurality of client computers (hereinafter abbreviated as “client”) 300
a, 300b, 300c, and 300d are the networks 40
0 are communicably connected to each other. Print server 200 and a plurality of clients 300a, 300
b, 300c, and 300d are connected to each other via the network 400, and therefore, between each client 300 and the print server 200, and between each client 300 and 300d.
Data communication such as image data and various commands can be performed between the 0s. The digital copier 10
0 is connected to the print server 200, so that each of the clients 300 via the print server 200 has a normal function as a copying machine such as copying a document.
, A function of printing image data received from a printer. Therefore, the print server 200 functions to provide a service for sharing the digital copier 100 as a printer on the network 400.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the digital copying machine 100.

The digital copying machine 100 includes an image reading section 11 for reading a document, an ADF 12 for automatically feeding a plurality of sheet documents one by one, an operation panel 13 for inputting various settings, and a digital copying machine. Interface unit 14 for connecting the apparatus 100 to the print server 200, ROM 15 for storing programs, memory (RAM) 16 for temporarily storing data, hard disk 17 for storing programs and data, various processes for image data An image processing unit 18 for performing image processing, a printer engine 19 for outputting (printing) image data on paper according to the contents of a print job (copy job or print job),
And a control unit (CPU) 20 for comprehensively controlling the above units
Having. Here, the “copy job” is a print job when functioning as a copier, and the “print job” is a print job received from outside when functioning as a printer.

When functioning as a copier, the control unit 20 controls each unit based on an instruction from the operation panel 13, whereby the original is read by the image reading unit 11, and the image data obtained by reading is read. Are printed by the printer engine 19 according to the conditions specified on the operation panel 13 (paper size, magnification, number of sheets, density, double-sided printing / single-sided printing, Nin1, sort / non-sort, etc.). Where Ni
n1 is a function of laying out N pages of image data into one page of output image data.

When functioning as a printer, image data transmitted from each client 300 is transmitted to the external interface unit 1 via the print server 200.
4 and printed by the printer engine 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, the memory 16 is divided into two blocks and stores the image data.
6a and a management table 16b for managing the setting contents of the print mode and the current processing status. Management table 16
An example of b is as shown in FIG.

An example of the operation panel 13 is as shown in FIG. The operation panel 13 includes a start key 13
In addition to various operation keys such as a and ten keys 13b, a touch panel type display unit 13c capable of displaying a message is provided.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the print server 200.

The print server 200 includes a control unit (C
PU) 21, a ROM 22 for storing programs, a memory (RAM) 23 for temporarily storing data, an interface 24 for connecting the print server 200 to the digital copier 100, and connecting the print server 200 to a network 400. Interface 25, an image processing unit 26, a display unit (display) 27, an operation unit 28 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a hard disk 29, and a medium reading unit that reads a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD-ROM 30.

The configuration of the control system of each client 300 is the same as that of the print server 200.
The description is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence in a normal state (when non-memory over occurs) in the system of FIG. Note that, here, the user
A general sequence from when printing is instructed on the printer 0 to when image data is printed by the digital copier 100 functioning as a printer will be described.

1. Document Creation A user creates and edits a target document using a “document creation application” running on the client 300. This document creation application program
It is usually stored on a hard disk, and is executed by the CPU when the user loads it into the memory when necessary. At this time, the document layout, print instruction information, and the like are displayed on the display. In addition, the user inputs characters, edits an image, prints, and the like from a keyboard or a mouse, and the information is notified to a CPU and processed here.

2. Activation of Printer Driver A document created by the document creation application is translated into a specific page description language so that it can be rasterized later, and various operation modes (print modes) provided in the digital copying machine 100 are set. In order for the user to
The digital copier 10 on the client 300
0 loads a dedicated printer driver from the hard disk to the memory and starts up.

3. Acquisition of status information The started printer driver is a digital copier 100
Its own mechanical status (e.g. waiting, printing,
Status of pre-heated) or registered print jobs (copy job and print job)
(Waiting, printing, etc.) by communicating with the print server 200. At this time, the print server 200 communicates with the digital copier 100 and
Of the print job spooled in the memory 23 or the hard disk 29 in the print server 200, and notifies the client 300 of the status information.

4. Print mode setting For example, on the mode setting screen of the printer driver as shown in FIG. 8, the number of print copies, print magnification, paper size, presence / absence of sorting, presence / absence of double-sided printing, layout such as 2in1 (N
print mode such as presence / absence of in1) and presence / absence of watermark (watermark). These setting items are items for setting and using functions unique to each digital copying machine.

5. Print start After the print mode setting is completed, the user instructs a print start using the document creation application. When the document creation application instructs the printer driver to start printing, the printer driver notifies the print server 200 of the print mode set above via the network 400. When the print server 200 having received the notification determines that the print job can be received, the print server 200 notifies the return printer driver that the print job can be received, and starts receiving image data.

6. Rasterize to image layout Image data output from the printer driver is usually
It is expressed in page description language, not bitmap data. Therefore, in order to print the image data with the digital copying machine 100, the image data is converted into the form of bitmap data that can be printed by the digital copying machine 100. (Generally referred to as “rasterizing”), and need to be transferred to the digital copying machine 100.

At this time, if a print mode (for example, Nin1) requiring layout processing is set in the print mode notified from the printer driver,
Perform rasterization in consideration of layout.

Here, data (print mode information and image data) from the client 300 is transmitted to the network 4
00, received by the print server 200, analyzed,
Then, the image is drawn on the memory in the print server 200.

7. The image data on which image spool rasterization (and image layout) has been completed is temporarily stored in the print server 2 together with print mode information.
00 is temporarily stored (spooled) on the hard disk. Thus, regardless of the state of the digital copier 100, for example, even if a print job of another person is being processed, a print job from the client 300 can be accepted.

8. Print Job Transfer to Digital Copier The print server 200 transfers the spooled print job (print mode information and image data) to the digital copier 100 at an appropriate timing. Digital copier 100 prints the received image data according to the print mode.

Although not shown, the digital copier 10
0, when the processing of the print job transferred from the print server 200 is completed, notifies the print server 200 of the end of the printing with status information. As a result, the print server 200 updates the information of its own job management table, and notifies the corresponding client 300 of the end of printing.

FIG. 9 is a main flowchart showing the operation of digital copier 100. This flowchart is executed by the control unit 20.

After performing the initial setting (S1),
1) sequentially setting an internal timer (S12), an input data analysis process for checking input data to the control unit 20 (S13), and a print mode according to the operation content of the operation panel 13 or the content of the received print job. (S14), the read or received image data is stored in the image storage unit 16a in the memory 16, and the new print job (copy job or print job ) Is registered in the management table 16b in the memory 16 (S15), print processing (S16) for sequentially processing print jobs (copy job or print job) stored in the memory 16, and commands are transmitted to the communication port. The output data set to wait (S17) and the waiting of the internal timer (S18) are repeated. To run.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a document reading process in the reading process of FIG.

When a document is detected on the tray of the ADF 12 (S21: YES), the counter is initialized (S22).
It waits until the start key 13a on the operation panel 13 is pressed (S23).

When the start key 13a is pressed (S2
3: YES), one sheet of the document is sent to the image reading unit 11 (S24), and after the counter is incremented by one (S25), the size of the document is read (S2).
6) The original is read (S27), and the image data obtained by reading is stored in the image storage unit 16a in the memory 16 (S28). When a document is detected on the tray of the ADF 12 (S29: YES), the process returns to step S24, and the document reading operation is continued.

When there are no more documents on the tray of the ADF 12 (S29: NO), the management table 16b in the memory 16
(S30), and returns to the main flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the printing processing of FIG.

It is determined whether or not another print job is being processed, that is, whether or not printing is being performed (S41). If it is not being printed (S41: NO), it is further determined whether or not there is a print job to be processed. Is determined (S42).

If there is a print job (S42: YE
S), the contents of the print job are acquired from the management table 16b in the memory 16 (S43), the registration of the print job for which printing has been completed is deleted, and the order of the remaining print jobs is advanced one by one (S44). A list of subsequent print jobs (job list) is displayed on the display unit 13c of the operation panel 13 (S45). FIG. 12 is a display example of a job list. The job list is a screen showing the settings and the progress of each job. In the example of FIG. 12, the name of the print job (copy job / print job) and the status (printing / standby) are provided for each print job. , The total number of pages, the number of copies, and the presence or absence of Nin1 setting (（/ ×) are displayed.

Then, the first image data to be output is processed (for example, Nin1 processing) according to the set print mode (S46), and the output image data after the processing is processed by the printer engine 18 at the designated size. Printing is performed on paper (S47), and the process returns to the main flowchart of FIG.

In the above system, as described above, whether a copy job or a print job has a large number of print jobs stored in the memory, or the amount of image data (original Number of pages)
Overload (insufficient memory capacity)
May occur.

The place where the memory over occurs occurs mainly in the memories 16 and 23 inside the digital copying machine 100 or the print server 200. That is, the memory over that occurs in the present system is in a state of image data amount> memory capacity of digital copying machine 100 or image data amount> memory capacity of print server 200.

In the present system, when a memory over occurs, in order to solve the conventional problems such as stopping the apparatus itself, discarding the print job, and changing (releasing) the setting mode, when the memory over is detected, Print jobs are reliably and efficiently divided by dividing print jobs (print jobs and copy jobs) and performing processing as needed, and at the same time avoiding canceling of print mode settings by dividing print jobs as much as possible. To do it.

Hereinafter, the method will be described specifically.

First, a case where a memory over occurs in a print job will be described.

In the case of a print job, the print mode is set on the mode setting screen (see FIG. 8) of the printer driver described above. Here, the sort setting is enabled as the print order of a plurality of copies.

When printing a plurality of copies, the output order of the printed matter printed by the printer (digital copier 100) includes sorting and non-sorting. Here, “sort” means that, for example, when three copies of a three-page document are printed, as shown in FIG.
Similarly, the order of the output pages is also printed in the order of 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 for a plurality of pages of originals following a page. In the case, as shown in FIG.
In this mode, printing is performed in the order of 2, 2, 3, 3, and 3.

The place where the memory overflow occurs in the print job is the memory 23 in the print server 200 or the memory 16 in the digital copier 100. Hereinafter, each case will be described. <When memory over occurs in the print server> FIG.
4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the print server 200, including the processing procedure when a memory over occurs in the print server 200. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence at that time.

The print server 200 first receives status information from the digital copying machine 100 in order to periodically grasp the state of the digital copying machine 100 (S10).
1). When a print job is received from the client 300, the print mode described by the edit function of the print job is received (S102), the print mode information is analyzed, and a print acceptance permission notice is issued to the client 300. (S103). Thereafter, the image data transmitted from the client 300 is received (S104), and the above-described rasterizing process is performed (S105).

The rasterized image data is sequentially stored in the memory 23. At this time, the print server 200
Indicates that the amount of image data during or after rasterization processing for one arbitrary print job is stored in the memory 2.
It is checked whether the remaining capacity of the image data exceeds the remaining capacity (in other words, whether the image data does not fit in the memory 23 or not), that is, whether memory over has occurred (S106).

When no memory over has occurred (S1
06: NO), the print server 200 processes the accumulated image data as necessary to match the output paper size (S107), and spools the processed image data together with the print mode information on the hard disk 29 (S108). ,
A job registration request is transmitted to digital copier 100 (S109). When the job registration permission is received from the digital copying machine 100 (S110: YES), the print mode information and the image data spooled in step S108 are sequentially transmitted to the digital copying machine 100 (S111, S112), and step S119 is performed. Proceed to. After that, the digital copying machine 100 prints the received image data according to the print mode.

On the other hand, if the memory is over (S106: YES), the print server 200
Notifies the client 300 that the memory over has occurred and that the print job has been divided in accordance with the memory over, in order to inform the user that the memory over has occurred, and causes the display unit (display) to display it (S11).
3).

Thereafter, in order to internally grasp that the print job has been divided, a flag indicating that the print job has been divided (hereinafter referred to as a “job division flag”) F
(F = 1) (S114), and the print mode is stored in the hard disk 29 (S115). Note that the job division flag is used to register the image data rasterized before the memory over occurs in the digital copying machine 100, and then process the remaining image data again with the same print mode setting and register the job. If no memory over has occurred, this flag will not be set,
The print job is handled not as a divided print job but as the next independent print job.

Then, the print mode information is analyzed, and the setting of the print mode (for example, stapling or serial number printing) which cannot be executed in the first place by dividing the print job is canceled (S116). At this time, if a plurality of copies are specified in the setting of the print mode, the process of reducing the number of copies to one as in the related art is not performed, and the copy number data is stored as it is. Thereafter, the fact that the setting of the unexecutable print mode has been canceled is transmitted to the client 300, and is transmitted to the user through the display unit (display) (S11).
7).

In the processing mode among the printing modes that were not canceled in step S116, that is, in the processing printing mode that can be executed even if the print job is divided (for example, double-sided printing, Nin1, etc.), the memory is over. Processing the image data read before the occurrence of (S1)
18), proceed to step S108. Step S1
The processing content of 18 will be described later in detail.

The processing after step S108 is the same as in the case described above. That is, the image data processed in step S118 is stored in the hard disk 2 together with the print mode information.
9 (S108), and sends a job registration request to the digital copier 100 (S109). When the job registration permission is received from the digital copying machine 100 (S110: YES), the print mode information and the image data spooled in step S108 are sequentially transmitted to the digital copying machine 100 (S111, S11).
2), proceed to step S119. After that, the digital copying machine 100 prints the received image data according to the print mode.

In step S119, it is determined whether or not the job division flag F is set (F = 1) (S11).
9) If the job division flag F is on (S11)
9: YES), the job division flag F is dropped (F =
0) (S120), proceed to step S104, and repeat the processing operation of receiving the remaining image data with the initial print mode set. <When memory over occurs in digital copier> Fig. 1
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital copying machine 100 including the processing procedure when a memory over occurs in the digital copying machine 100. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the print sequence at that time.

The digital copier 100 first receives status information from the print server 200 in order to periodically grasp the state of the print server 200, and conversely, the digital copier 100
Is transmitted (S201).

When a job registration request arrives from the print server 200 (S202: YES), a self-diagnosis is made as to whether print processing is possible (S203), and if it is determined that print processing is possible (S203). : YES),
A job registration permission notification is transmitted to the print server 200 (S204).

The print server 200 that has received the job registration permission notification starts transmitting a print job. At this time, the digital copying machine 100 first receives the print mode described by the editing function of the print job (S205), and then analyzes the received print mode. Server 200
Issue a print acceptance permission notice to the
6). Thereafter, the image data transmitted from the print server 200 is received (S207).

The received image data is sequentially stored in the memory 16. At this time, the digital copier 100 determines whether the amount of image data during or after reception of image data of any one print job is the remaining capacity of the memory 16. Is checked (in other words, whether or not the image data does not fit in the memory 16), that is, whether or not memory over has occurred (S208).

If no memory over has occurred (S2
08: NO), the digital copier 100 processes the accumulated image data as necessary to match the output paper size (S209), and starts printing according to the print mode (S210). When printing is completed (S21)
1: YES), the status information to that effect is transmitted to the print server 200 (S212), and it is confirmed whether or not the next print job is reserved (S213).

On the other hand, if the memory is over (S208: YES), the digital copier 100
Informs the client 300 via the print server 200 that the memory over has occurred and the fact that the print job has been divided in accordance therewith, in order to inform the user that the memory over has occurred. It is displayed (S214).

Thereafter, in order to internally grasp that the print job has been divided, the job division flag F is set (F = 1) (S215), and the print mode is stored in the hard disk 17 (S216). In this case, the job division flag is used to print the image data received before the memory over occurs with the digital copying machine 100 and then process and print the remaining image data again with the same print mode setting. If no memory over has occurred, this flag is not set, and the print job is handled not as a divided print job but as the next independent print job.

Then, the print mode information is analyzed, and the setting of the print mode (for example, stapling or serial number printing) that cannot be executed by dividing the print job is canceled (S217). At this time, if a plurality of copies are specified in the print mode setting, the print server 20
As in the case where the memory overflow occurs at 0, the specified number of copies are printed as they are. After that, the fact that the setting of the unexecutable print mode has been released is transmitted to the client 300 via the print server 200, and is transmitted to the user via the display unit (display) (S218).

In the processing mode among the printing modes that were not canceled in step S217, that is, in the processing printing mode that can be executed even if the print job is divided (for example, double-sided printing, Nin1, etc.), the memory is over. Processing the image data read before the occurrence of (S2)
19), and proceed to step S210. Step S2
The details of the process of No. 19 will be described later in detail.

The processing after step S210 is the same as in the case described above. That is, printing of the image data processed in step S219 is started (S210), and when printing is completed (S211: YES), status information to that effect is transmitted to the print server 200 (S212), and the next print job is held down. (S21).
3).

If there is no next print job (S213: NO), the process ends. If there is a next print job (S213: YES), the job division flag F is further set (F). = 1) is determined (S220). If the job division flag F is not set (S220: NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S207, but if the job division flag F is set (S22).
0: YES), the job division flag F is dropped (F =
0) (S221), the process proceeds to step S207, and a series of processing operations such as receiving and printing the remaining image data with the initial print mode set is repeated.

Next, a case where a memory overflow occurs in a copy job will be described. <When memory over occurs in copy job> FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital copying machine 100 including the processing procedure when a memory overflow occurs in a copy job.

First, a print mode is input through the operation panel 13 (S301). The digital copier 100
When printing is performed as a printer, as described above, when a print instruction is issued from the application, the print mode information is transferred to the digital copying machine 100 before the image data to be printed. And double-sided printing set by the printer driver, N
In this case, the print mode is set on the operation panel 13 of the digital copying machine 100 before printing is instructed. The finishing information such as double-sided printing and Nin1 set here is immediately reflected in the print mode, as in the case where the digital copier 100 is printed as a printer.

Thereafter, the same processing as the original reading processing shown in FIG. 10 is performed.

That is, when the sensor detects that a document is placed on the ADF 12 (S302: YES),
A counter for counting the total number of pages of the document is initialized to 0 (S
303), and waits until the start key 13a on the operation panel 13 is pressed (S304). When an editing function such as double-sided printing, Nin1, bookbinding printing (booklet) is specified as the print mode, information on the total number of pages of the document to be printed is required.

Thereafter, when the start key 13a is depressed (S304: YES), reading of the document is started, and the document is sent to the image reading unit 11 one by one (S305). At this time, from the necessity described above, the number of document pages is counted by a sensor in the image reading unit 11 (increment of the counter), and the total number of pages of the document is obtained (S30).
6). Then, while reading the size of the document (S3
07), the document is read (S308), and the image data obtained by reading is stored in the image storage unit 16a in the memory 16 (S309).

At this time, the digital copying machine 100 determines whether or not the amount of image data obtained while reading the original has exceeded the remaining capacity of the memory 16 (in other words,
It is checked whether or not the image data does not fit in the memory 16), that is, whether or not memory over has occurred (S310).

If no memory over has occurred (S3
10: NO), the digital copying machine 100 processes the stored image data as necessary to match the output paper size (S311), and spools the processed image data together with the print mode information on the hard disk 17 (S312). Issue a job registration request internally (S313). Then, when the job registration permission is internally given (S314: YE
S), the image data spooled in step S312 is printed on paper in accordance with the print mode (S315), and the flow advances to step S324.

On the other hand, if the amount of image data obtained while reading the original reaches the remaining capacity of the memory 16 and a memory over occurs (S31).
0: YES), the digital copier 100 immediately stops reading the document at that time (S316). This makes it impossible for the digital copier 100 to grasp the total number of pages of the original. Therefore, in order to continue the printing by dividing the copy job when memory over occurs, at least the total number of pages of the original is required. Need to be notified.

Therefore, in the present system, when a memory over occurs (S310: YES), the display unit 13c of the operation panel 13 indicates that the memory over has occurred, and
The fact that the copy job has been divided is displayed (S317).
Then, in order to internally grasp that the copy job has been divided, the job division flag F is set (F =
1) (S318), the print mode is stored in the hard disk 17 (S319). The job division flag in this case is determined by printing the document image data obtained by reading until the memory over occurs with the digital copying machine 100,
Again, the remaining original image data is also for processing and printing with the same print mode setting, and if memory over has not occurred, this flag is not set and the next independent job The job is designed to allow the user to enter a print mode.

Then, as in the case where the digital copier 100 is printed as a printer, the print mode information is analyzed and
The setting of the print mode (for example, stapling or serial number printing), which cannot be executed in the first place by dividing the copy job, is canceled (S320), and the fact is displayed on the display unit 13c of the operation panel 13 and used. (S3
21). At this time, if a plurality of copies are specified in the setting of the print mode, the specified number of copies are printed as they are, as in the above case.

Thereafter, a message is displayed on the display unit 13c to urge the user to input the total number of pages of the original, and the total number of pages of the original is input by the ten keys 13b on the operation panel 13. Then (S322: Y
ES), a memory over occurs in the processing mode among the printing modes that are not canceled in step S319, that is, in the processing printing mode that can be executed even if the print job is divided (for example, duplex printing, Nin1, etc.). The original image data obtained by reading before is processed (S32).
3) The process proceeds to step S312. Step S32
The details of the process 3 will be described later.

The processing after step S312 is the same as in the case described above. That is, the image data processed in step S323 is spooled together with the print mode information on the hard disk 17 (S312), a job registration request is issued internally (S313), and if the job registration permission is lowered internally (S314: YES). The image data spooled in step S312 is printed on paper in accordance with the print mode (S315).

After the printing is completed, it is checked whether or not the job division flag F for confirming that the job has been divided is set (F = 1) (S324), and the job division flag is set. In this case (S324: YES), the job division flag F is cleared (F = 0) (S325), and the process proceeds to step S305, where the remaining originals are sent to the image reading unit 11 with the previous print mode set, and the originals are sent. Read,
A series of processing operations such as printing are repeated.

Next, an image data processing process in an executable print mode (step S118 in FIG. 14, step S219 in FIG. 16, and step S323 in FIG. 18) which is a common process when a memory over occurs for a print job and a copy job. ) Will be described. In this system, the print job of the double-sided print setting and the Nin1 setting in the image editing, which has been conventionally canceled when the memory over has occurred, can be processed without canceling.

First, the contents of the processing are described in FIG. 19 and FIG.
This will be specifically described using 0. Here, FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram in the case of setting duplex printing, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram in the case of setting 1.

First, when double-sided printing is set, for example, as shown in FIG.
When memory over occurs in (Page), if the print job is simply divided at that point and double-sided printing is performed, blank page data is added to the back side of the last page of the first job.

Therefore, in the present system, as shown in FIG. 19B, the division position is adjusted so that the number of pages of a job other than the last job after division becomes an even number, as shown in FIG. Specifically, if the number of pages of a job other than the last job after division and registration is an odd number, the division position is returned by one page from the number of pages at the time of memory over, and the division position becomes an even page. To do. As a result, when the page before the memory over occurs is printed on both sides, the continuous page can be printed on both sides without adding blank data to the back of the last page. If the number of pages of the final job after divisional registration is an odd number, the missing portion needs to be supplemented with blank page data, and blank page data is added to the back of the last page to perform double-sided printing.

When the division position is adjusted, the division position has been shifted to the number of pages before the occurrence of the memory overflow. Therefore, if the pagination print function is set in the print mode, the pagination counter is reset. Return by adjustment (one page) according to the division position.

Next, when Nin1 (set number = N) is set, for example, taking 2in1 (set number = 2) as an example, as shown in FIG. In the case where the memory overflow occurs in the number of pages (51 pages) that cannot be divided by 2), when the print job is simply divided and 2in1 printing is performed at that time, blank page data is added to the last page of the first job. I will.

Therefore, in this system, as shown in FIG. 20B, the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division is divided by the set number N of Nin1 processing, that is, the number of pages of N, as shown in FIG. Adjust the division position so that it becomes a multiple. Specifically, the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division and registration is N.
If it is not a multiple of the in1 set number N, the division position is returned by the number of pages obtained by dividing the number of pages at the time of memory over by the set number Nin1 from the number of pages at the time of memory over, and The position is set to be a multiple of the Nin1 set number N. With this, when Nin1 printing is performed up to the page before the occurrence of memory over, N
As a result, the image data for the individual pieces can be completely contained, and Nin1 printing can be performed on continuous pages without adding blank page data to the last page. If the number of pages of the final job after the division registration is not a multiple of the Nin1 set number N, it is necessary to make up for the shortage with blank data. Add Nin1 printing.

When the division position is adjusted, as in the case of double-sided printing, the division position is shifted to the number of pages before the occurrence of memory overflow, so that the pagination print function is set in the print mode. For example, the pagination counter is adjusted by the adjustment position (the number of remaining pages) in accordance with the division position.

The above is described below with reference to the subroutine flowchart of FIG. 21. Here, P is the total number of pages of the print job, n is the number of the print job after divisional registration, and Qn is the number of pages stored until the memory overflow occurs for the nth print job after divisional registration. , Nin1 is represented by N, and the remainder obtained by dividing the number of stored pages Qn when the memory over occurs by the Nin1 set number N is represented by R.

First, when Nin1 is set (S
401: YES), it is determined whether the remainder R obtained by dividing the number of stored pages Qn at the time of occurrence of memory over by the Nin1 set number N is 0 (S402), and if the remainder R is 0 (S402: YES), even if the print job is simply divided at the time of occurrence of the memory over, since the N image data can be completely contained in the last page, the division position does not need to be adjusted. move on. That is, in this case, the Nin1 process is immediately performed without adjusting the division position.

On the other hand, if the remainder R is not 0 (S402: NO), it is further determined whether or not the print job is the last job after division registration (S40).
3).

If the job is not the last job (S403: N
O) In order to avoid adding blank page data to the last page, the division position is returned by the number of remaining R pages, and the division position is adjusted to be the number of pages divisible by the Nin1 set number N (S404). Proceed to step S406. That is, in this case, the Nin1 process is performed by adjusting the division position.

On the other hand, in the case of the last job (S403: Y
ES), since it is necessary to compensate for the shortage with blank paper data, blank data for (N−R) pages, which is the shortage, is added (S405), and the process proceeds to step S406. That is, in this case, blank data is added to the last page and Nin1 is added.
Perform processing.

When Nin1 is not set (S401: NO), or when Nin1 is not set in step S406.
When one process is completed, it is determined whether or not double-sided printing is set (S407). If double-sided printing is not set (S407: NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S412.

If double-sided printing is set (S40)
7: YES), number of saved pages Qn when memory over occurs
Is determined to be an even number (S408). If it is an even number (S408: YES), the back side of the last page is blank even if the print job is simply divided at the time of memory over. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the division position, and the process immediately proceeds to step S412. That is, in this case, the division position is not adjusted.

On the other hand, if it is not an even number, that is, if it is an odd number (S408: NO), it is further determined whether or not the print job is the last job after division registration (S409).

If the job is not the last job (S409: N
O) In order to avoid adding blank page data to the back of the last page, the division position is returned by one page, and the division position is adjusted to be an even-numbered page (S410), and the process proceeds to step S412. That is, in this case, the division position is adjusted.

On the other hand, in the case of the last job (S409: Y
ES), since it is necessary to compensate for the shortage with blank data, one page of blank data is added to the back of the last page (S
411), and proceed to step S412. That is, in this case, a process of adding blank data to the back of the last page is performed.

In step S412, it is determined whether or not page printing is designated in the print mode. If pagination printing has not been specified (S412: NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S414.

On the other hand, when the page printing is designated (S412: YES), the memory over occurs when the division position is adjusted (Step S404 when Nin1 is set, Step S410 when double-sided printing is set). Since the division position has been shifted to the previous page number, the pagination counter is returned by the division position adjustment (R when Nin1 is set, R when double-sided printing is set) (S413), and the process proceeds to step S414.

In step S414, if there is another print mode which has not been released, the image data is processed according to the print mode.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when a memory overflow occurs, a print job (print job, copy job) is divided and processed as needed, and
In this case, since the processing is performed without canceling the two-sided print setting or the Nin1 setting, the print job can be processed while canceling the print mode setting by dividing the print job as much as possible. It can be performed efficiently.

In particular, when double-sided printing or Nin1 is set, the print job is not simply divided when the memory over occurs. In the former case, the job other than the last job after the division registration is executed. The print job is divided so that the back side of the last page does not become blank, that is, the number of pages of the job becomes an even number except for the last job, and in the latter case, jobs other than the last job after division registration The print job is divided so that blank pages are not added to the last page and the image for N pages can be accommodated, that is, the number of pages of the job becomes a multiple of the Nin1 set number N except for the last job. In addition, it is possible to process a print job of the double-sided print setting or the Nin1 setting which has been canceled when the memory over occurs.

Further, when the page printing function is set in the double-sided printing setting or the Nin1 setting, the pagination counter is returned by the adjustment amount in accordance with the division position. When dividing and processing, the page numbers can always be printed accurately.

When a computer is used as described above, the processing of a print job when a memory overflow occurs is performed by executing a predetermined program describing the above processing procedure (see FIGS. 14, 16, 18, and 21). The predetermined programs are provided by a computer-readable recording medium (for example, a floppy disk or a CD-ROM). Further, the predetermined program may be provided, for example, as application software that executes the above-described processing independently, or may be provided by the digital copier 100.
Alternatively, the functions of the print server 200 and the digital copier 100 or the print server 200 may be incorporated as one function.

In the present embodiment, the digital copier 10 as a multifunction machine functioning as a copier and a printer is described.
Although the network computer system having the print server 200 and the print server 200 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to, for example, a digital copier, a printer, a digital facsimile machine, a print server, or a system in which these functions are combined.

[0118]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If it is determined that the storage capacity is insufficient, the input job is divided into a plurality of jobs and processing is performed as needed. In this case, an image output form that can be executed even if the job is divided is described. Since the processing is performed without canceling the setting, the job can be processed while avoiding the cancellation of the setting of the image output form by dividing the job as much as possible, and the image formation can be performed reliably and efficiently. it can.

When double-sided printing is set for a job as an image output mode, the division position is adjusted so that the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division becomes an even number. In addition, blank paper is prevented from being added to the back side of the last page of the job, and the job can be processed without releasing the double-sided print setting even when the job is divided due to insufficient storage capacity.

If Nin1 processing is set for a job as an image output mode, the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division is set to the set number Nin1 processing.
The division position is adjusted so as to be a multiple of, so that blank pages are prevented from being added to the last page of the job without being full of N pages, except for the last job.
Even if the job is divided due to insufficient storage capacity, the job can be processed without canceling the Nin1 processing setting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network computer system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the digital copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a memory of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the print server of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence in a normal state (when non-memory over occurs) in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mode setting screen of a printer driver.

9 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a document reading process in the reading process of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the printing processing of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of sorting and non-sorting related to setting of a print order for a plurality of copies.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the print server including a processing procedure when a memory over occurs in the print server in a print job.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital copying machine including a processing procedure when a memory over occurs in the digital copying machine in a print job.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital copying machine including a processing procedure when a memory over occurs in a copy job.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of job division position adjustment at the time of duplex printing setting.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of job division position adjustment when Nin1 is set.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine common to FIGS. 14, 16 and 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

 100: Digital copier (image forming apparatus), 200: Print server, 300: Client, 400: Network, 19, 21: Control unit, 16, 23: Memory.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 1/21 G03G 21/00 382 F term (reference) 2C087 AA09 AB01 AB06 BB03 BB10 BC06 BC07 BD41 BD53 CA02 CA05 CA13 CB10 CB12 CB13 CB17 DA01 2H027 DA50 DB01 EC10 EC20 EE07 EE08 EF06 FA35 FB02 FD02 FD03 FD08 ZA07 5B021 AA01 CC04 DD05 EE01 FF03 5C062 AA05 AA13 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB38 AB42 AC06 AC09 AC21 AC04 AC41 AC43 CC01 AF07 CE10

Claims (8)

[Claims] An input unit configured to input a job in which an image output mode is set; a storage unit configured to store the input job; and a determination unit configured to determine whether a storage capacity shortage occurs in the storage unit. A dividing unit that divides an input job into a plurality of jobs when it is determined that a storage capacity shortage occurs; and an image output that cannot be executed due to job division among image output forms set for the job. An image forming apparatus comprising: a canceling / maintaining unit that cancels the setting of the form and maintains the setting of the image output form that can be executed even when the job is divided. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the canceling / maintaining unit maintains the setting of double-sided printing even if the job is divided among image output modes set for the job.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. When two-sided printing is set for a job as an image output mode, the division unit sets the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division to an even number.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dividing position is adjusted. 4. The Nin1 processing for arranging N pages of image data in one page of output image data, even if the job is divided, out of the image output forms set in the job, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting is maintained. 5. When Nin1 processing is set to a job as an image output mode, the division unit adjusts a division position such that the number of pages of a job other than the final job after division becomes a multiple of N. 4. The method according to claim 4, wherein
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 6. An input unit for inputting a job in which an image output mode is set, a storage unit for storing the input job, and a determining unit for determining whether or not a storage capacity shortage occurs in the storage unit. A dividing unit that divides an input job into a plurality of jobs when it is determined that a storage capacity shortage occurs; and an image output that cannot be executed due to job division among image output forms set for the job. An image forming system comprising: a canceling / maintaining unit that cancels the setting of the mode and maintains the setting of the image output mode that can be executed even when the job is divided. 7. A step of inputting a job for which an image output mode has been set, a step of storing the input job, and determining whether a storage capacity shortage occurs in a device for storing the input job. The process and, if it is determined that the storage capacity is insufficient, a process of dividing the input job into a plurality of jobs; and an image which cannot be executed due to the job division among image output forms set in the job. Canceling the setting of the output mode and maintaining the setting of the image output mode that can be executed even if the job is divided. 8. A process for inputting a job for which an image output mode is set, a process for storing an input job, and determining whether or not a storage capacity shortage occurs in a device for storing the input job. Processing, when it is determined that the storage capacity is insufficient, a process of dividing an input job into a plurality of jobs, and an image which cannot be executed due to job division among image output forms set for the job. A computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing a computer to execute processing for canceling the setting of the output mode and maintaining the setting of the image output mode that can be executed even when the job is divided.