JP3879689B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing program, and an information processing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine has a large-capacity hard disk capable of storing jobs including image data in addition to a memory for storing image data in units of pages at the time of printing.
[0003]
For example, this type of image forming apparatus can store processed jobs that have been printed, for example, in a storage unit such as a hard disk, so that the stored processed jobs can be reused.
[0004]
In addition, there has been proposed a technique capable of changing a print attribute such as the number of copies of a print job already stored in a storage unit and executing the print job (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As a result, the user can reprint with the print attributes desired by the user very easily using the processed job.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-80143 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a processed job is executed by changing the print attribute, the print attribute can be changed and the job can be executed at any time in a predetermined storage area. The stored print job is duplicated and stored in another storage area.
[0007]
However, print jobs often have large image data, and if a print job already stored in the storage unit is copied and stored as it is, the usage amount of the storage unit will increase unnecessarily. There's a problem.
[0008]
In addition, in order to improve the convenience for the user, it is desirable that the duplication job can be further duplicated for reuse. However, in such a case, the usage amount of the storage unit is further increased, and there is a possibility that it may hinder the storage of other jobs, for example. Further, if the duplicate job is further duplicated, the job processing may become complicated and the job management may become complicated.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress a duplication job using a processed job already stored in the storage unit from increasing an amount of use of the storage unit. An information processing apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing method that can be created with a simple configuration are provided.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
[0011]
(1) An information processing apparatus using a storage unit for storing a normal job having image data and setting information set for processing using the image data, and the normal job stored in the storage unit A duplication job creation unit for creating a duplication job, wherein the duplication job creation unit creates a duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job and having no image data. Information processing apparatus.
[0012]
(2) The duplication job further includes duplication job setting information set for processing of the duplication job, and the information processing apparatus is configured to create a second duplication job for creating a second duplication job using the duplication job. The second duplication job creation unit further synthesizes the duplication job setting information so that the duplication job setting information of the duplication job has priority over the setting information of the normal job. The processing according to (1), characterized in that a second duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job including the setting information after the composition processing and having no image data is generated. Information processing device.
[0013]
(3) Information processing for causing a computer to execute a duplication job creation procedure for creating a duplication job using image data and a normal job having setting information set for processing using the image data stored in the storage unit What is claimed is: 1. An information processing program for creating a duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job and having no image data in the duplication job creation procedure.
[0014]
(4) The duplication job further includes duplication job setting information set for processing of the duplication job, and the information processing program creates a second duplication job for creating a second duplication job using the duplication job. The creation procedure is further executed by the computer, and in the second duplicate job creation procedure, the duplication job setting information is synthesized so that the duplication job setting information of the duplication job has priority over the setting information of the normal job. The second duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job including the setting information after the synthesis processing and having no image data is created. The information processing program according to 3).
[0015]
(5) An information processing method for storing a normal job having image data and setting information set for processing using the image data, and a duplication job using the normal job stored in the storage step A duplication job creation step for creating a copy job, and in the duplication job creation step, a duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job and having no image data is created. Information processing method.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which a server as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0018]
The network system shown in FIG. 1 has a multi-function peripheral (MFP) 100. The MFP 100 includes a server 200 and a copier 300 connected to the server 200 via a cable 500.
[0019]
The server 200 of the MFP 100 is connected to the client 400 via the network 600 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 600 includes a LAN based on a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, FDDI, or a WAN in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line. Note that the types and the number of devices connected to the network 600 are not limited to the example shown in FIG.
[0020]
In addition to the copying function, the MFP 100 has a function as a network printer that prints data received from another device, for example, the client 400 via the network 600 by the copying machine 300, and a document obtained by reading the document by the copying machine 300. It has a function as a network scanner that transmits image data to another device such as the client 400 via the network 600. In this embodiment, when transmitting image data obtained by reading a document, the user can select a desired transmission method from among a transmission method using e-mail, a transmission method according to FTP, and a transmission method according to HTTP. Can be selected.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the server shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 200 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, an operation unit 203, a display unit 204, a job processing unit 205, a local interface 206, and a network interface 207, which exchange signals. Are connected to each other via a bus 208.
[0022]
The control unit 201 includes a CPU, and controls the entire apparatus and performs various arithmetic processes. The storage unit 202 stores a ROM for storing programs and data, a RAM for temporarily storing programs and data as a work area, various programs read into the RAM when the program is executed by the control unit, and various data. For this purpose, it comprises a hard disk as an external storage device.
[0023]
The server 200 stores a print job including image data to be printed based on the function of the MFP 100 as a network printer and a scan job including image data to be transmitted based on the function of the MFP 100 as a network scanner. Can be stored on the hard disk. Therefore, it is possible to reuse the accumulated processed job by printing or transmitting it again. In the present invention, the job includes a print job and a scan job. Hereinafter, the print job will be mainly described.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of a normal job that is a job other than a duplicate job. As shown in FIG. 3, a directory is created for each job. A job created in the form of a directory has three types of files: a job common header, a page-specific header, and a page image. In the job common header H, information related to the entire job, that is, a job number, setting information S, and reference information R are described. The job number is a code assigned to identify each job. The normal job setting information S is information set for processing using image data. In this setting information S, for example, printing attributes including printing conditions such as the number of copies, paper size, and the presence or absence of stapling can be described. The reference information R for the normal job describes information for referring to the page-specific header and the page image. Image data is usually included in a job as a plurality of page images filed in page units. Information related to the corresponding page image is described in the page-specific header.
[0025]
An operation unit 203 shown in FIG. 2 is used for inputting characters and numerical values, or for various instructions. The display unit 204 is used to perform various displays, and is a liquid crystal display, for example.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the job processing unit shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the job processing unit 205 includes a rasterizing unit 221, a job management unit 222, an image input processing unit 223, a garbage collector unit 224, and an image output processing unit 225.
[0027]
The rasterizing unit 221 expands data described in the print control language into bitmap data. The job management unit 222 manages processes such as job input, storage, and execution. The image input processing unit 223 captures a job including image data, and temporarily stores the captured job on the hard disk. The garbage collector unit 224 performs management related to the storage of jobs stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 202. The garbage collector 224 deletes a job according to a predetermined condition such as a storage expiration date. The image output processing unit 225 reads a job including image data from the hard disk of the storage unit 202 and outputs the read image data. In the present embodiment, each function of the job processing unit 205 is realized by the control unit 201 executing a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 202.
[0028]
A local interface 206 shown in FIG. 2 is an interface for directly communicating between devices, and corresponds to, for example, the USB standard. However, the local interface 206 is not limited to this, and is compatible with a wired communication standard such as SCSI, RS-232C, IEEE1394, IEEE1284, or a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, or IrDA. It may correspond to.
[0029]
The network interface 207 is an interface for connecting to the network 600, and is, for example, a LAN card.
[0030]
Note that the server 200 may include components other than the components described above, or some of the components described above may not be included. For example, the operation unit 203 and the display unit 204 can be omitted. In this case, for example, the server 200 can be remotely operated from the client 400.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the copier 300 includes a control unit 301, a storage unit 302, an operation unit 303, a display unit 304, an image reading unit 305, a printing unit 306, and a local interface 307, which exchange signals. Are connected to each other via a bus 308. Of the components of the copier 300, descriptions of portions having the same functions as those of the server 200 are omitted.
[0032]
The image reading unit 305 is for reading a document. The image reading unit 305 has a light receiving element such as a CCD for applying light to a document with a light source and photoelectrically converting the reflected light. In addition, the image reading unit 305 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) for conveying documents one by one to a predetermined reading position.
[0033]
The printing unit 306 prints various data on a recording material such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.
[0034]
Note that the copier 300 may include components other than the components described above, or may not include some of the components described above. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus connected to the server 200 is not necessarily limited to a copying machine, and may be a device such as a printer or a scanner.
[0035]
The client 400 is, for example, a general personal computer (PC). A job management application is installed in the client 400. When the job management application is activated on the client 400, the client 400 communicates with the job management unit 222 of the server 200. As a result, the user sends a job list list transmission request indicating a list of jobs stored in the server 200 through the client 400, a job deletion command for deleting a predetermined job from the job list list, and a job list list. Various operations related to jobs such as a re-execution request for re-executing a predetermined job in the job, and a creation and execution request for a duplicate job (including a combined job) using the predetermined job in the job list can be performed.
[0036]
Here, the duplicate job is a job that uses the processed job, in other words, a separate job that duplicates at least one other job that has already been saved. As will be described later, image data associated with a duplication job can be obtained by referring to another job. In a duplication job, header information can be set as appropriate. A duplication job as a backup may be created. The combined job is a separate job obtained by combining two or more other jobs, and is here treated as a kind of duplication job. The combined job includes a job that combines two or more other already stored jobs, and a job that combines one or more other already stored jobs and a new scan job. May be.
[0037]
Next, job processing in the server 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10 is stored as a program in the storage unit 202 of the server 200 and is executed by the control unit 201.
[0038]
FIG. 6 is a main flowchart for generally explaining job processing in the server.
[0039]
When a job processing application is activated in the server 200, first, a garbage collector initialization process is performed (S101).
[0040]
In the garbage collector initialization process, a job management block that is information for each job for managing the storage state of the processed job is created. The job management block includes, for example, job end date / time information indicating the date and time when the job execution is completed, storage time limit information indicating the time limit for storing the job, and ON (ON) when the job storage time limit has expired. Various information such as a time limit flag to be set is included. The storage period information can be designated by a user operation. If no designation is made by user operation, the storage period from the job end date and time is set as a default value. Job management blocks are created for all processed jobs that have already been saved. The created plurality of job management blocks are stored in the storage unit 202 as one job management list.
[0041]
Subsequently, a pre-job submission setting process is performed (S102). That is, the reference information and setting information of the job common header in the job to be processed are created based on the received user instruction content. Details of the pre-job submission setting process will be described later. If the job is a print job prior to the pre-job setting process, for example, the job is received from the client 400 and spooled. On the other hand, when the job is a scan job, the server 200 inquires of the copying machine 300 to monitor a status indicating whether or not a predetermined amount of image data to be sent has accumulated in the storage unit 302 of the copying machine 300. When a predetermined amount of image data to be sent has accumulated in the copying machine 300, a status indicating that it has accumulated is received from the copying machine 300.
[0042]
Subsequently, job input processing is performed (S103). In the job submission process, a job development process for creating a job common header for output and a queuing process for adding a job to a queue for receiving a job execution process are performed. The job common header for output is used in the next job execution process and can be saved as the job common header of the processed job. Details of the job development process in the job input process will be described later.
[0043]
Then, job execution processing is performed (S104). In the job execution process, jobs including image data are sequentially captured in the RAM of the storage unit 202, and the captured jobs are temporarily stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 202 and saved. The job stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 202 is sequentially read from the hard disk and temporarily stored in the RAM, and then the read image data is output. The image data output process in the job execution process will be described in detail by taking a copy job as an example.
[0044]
When the job execution process ends, a garbage collector process is performed (S105). In the garbage collector process, a job management block for the latest job that has been executed is created and added to the job management list. Then, the contents of the job management list are referred to, and the corresponding job is deleted from the hard disk of the storage unit 202 in accordance with a predetermined condition such as storage expiration.
[0045]
In step S106, it is determined whether or not the job processing application is terminated. If the job processing application is terminated (YES in S106), the program execution is terminated. If the job processing application has not ended (NO in S106), the process returns to step S102 to prepare for the next job.
[0046]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the pre-job submission setting process in step S102 of FIG. 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, it is first determined whether or not to copy the processed job based on the received user instruction (S201).
[0047]
When copying a processed job (YES in S201), another processed job used for copying is retrieved from the storage unit 202 (S202).
[0048]
Subsequently, information for referring to the other processed job that has been taken out is written in the reference information of the duplicate job (S203). FIG. 11 shows an example of the data structure of a duplication job. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the directory name of the job common header HL in the other processed job that has been taken out is written in the reference information RU of the job common header HU in the duplicate job. As a result, a duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job and having no image data can be created.
[0049]
In step S204, it is determined whether all other processed jobs used for copying have been taken out. If there is another processed job that has not been taken out (NO in S204), the process returns to step S202. If all other processed jobs used for copying have been extracted (YES in S204), the process proceeds to step S205.
[0050]
On the other hand, when the processed job is not duplicated in step S201 (NO in S201), the reference information R of the job common header H in the normal job is created (see FIG. 3).
[0051]
In step S205, job common header setting information for the job to be processed is created. The setting information of the job common header in the duplication job constitutes duplication job setting information.
[0052]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the job development process in the job input process in step S103 of FIG. 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, first, an output job common header is initialized (S301). This job common header for output is provided in a predetermined area of the storage unit 202.
[0053]
Subsequently, setting information S, SU, or ST (see FIGS. 3, 11, and 12) of the job to be processed is written in the job common header for output (S302). Here, FIG. 12 shows an example of a duplication job that further duplicates the duplication job and has a transitional three-layer structure before job expansion processing.
[0054]
Subsequently, in the reference information R, RU or RT (see FIGS. 3, 11 and 12) of the job to be processed, information for referring to another job, that is, the job common header of another processed job is displayed. It is searched whether or not the directory name exists, and when the information exists, the number of the reference destination jobs is the number N of jobs in the second layer. ₂ (S303).
[0055]
For example, in the normal job shown in FIG. 3, the page information header and the file name of the page image are described in the reference information R, and there is no information for referring to other jobs. In this case, the number of jobs in the second layer N ₂ Is 0. In the duplicate job shown in FIG. 11, the directory name of the job common header HL is described in the reference information RU as information for referring to another job. In this case, the number of jobs in the second layer N ₂ Is 1. Further, in the duplicate job having a three-layer structure before the job expansion process shown in FIG. 12, the directory names of the job common headers HU1 and HU2 are described in the reference information RT as information for referring to other jobs. ing. In this case, the number of jobs in the second layer N ₂ Is 2.
[0056]
Subsequently, the number of jobs in the second layer N ₂ Is determined to be greater than 0 (S304). Number of jobs in second layer N ₂ However, if it is not larger than 0 (NO in S304), it is determined that the job to be processed is a normal job and not a duplicate job, and the reference information R of the normal job is written in the job common header for output. (S305).
[0057]
Number of jobs in second layer N ₂ Is greater than 0 (YES in S304), it is determined that the job to be processed is a duplication job, and a plurality (N ₂ ) Second-layer job counter C indicating the unique number of the job of interest among certain second-layer jobs ₂ Is set to 0 (S306). The second layer job counter C ₂ Starts at 0.
[0058]
Next, the second layer job counter C ₂ Is the number of jobs in the second layer N ₂ It is determined whether or not it is smaller (S307). C ₂ <N ₂ In the case of (YES in S307), C that has not been expanded yet ₂ It is determined that there is a second-layer job corresponding to this value, and the process proceeds to step S308. C ₂ ≧ N ₂ (NO in S307), C ₂ It is determined that all the second layer jobs corresponding to the value of have been expanded.
[0059]
In step S308, the second layer job counter C ₂ The job common header of the second layer job corresponding to the value of the value is read into a predetermined area of the storage unit 202 and used as a job common header for work that is temporarily used.
[0060]
Subsequently, reference information RL, RU1 or RU2 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) in the job common header for work includes information for referring to other jobs, that is, the directory name of the job common header in other processed jobs. If the information exists, the number of the reference destination job is the number N of the third layer jobs. _Three (S309).
[0061]
For example, in the duplication job shown in FIG. 11, the reference information RL describes the page-specific header and the file name of the page image, and there is no information for referring to other jobs. In this case, the number N of jobs in the third layer _Three Is 0. In the duplicate job having a three-layer structure before the job expansion process shown in FIG. 12, the directory name of the job common header HL1 is described in the reference information RU1 as information for referring to another job. . In this case, the number N of jobs in the third layer ₂ Is 1. The next second-layer job counter C ₂ In the processing corresponding to, since the directory names of the job common headers HL21 and HL22 are described in the reference information RU2, the number of jobs in the third layer N _Three Becomes 2.
[0062]
Next, the number of jobs in the third layer N _Three Is greater than 0 (S310). Number of jobs in the third layer N _Three Is not greater than 0 (NO in S310), it is determined that the job to be processed is a duplicate job having a two-layer structure, and the reference information RL of the duplicate job is written in the job common header for output. (S311).
[0063]
Number of jobs in the third layer N _Three Is greater than 0 (YES in S310), it is determined that the job to be processed is a duplication job having a three-layer structure before the job expansion processing, and a plurality (N _Three ) Third-layer job counter C indicating the unique number of the job of interest among certain third-layer jobs _Three Is set to 0 (S313). The third layer job counter C _Three Starts at 0.
[0064]
Subsequently, the third layer job counter C _Three Is the number of third-layer jobs N _Three It is determined whether or not it is smaller than (S314). C _Three <N _Three In the case of (YES in S314), C that has not been expanded yet _Three It is determined that there is a third-layer job corresponding to this value, and the process proceeds to step S315. C _Three ≧ N _Three (NO in S314), C _Three It is determined that all the third-layer jobs corresponding to the value of have been expanded, and the process proceeds to step S312.
[0065]
In step S312, the second-layer job counter C ₂ 1 is added to and the process returns to step S307.
[0066]
In step S315, the third-layer job counter C _Three Combining the setting information of the job common header for the work with respect to the setting information of the job common header in the third layer job corresponding to Processing is performed. For example, in FIG. _Three For example, in the case of the third layer job corresponding to the value of 0, the setting information SL1 of the job common header, that is, the setting information of the job common header HL1 A combining process for combining the setting information SU1 of the second layer job is performed so that the contents of the setting information SU1 have priority. As a result, the setting information SL1 of the job common header HL1 in the third layer job (normal job) is changed to the setting information SL1a (see FIG. 13) after the composition processing. More specifically, in the setting information SL1 of the job common header HL1 for the third layer job (normal job), the sheet size is specified as A3, and the job common header HU1 of the second layer job is specified. When the setting information SU1 specifies that the printed paper is Z-folded to the size of A4, the printed paper is Z-folded to the size of A4 in the setting information SL1a after the composition process. Will be specified. Here, Z-folding refers to a folding process in which a sheet is bent twice in a Z shape when viewed from the direction of the extension line of the fold. In the present embodiment, the setting information of both is combined so that a union is obtained for items that do not contradict each other. However, the setting information SL1 in the job common header HU1 in the second layer job is overwritten with the setting information SL1 in the job common header HL1 in the third layer job (normal job), thereby setting the setting information SL1. It may be completely replaced with SU1.
[0067]
Subsequently, reference information for referring to the third layer job including the setting information after the composition processing is written in the job common header for output (S316). For example, in FIG. _Three For example, in the case of the third layer job corresponding to the value of 0, the directory name of the job common header HL1 in the normal job including the setting information SL1a after the synthesis process shown in FIG. Written in the common header. The job common header for output is a job common header for processed jobs stored in the storage unit 202.
[0068]
Therefore, a duplication job that further duplicates a duplication job and has a transitional three-layer structure before job expansion processing as shown in FIG. By combining the setting information so that priority is given to the setting information of the layer, it is converted into a duplication job having a two-layer structure as shown in FIG. As a result, the processed job is always kept in a data structure of two layers or less. In addition, since it is considered that the setting information of the second layer job set later matches the latest usage status of the user, the setting information of the second layer job is set to the setting of the third layer job. Use value increases by giving priority to information.
[0069]
In step S317, the third-layer job counter C _Three 1 is added to and the process returns to step S314.
[0070]
Next, image data output processing in the case of a duplication job in the job execution processing in step S104 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 10, first, among the plurality of pages used in the duplication job, 0 is set to page number P indicating the order of the page of interest in the entire duplication job (S401). The page number P starts from 0.
[0072]
Subsequently, a job common header of a normal job having a page corresponding to the value of the page number P is searched, and the job common header is set as a job common header for work temporarily used (S402).
[0073]
In step S403, it is determined whether or not a job common header for the intended work has been obtained in step S402. That is, it is determined whether a job common header of a normal job having a page corresponding to the page number P is found.
[0074]
When the job common header for the target work is obtained (YES in S403), the page number P corresponding to the job indicated by the job common header for the work is searched and the page is searched. The number is set to the second page number Pt (S404).
[0075]
Subsequently, the page-specific header corresponding to the value of the second page number Pt and the setting information of the working job common header are combined so that the contents of the setting information of the working job common header have priority, and the page A header is created (S405). This is because the setting information of the job common header of the normal job is considered to match the user's intention rather than the page specific header. Here, the page header is print management header information for printing a page image in the case of a print job, for example.
[0076]
Subsequently, a composition process for combining the setting information of the job common header of the duplication job is performed on the page header created in step S405 so that the content of the setting information of the job common header of the duplication job has priority. (S406). This is because it is considered that the setting information of the job common header of the duplicate job set later than the setting information of the job common header of the normal job matches the latest usage situation of the user.
[0077]
In step S 407, a page image corresponding to the value of page number P among the image data is output to the copying machine 300. Here, the printing unit 306 of the copying machine 300 prints the page image on a sheet by using the page header after the composition processing. Subsequently, 1 is added to the page number P (S408), and the process returns to step S402.
[0078]
If the target job common job header is not obtained (NO in S403), page headers are created for all pages used in the duplication job and all page images have been output. To be judged.
[0079]
In the image data output process in the case of a normal job in the job execution process, for each page included in the normal job, the page-specific header and the setting information of the job common header of the normal job include the job of the normal job. The page header is created by combining the setting information of the common header so that priority is given.
[0080]
As described above, the server 200 as the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment stores the normal job having the image data and the setting information set regarding the processing using the image data in the storage unit 202, and the stored normal When creating a duplication job using a job, a duplication job having reference information for referring to a normal job and having no image data is created. Therefore, a duplication job using a normal job can be created with a simple configuration while suppressing an increase in the usage amount of the storage unit, and can cope with various usage forms of the user without any trouble.
[0081]
In addition, when the server 200 further creates a second duplication job by duplicating the duplication job, the setting information of the duplication job is set so that the setting information of the duplication job has priority over the setting information of the normal job. A composition process for composition is performed, and a second duplication job having reference information for referring to a normal job including setting information after the composition process and having no image data is created. Therefore, the second duplication job that transiently forms a three-layer structure by further duplicating the duplication job is converted into a duplication job having a two-layer structure. As a result, the processed job is always kept in a data structure of two layers or less. As a result, an increase in the usage amount of the storage unit can be suppressed, and the possibility of hindering the storage of other jobs can be prevented. In addition, when the processed job has a multilayer structure of three or more layers, the setting information of each layer must be synthesized one by one, which not only complicates the processing, but also the processing of the processed job may be complicated due to the multilayer structure. However, in this embodiment, such a problem is solved. In addition, since the setting information of the duplicate job set later is considered to match the latest usage status of the user, it is useful to give priority to the setting information of the duplicate job over the setting information of the normal job. Has the advantage of increased.
[0082]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
[0083]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a PC is based on an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, and a scanner, and an information processing apparatus such as a server that can manage the image forming apparatus as separate devices. Although the MFP has been described, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The present invention can of course be applied to a single image forming apparatus that integrally includes a function as an information processing apparatus.
[0084]
In the above-described embodiment, the job is stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 202 of the server 200, but the storage medium for storing the job is not limited to the hard disk. The storage medium for storing the job may be anything as long as it has a predetermined storage capacity capable of storing the job including the image data, and may be a storage medium such as a large-capacity RAM or DVD.
[0085]
In the present invention, the means for performing various processes in the information processing apparatus such as a server can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the device as one function of the device.
[0086]
The embodiments of the present invention described above include the inventions as shown in the following supplementary notes 1 to 3 in addition to the inventions described in claims 1 to 5.
[0087]
[Appendix 1] The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting information and the duplication job setting information have a printing attribute including a condition for printing.
[0088]
[Supplementary Note 2] A computer-readable recording medium on which the information processing program according to claim 3 or 4 is recorded.
[0089]
[Supplementary Note 3] The duplication job further includes duplication job setting information set for processing of the duplication job,
The information processing method further includes a second duplication job creation step for creating a second duplication job using the duplication job,
In the second duplicate job creation step, a composition process is performed to compose the duplicate job setting information so that the duplicate job setting information of the duplicate job has priority over the normal job setting information. 6. The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein a second duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job including setting information after processing and having no image data is created.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a duplication job using a normal job can be created with a simple configuration while suppressing an increase in the amount of use of the storage unit, and can cope with various usage forms of users without any problem. obtain.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which a server as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a normal job.
4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a job processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the copier shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a main flowchart for generally explaining job processing in the server.
7 is a flowchart for explaining the pre-job submission setting process of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a job development process in the job input process of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining job development processing continued from FIG. 8;
10 is a flowchart for explaining image data output processing in the case of a duplication job in the job execution processing of FIG. 6; FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a duplication job.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a duplication job that further duplicates a duplication job and has a transitional three-layer structure before job expansion processing;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a duplication job that further duplicates a duplication job and has a two-layer structure after job expansion processing;
[Explanation of symbols]
100: MFP,
200 ... server,
201, 301 ... control unit,
202, 302 ... storage unit,
203, 303 ... operation unit,
204, 304 ... display section,
205 ... job processing unit,
206, 307 ... local interface,
207 ... Network interface,
208, 308 ... Bus,
221... Rasterizing section,
222: Job management unit,
223 ... an image input processing unit,
224 ... garbage collector,
225 ... an image output processing unit,
300 ... copier,
400 ... client,
500 ... cable,
600: Network.

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus,
Storage means for storing a normal job having image data and setting information set for processing using the image data;
A duplication job creation means for creating a duplication job using the normal job stored in the storage means;
The duplication job creation means creates an duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job and having no image data. The duplication job further includes duplication job setting information set for processing of the duplication job,
The information processing apparatus further includes second duplication job creation means for creating a second duplication job using the duplication job,
The second duplication job creation means performs a synthesizing process for synthesizing the duplication job setting information so that the content of the duplication job setting information of the duplication job has priority over the setting information of the normal job. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job including subsequent setting information and having no image data is created. An information processing program for causing a computer to execute a duplication job creation procedure for creating a duplication job using image data and a normal job having setting information set for processing using the image data, stored in a storage unit. And
An information processing program characterized in that, in the duplicate job creation procedure, a duplicate job having reference information for referring to the normal job and having no image data is created. The duplication job further includes duplication job setting information set for processing of the duplication job,
The information processing program causes the computer to further execute a second duplication job creation procedure for creating a second duplication job using the duplication job,
In the second duplicating job creation procedure, a compositing process for synthesizing the duplicating job setting information is performed on the setting information of the normal job so that the duplication job setting information of the duplicating job has priority. 4. The information processing program according to claim 3, wherein a second duplication job having reference information for referring to the normal job including setting information after processing and having no image data is created. An information processing method,
Storing a normal job having image data and setting information set for processing using the image data;
A duplication job creation step for creating a duplication job using the normal job stored in the storage step;
An information processing method, wherein, in the duplicate job creating step, a duplicate job having reference information for referring to the normal job and having no image data is created.

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