JP3977204B2 - Suspended job restart method, image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Interrupted by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses The suspended job Any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses The present invention relates to a suspended job resuming method for resuming and an image forming system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been developed and provided an image forming apparatus capable of resuming a job being executed for at least a limited function such as interrupt copying and then restarting the job.
[0003]
In addition, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which print information related to job interruption and resumption is stored on a movable medium, so that a job interrupted by one apparatus can be resumed by another apparatus. In this system consisting of image forming devices, print information related to job suspension and resumption is transferred via a removable storage medium, so that the user's movement to carry a physical storage medium just corresponds to the movement of an interrupted job It provides a user-friendly and reliable operation model. According to this clear operation model, even if a plurality of users have interrupted jobs at a certain point in time, the job of the user who operates the apparatus for resumption can be reliably resumed.
[0004]
On the other hand, an image forming apparatus installed in a store such as an office or a convenience store and used by many users is designed to be shared by multiple users, but unlike computers such as engineering workstations, In many cases, a user management mechanism for identifying and controlling each user to whom a job executed by an image forming apparatus belongs is not provided at all, and even if it is provided, it has not been fully utilized.
[0005]
For example, a copying machine used in a convenience store or the like is controlled so that the apparatus can be used by depositing money such as coins into a fee collection apparatus connected to the apparatus. However, in such a copying machine, the user related to the job to be input has not been specified.
[0006]
For example, in a copier used in an office or the like, the department is identified from a mechanism for inputting a department code and a personal identification number for identifying a department such as a department or section, or a card such as a magnetic card or an IC card. And a mechanism for reading information for the user, and the apparatus is controlled to be usable after the department to which the user belongs is authenticated. However, in such a copier, even if the department to which the user related to the submitted job is identified, the identified department information is statistical processing for counting the amount of use of the device for each department, accounting for usage charges, Alternatively, it is only used for use restriction processing so as not to exceed a predetermined use restriction preset for each department. Similarly, in copiers, printers, faxes, etc. shared by multiple customers at business hotels, etc., the specified room information is charged for the use of the device even if the user's room number related to the job is specified. It was only used to account for the billing included in the room at checkout.
[0007]
Further, for example, printers used in offices and the like are generally used in combination with computers such as engineering workstations and personal computers. Therefore, when a print job is input from the computer to the printer, the computer There has been proposed a printer that receives user identification information in the user management mechanism as additional information of a job. In such a printer, the received user information may be printed on a banner page for separating print output sheet bundles of a plurality of jobs, and may be used to easily collect the print results of the jobs that the user has input. It was.
[0008]
Further, in the secure print function for controlling to discharge the print output paper only when the user inputs user identification information and a password later to the printer without discharging the print output paper at the time of job input, User information received with a job may be used.
[0009]
Alternatively, in a print server that can schedule a plurality of print jobs by spooling a plurality of print jobs, the print job registered in the print queue (queue) is permitted to be interrupted, resumed, canceled, and changed in priority. In some cases, the user information received together with the job by the print server may be used in order to give the operation authority only to the job submitted by the user and to prohibit the operation on the job submitted by another user.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional image forming apparatus and the image forming system constituted by a plurality of image forming apparatuses have the following problems.
[0012]
The conventional image forming apparatus designed on the premise of sharing by a plurality of users does not include a user management mechanism for identifying and controlling each user to which the job to be executed belongs, or even if provided. Because it was not fully utilized, when resuming a job that was interrupted, the user had to select a job related to him from among the jobs that others had interrupted, which tended to be cumbersome. . That is, there is a problem that the other person's hold job is bothered.
[0013]
In addition, there was a concern that a job held on its own could be inappropriately manipulated by others.
[0014]
Also, since it is not necessary for the user to forget about the existence of a pending job, the system wants the system to automatically call attention. On the contrary, it is complicated.
[0015]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can easily select and resume a desired job from among a large number of held jobs, and can be easily interrupted with appropriate attention to the existence of a held job. Understand job hold status, and each user under appropriate access control At the desired image forming device Can handle suspended jobs Do For the purpose.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Interrupted by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses The suspended job Any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses A method for resuming a suspended job that is resumed, The plurality of In the image forming device Suspended Suspended job Job control data including at least reference information for identifying a device storing job data and user information for identifying a user who owns the job data A management process to manage In any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses A login process for performing a login process for identifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus, and after the login process is completed, The user who performed the login process based on the user information included in the job control data managed in the management process is the owner. The suspended job display process that displays the suspended job and the displayed suspended job The image forming apparatus that has performed the login process in the login process step based on the reference information included in the job control data managed in the management step stores the job data Get the job data from And a suspended job resuming step for resuming the job.
[0017]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Connected An image forming system, The plurality of In the image forming device Suspended Suspended job Job control data including at least reference information for identifying a device storing job data and user information for identifying a user who owns the job data Management means for managing In any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses Login processing means for performing login processing for specifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus, and after the login processing is completed, The user who performed the login process based on the user information included in the job control data managed by the management means is the owner. Suspended job display means for displaying suspended jobs and displayed suspended jobs An image forming apparatus that has performed login processing by the login processing unit based on the reference information included in the job control data managed by the management unit stores the job data Get the job data from And an interrupted job restarting means for restarting the job.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
First, the configuration of an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses to which the interrupted job restart method according to the present invention is applied, and the configuration and operation of each image forming apparatus will be described.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 110 includes a scanner unit 113 that is an image input device, a printer unit 114 that is an image output device, a control unit 111, and an operation unit 112 that is a user interface. Each of the scanner unit 113, the printer unit 114, and the operation unit 112 is connected to the control unit 111 and controlled by a command from the control unit 111. The control unit 111 is connected to network transmission means such as a local area network (LAN) 100.
[0021]
In addition, other image forming apparatuses 120 and 130 having the same device configuration as the image forming apparatus 110 are also connected to the LAN 100. The image forming apparatus 120 includes a scanner unit 123, a printer unit 124, and an operation unit 122, which are connected to and controlled by the control unit 121. The image forming apparatus 130 includes a scanner unit 133, a printer unit 134, and an operation unit 132, which are connected to and controlled by the control unit 131.
[0022]
The host computer 101 is connected to network transmission means such as the LAN 100. As will be described later, the host computer 101 includes a Web browser and displays the status of the image forming apparatus based on the HTML file received from the image forming apparatus.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a user interface (hereinafter “UI”) module that mediates between a device operation and a user operation when an operator performs various operations or settings on the image forming apparatus. In accordance with an operator's operation, this module transfers input information to various modules to be described later, and requests processing or sets data.
[0024]
Reference numeral 202 denotes an address book module, that is, a database module that manages a data transmission destination, a communication destination, and the like. Data managed by the address book module 202 is added, deleted, and acquired by operations from the UI module 201. Further, the address book module 202 provides data transmission and communication destination information to each module to be described later by an operator's operation.
[0025]
Reference numeral 203 denotes a Web server module (Web-Server module) that notifies management information of the image forming apparatus in response to a request from a Web client (for example, the host computer 101). This management information includes an integrated transmission unit (Universal-Send) module 204, which will be described later, a remote-copy-scan module 209, which will be described later, a remote-copy-print module 210, which will be described later. It is acquired via a control API (Control-API) module 218 and notified to a Web client via an HTTP module 212, a TCP / IP communication module 216, and a network driver (Network-Driver) 217, which will be described later.
[0026]
Reference numeral 204 denotes an integrated transmission module (Universal-Send) module, that is, a module that manages data distribution. This module distributes data designated by the operator via the UI module 201 to the communication (output) destination designated in the same manner. When an operator instructs the generation of distribution data using the scanner function of the device, the device is operated via a control API module 218 described later to generate data.
[0027]
A printer module 205 in the integrated transmission module 204 is executed when a printer is designated as an output destination. Reference numeral 206 denotes an E-mail module in the integrated transmission module 204, which is executed when an E-mail address is designated as a communication destination. A database module 207 in the integrated transmission module 204 is executed when a database is designated as an output destination. Reference numeral 208 denotes a DP module in the integrated transmission module 204, which is executed when an image forming apparatus similar to this apparatus is designated as an output destination.
[0028]
Reference numeral 209 denotes a remote-copy-scan module. This module is realized by a single image forming apparatus by reading image information using the scanner function of the image forming apparatus and outputting the read image information to another image forming apparatus connected via a network or the like. This is a module that performs a copy function using another image forming apparatus.
[0029]
Reference numeral 210 denotes a remote-copy-print module. This module is a copy function realized by a single image forming apparatus by outputting image information obtained by another image forming apparatus connected via a network or the like using the printer function of the image forming apparatus. Is a module that performs the above using another image forming apparatus.
[0030]
Reference numeral 211 denotes a Web pull-print module. This module is a module that reads and prints information on various homepages on the Internet or an intranet.
[0031]
Reference numeral 212 denotes an HTTP module. This module is used when the image forming apparatus performs communication by HTTP, and provides a communication function to the Web server module 203 and the Web pull print module 211 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0032]
Reference numeral 213 denotes an lpr module. This module provides a communication function to the printer module 205 in the integrated transmission module 204 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0033]
Reference numeral 214 denotes an SMTP module. This module provides a communication function to the E-mail module 206 in the integrated transmission module 204 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0034]
Reference numeral 215 denotes an SLM (Salutation-Manager) module. This module provides a communication function to the database module 207, DP module 208, remote copy scan module 209, and remote copy print module 210 in the integrated transmission unit 204 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0035]
Reference numeral 216 denotes a TCP / IP communication module. This module provides a network communication function to the various modules described above using a network driver 217 described later. Reference numeral 217 denotes a network driver that controls a portion physically connected to the network.
[0036]
Reference numeral 218 denotes a control API. This provides an upstream module such as the integrated transmission module 204 with an interface to a downstream module such as a job manager module (Job-Manager) 219 described later. Thereby, the dependence between upstream and downstream modules is reduced, and each diversion property can be improved.
[0037]
Reference numeral 219 denotes a job manager module. This module interprets various processes instructed from the various modules described above via the control API 218, and gives instructions to the modules (220, 224, 226) described later. The job manager module 219 manages hardware processing executed in the image forming apparatus in an integrated manner.
[0038]
Reference numeral 220 denotes a codec manager (CODEC-Manager) module. This module manages and controls various types of data compression / decompression during the process instructed by the job manager module 219.
[0039]
Reference numeral 221 denotes an FBE encoder module (FBE-Encoder). This module compresses data read by a scan process executed by a job manager module 219 or a scan manager module 224 (to be described later) using the FBE format.
[0040]
Reference numeral 222 denotes a JPEG codec module (JPEG-CODEC). This module performs JPEG compression of read data and JPEG expansion of print data in a scan process executed by the job manager module 219 or the scan manager module 224 or a print process executed by the print manager module 226. The processing is performed.
[0041]
Reference numeral 223 denotes an MMR codec (MMR-CODEC) module. This module performs MMR compression of read data and MMR expansion processing of print data in a scan process executed by the job manager module 219 or the scan manager module 224 or a print process executed by the print manager module 226. is there.
[0042]
Reference numeral 224 denotes a scan manager module. This module manages and controls scan processing instructed by the job manager module 219. A SCSI driver 225 handles communication between the scan manager module 224 and the scanner unit internally connected to the image forming apparatus.
[0043]
Reference numeral 226 denotes a print manager module. This module manages and controls print processing instructed by the job manager module 219. Reference numeral 227 denotes an engine interface (Engine-I / F) module. This module provides an interface between the print manager module 226 and the printing unit.
[0044]
A parallel port driver 228 provides an I / F when the Web pull print module 211 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.
[0045]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 111 is connected to a scanner 113 that is an image input device and a printer 114 that is an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN), so that image information and devices are connected. A controller that inputs and outputs information.
[0046]
In the control unit 111, the CPU 301 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory used for the CPU 301 to operate. The RAM 302 is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 303 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 304 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data.
[0047]
The operation unit I / F 306 controls an interface with the operation unit (UI) 112 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 112 to the operation unit 112. Further, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user via the operation unit 112 to the CPU 301.
[0048]
A network interface 308 controls connection to the LAN 100 and inputs / outputs information to / from the LAN 100. A modem (MODEM) 309 manages connection to the public line and inputs / outputs information to / from the public line. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 307.
[0049]
An image bus interface (Image Bus I / F) 305 is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 307 and an image bus 310 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure. The image bus 310 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394.
[0050]
The following devices are arranged on the image bus 310. A raster image processor (RIP) 311 expands a PDL code transmitted from the network into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 312 connects the scanner 113 and printer 114, which are image input / output devices, and the control unit 111, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.
[0051]
A scanner image processing unit 313 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. A printer image processing unit 314 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. An image rotation unit 315 rotates image data. The image compression unit 316 performs JPEG compression / decompression processing on multi-valued image data, and JBIG, MMR, and MH compression / decompression processing on binary image data.
[0052]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 4 scans an image on a document with a CCD line sensor (not shown), optically reads the image, generates raster image data, and outputs the raster image data. When the user sets an original on the tray 406 of the original feeder 405 and instructs the start of reading in the operation unit 112, the controller CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 113, and the feeder 405 feeds the original one by one. Reads an image on the document.
[0053]
The printer 114, which is an image output device, is a part that prints raster image data on paper. The method includes an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, an ink jet method in which ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array and an image is directly printed on a sheet, and any method may be used. Note that the printing operation is activated by an instruction from the controller CPU 301.
[0054]
The printer 114 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are paper cassettes 401, 402, and 403 corresponding to the respective paper feed stages. The paper discharge tray 404 receives paper that has been printed.
[0055]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit 112 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the LCD display unit 501 has a touch panel sheet 502 pasted on the LCD to display a system operation screen and soft keys. When the displayed keys are pressed, the touch panel sheet 502 is pressed. Position information indicating the set position is transmitted to the controller CPU 301.
[0056]
A start key 505 shown in FIG. 5 is used to start a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 505, there is a green and red two-color LED display section 506, which indicates whether or not the start key 505 can be used. The stop key 503 serves to stop the operation during operation. The ID key 507 is used when inputting the user ID of the user, and the reset key 504 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.
[0057]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3. As described above, the operation unit 112 is connected to the system bus 307 via the operation unit I / F 306. A CPU 301, RAM 302, ROM 303, and HDD 304 are connected to the system bus 307. The CPU 301 generally controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 307 based on control programs stored in the ROM 303 and the HDD 304. In addition, the CPU 301 reads input information from the scanner 113 connected via the device I / F 312 and outputs an image signal as output information to the printer 114 connected via the device I / F 312. The RAM 302 functions as a main memory, work area, etc. for the CPU 301.
[0058]
In FIG. 6, user inputs from the touch panel 502 and various hard keys 503, 504, 505, and 507 are passed to the CPU 301 via the input port 601. The CPU 301 generates display screen data based on the contents of the user input and the control program, and outputs the display screen to the LCD display unit 501 via the output port 602 that controls the screen output device. Further, the CPU 301 controls the LED display 506 as necessary.
[0059]
Next, a method for storing job control data and job data so that an interrupted job can be interrupted and the interrupted job can be resumed in the image forming apparatus will be described.
[0060]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of job control data and job data in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the job control data includes the job type, the user who owns the job, job setting information, the number of scanned pages, the number of printed pages, the number of received pages, the number of transmitted pages, This includes the start date / time, suspension date / time, authority required to restart the job, authority required to delete the job, authority required to display the job list, and the like. For example, in the case of a copy job, the above-described job setting information includes copy number setting, duplex setting, magnification setting, density setting, and sort setting. If the image forming apparatus holds processing data that can be used for job resumption when the job is interrupted, the processing data is stored as job data, and reference information for identifying the corresponding job data is stored in the job. Store in control data. Here, the job data includes, for example, original image data that has been scanned in a copy job and has not yet been printed, PDL data that has not been printed in a print job or an accumulated print job, and intermediate processed intermediate data. Data, rendered image data, and untransmitted transmission data in a transmission job.
[0061]
When the stop key 503 is pressed during job execution, the job in operation is interrupted, and job control data and job data are stored in a resumable format.
[0062]
Next, a functional configuration of a system that shares information about jobs among a plurality of image forming apparatuses will be described so that a job interrupted during execution can be restarted by an arbitrary image forming apparatus.
[0063]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration when information related to a job is shared among a plurality of image forming apparatuses. First, FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example in which information regarding an interrupted job is shared by the NFS server function provided by the image forming apparatus. Note that the image forming apparatus 110 provides a known NFS server function by a program executed by the CPU 301. That is, a file system existing in the HDD 304 of the image forming apparatus 110 is disclosed as a virtual file system that can be mounted from another image forming apparatus via the network interface 308. The image forming apparatus 120 and the image forming apparatus 130 realize a known NFS client function by a program executed by the CPU, and perform an NFS mount on the file system disclosed by the image forming apparatus 110 to make it similar to the file system in its own HDD. Is accessible. Then, job control data and job data are stored in a file system shared by each image forming apparatus by NFS.
[0064]
FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example in which information regarding an interrupted job is shared by a dedicated NFS server machine connected to the network that can be reached from each image forming apparatus. That is, each image forming apparatus shares job control data and job data by NFS mounting a file system disclosed by a dedicated NFS server machine.
[0065]
FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example in which information regarding an interrupted job is shared by mirroring between a plurality of image forming apparatuses. That is, when the job is interrupted in each of the image forming apparatuses 110, 120, and 130, the job control data and the job data are stored in the HDD 304 of the apparatus in a resumable format, and other images that can be reached via the network are stored. Copy the job control data and job data of the interrupted job to the HDD of the forming apparatus. That is, each image forming apparatus copies each other to store a common copy of job control data and job data related to the suspended job.
[0066]
In general, since the capacity of job data is expected to increase, only the job control data is mirrored between a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the job data is stored only in the image forming apparatus in which the job is interrupted. Also good. In this case, the reference information for specifying the job data included in the job control data to be mirrored is a URL including information for specifying the device storing the substance of the job data. Thereafter, when the job is resumed, the image forming apparatus that resumes the job acquires and uses the job data specified from the reference information as necessary.
[0067]
In this way, a plurality of image forming apparatuses share job control data (and job data as needed) of a suspended job, so that a job suspended by any apparatus can be resumed by any apparatus. It becomes possible.
[0068]
Here, details of job processing such as copy job processing, box job processing, and transmission job processing, including interrupted job restart processing for restarting an interrupted job, which will be described later, will be described.
[0069]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a standard operation screen displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in job processing. In FIG. 9, “Copy” 901, “Send” 902, and “Box” 903 located at the top are buttons for selecting a plurality of function types possessed by the image forming apparatus. First, in the copy function, original image data scanned and read by the scanner 113 is printed on the printer 114 to obtain a copy of the original. Next, the transmission function transmits original image data read by the scanner 113 and image data stored in the HDD 304 to various output destinations. As the output destination, a plurality of output destinations can be selected from various output destinations that can be transmitted via the network interface 308 using various protocols, and various output destinations that can be transmitted via the modem 309 using a protocol such as facsimile, and then transmitted. Can do.
[0070]
Next, the box function is a function for browsing, editing, printing, and transmitting document files such as image data and code data stored in the HDD 304. Document files stored in the HDD 304 include original image data read by the scanner 113, data downloaded via the network interface 308, data stored from print data received from other devices via the network interface 308, and via the modem 309. Including facsimile data received from other devices. That is, the box function can be used as an electronic mailbox in the user's office environment. It can also be used as a secure print that enhances the confidentiality of a PDL print job by delaying the print output to paper until a password is entered.
[0071]
Then, “Resume” 904 at the right end of the upper row is a button for starting the suspended job resumption process. Note that this button may be controlled not to be displayed when there is no resumable job. The following part of the screen shows an example of an operation screen for operating the currently selected copy function.
[0072]
[First Embodiment]
Next, an operation in the first embodiment in which a suspended job list is displayed when the user logs in, and the suspended job restart process is performed when the user selects to resume the suspended job will be described.
[0073]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a main loop procedure executed when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is in a steady state. First, in step S1001, a login process is performed (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 12). Next, in step S1002, a suspended job restart process is performed (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 14). In step S1003, a standard standby screen is displayed according to the initial function set in the apparatus. As the initial function, for example, when the copy function is selected, the contents as shown in FIG. 9 are displayed on the LCD display screen 501. In step S1004, job processing is performed (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 15). In step S1005, it is determined whether logoff is selected. If the user selects logoff by pressing the ID key 507 and determines true (T), the process proceeds to step S1006 to perform logoff processing, and returns to step S1001 to repeat the above-described series of processing. If it is determined to be false (F) in step S1005, the process returns to step S1003 to repeat a series of processes.
[0074]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the login process. As shown in FIG. 11, the login screen has two input fields named “user name” 1101 and “password” 1102. Here, when the user touches each input field on the touch panel, a virtual keyboard (not shown) is displayed on the LCD display screen 501 so that the value of each input field can be input. When the “login” button 1103 is pressed, the input value in the input field is confirmed.
[0075]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the login process. First, in step S1201, the login screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In step S1202, the process waits for user information such as a user name and a password to be input. In step S1203, user authentication is performed based on the input user information. The authentication base may use an inquiry to a known directory service such as NIS or LDAP via the network interface 308. Similarly, user authentication is performed by making an inquiry to various known authentication servers. You may comprise as follows.
[0076]
When configured in this way, it becomes possible to perform common user management among a plurality of devices constituting the distributed system. On the other hand, in the case of a device that employs a multi-user management mechanism that is established as a stand-alone device, authentication may be performed using a password file held in a nonvolatile memory (such as HDD 304) of the device.
[0077]
Next, in step S1204, it is determined whether authentication is successful. Here, if it is determined to be true (T), a series of login processes are completed and the process returns to the caller. If it is determined to be false (F), the process returns to step S1201 to repeat the series of processes. The login process may be configured not only by an authentication method by inputting a user name and a password but also by adopting an authentication method by reading an ID card such as a control card or an IC card or an authentication method by biometric authentication such as a fingerprint. .
[0078]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the suspended job restart process according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the center of the suspended job list is composed of a single table. Each row in this table displays a record of jobs that can be resumed in the current context. For each row corresponding to each record, information about job suspension date / time 1301, job type 1302, job execution user 1303, and job name 1304 is displayed in each column.
[0079]
When it is detected based on the coordinates selected from the touch panel 502 that the user has touched the rectangle displayed on each line, the record of the line touched by the user is highlighted. This highlighted row record indicates that it has been selected. When a “resume” button 1305 is pressed in a state where a certain record is selected, a suspended job corresponding to the selected record is resumed. When the “close” button 1306 is pressed, the display screen of the interrupted job list is closed and the screen displayed previously is restored.
[0080]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of suspended job resumption processing. First, in step S1401, the suspended job list display as shown in FIG. 13 is performed. Next, in step S1402, it is determined whether or not the interrupted job restart process has been selected. Here, when the “resume” button 1305 on the display screen is pressed, it is determined that the resume process is selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1403 to read the job control data and job data of the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record from the file system and resume the job. The job is resumed by setting the read job control data as a job scheduling target managed by the job manager 219. In step S1404, the job control data and job data related to the resumed job are deleted from the saved file system.
[0081]
If it is determined in step S1402 that the “resume” button 1305 on the display screen has not been pressed, the process advances to step S1405 to determine whether or not the suspended job resume selection from the list has been completed. Here, when the “close” button 1306 on the display screen is pressed, it is determined that the resumption selection is completed. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), a series of suspended job resumption processing is completed, and the processing returns to the caller processing. If it is determined to be false (F), the process returns to step S1401, and a series of processing is repeated.
[0082]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of job processing performed by the image forming apparatus. First, in step S1501, it is determined whether a copy function has been selected. Here, when the “copy” button 901 displayed in the upper part of the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that the copy function is selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1502 to perform job processing for the selected copy function. Specifically, an operation screen such as the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and processing such as setting, activation, and interruption of a copy job instructed by the user is processed.
[0083]
If it is determined in step S1501 to be false (F), the process advances to step S1503 to determine whether a box function has been selected. Here, when the “box” button 903 in the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that the box function is selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1504 to perform job processing for the selected box function. Specifically, processing such as setting, activation, and interruption of a box job instructed by the user is processed.
[0084]
If it is determined in step S1503 that it is false (F), the process advances to step S1505 to determine whether or not the transmission function is selected. Here, when the “send” button 902 in the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that the send function is selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1506 to perform job processing for the selected transmission function. Specifically, processing such as setting, activation, and interruption of a transmission job instructed by the user is processed.
[0085]
In step S1505, if it is determined to be false (F), the process proceeds to step S1507, and it is determined whether resumption of the interrupted job is selected. Here, when the “resume” button 904 in the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that resume of the interrupted job is selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1508 to perform the interrupted job restart process shown in FIG. If it is determined to be false (F), the series of job processing is completed and the processing returns to the caller processing.
[0086]
According to the first embodiment, since the suspended job resumption process is automatically started when the user logs in, the user can automatically browse the list of suspended jobs every time the device is used. It is easy to keep track of jobs that are always on hold. In particular, in a distributed system in which multiple devices are linked via a network, a mechanism that enables job suspension and restart across multiple devices and a common user management mechanism among multiple devices are effective. A distributed system configuration combined with the above becomes possible.
[0087]
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0088]
In the first embodiment, the suspended job resumption process is automatically activated every time the user uses the apparatus. However, in the second embodiment, the suspension job is suspended only when there is a resumable job related to the user. Starts job resumption processing.
[0089]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is in a steady state. First, in step S1601, login processing is performed. In step S1602, it is determined whether there is an interrupted job that can be resumed by the user. If there is an interrupted job, it is determined to be true (T), and the process advances to step S1603 to execute an interrupted job restart process. If it is determined to be false (F), the process proceeds to step S1604.
[0090]
In step S1604, a standard standby screen is displayed according to the initial function set in the apparatus. As the initial function, for example, when the copy function is selected, a display as shown in FIG. 9 is performed on the LCD display screen 501. In step S1605, job processing is performed. In step S1606, it is determined whether logoff is selected. If the user selects logoff by pressing the ID key 507 and determines true (T), the process proceeds to step S1607, the logoff process is performed, the process returns to step 1601, and the series of processes described above is repeated. If it is determined to be false (F) in step S1606, the process returns to step S1604 and a series of processes are repeated.
[0091]
According to the second embodiment, only when there is a resumable job related to the logged-in user from the suspended job, the suspended job resuming process is automatically started immediately after logging in, so that a new job is simply created. The adverse effect of annoying the user who wants to execute the operation can be reduced.
[0092]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0093]
In the third embodiment, only jobs interrupted by the logged-in user are displayed in the interrupted job list.
[0094]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the suspended job restart process according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the center of the suspended job list is composed of a single table. Each row in this table displays a record of jobs that can be resumed in the current context.
[0095]
Compared to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 13, in the screen example of the second embodiment, only the record of the interrupted job executed by the currently operating user is filtered and displayed. For each row corresponding to each record, information about job interruption date / time 1701, job type 1702, and job name 1703 is displayed in each column. Since the user who is currently paying attention is clear, the display of the user column is omitted in this table. Here, if a “display all” button 1704 is pressed, a list of all resumable jobs is displayed in the same manner as in FIG. 13 regardless of the currently operated function.
[0096]
When it is detected based on the coordinates selected from the touch panel 502 that the user has touched the rectangle displayed on each line, the record of the line touched by the user is highlighted. This highlighted row record indicates that it has been selected. When a “resume” button 1705 is pressed while a certain record is selected, a suspended job corresponding to the selected record is resumed. When a “delete” button 1706 is pressed while a certain record is selected, the suspended job corresponding to the selected record is deleted. When a “close” button 1707 is pressed, the display screen of the interrupted job list is closed and the screen displayed previously is restored.
[0097]
According to the third embodiment, in the process of resuming the suspended job of the image forming apparatus having the composite function, only the suspended jobs related to the user who is operating the apparatus are displayed as a list, and the user is prompted to select the resume job from the list. As a result, the user can easily and easily select a desired job from a large number of held jobs and resume the job.
[0098]
[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0099]
In the fourth embodiment, not only the suspended job is resumed, but also an operation of deleting without resuming is possible. In addition, by restricting access to resumed jobs (resumption, deletion, list display, etc.), suspended jobs can be operated under appropriate managed authority.
[0100]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of an interrupted job operation process. First, in step S1801, the interrupted job list display as shown in FIG. 17 is performed under the management of access control for each user. The interrupted job list display process in which access control is performed for each user will be described later. Next, in step S1802, it is determined whether or not the suspended job restart process has been selected. Here, if the “resume” button 1705 on the operation screen is not pressed, it is determined that the resume process is not selected, that is, false (F), and the process proceeds to step S1806.
[0101]
If the “resume” button 1705 on the operation screen is pressed, it is determined that the resume process is selected, that is, true (T), and the process advances to step S1803. The job control data of the suspended job corresponding to the selected record is displayed. Is read from the file system, and it is determined whether or not the operating user has the authority to resume the job. The determination of authority is performed based on attributes relating to access control in the job control data shown in FIG. If it is determined to be false (F), the process proceeds to step S1806. If it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1804, and the job control data and job data of the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record are read from the file system. Restart the job. The job restart is achieved by setting the read job control data as a job scheduling target managed by the job manager 219. In step S1805, the job control data and job data related to the resumed job are deleted from the saved file system.
[0102]
Next, in step S1806, it is determined whether an interrupted job deletion process has been selected. If the “delete” button 1706 on the operation screen is not pressed, it is determined that the deletion process is not selected, that is, false (F), and the process advances to step S1809. If the “delete” button 1706 on the operation screen is pressed, it is determined that the deletion process is selected, that is, true (T), and the process proceeds to step S1807, where the job control data of the suspended job corresponding to the selected record is displayed. Is read from the file system, and it is determined whether or not the operating user has the authority to delete the job. The determination of authority is performed based on attributes relating to access control in the job control data shown in FIG. If it is determined to be false (F), the process proceeds to step S1809. If it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1808 to save job control data and job data related to the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record. Delete from the file system.
[0103]
In step S1809, it is determined whether the interrupted job operation process is completed. Here, when the “close” button 1707 on the operation screen is pressed, it is determined that the operation has been completed. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the series of interrupted job operation processing is completed, and the processing returns to the caller processing. If it is determined to be false (F), the process returns to step S1801 to repeat the series of processes described above.
[0104]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a suspended job list display process in which access control is performed for each user. First, in step S1901, an attempt is made to read job control data for one suspended job from the file system. In step S1902, it is determined whether the interrupted job control data has been successfully read. Here, when reading is attempted after the job control data of all suspended jobs has been read, the determination is false (F). Therefore, this determination is used as an end condition for scanning all suspended jobs existing in the system. be able to. If it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1903. If it is determined to be false (F), a series of interrupted job list display processes are completed, and the process returns to the calling process.
[0105]
In step S1903, based on the read job control data, it is determined whether or not the operating user has the authority to display the job in a list. Here, the authority is determined based on the attribute relating to access control in the job control data shown in FIG. As a result, if it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1904. If it is determined to be false (F), the process returns to step S1901, and the operation is continued for all suspended jobs existing in the system. On the other hand, in step S1904, the read job control data is added to the list display memory and written.
[0106]
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the access control attribute of the suspended job control data. Each line of “resume authority” 2001, “delete authority” 2002, and “list display authority” 2003 shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to an attribute related to access control in the job control data shown in FIG. Each attribute indicates the authority to perform each operation on the job.
[0107]
In the “user” column 2004, the user who is the owner of the job (the value of the “user” attribute of the job control data) himself / herself has the authority to operate each row on the job. A true / false value for determining whether or not is stored. The “group” column 2005 has a list of IDs of groups having authority to operate each row for the job (inversely, group IDs having no operation authority can be held as a list). A group is a list that defines a set of users, and one user can belong to a plurality of groups. A list of groups to which the user belongs can be acquired by making an inquiry to a known directory service such as NIS via the network interface 308.
[0108]
When configured in this way, it becomes possible to perform common user management among a plurality of devices constituting the distributed system. On the other hand, in the case of a device that employs a multi-user management mechanism that is established in a stand-alone manner, a group file held in a nonvolatile memory (such as the HDD 304) of the device may be used.
[0109]
Further, the “other” column 2006 has the authority for other users to operate each row for the job, except for the user who is the target of access control specified by the “user” column 2004 and the “group” column 2005. A true / false value for determining whether or not is stored.
[0110]
As described above, by linking the user management mechanism of the image forming apparatus that supports multi-user and the access control mechanism of the suspended job, it is possible to operate the suspended job under the appropriate managed authority.
[0111]
In particular, in a distributed system in which multiple devices are linked via a network, a mechanism that enables job suspension and restart across multiple devices and a common user management mechanism among multiple devices are effective. A distributed system configuration combined with the above becomes possible.
[0112]
Needless to say, the first to fourth embodiments described above may be implemented independently or in combination as long as they can be combined.
[0113]
Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. It may be applied.
[0114]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium in which a program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium in the recording medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0115]
In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0116]
As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. be able to.
[0117]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0118]
Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0119]
【The invention's effect】
As explained above, according to the present invention, Many It is possible to easily select and resume a desired job from the number of held jobs, appropriately call attention that there is a held job, and easily grasp the suspended status of suspended jobs. Under appropriate access control At the desired image forming device Can handle suspended jobs Toss Can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit 112 shown in FIG.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of job control data and job data in the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration when information related to a job is shared among a plurality of image forming apparatuses.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a standard operation screen displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in job processing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is in a steady state.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus is in a steady state.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of login processing.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the suspended job restart process according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of suspended job resumption processing.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of job processing performed by the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is in a steady state.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the suspended job restart process according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of interrupted job operation processing.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an interrupted job list display process in which access control is performed for each user.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of an access control attribute of suspended job control data.

Claims (11)

A suspended job resumption method for resuming a suspended job suspended by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, by any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses ,
Reference information for identifying at least a device storing job data of suspended jobs suspended by the plurality of image forming devices, and user information for identifying a user who owns the job data. A management process for managing job control data including ,
A login processing step for performing login processing for identifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus in any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses ;
An interrupted job display step for displaying an interrupted job whose owner is the user who performed the login processing based on user information included in the job control data managed in the management step after the login processing is completed. When,
When an instruction to resume the displayed interrupted job is given, the image forming apparatus that has performed login processing in the login processing step based on the reference information included in the job control data managed in the management step is the job An interrupted job restarting method comprising: an interrupted job restarting step of acquiring the job data from an apparatus storing data and restarting the job.   The suspended job resumption method according to claim 1, wherein the suspended job display step displays a list of the suspended jobs.   2. The suspended job resumption method according to claim 1, wherein, in the suspended job display step, only suspended jobs related to the user specified by the login process are displayed as a list. And further comprising a determination step of determining whether or not there is a suspended job after the login process is completed,
The suspended job resumption method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the suspended job is not present in the determination step , the suspended job display step and the suspended job restart step are not executed.   The suspended job resumption method according to claim 1, further comprising a suspended job deletion step of deleting the suspended job.   The suspended job resumption method according to claim 1, wherein a user who can perform operations including at least list display, resumption, and deletion is restricted for the suspended job.   The suspended job resumption method according to claim 6, wherein the restriction is performed on a group including a plurality of users.   The suspended job resumption method according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the suspended job is managed simultaneously by a plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected ,
Reference information for identifying at least a device storing job data of suspended jobs suspended by the plurality of image forming devices, and user information for identifying a user who owns the job data. Management means for managing job control data including ;
Login processing means for performing login processing for identifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus in any of the plurality of image forming apparatuses ;
An interrupted job display means for displaying a suspended job whose owner is the user who performed the login process based on user information included in the job control data managed by the management means after the login process is completed. When,
When an instruction to resume the displayed interrupted job is given, the image forming apparatus that has performed login processing by the login processing unit based on the reference information included in the job control data managed by the management unit is the job An image forming system comprising interrupted job restarting means for acquiring job data from a device storing data and restarting the job.   A program for causing a computer to execute the suspended job resumption method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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