JP5678497B2 - Network printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network printer.

  In recent years, with the progress of network communication technology and the spread of network environments, network printers that are connected to a personal computer or the like via a network and print out print data received from the personal computer or the like are widely used.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer device that can simultaneously operate a plurality of interpreters that are responsible for developing image data and can simultaneously process a plurality of network sessions. In this printer apparatus, normally only one interpreter is operated. However, when various errors occur and the operating interpreter is stopped, the next interpreter is started and the processing of the subsequent print job is executed.

JP 2003-251894 A

  By the way, in a network printer, a new print data processing request may be received from another personal computer or the like while receiving print data from a personal computer or the like. At that time, the priority of the newly received print data is higher than the priority of the print data being received first, and the new print data with higher priority is given priority over the previous print data with lower priority. You may want to print out.

  However, in the printer device described in Patent Document 1, when print data having a higher priority is received during reception of print data received earlier, priority is given to print data having a higher priority received later. It is not considered to print out.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When print data having a higher priority is received during reception of print data received earlier, the print having the higher priority is received. An object of the present invention is to provide a network printer capable of printing out data with priority.

  A network printer according to the present invention includes a communication unit that transmits / receives data to / from a communication terminal connected via a network, a developing unit that expands print data received by the communication unit into raster data, and a developing unit Recording means for printing out raster data developed by the above-described method, and the communication means receives new second print data while receiving the first print data received earlier. In addition, a priority order determination unit that determines the priority order of the first print data and the second print data, and a session is given to the transmission source of the print data determined to be low by the priority order determination unit. Executes persistent connection control that prohibits the transmission of print data in the stretched state, and also determines that the priority is determined to be high. Against Todeta sender of, and having a persistent connection control means for permitting the transmission of print data.

  According to the network printer of the present invention, when the second print data is newly received while the first print data received earlier is being received, the first print data and the second print data are received. The priority order of the print data is determined. Then, the transmission of the print data is permitted to the transmission source of the print data determined to have a high priority. On the other hand, for the transmission source of the print data determined to have a low priority, the persistent connection control for prohibiting the transmission of the print data in a state where the session is established is executed. Therefore, for example, if the priority order of the second print data received later is higher than the priority order of the first print data received earlier, transmission of the first print data is prohibited. At the same time, transmission of the second print data is permitted. Therefore, the second print data with higher priority received later is preferentially received and printed out on paper. As a result, when print data with a higher priority is received during reception of print data received earlier, print data with the higher priority can be preferentially printed out.

  In the network printer according to the present invention, when the persistent connection control unit finishes receiving the print data determined to have a high priority among the first print data and the second print data, the priority is low. It is preferable to permit transmission of print data to the transmission source of the print data determined to be.

  In this case, the continuous connection control is canceled when the reception of the print data with the higher priority is completed, and the transmission of the print data is permitted to the transmission source of the print data with the lower priority. Therefore, it is possible to receive print data with a low priority following print data with a high priority, and print it out on paper. Further, since the session has already been established with the transmission source at the time when the persistent connection control is terminated, it is possible to quickly start receiving print data with a low priority.

  In the network printer according to the present invention, the persistent connection control means is included in the first print data when it is determined that the priority of the first print data is lower than the priority of the second print data. At the timing when the information indicating the page break is detected, the persistent connection control is executed for the transmission source of the first print data, and the rasterizing data until the page delimited by the information indicating the page break is displayed. It is preferable to expand to.

  In this case, persistent connection control is executed at the page break of the first print data, and transmission of the first print data is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to switch the print processing from the first print data to the second print data at the page break of the first print data. In addition, the amount of memory for temporarily storing the first print data can be reduced.

Network printer according to the present invention includes a storage means for temporarily storing the first print data received by the communication means, the persistent connection control means, the priority of the first print data is second print At the timing when it is determined that the priority is lower than the priority of the data, the continuous connection control is executed for the transmission source of the first print data, and after the reception of the second print data is completed, the first print data When the transmission source of the print data is permitted to be transmitted to the transmission source of the first print data and the transmission of the print data is permitted to the transmission source of the first print data, the expansion means stores the first data stored in the storage means. After expanding the print data into raster data, it is preferable to expand the first print data sent from the transmission source into raster data.

  In this case, when it is determined that the priority order of the first print data is lower than the priority order of the second print data, the persistent connection control is executed and the transmission of the first print data is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to switch the printing process from the first print data to the second print data more quickly, and it is possible to quickly print out the print data having a high priority. Further, when transmission of the first print data is prohibited, the first print data received halfway is temporarily stored in the storage means. When the reception of the second print data is completed and the transmission of the first print data is permitted, the print data stored in the storage means is first expanded into raster data and then newly received. The first print data is expanded into raster data. Therefore, the first print data can be printed out without losing the print data.

  In the network printer according to the present invention, it is preferable that the priority order determination unit determines the priority order of the first print data and the second print data based on the priority information included in the print data.

  In this way, for example, the priority order can be appropriately determined according to priority information such as high, medium, and low set by the user.

  Further, in the network printer according to the present invention, the priority order judging means further considers the time designation print information and / or the security print information in addition to the priority information included in the print data. It is preferable to determine the priority order of the second print data.

  Here, the time-designated print is a function for temporarily storing print data and printing out on paper at a designated time. The security printing is a function for temporarily storing print data (or rasterized print data) and printing out the data on a sheet when a password is input by the user, for example. According to the network printer of the present invention, the priority order of the print data is determined by further considering the time designation print information and / or the security print information in addition to the priority information included in the print data. Therefore, it is possible to more appropriately determine the priority order of print data.

  In the network printer according to the present invention, if the first print data and the second print data have the same priority, the first print data is given priority.

  According to the present invention, when print data having a higher priority is received during reception of print data received earlier, it is possible to preferentially print out the print data having the higher priority. Become.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart (first page) illustrating a processing procedure of print processing of first PDL data by the network multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart (second page) illustrating a processing procedure of print processing of first PDL data by the network multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart (first page) illustrating a processing procedure of print processing of second PDL data by the network multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart (second page) illustrating a processing procedure of print processing of second PDL data by the network multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the network multifunction device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart (first page) illustrating a processing procedure of print processing of first PDL data by the network multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart (second page) illustrating a processing procedure of print processing of first PDL data by the network multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart (first page) illustrating a processing procedure of second PDL data print processing by the network multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart (second page) illustrating a processing procedure of print processing of second PDL data by the network multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Here, a case where the network printer according to the embodiment is applied to a network multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described as an example. Further, a network configuration in which the network multifunction peripheral is connected to two personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”, corresponding to communication terminals recited in the claims) via a LAN will be described as an example. The illustrated network system has a simplified configuration for easy understanding.

(First embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the network multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the network multifunction device 1 connected to the LAN 51.

  In addition to a scanner function for reading an original and generating image data, a copy function for printing out the read and generated image data on paper, and a FAX reception function for printing out image data received by facsimile communication on the paper. A PC print function for printing out PC print data received from the PC 30 and PC 31 connected via the LAN 51 onto a sheet is provided. Further, the network multifunction peripheral 1 has a PC-FAX function for facsimile transmission of image data received from the external PCs 30 and 31 in addition to a FAX transmission function for facsimile transmission of the read image data. Further, the network multifunction device 1 also has an Internet FAX (IFAX) function for transmitting and receiving image data via an IP network using electronic mail. In order to realize these functions, the network multifunction peripheral 1 includes a NIC 10, a control unit 11, a recording unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a reading unit 15, a codec 16, an image storage unit 17, a modem 18, an NCU 19, An IFAX control unit 20 and a Web server 21 are provided. The above units are connected to each other via a bus (communication path) 23 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The NIC 10 is a network interface that performs transmission / reception control processing of various communication protocols, data analysis processing and data creation processing on various communication protocols. The NIC 10 is connected to the PCs 30 and 31 via the LAN 51, and performs data communication with the PCs 30 and 31, for example, according to TCP / IP. That is, the NIC 10 functions as communication means described in the claims. For example, the NIC 10 forms a session with the PC 30 and the PC 31 in accordance with TCP / IP and is also referred to as PC print data (hereinafter referred to as “print data” or “PDL data”) described in PDL (Page Description Language). ). The received print data is transferred to the control unit 11.

  The NIC 10 is received by a microprocessor that performs calculations, a ROM that stores a program for causing the microprocessor to execute each process, a communication chip (IC) that is controlled by the microprocessor and performs communication processing, and a communication chip. The RAM is configured to temporarily store received data read from the communication chip, and a backup RAM in which data is backed up. The NIC 10 may be configured using a microcomputer in which the above-described microprocessor, communication chip, ROM, RAM, and the like are housed in one chip.

  In the NIC 10, a priority order determination unit 10a and a persistent connection control unit 10b are constructed by a combination of the hardware and software described above.

  The priority determination unit 10a receives new second print data (second PDL data) while receiving the first print data (first PDL data) received earlier. In addition, the priority order of the first print data and the second print data is determined. More specifically, the priority order determination unit 10a first analyzes PJL (Printer Job Language) data included in the first print data when the first print data is received, and obtains priority information. Etc. are extracted and stored. Next, when the second print data is received, the priority order determination unit 10a analyzes the PJL data included in the second print data and extracts priority information and the like. Then, the priority order determination unit 10a compares the priority information and the like of the first print data stored with the priority information and the like of the second print data, and compares the first print data and the second print data. Determine priority.

  Here, the priority order determination unit 10a sets the first print data and the second print data based on the priority information set by the user, for example, high, medium, and low, included in the print data (PJL data). The priority order of the print data is determined. In addition to the priority information, the priority determination unit 10a considers the time designation print information and / or the security print information included in the print data (PJL data), and the first print data and the second print data. Determine the priority of print data. Here, the time-designated print is a function for temporarily storing print data and printing out on paper at a designated time. The security printing is a function for temporarily storing print data (or rasterized print data) and printing out the data on a sheet when a password is input by the user, for example.

  The priority order determination unit 10a determines the priority order by comparing the printout designated times when the time designated print is set. In addition, when the security print is set, the priority order determination unit 10a determines that the print data has low priority because it is not necessary to print out immediately. Note that, when the priority order of the first print data and the second print data is the same, the priority order determination unit 10a gives priority to the first print data received first. In addition, the priority determination result by the priority determination unit 10a is output to the persistent connection control unit 10b.

  For example, when receiving a session establishment request signal from, for example, the PC 31 during the process of receiving PDL data from the PC 30 (during session establishment), the persistent connection control unit 10b communicates with the PC 31 that has transmitted the session establishment request signal. Establish a session on Then, the persistent connection control unit 10b prohibits transmission of print data in a state where a session is established with respect to the print data transmission source (PC 30 or PC 31) determined to be low by the priority determination unit 10a. Execute persistent connection control (keep alive). On the other hand, the persistent connection control unit 10b permits transmission of print data to the print data transmission source (PC 30 or PC 31) determined to have a high priority without executing persistent connection control. That is, the persistent connection control unit 10b functions as a persistent connection control unit described in the claims.

  More specifically, for example, when it is determined that the priority of the first PDL data is lower than the priority of the second PDL data, the persistent connection control unit 10b is included in the first PDL data. The persistent connection control is executed for the transmission source of the first PDL data at the timing when the information indicating the page break (page close information) is detected. At this time, the NIC 10 transfers data up to the page delimited by the page close information to the control unit 11 (printer controller 11a) and notifies an instruction to end the process.

  On the other hand, the persistent connection control unit 10b determines that the PDL with the lower priority is determined when the reception of the PDL data with the higher priority among the first PDL data and the second PDL data is completed. Persistent connection control is terminated for the data transmission source, and transmission of PDL data is permitted. For example, when transmission of the first print data is permitted, the NIC 10 is received and not transferred to the control unit 11 (printer controller 11a) when the continuous connection control is started. The first PDL data that is newly received is then transferred.

  Here, when the persistent connection control is performed, the persistent connection control unit 10b returns an ACK (win = 0) with zero windows size to the PC 30 and the PC 31. When ACK (win = 0) is returned, the transmission source (PC30, PC31) periodically sends out a signal TCP Zero Window Probe (win = 0) inquiring whether or not the reception buffer is empty. In response to this signal, the persistent connection control unit 10b returns a signal TCP Zero Window Probe ACK (win = 0) indicating that there is no free capacity in the reception buffer, whereby the persistent connection control is performed. That is, while the persistent connection control is maintained, a TCP Zero Window Probe ACK (win = 0) is returned to the TCP Zero Window Probe (win = 0). On the other hand, the persistent connection control unit 10b transmits, for example, ACK (win = 4096) to the transmission source when releasing the persistent connection control.

  The control unit 11 includes a microprocessor that performs calculations, a ROM that stores programs for causing the microprocessor to execute each process, a RAM that temporarily stores various data such as calculation results, and a backup RAM that stores backup data. Etc. The control unit 11 executes a program stored in the ROM to control the recording unit 12 and other hardware constituting the network multifunction peripheral 1 in an integrated manner, such as a PC print function and a PC-FAX function. Implement various functions.

  The control unit 11 includes a printer controller 11a that interprets and expands PDL data input from, for example, the PC 30 and the PC 31, and generates raster data. The printer controller 11a functions as a developing unit described in the claims. The printer controller 11a has a spool buffer that temporarily stores the PDL data transferred from the NIC 10, and reads and processes the PDL data stored in the spool buffer when generating raster data. Raster data generated by the printer controller 11 a is output to the recording unit 12 via the control unit 11.

  The recording unit 12 is an electrophotographic printer, and prints raster data generated by the printer controller 11a on a sheet. That is, the recording unit 12 functions as a recording unit described in the claims. The recording unit 12 prints out the image data read and generated by the reading unit 15 and the image data received by FAX, IFAX, or the like on a sheet. Therefore, the recording unit 12 includes a printer engine 12a.

  The printer engine 12a is a printing mechanism that performs printing. The printer engine 12a prints raster data input from the printer controller 11a on a sheet. More specifically, the printer engine 12a performs printing processes such as paper feeding, drum charging, laser irradiation, toner application, paper transfer, and fixing, and prints out raster data.

  The operation unit 13 includes a plurality of keys used for using each function of the network multifunction device 1, such as a numeric keypad, an abbreviated key, a start key, a stop key, and various function keys. The display unit 14 is a display device using an LCD or the like, and displays the operation state of the network multifunction peripheral 1 and / or various setting contents. The reading unit 15 includes a light source, a CCD, and the like, and reads a document such as a paper document for each line according to a set sub-scanning line density, and generates image data.

  The codec 16 encodes and compresses the image data read by the reading unit 15 and decodes the encoded and compressed image data. The image storage unit 17 is configured by a DRAM or the like, and is image data encoded and compressed by the codec 16, image data received by FAX, and image data received from the external PC 30 and PC 31 and encoded and compressed. Memorize etc.

  A modem (modem / demodulator) 18 performs modulation / demodulation between a digital signal and an analog signal. The modem 18 generates and detects various function information such as a digital command signal (DCS). An NCU (Network Control Unit) 19 is connected to the modem 18 and controls the connection between the modem 18 and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 50. The NCU 19 has a function of transmitting a call signal corresponding to the destination facsimile number and detecting the incoming call.

  The IFAX control unit 20 manages an IFAX function using the Internet environment. The IFAX control unit 20 has a function of transmitting an electronic mail according to SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and a function of receiving an electronic mail according to POP (Post Office Protocol). The IFAX control unit 20 attaches the transmission document to the e-mail as image data in the TIFF format or the like, and transmits it to the e-mail address (SMTP server). The IFAX control unit 20 receives an e-mail from the POP server at every set time and prints out the attached file. The Web server 21 makes it possible to access a data such as a home page, a login page, and a facsimile operation page described in HTML, for example, by accessing from the PC 30 and PC 31 and executing a predetermined HTTP task.

  Next, PDL data (PC print data) print processing by the network multifunction peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts (first and second pages) showing the processing procedure of the print processing of the first PDL data. 4 and 5 are flowcharts (first page and second page) showing the processing procedure of the print processing of the second PDL data.

  First, the print processing of the first PDL data will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S100, it is determined whether there is a session establishment request (whether a SYN signal has been received). If there is a session establishment request, the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when there is no session establishment request, this step is repeatedly executed until there is a session establishment request.

  When there is a session establishment request, in step S102, a session establishment process is executed, and a session is established with the session establishment request transmission source (for example, the PC 30). More specifically, a session is established by returning an ACK / SYN signal in response to a SYN signal.

  Subsequently, in step S104, a determination is made as to whether the received data is PDL data. If the received data is not PDL data, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the received data is PDL data, the process proceeds to step S112.

  If the received data is not PDL data, in step S106, network processing corresponding to the received data is executed. Subsequently, in step S108, it is determined whether or not there is a session disconnection request (that is, whether or not a FIN signal for disconnecting the session has been received). If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S106, and the above-described process of step S106 is repeatedly executed until there is a session disconnection request.

  If there is a session disconnection request, a session disconnection process is executed in step S110. More specifically, an ACK / FIN signal is returned and the session is disconnected. Thereafter, the process is temporarily exited.

  If the received data is PDL data, a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is stored in step S112. In step S114, the printer controller 11a is instructed to start PC print processing.

  Next, in step S116, the PJL priority information of the first PDL data is stored. Thereafter, in step S118, the first PDL data is transferred to the print controller 11a.

  Next, in step S120, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a second PDL data reception start request (details will be described later). If there is a second PDL data reception start request, the process proceeds to step S136. On the other hand, when there is no second PDL data reception start request, the process proceeds to step S122.

  In step S122, a determination is made as to whether the first PDL data has been received. Here, when the first PDL data is received, the process proceeds to step S124. On the other hand, when the first PDL data is not received, the process proceeds to step S120, and the above-described process is performed until there is a request to start reception of the second PDL data or the first PDL data is received. , Steps S120 and S122 are repeatedly executed.

  When the first PDL data is received, in step S124, the received first PDL data is transferred to the printer controller 11a. Thereafter, in step S126, it is determined whether there is a session disconnection request. If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S128. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S120, and the processes after step S120 described above are repeatedly executed.

  If there is a session disconnection request, in step S128, session disconnection processing is executed, and the session (for example, with the PC 30) is disconnected. In step S130, the printer controller 11a is instructed to end the PC print process. Thereafter, in step S132, the priority information of the first PDL data is deleted, and in step S134, a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is deleted. Thereafter, the process is temporarily exited.

  If it is determined in step S120 described above that there is a request to start receiving the second PDL data, a determination is made in step S136 as to whether or not the first PDL data has been received. Here, when the first PDL data is received, the process proceeds to step S138. On the other hand, when the first PDL data is not received, this step is repeatedly executed until the first PDL data is received.

  In step S138, a determination is made as to whether or not the first PDL data has a page end indicator (page close information) indicating the end of the page. If there is a page end indicator, the process proceeds to step S146 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when there is no page end indicator, the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, the first PDL data is transferred to the print controller 11a. Thereafter, in step S142, it is determined whether there is a session disconnection request. If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S144. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S136, and the processes after step S136 described above are repeatedly executed.

  If there is a session disconnection request, in step S144, session disconnection processing is executed, and the session (for example, with the PC 30) is disconnected. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S130 described above.

  If it is determined in step S138 that the first PDL data has a page end indicator, in step S146, data up to the page end indicator of the first PDL data is transferred to the print controller 11a. In subsequent step S148, data subsequent to the page end indicator of the first PDL data is stored. In step S150, the printer controller 11a is instructed to end the PC print process.

  Next, in Step S152, an ACK with Window Size = 0 is transmitted, and the persistent connection control for prohibiting the transmission of the PDL data in a state where a session is established with respect to the transmission source of the first PDL data (for example, the PC 30). Be started. Subsequently, in step S154, a determination is made as to whether or not a TCP Zero Window for inquiring whether or not the reception buffer is empty has been received. Here, if the TCP Zero Window has not been received, this step is repeatedly executed until the TCP Zero Window is received. On the other hand, when TCP Zero Window is received, the process proceeds to step S156.

  In step S156, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a second PDL data reception end instruction. If there is an instruction to end reception of the second PDL data, the process proceeds to step S160. On the other hand, when there is no instruction to end reception of the second PDL data, the process proceeds to step S158.

  In step S158, a TCP Zero Window Probe ACK indicating that there is no free space in the reception buffer is transmitted to the transmission source (for example, PC 30) of the first PDL data, and the continuous connection control is continued. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S154, and the processes after step S154 described above are repeatedly executed.

If there is an instruction to end the reception of the second PDL data, in step S160, an ACK of Window Size = 4096 is transmitted, and the persistent connection control for the transmission source (for example, PC 30) of the first PDL data is released. In step S162, the printer controller 11a is instructed to start PC print processing. Then, in step S164, the data after the page end indicator of the first PDL data stored in step S1 48 is transferred to the printer controller 11a. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120 shown in FIG. 2, and the processes after step S120 described above are executed.

  Next, the second PDL data print process will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S200, it is determined whether there is a session establishment request (whether a SYN signal has been received). If there is a session establishment request, the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when there is no session establishment request, this step is repeatedly executed until there is a session establishment request.

  If there is a session establishment request, in step S202, a session establishment process is executed, and a session is established with the session establishment request transmission source (for example, the PC 31). More specifically, a session is established by returning an ACK / SYN signal in response to a SYN signal.

  Subsequently, in step S204, a determination is made as to whether the received data is PDL data. If the received data is not PDL data, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the received data is PDL data, the process proceeds to step S212.

  If the received data is not PDL data, network processing corresponding to the received data is executed in step S206. Subsequently, in step S208, it is determined whether or not there is a session disconnection request (that is, whether or not a FIN signal for disconnecting the session has been received). If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S206, and the above-described process of step S206 is repeatedly executed until there is a session disconnection request.

  If there is a session disconnection request, a session disconnection process is executed in step S210. More specifically, an ACK / FIN signal is returned and the session is disconnected. Thereafter, the process is temporarily exited.

  If the received data is PDL data, in step S212, it is determined whether or not a flag indicating that the PDL data is being received is stored. If a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is stored, the process proceeds to step S236. On the other hand, when the flag indicating that the PDL data is being received is not stored, the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S214, a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is stored. In step S216, the printer controller 11a is instructed to start PC print processing.

  Next, in step S218, the PJL priority information of the second PDL data is stored. Thereafter, in step S220, the second PDL data is transferred to the print controller 11a.

  Next, in step S222, a determination is made as to whether second PDL data has been received. Here, when the second PDL data is received, the process proceeds to step S224. On the other hand, when the second PDL data is not received, this step is repeatedly executed until the second PDL data is received.

  When the second PDL data is received, in step S224, the received second PDL data is transferred to the printer controller 11a. Thereafter, in step S226, a determination is made as to whether there is a session disconnection request. If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S228. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S222, and the processes after step S222 described above are repeatedly executed.

  If there is a session disconnection request, a session disconnection process is executed in step S228, and the session (for example, with the PC 31) is disconnected. In step S230, the printer controller 11a is instructed to end the PC print process. Thereafter, in step S232, the flag indicating that the PDL data is being received is deleted, and in step S234, the priority information of the second PDL data is deleted. Thereafter, the process is temporarily exited.

  If a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is stored in step S212 described above, the priority order of the second PDL data is the priority order of the stored first PDL data in step S236. A determination is made as to whether it is higher. Note that the priority order determination method is the same as described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. If the priority order of the second PDL data is lower than the priority order of the first PDL data, the process proceeds to step S258 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the priority order of the second PDL data is higher than the priority order of the first PDL data, the process proceeds to step S238.

  In step S238, information indicating that there is a request to start receiving the second PDL data is notified to the first PDL data processing (see step S120 in FIG. 2). In step S240, the printer controller 11a is instructed to start PC print processing.

  In step S242, PJL priority information of the second PDL data is stored. Thereafter, in step S244, the second PDL data is transferred to the print controller 11a.

  Next, in step S246, a determination is made as to whether second PDL data has been received. Here, when the second PDL data is received, the process proceeds to step S248. On the other hand, when the second PDL data is not received, this step is repeatedly executed until the second PDL data is received.

  When the second PDL data is received, in step S248, the received second PDL data is transferred to the printer controller 11a. Thereafter, in step S250, a determination is made as to whether there is a session disconnection request. If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S252. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S246, and the processes after step S246 described above are repeatedly executed.

  If there is a session disconnection request, a session disconnection process is executed in step S252, and the session (for example, with the PC 31) is disconnected. In step S254, the printer controller 11a is instructed to end the PC print process. In step S256, the flag indicating that PDL data is being received is deleted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S234.

  In step S236, when it is determined that the priority order of the second PDL data is lower than the priority order of the first PDL data, an ACK of Window Size = 0 is transmitted in step S258, and the second PDL data Persistent connection control for prohibiting transmission of PDL data in a state where a session is established is started for a transmission source (for example, PC 31). Subsequently, in step S260, a determination is made as to whether or not a TCP Zero Window for inquiring whether or not the reception buffer is empty is received. Here, if the TCP Zero Window has not been received, this step is repeatedly executed until the TCP Zero Window is received. On the other hand, when TCP Zero Window is received, the process proceeds to step S262.

  In step S262, a determination is made as to whether or not a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is stored. If a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is stored, the process proceeds to step S264. On the other hand, when the flag indicating that the PDL data is being received is not stored, the process proceeds to step S266.

  In step S264, a TCP Zero Window Probe ACK indicating that there is no free space in the reception buffer is transmitted to the transmission source (for example, PC 31) of the second PDL data, and the continuous connection control is continued. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S260, and the processes after step S260 described above are repeatedly executed.

  If a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is not stored, an ACK of Window Size = 4096 is sent in step S266, and the persistent connection control for the second PDL data transmission source (for example, PC 31) is released. Is done. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S216 shown in FIG. 4, and the processes after step S216 described above are executed.

  According to the present embodiment, when the second PDL data is newly accepted while the first accepted PDL data is being received, the first PDL data and the second PDL data are received. Is determined. Then, the transmission of the print data is permitted to the transmission source of the print data determined to have a high priority. On the other hand, for the transmission source of the print data determined to have a low priority, the persistent connection control for prohibiting the transmission of the print data in a state where the session is established is executed. Therefore, for example, if the priority order of the second PDL data received later is higher than the priority order of the first PDL data received earlier, transmission of the first PDL data is prohibited. At the same time, transmission of the second PDL data is permitted. Therefore, the second PDL data with higher priority received later is received preferentially and printed out on paper. As a result, when PDL data having a higher priority is received during the reception of the previously received PDL data, it is possible to preferentially print out the PDL data having the higher priority.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the reception of PDL data having a high priority is completed, the persistent connection control is released, and the transmission of PDL data is permitted to the transmission source of the PDL data having a low priority. Therefore, it is possible to receive PDL data having a low priority following PDL data having a high priority and print it out on paper. Moreover, since the session has already been established with the transmission source at the time when the persistent connection control is terminated, the reception of the PDL data can be started quickly.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the persistent connection control is executed at the page break of the first PDL data, and the transmission of the first PDL data is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to switch the printing process from the first PDL data to the second PDL data at the page break of the first PDL data. It is also possible to reduce the amount of memory for temporarily storing the first PDL data.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the priority order of the first PDL data and the second PDL data is determined based on the priority information set by the user included in the print data (PJL data). Therefore, the priority order can be appropriately determined according to the priority information set by the user, such as high, medium, and low.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the priority order of print data is determined by further considering time-designated print information and / or security print information in addition to priority information included in PDL data. Therefore, it is possible to determine the priority order of print data more appropriately.

(Second Embodiment)
In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the first PDL data received earlier has lower priority than the second PDL data received later, the end of the page included in the first PDL data The persistent connection control is started after waiting for detection, but the persistent connection control may be started immediately when it is determined that the priority is low.

  Next, the configuration of the network multifunction peripheral 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the network MFP 2. In FIG. 6, the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The network multifunction device 2 is different from the network multifunction device 1 described above in that it includes a NIC 10B having a memory 10c instead of the NIC 10. The NIC 10B is different from the NIC 10 in that it has a persistent connection control unit 10d instead of the persistent connection control unit 10b. Other configurations are the same as or similar to those of the network multifunction device 1 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The memory 10c is composed of, for example, a DRAM and temporarily stores the received first PDL data. More specifically, the NIC 10B monitors information indicating page breaks (page open information and page close information), and the memory 10c includes from page open information to page close information (no page close information is detected). PDL data is stored). The memory 10c corresponds to storage means described in the claims.

  For example, when the priority of the first PDL data is lower than the priority of the second PDL data, the persistent connection control unit 10d determines that the priority of the first PDL data is the priority of the second PDL data. When it is determined that it is lower than that, the persistent connection control is executed for the transmission source of the first PDL data. At this time, the NIC 10B discards the rasterized data of the page being processed and notifies the control unit 11 (printer controller 11a) of an instruction to end the process.

  In addition, the persistent connection control unit 10d permits the transmission source of the first PDL data (for example, the PC 30) to transmit the first PDL data after the reception of the second PDL data is finished. When the transmission of the first PDL data is permitted, the NIC 10B first transfers the first PDL data temporarily stored in the memory 10c to the control unit 11 (printer controller 11a). Thereafter, the newly received first PDL data is transferred.

  Next, PDL data (PC print data) print processing by the network MFP 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts (first and second pages) showing the processing procedure of the print processing of the first PDL data. FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts (first and second pages) showing a processing procedure of print processing of the second PDL data.

  First, the print processing of the first PDL data will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S300, it is determined whether there is a session establishment request (whether a SYN signal has been received). If there is a session establishment request, the process proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, when there is no session establishment request, this step is repeatedly executed until there is a session establishment request.

  If there is a session establishment request, a session establishment process is executed in step S302, and a session is established with the transmission source of the session establishment request (for example, the PC 30). More specifically, a session is established by returning an ACK / SYN signal in response to a SYN signal.

  Subsequently, in step S304, a determination is made as to whether the received data is PDL data. If the received data is not PDL data, the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, if the received data is PDL data, the process proceeds to step S312.

  If the received data is not PDL data, in step S306, network processing corresponding to the received data is executed. Subsequently, in step S308, a determination is made as to whether there is a session disconnection request (that is, whether a FIN signal for disconnecting the session has been received). If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S306, and the above-described process of step S306 is repeatedly executed until there is a session disconnection request.

  If there is a session disconnection request, a session disconnection process is executed in step S310. More specifically, an ACK / FIN signal is returned and the session is disconnected. Thereafter, the process is temporarily exited.

  If the received data is PDL data, a flag indicating that PDL data is being received is stored in step S312. In step S314, the printer controller 11a is instructed to start PC print processing.

  Next, in step S316, the PJL priority information of the first PDL data is stored. Thereafter, in step S318, the first PDL data is transferred to the print controller 11a. In the subsequent step S320, temporary temporary storage of the first PDL data is started.

  Next, in step S322, a determination is made as to whether there is a second PDL data reception start request. If there is a request to start receiving the second PDL data, the process proceeds to step S348 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when there is no second PDL data reception start request, the process proceeds to step S324.

  In step S324, a determination is made as to whether the first PDL data has been received. Here, when the first PDL data is received, the process proceeds to step S326. On the other hand, when the first PDL data is not received, the process proceeds to step S322, and the above-described process is continued until there is a request to start reception of the second PDL data or the first PDL data is received. , Steps S322 and S324 are repeatedly executed.

  When the first PDL data is received, in step S326, it is determined whether or not the received first PDL data has a page end indicator (page close information) indicating the end of the page. Here, if there is a page end indicator, after the temporarily stored first PDL data is deleted in step S328, the process proceeds to step S336. On the other hand, when there is no page end indicator, the process proceeds to step S330.

In step S330, a determination is made as to whether or not the received first PDL data has a page start indicator (page open information) indicating the start of a page. If there is a page start indicator, the temporary storage of the received first PDL data is started in step S332, and then the process proceeds to step S336. On the other hand, when there is no page start indicator, the process proceeds to step S334.

  In step S334, the received first PDL data is temporarily stored. In subsequent step S336, the received first PDL data is transferred to the printer controller 11a. Thereafter, in step S338, a determination is made as to whether there is a session disconnection request. If there is a session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S340. On the other hand, when there is no session disconnection request, the process proceeds to step S322, and the processes after step S322 described above are repeatedly executed.

  If there is a session disconnection request, in step S340, a session disconnection process is executed, and the session (for example, with the PC 30) is disconnected. In step S342, the printer controller 11a is instructed to end the PC print process. Thereafter, in step S344, the priority information of the first PDL data is deleted, and in step S346, the flag indicating that the PDL data is being received is deleted. Thereafter, the process is temporarily exited.

  If it is determined in step S322 described above that there is a request to start receiving the second PDL data, an ACK of Window Size = 0 is transmitted in step S348 shown in FIG. 8, and the transmission source of the first PDL data (For example, the PC 30) starts persistent connection control for prohibiting transmission of PDL data in a state where a session is established. Subsequently, in step S350, a determination is made as to whether or not a TCP Zero Window for inquiring whether or not the reception buffer is empty is received. Here, if the TCP Zero Window has not been received, this step is repeatedly executed until the TCP Zero Window is received. On the other hand, when TCP Zero Window is received, the process proceeds to step S352.

  In step S352, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a second PDL data reception end instruction. If there is an instruction to end reception of the second PDL data, the process proceeds to step S356. On the other hand, when there is no instruction to end the reception of the second PDL data, the process proceeds to step S354.

  In step S354, a TCP Zero Window Probe ACK indicating that there is no free space in the reception buffer is transmitted to the transmission source (for example, PC 30) of the first PDL data, and the continuous connection control is continued. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S350, and the processes after step S350 described above are repeatedly executed.

  If there is an instruction to end the reception of the second PDL data, in step S356, an ACK of Window Size = 4096 is transmitted, and the persistent connection control for the transmission source of the first PDL data (for example, the PC 30) is released. In step S358, the printer controller 11a is instructed to start PC print processing. Subsequently, in step S360, the temporarily stored first PDL data is transferred to the printer controller 11a. In step S362, after the temporarily stored first PDL data is deleted, the process proceeds to step S322 shown in FIG. 7, and the processes after step S322 described above are executed.

  The second PDL data printing process (steps S400 to S466) by the network multifunction peripheral 2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is the same as the process of steps S200 to S266 described above. Detailed description will be omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the priority order of the first PDL data is lower than the priority order of the second PDL data, the persistent connection control is executed and the transmission of the first PDL data is prohibited. Is done. Therefore, it is possible to switch the printing process from the first PDL data to the second PDL data more quickly, and it is possible to quickly print out print data having a high priority. Further, when the transmission of the first PDL data is prohibited, the first PDL data received halfway is temporarily stored in the memory 10c. Then, when reception of the second PDL data is finished and transmission of the first PDL data is permitted, first, the first PDL data stored in the memory 10c is expanded into raster data, and then The newly received first PDL data is expanded into raster data. Therefore, the first PDL data can be printed out without losing the print data.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the network printer according to the present invention is applied to a network multifunction peripheral, but a single function network printer may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the persistent connection control is executed after determining the priority order of the first PDL data and the second PDL data. For example, when the second PDL data is accepted, or the priority order is set. When determining, it is good also as a structure which performs persistent connection control.

  The arrangement of functional elements constituting the network multifunction peripherals 1 and 2 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the memory 10c may be provided on the printer controller 11a side instead of the NIC 10B.

1, 2 Network MFP 10, 10B NIC
10a priority determination unit 10b, 10d persistent connection control unit 10c memory 11 control unit 11a printer controller 12 recording unit 12a printer engine 13 operation unit 14 display unit 15 reading unit 16 codec 17 image storage unit 18 modem 19 NCU
20 IFAX control unit 21 Web server 30, 31 Personal computer 51 LAN

Claims (6)

A communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a communication terminal connected via a network;
Expansion means for expanding the print data received by the communication means into raster data;
Recording means for printing out raster data developed by the developing means on paper,
The communication means includes
The priority order of the first print data and the second print data when a reception request signal for the second print data is newly received during the reception of the first print data received first. Priority order judging means for judging
For the print data transmission source determined to be low by the priority determination means, according to TCP / IP, there is no free space in the reception buffer of the own device regardless of the actual receivable data amount. by sending information indicating, and executes the persistent connection control that prohibits the transmission of the print data in a tensioned state the session, the transmission source of the print data is determined to be high priority, transmission of print data And a persistent connection control means for allowing
The persistent connection control means prints that have been determined to have a low priority when reception of print data determined to have a high priority among the first print data and the second print data has been completed. A network printer characterized by releasing persistent connection control and permitting print data transmission to the data transmission source.   When it is determined that the priority order of the first print data is lower than the priority order of the second print data, the persistent connection control means indicates a page break included in the first print data. When the information is detected, the persistent connection control is executed for the transmission source of the first print data, and the expansion unit expands the raster data up to the page delimited by the information indicating the page delimiter. The network printer according to claim 1. Storage means for temporarily storing the first print data received by the communication means;
The persistent connection control means determines the persistence of the first print data with respect to the transmission source of the first print data at a timing when it is determined that the priority of the first print data is lower than the priority of the second print data. The connection control is executed, and after the reception of the second print data is completed, the transmission of the print data is permitted to the transmission source of the first print data,
The expansion unit expands the first print data stored in the storage unit into raster data when transmission of print data is permitted to the transmission source of the first print data. 2. The network printer according to claim 1, wherein the first print data sent from the transmission source is expanded into raster data.   4. The priority order determination unit determines the priority order of the first print data and the second print data based on priority information included in the print data. A network printer according to claim 1.   The priority determination means determines priority of the first print data and the second print data by further considering security print information in addition to the priority information included in the print data. The network printer according to claim 4. 6. The priority order determination unit according to claim 4, wherein the priority order determination unit prioritizes the first print data when the priority order of the first print data and the second print data is the same. Network printer.

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